ABSTRACT
Trade Unions, successors to the Old English Guilds—Traces of their descent visible in Forms, Ceremonies, Methods, and Policy— Earlier difficulties, Law and Custom favoured Capital at the expense of Labour—Rise of an “Operative Class” of Hired Handicraftsmen —Examples of early Trade Unionism—Growth of associative effort —Benefit Clubs and Societies—Imitations of the Guild System— Apprentices—Labour Organizations towards the close of the Eighteenth and early years of the Nineteenth Century—Repeal of the Combination Laws in 1824, immediate effects thereof upon Labour —Extended associations—Federations of Labour—Institution of newer and better type of Trade Unions—Amalgamated Society of Engineers—Model upon which later Unions have been mostly founded—Progress of Trade Unions, 1851 to 1860—Progress continued, 1861 to 1870—Further Progress, 1871 to 1880—Changed Conditions of Labour—Legal recognition of Trade Unions— Protection of their Funds—Severe strain upon the Unions, from 1875 to 1880—Depression in Trade—Test of fitness and of ability to cope with a great Industrial Crisis—Further progress of Trade Unions, 1881 to 1890—Revival of Trade Unionism—Growth in Numbers, and in Funds—Federations—The Dockers’ Union and Strikes— Trades Union Congresses—Institution, Progress, and Labours of Trade Congresses—The Dundee and Liverpool Congresses—Trade Unions becoming more Political—The present position, power, and influence of Trade Unions.
