National Society of Metal Mechanics explained

National Society of Metal Mechanics
Location Country:United Kingdom
Affiliation:TUC, Labour[1]
Members:50,494 (1982)[2]
Founded:1872
Dissolved:1985
Merged:Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section
Headquarters:70 Lionel Street, Birmingham
Key People:William John Davis (General Secretary)
Publication:Metal Mechanics News

The National Society of Metal Mechanics (NSMM) was a trade union in the United Kingdom which existed between 1872 and 1985.

History

The organisation was founded in Birmingham in 1872 as the Amalgamated Brassworkers Society. Led for many years by William John Davis, it was soon renamed the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers.[3] In 1919, members rejected a proposal to join the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, and instead chose to expand the union's remit, renaming the body as the National Society of Brass and Metal Mechanics.[4] By 1920, it had 37,363 members, but it suffered during the Great Depression, and this figure fell to 15,000 by 1937.[5]

In 1985, the union merged with the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section; at this point, its membership was 27,000.

General Secretaries

1872: William John Davis

1883:

1888: William John Davis

1921: Arthur H. Gibbard

1940s: Arthur Penny

1955: V. M. Robus

1962: Frank Briggs

1975: J. H. Wood

1981: Charles P. McCarthy

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Eaton. Jack. Gill. Colin. The Trade Union Directory. 1981. Pluto Press. London. 0861043502. 99–100.
  2. Book: Marsh. Arthur. Trade Union Handbook. 3. 1984. Gower. Aldershot. 0566024268. 253 - 255.
  3. John B. Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, Volume 6, p.221
  4. John B. Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, Volume 6, p.229
  5. G. D. Miller, "Trade Unionism in the Engineering Industry", in: British Trade Unionism To-Day, p.362