| AdminHistory | The history of the Amalgamated Engineering Union can be traced back to the formation of the 'Old Mechanics' in 1826. This became the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) in 1851 through the coming together of a number of separate organisations for mechanics, smiths, millwrights, engineers and machinists. Other, mainly local, organisations joined between 1893 and 1915. In 1920 nine other unions joined the ASE to form the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU). The nine unions were the Steam Engine Makers' Society, the United Machine Workers' Association, the United Kingdom Society of Amalgamated Smiths and Strikers, the Associated Brassfounders, Turners, Fitters, Finishers and Coppersmiths' Society, the North of England Brass Turners, Fitters, and Finishers' Society, the London United Metal Turners, Fitters and Finishers' Society, the East of Scotland Brassfounders' Society, the Amalgamated Instrument Makers' Society and the Amalgamated Society of General Toolmakers, Engineers and Machinists.
Further amalgamations with the AEU followed, beginning in 1944 with the Amalgamated Society of Glass Works Engineers; followed by the Amalgamated Society of Vehicle Builders, Carpenters and Mechanics (1945); the Amalgamated Machine, Engine and Iron Grinders and Glaziers' Society (1956); the Leeds Spindle and Flyer Makers' Trade and Friendly Society (1958); the United Operative Spindle and Flyer Makers' Trade and Friendly Society (1962); the Turners, Fitters and Instrument Makers' Union (Scotland) (1965); and the National Union of Foundry Workers (1967).
In 1967 the Union changed its name to the Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers (AEFW). In 1970 the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicians' Association amalgamated with the Union and the Constructional Engineering Union to become the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW). This comprised four sections: Technical and Supervisory; Constructional; Foundry; and Engineering. Further amalgamations followed in 1976 (with the Amalgamated Springworkers and Allied Trades) and 1983 (the British Roll Turners' Trade Society).
The AUEW amalgamation was not successful and in 1985 the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section left the amalgamation. The Construction and Foundry Sections transferred their engagements to the Engineering Section and the Union was renamed the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers - Engineering, Foundry and Construction Section. The union changed its name to the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU) in May 1986. The AEU and the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunication and Plumbing Union joined to form the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union on the 1st May 1992.
The Sheffield No. 9 branch of the AEU was formed on 18th January 1908. The first president was William Black. |