ABSTRACT
The Trades Union Congress was established in 1868. The meeting-place was Manchester, and 34 delegates attended, representing 118,367 members. The Congress of 1872, at Nottingham, was of great importance. On that occasion it was held in January, primarily because the Trade Union Act of 1871 came into operation at the beginning of the year and it was essential to prepare for the expected developments of Trade Union activity. Further, it was felt essential that Parliamentary Bills should be considered and prepared for when Parliament met. A new epoch in workers’ history happened when the Congress was started in 1868. Organised Labour had begun to assert its power, and employers were alarmed and demanded its curtailment. The Courts had laid it down that Trade Unions, although not criminal, were illegal organisations, and a stern fight to maintain their existence faced them. The Congress of 1875, at Glasgow, was memorable for the fact that for the first time women were delegates.
