1.9) A Period of Unrest
The period running up to the First World War was one of unparalleled industrial unrest in Britain.
Striking workers at
J. & A . Ferguson
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Over these years actions by the NAUSAW&C secured Union agreements with hundreds of companies throughout the country.
In 1908, staff at grocers J. & A. Ferguson in Glasgow objected to working 79 hours a week - and sometimes over 100 hours during busy periods. This meant men could be working without food from midday until 9 pm or later.
The employers refused to listen and, after learning that four of their number were to be dismissed, 14 of the 17 staff went on strike.
J. & A. Ferguson was picketed, men paraded the streets with posters and hand-bills were distributed in their thousands. Public sympathy was on the side of the strikers and trade dropped dramatically.
After five weeks the firm agreed to the Union's demands and the employees were granted three nights' closing at 6 pm and other improvements.
Not all disputes were with private employers, however. The first-ever strike of Co-op employees took place in 1912 at the CWS flour mill in Avonmouth while, 12 months later at Lincoln, retail Co-op workers struck for the first time.
The Society's workers were demanding the minimum Union rate of pay, but met with strong resistance from Lincoln Co-op's management committee. Because of AUCE agitation they had increased wages - but only by about half of the required amount.
One of the most lengthy strikes against a Co-op Society was at Coalburn, Lanarkshire in 1914. Called after two employees were sacked, 60 members came out on strike. A bitter and sometimes violent dispute ensured after the society advertised for new staff and brought in black-leg labour.
The outbreak of World War I effectively ended the upsurge of unrest and the growth of trade unionism was temporarily checked.
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