Historical Directory of Trade Unions

Description

Despite widespread interest in the trade union movement and its history, it has never been easy to trace the development of individual unions, especially those now defunct, or where name changes or mergers have confused the trail. In this respect the standard histories and industrial studies tend to stimulate curiosity rather than satisfy it. When was a union founded? When did it merge or dissolve itself, or simply disappear? What records survive and where can further details of its history be found? These are the kinds of question the Directory sets out to answer. Each entry is arranged according to a standard plan, as follows: name of union; foundation date; name changes (if any) and relevant dates; any amalgamation or transfer of engagements; cessation, winding up or disappearance (with date and reasons where appropriate and available); characteristics of - membership, leadership, and policy; outstanding events; membership (numbers); and, sources of information (books, articles, and minutes) and location of documentation. This is the final volume in the "Historical Directory of Trade Unions" series. It proves a comprehensive list of all British unions that operated within the building, construction, chemical, dock, maritime, engineering, government, mining, quarry, and shipbuilding industries.