Mundella was also praised – this time by the trade union leadership – for his opposition backbench role in amending, and enabling the passing of, firstly, in 1875, the Employers and Workmen Bill which replaced the repressive Masters and Servants Acts, and secondly the passing of the Conspiracy, and Protection of Property Bill which, combined with the repeal of the much-hated Criminal Law Amendment Act 1871, released workers from severe penalties which were aimed solely at them. Both Acts together fully decriminalised the work of trade unions.