An important stage in the development of the rights of socialised labour in Britain: a strike by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in August 1900 was met by a suit for damages from their employers, the Taff Vale Railway Company, brought under the terms of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875. Justice Sir George Farwell decided in favour of the railway company and his judgement was supported on appeal to the House of Lords in 1901, making it too costly for workers to strike in the future. This judgement materially increased the inclination of the Trades Union Congress to support the formation of the Labour Party (1906) and agitation for reform of the powers of the House of Lords, an entirely unelected chamber …
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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Taff Vale Case". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 January 2008 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=5467, accessed 23 November 2024.]