The First One Big Union

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 293, 11 October 1922, Page 14

The First One Big Union

Among the activities of Robert Owen in tlie .'business of Labour organisation was his formation in 1834 of the Grand National Consolidated Union of frreat Britain and Ireland. Its members soon numbered • 500,000, and. Included all sorts and conditions of men, from miners to farm, labourers, carpo&ters to engineers. The object of this One Big Union —or of its founders—was communist, the snpercession of capitalist production and theState, and the organisation of Industry by the The disappointment caused by their exclusion from the Reform 13111 of 3.832 caused many of the workers.to turn-to industrial means to improve their wretched lot. The .general strike was to be the main weaponofthe Grand National, and on this account and. by reason ■ of' its ideals It provoked the bitterest animosity of the employers. It collapsed and disappeared in slightly more than a year. The rank and file, not surprisingly In their circumstances, were more concerned about their immediate necessities than about the ultimate objects of the Union. Its strength was. frittered away in sectional strikes.. Mark Starr-in "A Worker Looks at History explains its failure thus: — "The Grand National Consolidated was only a loose federation attempting to unite at the top. It'indiscriminately opened Its arms to all comers. Rival Unions in the same trades, and Unions as diverse as , those of the agricultural labourers,- the chimney sweeps, the operative bonnet makers, and the, female tailors all found a place in its ranks. Sectional Interests demanded sectional strikes, and when these failed disaffection ensued/i ■ ; . - ■'■