Amalgamated Association of Miners

The Amalgamated Association of Miners (AAM) was formed in 1869 in Lancashire, at a time of increasing industrial conflict in the British coalfields. Its president was Thomas Halliday. In contrast to the Miners' National Union of Alexander Macdonald, the AAM placed an emphasis on being a centralised union offering systematic support for local strikes. The AAM grew rapidly in the early 1870s and had considerable success in South Wales.

In 1874, Halliday sought election as MP for Merthyr Boroughs but although he polled well he was comfortably defeated by the sitting Liberal members, Henry Richard and Richard Fothergill.^[1]

The last great industrial battle fought by the AAM was in 1874 but Halliday'd hardline stance was rejected by the majority of his followers. Therefafter the AAM went into rapid decline.

References

Bibliography

• Pretty, David A. (June 2001). "David Morgan ('Dai o'r Nant'), miners' agent. A Portrait of Leadership in the South Wales Coalfield". Welsh History Review 20 (3): 495–531. Retrieved 10 March 2014.