The Sheffield Wool Shear Workers Union was based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It was listed in the Guinness Book of Records (2000 edition) as being the smallest trades union in the world with just 10 members. In its last listing to the Trades Union Certification Officer it was down to nine members - six male and three female.
History The union was established in 1890 to raise funds to organise, protect and advance the trade. Other functions include legal assistance, securing better working conditions for workers and to look after elderly wool shear workers. All their members were employed by steel firm Burgon & Ball.
The union was originally known as the Sheffield Shear Makers, Grinders, Finishers and Benders Union. It affiliated to the National Amalgamated Union of Labour in 1914, but left again in 1920, adopting its final name.John B. Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, Vol.6, p.252
Its final officer was Bob Whomersley, General Secretary, and it had headquarters in Rotherham. In 2004 it received an income of £112.95, all of which was spent on administrative expenses.Trades Union Certification Officer Return 2004
It was affiliated to the Trades Union Congress until its removal from the list of recognised Trades Unions on 7 August 2007 on the grounds that it had ceased to exist.
General Secretaries 1890s: W. Wild 1900s: R. Oldfield 1900s: W. Ellis 1910s: H. Brammer 1923: J. Clixby 1943: P. Shaw 1951: G. W. Gore 1957: F. Timmins 1960: Jim Billard 1980s: Ray Cutler 1990s: Bob Whomersley
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