The Rossendale Union of Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives was a trade union representing workers in the footwear trade in the Rossendale area of Lancashire.
| Merged | National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1895 |
| Dissolved | 1997 |
| Headquarters | 7 Tenterfield Street, Rossendale |
| Location |
|
| Members | 9,527 (1945) |
| Affiliations | TUC, GFTU, ISLWF |
The union was founded in 1895,[1] Initially, it restricted membership to the workers perceived as being the most skilled, the lasters and riveters, but gradually expanded to represent all workers in the trade in the area.[2]
Membership of the union reached a peak of 9,527 in 1945, but declined to only 1,412 in 1995. In 1997, it merged with the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades.[2]
General Secretaries
edit- 1895: Andrew McAuley
- 1896: John Jordan
- 1905: J. Eastwood
- 1907: Albert Taylor
- 1947: Robert Driver
- 1969: Tom Whittaker
- 1983: Michael Murray
References
edit- ^ University of Warwick Modern Records Centre, "Rossendale Union of Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives, 1968-1990s"
- ^ a b John B. Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.6, p.104