National Federation of Building Trades Operatives
The National Federation of Building Trades Operatives (NFBTO) was a trade union federation in the United Kingdom, consisting of unions with members in construction and related industries.
The federation originated in 1914 as the National Building Trades Council, which was created in opposition to the Building Workers Industrial Union. The council achieved little, as its members remained autonomous in all matters and were free to leave at will, but it attracted affiliations from most relevant unions:[1]
- Amalgamated Slaters', Tilers' and Roofing Operatives' Society
- Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners
- Manchester Unity of Operative Bricklayers' Society
- National Association of Builders' Labourers
- National Amalgamated Society of Operative House and Ship Painters and Decorators
- United Builders' Labourers' Union
- United Operative Plumbers and Domestic Engineers Association of Great Britain and Ireland[1]
In 1918, the federation was refounded as the NFBTO. It launched a campaign for a shorter working week, which was successful. In 1924, its members were locked out, the NFBTO coming to a settlement with employers. The Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists and National Association of Operative Plasterers resigned from the federation in protest, but both rejoined a few years later.[1]
The federation remained prominent under two long-term secretaries: Richard Coppock from 1920 to 1961, then Harry Weaver.[1] In 1934, Coppock and the NFBTO were central to forming the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers.[2] In 1970, it changed its name to the National Federation of Construction Unions. At this point, its affiliates included:[1]
- Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists
- Amalgamated Union of Asphalt Workers
- Constructional Engineering Union
- Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union
- National Union of Furniture Trade Operatives
- National Union of General and Municipal Workers
- Relevant sections of the Transport and General Workers Union[1]
In 1971, several affiliates merged to form the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians, and the federation decided to dissolve.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, Historical Directory of British Trade Unions, vol.3, pp.40-41
- ↑ John Saville, Dictionary of Labour Biography, Vol.III, pp.48-52