The Workers' Union was established in 1898. It aimed to be an all-inclusive union and recruited members from a large cross-section of trades, including labourers of all types, machinists, chemical workers, municipal and other local and central government employees (it actually aimed to replace the other local and central government unions), cocoa workers, brewery workers, file cutters, grinders and hardeners, riddle-makers, packing case makers, sanitary pipe workers, quarrymen, farm and rural workers, and factory workers of all kinds. It absorbed several smaller unions, including the London Cloth Workers' Union and the Small Arms Employees' Union in 1914. The Workers' Union amalgamated with the Transport and General Workers' Union in 1929, forming its own semi-independent trade group until 1931 when its members were split between other trade groups.
Access conditions
Prior written permission to consult almost all unpublished records in this archive is required. Researchers should apply to Mr Jim Mowatt, Director of Education at the successor union UNITE, Transport House, 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8TD, or by e-mail care of Joan Francis (Joan.Francis@unitetheunion.org). Publications may be consulted without permission.
Access status
Open
Related material
See also MSS.126/TG (Transport and General Workers' Union) and MSS.51 (Richard Hyman Papers). Branch records are held by Anglesey and Calderdale Record Offices, the Manx National Heritage Library, and Sussex University.
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Workers' Union, 1899 - 1929
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Workers' Union, 1899 - 1929
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