The United Machine Workers' Association was a trade union representing engineers in the United Kingdom.
| Merged into | Amalgamated Engineering Union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1844 |
| Dissolved | 1920 |
| Headquarters | 48 Plymouth Grove, Manchester |
| Location | |
Members | 14,000 (1915) |
Key people | Matthew Arrandale (Gen Sec) |
| Affiliations | TUC, FEST, GFTU |
The union was founded in 1844 in Manchester and initially grew only slowly, having to compete directly with the larger Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) for members.[1] Matthew Arrandale became secretary in 1885, when it still had only 371 members. Under his leadership, it grew rapidly. This enabled him to take the role full-time in 1887, and the union reached 2,500 members by 1891.[2] That year, the union was a founder member of the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades in 1891.[1]
The union had 3,800 members by 1900, and again began growing quickly, with 14,000 in 1915.[1] From 1916, it admitted all engineering workers who used machines, regardless of level of skill or training.[3] Following World War I, it began discussions on a possible merger with the ASE, and the two merged along with six other unions in 1920, forming the Amalgamated Engineering Union.[1]
General Secretaries
edit- 1885: Matthew Arrandale
- 1913: Robert H. Coates
References
edit- ^ a b c d Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.2, p.64
- ^ "Prospective vacancy in the representation of Ardwick ward", Manchester Guardian, 5 March 1891
- ^ "United Machine Workers: An extension of scope", Manchester Guardian, 19 June 1916