William Whitefield Explained

William Whitefield (4 January 1850  - 21 October 1926) was a British trade unionist.

Born near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Whitefield became a coal miners at the age of ten. He became active in the Northumberland Miners' Association, and served as a checkweighman for seven years, then became a deputy. During this time, he undertook correspondence courses to educate himself.[1]

The newly formed Bristol Miners' Association invited him to become their agent and secretary in 1889, and he took up the post there in June.[2] He proved immediately successful, negotiating a 10% pay increase for union members.[3] He served on the executive of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain (MFGB) on four occasions between 1889 and 1904.[4]

Whitefield was asked to stand as a Liberal-Labour candidate in the 1890 Bristol East by-election, but was unable to finance a candidacy. However, he was elected to Bristol City Council in 1906, representing St George East until 1919. He then became an alderman until his death.

References

  1. [Robin Page Arnot]
  2. [University of the West of England]
  3. Peter Carter and John Smethurst, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, Vol.6, p.486
  4. [Robin Page Arnot]