Respectable militants : the Lancashire textile machinery makers, c.1800-1939
Lancashire's textile machinery industry developed with the mechanisation of its cotton industry, and by 1914 was the leading branch of mechanical engineering in Britain. Throughout this industry's history its artisans retained characteristics of respectability and militancy allied with a strong sense of local independence. (Chapter 1) As the industry expanded in the 1830's and 1840's the artisans fought to retain control over the labour process and maintain economic status in the face of technological change. Meanwhile they maintained a significant and under acknowledged role in the wider labour movement. (Chapter 2) Artisans of the leading firm of Hibbert and Platt were at the centre of the greatest industrial dispute of the mid nineteenth century, the 1852 engineering lock-out. (Chapter 3) The next forty years are seen as the classic period of the 'labour aristocracy' in Britain; the textile machinery artisans provide an excellent case study of this most controversial concept. (Chapter 4) The 1890's brought the unionisation of the industry's less skilled workers by localised 'new unions' and general labour unions, notably the Gas Workers and General Labourers Union. Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Society of
Holden, G. G.
Labour history in Lancashire
Respectable militants : the Lancashire textile machinery makers, c.1800-1939. Lancashire's textile machinery industry developed with the mechanisation of its cotton industry, and by 1914 was the leading branch of mechanical engineering in Britain. Throughout this industry's history its artisans retained characteristics of respectability and militancy allied with a strong sense of local independence. (Chapter 1) As the industry expanded in the 1830's and 1840's the artisans fought to retain control over the labour process and maintain economic status in the face of technological change. Meanwhile they maintained a significant and under acknowledged role in the wider labour movement. (Chapter 2) Artisans of the leading firm of Hibbert and Platt were at the centre of the greatest industrial dispute of the mid nineteenth century, the 1852 engineering lock-out. (Chapter 3) The next forty years are seen as the classic period of the 'labour aristocracy' in Britain; the textile machinery artisans provide an excellent case study of this most controversial concept. (Chapter 4) The 1890's brought the unionisation of the industry's less skilled workers by localised 'new unions' and general labour unions, notably the Gas Workers and General Labourers Union. Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Society of
respectable militant lancashire textile machinery maker lancashire textile machinery industry develop mechanisation cotton industry lead branch mechanical engineering britain throughout industry history artisan retain characteristic respectability militancy ally strong_sense local independence industry expand artisan fought retain control labour process maintain economic status face technological_change meanwhile maintain significant acknowledge role wider labour_movement artisans leading firm centre great industrial dispute engineering lock out see classic period labour aristocracy britain textile machinery artisan provide_excellent case_study controversial concept brought industry less skilled worker localise new union general labour union notably workers general union meanwhile society