| AdminHistory | Early trade unions in Sheffield:
Trade unions were legalised in 1872, after a Royal Commission on Trade Unions in 1867 agreed that the establishment of the organisations was 'to the advantage of both employers and employees'. A number of small unions were established in Sheffield during the 19th century. Some trade associations dated back earlier offering workers sick and unemployment insurance during times of hardship. The existence of a Scissors Grinders trade association can be traced back to the 1790s in Sheffield ('At a numerous and respectable meeting of the principal manufacturers of cutlery wares … at the house of Mr Francis Beardsall, known by the name of the Hotel, in Sheffield … resolved unanimously … [relating to a protest at the formation of a trade union by scissor grinders]', 1790) (Sheffield Local Studies Library: MP 102 M). Many of these smaller unions and associations later merged with larger unions such as the National Union of General and Municipal Workers.
National Union of General and Municipal Workers (NUGMW), later GMB:
GMB has its origins in the National Union of Gasworkers and General Labourers which was formed in 1889 by Will Thorne. It changed its name to the National Union of Gas and General Workers in 1912 and again in 1916 to the National Union of General Workers. Between 1890-1916 there were many mergers with lots of smaller general unions.
In 1924, the National Union of General Workers amalgamated with the National Amalgamated Union of Labour and the Municipal Employees Association to become the National Union of General and Municipal Workers (NUGMW). Over the years the NUGMW merged with other unions. In 1974 the name changed to the General and Municipal Workers' Union.
In 1982 it merged with the Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Shipbuilders and Structural Workers to form the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union (GMBATU), which would go on to become the GMB.
These records (including the minute books and cash books of early Sheffield trade associations and trade unions) were stored at the Olive Grove depot, Sheffield occupied by GMB. The GMB deposited the records in Nov 2016. |
| Description | Records of early Sheffield trade associations, provident societies and trade unions, many of which later merged with the National Union of General and Municipal Workers (later GMB):
Minute and rule books of early Sheffield trade associations, provident societies and trade unions, 1843 - 1977 (X749/1)
Cash books, 1853 - 1975 (X749/2)
Weekly pay book, Scissor Grinders, 1846 - 1876 (X749/3/1)
Contribution book [Shot Grinders], 1864 - 1880 (X749/4/1)
Correspondence and circulars, 1953 - 1973 (X749/5)
Miscellaneous items, 1939 - 1956 (X749/6) |
| CustodialHistory | These records (including the minute books and cash books of early Sheffield trade associations and trade unions) were stored at the Olive Grove depot, Sheffield occupied by GMB. The GMB deposited the records in Nov 2016. |