Sir Arthur PughCBE (19 January 1870 – 2 August 1955) was aBritishtrade unionist.
Born inRoss-on-Wye, Pugh was apprenticed to a farmer who also worked as a butcher, but soon moved toNeath to work in the steel industry, where he became active in theBritish Steel Smelters' Association. In 1901, he moved toFrodingham, Lincolnshire, and he became first Assistant Secretary and then Office Secretary of the union. In 1917, he played a leading role in the formation of theIron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) and theBritish Iron, Steel and Kindred Trades Association, becoming the first General Secretary of the ISTC. He served asPresident of the Trades Union Congress in 1926, during theUK General Strike, was on the economic consultative committee of theLeague of Nations, and was active in running theDaily Herald newspaper. He retired from his union posts in 1935, and wroteMen of Steel, a history of the metal-workers trade unions.[1]
Pugh was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the1930 New Year Honours for public services,[2] andknighted in the1935 Birthday and Silver Jubilee Honours.[3]
He was featured inJack Thorne's 2023 playWhen Winston Went to War with the Wireless, played by Elliott Rennie.[4]
| Trade union offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Assistant General Secretary of theBritish Steel Smelters' Association 1906 – 1917 | Succeeded by Position abolished |
| Preceded by New position | General Secretary of theIron and Steel Trades Confederation 1917–1935 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of the Trades Union Congress 1926 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by New position | Iron, Steel and Minor Metal Trades representative on theGeneral Council of the TUC 1921 – 1935 With:William Kean | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Trades Union Congress representative to theAmerican Federation of Labour 1927 With:Will Sherwood | Succeeded by |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by | President of theWorkers' Educational Association 1926 – 1928 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
