Initially influenced by the Chartist movement, Manx trade unions played important roles in campaigns for universal suffrage and improvement in working conditions.
During the period immediately after the First World War, the Isle of Man saw significant industrial conflict and the labour movement in the island emerged as one of the strongest throughout the British Isles.
[1] In 1829/30 cotton During the Chartist period, there were far fewer restrictions on freedom of speech in the Isle of Man and Chartist organisations used Douglas as a base for publications.
[2]: 288 Living conditions in the Isle of Man for the general population deteriorated during the War - in 1917 costs were 80% above 1914 levels with no wage rises to compensate.
[2]: 291 The Isle of Man Trades Union Council (IOMTUC) operates as the peak body with 10 affiliated unions: Unite, UNISON, USDAW, NUT, RCN, CWU, NHAT, BECTU, BDA and ATL.