Historical Directory of Trade Unions

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: 1. Name of union; 2. 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; 3. Characteristics of: membership leadership policy outstanding events membership (numbers). 4. Sources of information: books articles minutes etc; location of documentation.