National Union of Foundry Workers
The National Union of Foundry Workers (NUFW) was a trade union representing workers in foundries in the United Kingdom.
| Merged into | Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 |
| Dissolved | 1946 |
| Headquarters | 164 Chorlton Road, Manchester |
| Location | |
Members | 34,665 (1940)[1] |
| Affiliations | TUC, CSEU, Labour |
History
The union was founded in 1920 with the merger of the Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland, the Amalgamated Society of Coremakers of Great Britain and Ireland and the Friendly Society of Iron Founders of England, Ireland and Wales. The Scottish Brassmoulders' Union joined in 1942, and the Associated Iron, Steel and Brass Dressers of Scotland merged in during 1945. In 1946, the union merged with the Ironfounding Workers' Association and the United Metal Founders' Society to form the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers.[2]
Although many women worked in foundries during and after World War II, the NUFW only admitted men into its membership.[3]
Election results
The union sponsored Arthur Henderson as a Labour Party candidate in several Parliamentary elections.[4]
| Election | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 general election | Widnes | Arthur Henderson | 12,897 | 46.8 | 2 |
| 1923 by-election | Newcastle upon Tyne East | Arthur Henderson | 11,066 | 45.7 | 1 |
| 1923 general election | Newcastle upon Tyne East | Arthur Henderson | 11,532 | 47.7 | 2 |
| 1924 by-election | Burnley | Arthur Henderson | 24,571 | 58.4 | 1 |
| 1924 general election | Burnley | Arthur Henderson | 20,549 | 45.4 | 1 |
| 1929 general election | Burnley | Arthur Henderson | 28,091 | 46.2 | 1 |
| 1931 general election | Burnley | Arthur Henderson | 26,917 | 43.0 | 2 |
| 1933 by-election | Clay Cross | Arthur Henderson | 21,931 | 69.3 | 1 |
Leadership
General Secretaries
- 1920: Alfred Todd[5]
- 1922: James Fulton[5]
- 1925: Robert Tilling[5]
- 1934: J. H. Codd[5]
- 1938: Albert Wilkie[5]
- 1944: Jim Gardner[5]
Presidents
- 1920: Tom Chadwick[5]
Assistant General Secretaries
- 1920: James Fulton[5]
- 1922: Robert Tilling[5]
- 1925: J. H. Codd[5]
- 1934: Robert Smith[5]
Further reading
Hubert Jim Fyrth and Henry Collins, The Foundry Workers: a trade union history
References
- Europa: The Encyclopædia of Europe, vol.1, p.116
- Archives Hub, "National Union of Foundry Workers"
- Jeremy Black, A History of the British Isles, p.310
- Parker, James (2017). Trade unions and the political culture of the Labour Party, 1931-1940 (PDF). Exeter: University of Exeter. p. 125.
- Fryth, H. J.; Collins, Henry (1950). The Foundry Workers. Manchester: Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers.