The Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association (SSA) was a trade union representing shipbuilders in the United Kingdom.
History The union was founded in 1882 as the Associated Society of Shipwrights, by eleven local unions in Scotland and North East England. Seven further unions in Scotland and North West England quickly joined the new association. The union changed its name to the Associated Shipwrights' Society, and gradually other unions around the UK affiliated.Shipconstructors and Shipwrights Association, Working Class Movement Library
In 1908, the union merged with the Ship Constructive Association and the Amalgamated Society of Drillers and Hole Cutters, and renamed itself as the Ship Constructive and Shipwrights' Association, later changing this to the "Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association". At the beginning of 1963, it merged with the United Society of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders and Structural Workers.
Election results The union sponsored Labour Party candidates in several Parliamentary elections.
Election Constituency Candidate Votes Percentage Position 1906 general election Chatham 6,692 62.5 1 Dundee 6,833 23.3 2 1910 Jan general election Chatham 6,130 45.3 2 Dundee 10,365 32.9 2 1910 Dec general election Dundee 8,957 29.3 2 1918 general election Dundee 24,822 36.1 2 Gillingham 4,705 25.9 2 1922 general election Perth 4,651 18.9 3
General Secretaries 1882: Alexander Wilkie 1928: Frank Purdy (acting) 1929: William Westwood 1945: John Willcocks 1948: Sydney Ombler 1958: Arthur Williams
References
Further reading Dougan, David The shipwrights: a history of the Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association, 1882–1963. Newcastle upon Tyne: Graham, 1975. .
External links Catalogue of the Association archives, held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick