Amalgamated Society of Coopers

Former federated trade union in the UK and Ireland

The Amalgamated Society of Coopers was a trade union representing coopers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

A National Association of Coopers, bringing together local unions, existed from 1854 until 1868, when a lengthy strike led it to collapse. Most of the local union survived, and by 1878 there was a desire to again form a national organisation. That year, thirteen unions formed the Mutual Association of Journeymen Coopers, which attempted to co-ordinate activity, but permitted each affiliate to control its own money and retain a high level of autonomy.[1] The government of the union was rotated between different branches.[2]

By 1888, the union had grown to 4,000 members in 27 affiliates, and this continued to grow, with the following unions affiliated by 1910:[1][3]

Union | Founded

|

Aberdeen General Coopers' Protective Society | 1907
Alloa Journeymen Coopers' Society | 1873
Belfast Coopers' Trade Union | 1812
Birmingham, Wolverhampton and District Good Intent Coopers' Society | 1850
Blackburn and District Society of Coopers | 1881
Bradford and District Friendly Society of Coopers | 1868
Bristol Friends of Humanity Society of Coopers | 1822
Cork Coopers' Society | 1700
Dundalk and District Coopers' Trade Union | 1894
Glasgow Journeymen Coopers' Trade Society | 1851
Good Intent Society of Coopers of Newcastle-on-Tyne and District | 1882
Greenock Coopers' Society | 1879
Hull Coopers' Society | 1853
Leeds and District Society of Coopers | 1857
Leith, Edinburgh and District Journeymen Coopers' Friendly and Protective Society | 1851
Limerick Guild of Coopers | Unknown
Liverpool Coopers' Friendly, Trade and Burial Society | 1843
Liverpool Dry and Tight Coopers' Association | 1895
Livingston Society of Operative Coopers | 1865
Londonderry and District Coopers' Trade Union | 1896
London Hand-in-Hand Society of Coopers | 1824
Manchester, Salford and District Society of Brewers' and General Coopers | 1845
Northwich and District Coopers' Trade Society | 1896
Nottingham Society of Coopers | 1897
Philanthropic Society of Journeymen Coopers of Burton-on-Trent and Vicinity | 1853
Regular Dublin Operative Coopers' Society | 1666
St Helens Coopers' Friendly Trade Society | Unknown
Sheffield and District Society of Coopers | Unknown
Swansea Friends of Humanity Coopers' Society | 1872
Tyne Hand-in-Hand Friendly Protecting Society of Journeymen Coopers | 1876
United Society of Coopers (London) | 1821
Warrington Coopers' Society | 1888
Waterford Operative Coopers' Trade Union | 1884
Widnes, Runcorn and District Coopers' Association | 1875

In 1919, the union renamed itself as the Amalgamated Society of Coopers. Despite its national scope, several rival coopers' unions existed, including the National Association of Coopers. In 1926, the Amalgamated Society, the National Association and three smaller unions formed the Coopers' Federation of Great Britain. The Amalgamated Society remained in existence as an affiliate, but declined in importance. In 1970, it merged fully into the federation.[1]

## General Secretaries

[edit]

E. Girling
1902: J. Carroll
1907: John Connell
1908: John Shankie
1909: A. J. Spiller
1911: George William Harrison
1914: R. W. Mann
1940s: T. B. Ford

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.3, pp.389-401
2. ^ "Trade unions", 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
3. ^ John Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.6