TheGeneral Council of the Trades Union Congress is an elected body which is responsible for carrying out the policies agreed at the annual BritishTrade Union Congresses (TUC).
The council has 56 members, all of whom must be proposed by one of the unions affiliated to the TUC. Unions with more members receive an automatic allocation of seats, in proportion to their membership. Smaller unions propose candidates for eleven elected seats. In addition, there are separately elected seats: four for women, three for black workers, at least one of whom must be a woman, and one each for young workers, workers with disabilities, and LGBT workers. TheGeneral Secretary also has a seat on the council.[ 1]
Some members of the council are further elected to serve on the smaller Executive Committee of the TUC. ThePresident of the Trades Union Congress is also chosen by the General Council.[ 1]
Although the TUC has long had links with theLabour Party , members of the General Council are not permitted to sit on Labour'sNational Executive Committee .[ 2]
Until 1921, the leading body of the TUC was theParliamentary Committee . This had seventeen members, but by the collapse of theTriple Alliance , it was considered ineffective and to have insufficient powers in industrial matters.
The new General Council had 32 members, elected from industrial groups, each consisting of one or more unions operating in a particular industry. Two of the places were reserved for women. It received additional powers to intervene in the case of major industrial disputes, and to resolve inter-union conflicts. In 1924, the Joint Consultative Committee was set up, which broughttrades councils ultimately under the control of the General Council.[ 3] [ 4]
Changes to the groups and numbers of seats were made over time, as the number of workers represented in different industries fluctuated,[ 5]
Group 1: Mining and Quarrying [ edit ] Robert Smillie, member from 1921 to 1927 Arthur Scargill, member from 1980 to 1983 Most of the members elected from Group 1 represented the largeMiners' Federation of Great Britain , or its successor, theNational Union of Mineworkers , but there were several smaller unions which often managed to win one seat.[ 6]
J. H. Thomas, member from 1921 to 1924, and 1925 to 1929 Throughout this period, Group 2 comprised three railway unions: theAssociated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF),National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) andTransport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA). Each usually saw its general secretary elected to one of the three seats, although the abolition of one seat in 1969 left a battle between ASLEF and the TSSA for the second seat.[ 6]
[ edit ] Ernest Bevin, member from 1925 to 1940 By far the largest union in Group 3 was theTransport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), although representatives of theNational Union of Seamen and a couple of minor unions often secured one seat.[ 6]
Group 4: Shipbuilding [ edit ] John Hill, member from 1921 to 1936 TheAmalgamated Society of Boilermakers dominated Group 4, with various smaller unions gradually merging into it or the general unions.[ 6]
[ edit ] Hugh Scanlon, member from 1968 to 1978 Group 5 contained a large number of unions - 26 in 1934 - and while theAmalgamated Engineering Union (AEU) reliably won at least one seat, unions like theElectrical Trades Union (ETU) andUnited Patternmakers' Association (UPA) often won seats.[ 6]
[ edit ] Group 7: Electrical [ edit ] Group 8: Iron and Steel and Minor Metal Trades [ edit ] The Iron and Steel and Minor Metal Trades Group was originally Group 6, but was renumbered in 1968. TheIron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) was the largest union in the group, and consistently held one of its seats. Until 1966, there was a second seat, held by the tinyNational Union of Gold, Silver and Allied Trades (NUGSAT), and later by theNational Union of Blastfurnacemen (NUB). There were many other small unions in the group - in 1934, it had 23 members.[ 6]
[ edit ] George Lowthian, member from 1952 to 1973 The Building, Woodworking and Furnishing Group was originally Group 7, but was renumbered in 1965. While there were initially a large number of unions in the group, theAmalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers (AUBTW) andAmalgamated Society of Woodworkers (ASW) generally won the seats, and later became part of theUnion of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), which dominated the group from the 1970s. TheNational Amalgamated Furnishing Trades Association (NAFTA) won a seat in the early years, and pursued an independent course throughout this period.[ 6]
John William Ogden, member from 1921 to 1930 The Cotton Group was the original Group 9; in 1968, it was merged into the Textiles Group. The cotton industry had a large number of small trade unions, and in 1934, the group had 46 members. Unusually, the majority of individual members of the unions were women, but the seats were always won by men, representing one of the three amalgamations to which most of the unions belonged: theAmalgamated Weavers' Association (AWA), theAmalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners (AAOCS), and theCardroom Amalgamation (CWA).[ 6]
Group 10: Printing and Paper [ edit ] The Printing and Paper Group was originally Group 8, but was renumbered in 1968. Almost all of its members were involved with printing, and in the early years, the seat was contested by four larger unions: theLondon Society of Compositors (LSC),National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants (NATSOPA),National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers (NUPBPW), andTypographical Association (TA).[ 6] Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT).
Ben Turner, member from 1921 to 1929 The Textiles Group was originally Group 10: Textiles (other than cotton). Although there were a wide variety of unions - 18 in 1934 - theNational Union of Textile Workers (NUTW), and then its successor, theNational Union of Dyers, Bleachers and Textile Workers (NUDBTW), almost always won the seat.[ 6] Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), the main cotton workers' union, theNational Union of Textile and Allied Workers (NUTAW), held it for a few years.
The Clothing Group was dominated by theNational Union of Tailors and Garment Workers (NUTGW), which gradually absorbed the smaller unions of tailors. It also included unions for hosiery workers which eventually merged as theNational Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers , and the twoFelt Hatters' and Trimmers' Unions of Great Britain .[ 14]
[ edit ] William R. Townley, member from 1930 to 1937 The Boot, Shoe and Leather Group was dominated by theNational Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives (NUBSO). It also included smaller rivals, notably theRossendale Union of Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives , unions of leather workers, and theNational Union of Glovers .[ 14]
[ edit ] John Turner, member from 1921 to 1925 Group 13 was highly diverse. The most important unions were those involved in distribution, theNational Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks (NAUSAWC) and theNational Union of Distributive and Allied Workers (NUDAW), which later merged to form theUnion of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers .[ 14] Bakers', Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU) and theNational Society of Pottery Workers (NSPW). There were many smaller unions, and theTobacco Workers' Union (TWU) secured representation for a few years.
Group 14: Agriculture [ edit ] Harold Collison, member from 1953 to 1970 For most of the period, theNational Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers (NUAAW) was the only union in Group 14. TheScottish Farm Servants' Union , initially also in this group, merged into theTransport and General Workers' Union early on.[ 14]
Group 15: Public Employees [ edit ] Rodney Bickerstaffe, member from 1982 to 1983 Group 15 brought together unions of state and local authority workers. However, theTrade Union Act 1927 banned state employees from joining the TUC, leaving the group dominated by theNational Union of Public Employees (NUPE),Mental Hospital and Institutional Workers' Union (MHIWU),National Union of County Officers andFire Brigades Union (FBU).[ 14] National and Local Government Officers' Association and theNational Union of Teachers being particularly important, while theConfederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) absorbed the MHIWU.
Group 16: Civil Servants [ edit ] The Civil Servants Group was added in 1946, when unions of civil servants were first permitted to affiliate to the TUC.
Group 17: Non-Manual Workers [ edit ] Joe Williams, member from 1921 to 1925 The Non-Manual Workers Group consisted of clerks, insurance staff, workers in entertainment, and doctors. Many of its unions grew rapidly during this period, with theAssociation of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staff (APEX),National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees (NATKE) andAssociation of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians (ACTT) becoming important.[ 14] National Federation of Insurance Workers - later part of theNational Union of Insurance Workers - was also sizable,[ 6] Musicians' Union .
The Non-Manual Workers Group was originally Group 16 and was renumbered on the creation of the Civil Servants Group, in 1946.
Group 18: General Workers [ edit ] There were initially a large number of unions of general workers, but within a couple of decades, they had all been absorbed into two large general unions - theNational Union of General and Municipal Workers (NUGMW), which became the sole union in this group, and theTransport and General Workers' Union , which was instead placed in Group 3.[ 14]
Group 19: Women Workers [ edit ] Julia Varley, member from 1921 to 1925, and 1926 to 1935 Margaret Bondfield, member from 1921 to 1923, and 1925 to 1929 In 1921, theWomen's Trade Union League became the Women's Section of the TUC, and most women's trade unions merged into their counterparts. In exchange, the TUC agreed to create a two-member group, to ensure that women workers had representation on the council.[ 16]
The group was expanded to five seats in 1981.
After many years of discussion, a comprehensive restructure of the council was agreed in 1982, and took place following the annual TUC meeting in September 1983. Initially, the new council had 53 members, with those unions with more than 100,000 members gaining automatic seats and therefore becoming eligible to nominate members without them being subject to a vote of other unions. Six seats were initially reserved for women.[ 17] [ 18]
Section A: Larger unions [ edit ] Tim Roache, member since 2014 Mary Bousted, member since 2003 Rita Donaghy, member from 1987 to 2001 UNISON Year Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative 1993 Formed by merger of COHSE, NALGO and NUPE 1993 Rodney Bickerstaffe Rita Donaghy Jean Geldart Ina Love Alan Jinkinson Hector Mackenzie Six seats until 2005 1995 Alison Shepherd Chris Connolly 1996 Dave Prentis Wendy Evans 2000 David Anderson 2001 Liz Snape Veronica Dunn Keith Sonnet 2003 Sofi Taylor 2005 Bob Abberley Jane Carolan 2006 Six seats in 2006 2007 Gerry Gallagher Eleanor Smith 2010 Angela Lynes Six seats 2010-2015 2012 Chris Tansley 2013 Karen Jennings 2015 Roger McKenzie 2018 Josie Bird Davena Rankin Six seats from 2018 2021 Andrea Egan Paul Holmes Christina McAnea Kath Owen Tony Wright 2023 Julia Mwaluke Libby Nolan Steve North
Len McCluskey, member since 2007 Bill Jordan, member from 1986 to 1995 Jeannie Drake, member from 1990 to 2008 Tony Dubbins, member from 1984 to 1988, and 1992 to 2008 National Union of Public Employees (NUPE)Year Representative Representative Representative 1983 Rodney Bickerstaffe Lily Stevens 2 seats until 1989 1984 Dilwyn Davies 1985 B. Ward 1986 Joyce Winsett 1987 Ron Baird 1988 Michael Page 1989 Ina Love 1990 Bill Thorburn 1991 Jean Biggs 1992 Anna McGonigle 1993 Merged with COHSE and NALGO to form UNISON
Mark Serwotka, member since 2002 Bill Morris, member from 1988 to 2003 George Brumwell, member from 1988 to 2002 Alan Johnson, member from 1993 to 1995 [ edit ] Section B originated as part of Section A, unions with 100,000 to 200,000 members being automatically entitled to one seat on the council.
In 1989, these unions were moved to a new Section B, but there were no changes to their entitlement of seats.
Unions with 30,000 to 99,999 members moved to Section B in 2012.
Section C: Other unions [ edit ] Unions with fewer than 100,000 members were placed in Section B until 1989.
In 1989, the section for small unions was renamed Section C, and was reduced to eight members.
Increased to 11 members in 2001.
In 2012, unions with 30,000 to 99,999 members were moved to Section B, and Section C was reduced to seven members.
Diana Warwick, member from 1989 to 1992 Reduced to four members in 1989.
[ edit ] Year Section E Section F Section G Representative Union Representative Union Representative Union 1994 Bob Purkiss TGWU Gus Boateng UCW Gloria Mills Unison 1995 Mohan Dhamrait NUT 2000 Mohammad Taj Unite 2001 Leslie Mannaseh Prospect 2015 Micky Nicholas FBU 2017 Susan Matthews Unite 2018 Ian Lawrence Napo
Section H: Disabled workers [ edit ] Created 2001
Year Representative Union 2001 Mark Fysh Unison 2011 Seán McGovern Unite 2020 Dave Allen Unite 2023 Martyn Gwyther Unite
Section I: LGBT workers [ edit ] Created 2001
Section J: Young workers [ edit ] Created 2001
Year Representative Union 2001 Phil Pinder TGWU 2004 Matthew McGregor TGWU 2005 John Walsh Unite 2011 Fern McCaffrey GMB 2016 Craig Dawson GMB 2018 Charlie Gray GMB
^a b Trades Union Congress , "General Council and TUC structure "^ Maor, Moshe (1997).Political Parties and Party Systems 121 .ISBN 0415082846 ^ Laybourn, Keith (1999).Modern Britain Since 1906: A Reader . London: I. B. Tauris & Co. p. 141.ISBN 1860642985 ^ Calhoun, Daniel Fairchild (1976).The United Front!: The TUC and the Russians, 1923-1928 38–40 .ISBN 0521210569 ^a b c Trades Union Congress ,Report of Proceedings at the 83rd Annual Trades Union Congress , p.299^a b c d e f g h i j k Souvenir of the Trades Union Congress . Weymouth: Sherren and Son. 1934. pp. 14– 30.^ Trades Union Congress ,Report of the 103rd Annual Trades Union Congress , p.42^ Trades Union Congress ,Report of the 1968 Annual Trades Union Congress , p.143^a b c d e Trades Union Congress ,Report of the 100th Annual Trades Union Congress , p.144^a b Trades Union Congress ,Report of the 109th Annual Trades Union Congress , p.27^ Labour Research , Vols.62-63, p.235^a b Labour Research , vols.54-55, p.159^ Report of Proceedings at the 1961 Annual Trades Union Congress , p.509^a b c d e f g Cole, G. D. H. (1939).British Trade Unionism To-Day ^ Trades Union Congress ,Report of the 1948 Annual Trades Union Congress , p.301^ Boone, Gladys (1968).The Women's Trade Union Leagues in Great Britain and the United States of America . New York: AMS Press. pp. 26– 42. ^ Arthur Marsh,Trade Union Handbook , 3rd Edition (1984), pp.72-74 ^ Trades Union Congress , "TUC General Council members Archived 2017-06-19 at theWayback Machine "
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