The Rossendale Union of Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives was a trade union representing workers in the footwear trade in the Rossendale area of Lancashire.
The union was founded in 1895,University of Warwick Modern Records Centre, "Rossendale Union of Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives, 1968-1990s" Initially, it restricted membership to the workers perceived as being the most skilled, the lasters and riveters, but gradually expanded to represent all workers in the trade in the area.John B. Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.6, p.104
Membership of the union reached a peak of 9,527 in 1945, but declined to only 1,412 in 1995. In 1997, it merged with the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades.
General Secretaries 1895: Andrew McAuley 1896: John Jordan 1905: J. Eastwood 1907: Albert Taylor 1947: Robert Driver 1969: Tom Whittaker 1983: Michael Murray
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