LINES OF CONFLICT - LABOR DISPUTES IN LONDON, 1790-1870

This paper examines labour disputes in London between 1790 and 1870, b ased on a systematic coverage of working-class newspapers. Disputes we re classified by type, cause and trade. Evidence exists for 294 disput es, the large majority of which were strikes. The incidence of dispute s roughly paralleled cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in the economy . Wage claims were the main cause for conflict, although interpretatio n of such disputes needs to be related to price movements. The most se rious disputes were associated with significant changes in control ove r employment and the labour process. Skilled and unskilled workers wer e involved in disputes, both taking advantage of specific circumstance s to exert power at the workplace. The extent to which London was pron e to disputes is discussed and tentative comparisons drawn with other regions in Britain.