1831 - 1922

Collection

Reports and accounts, 1893-1921

1 box

The Amalgamated Society of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames was established in 1872. In 1901 it absorbed the Society of Watchmen of the Port of London and changed its name to the Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Watchmen of the River Thames. Lightermen were the elite of the London riverside workers and were freemen of the Watermen's Company. However, by 1900 larger barges were eroding their exclusive rights and in that year, for the first time, the Society allowed non-freemen to become members. In 1912 the name was changed to the Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen. On 1 January 1922 it merged with thirteen other unions to form the Transport and General Workers' Union.

Prior written permission to see unpublished material must be obtained from Siobhan Endean, Acting Director of Education, Unite, Transport House, 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8TN, or by email via her personal assistant Joan Francis (Joan.Francis@unitetheunion.org). Publications may be consulted without permission.

Open

See also MSS.126/TG (Transport and General Workers' Union). The records of the Watermen and Lightermen's Company are held by the Guildhall Library, London.

English