ABSTRACT
This chapter examines characteristics of collective action 1788 to1850. There were significant differences between convicts and free-labour regarding modes of collective action. Strikes seem to have become the most prevalent form of collective action in the four decades after 1840. Long duration strikes were exceptional. The database enabled calculations regarding the size of strikes/non-strike forms of collective action in terms of the number of workers and workplaces involved. Multi-workplace collective action, especially that encompassing a town or region, required coordination and resourcing more readily accomplished by unions. Informal multi-workplace strikes were sometimes a precursor to formal organization. Collective action over workloads, discipline/supervision, hours and other issues should be seen as responses to inequality at work. Convicts dominate the categories of labourers (especially convict gangs), rural workers and domestics, helping to explain the occupational skewing. Duration data was representative and provided further evidence on worker mobilization.
