The Amalgamated Society of Coopers was a trade union representing coopers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
A National Association of Coopers, bringing together local unions, existed from 1854 until 1868, when a lengthy strike led it to collapse. Most of the local union survived, and by 1878 there was a desire to again form a national organisation. That year, thirteen unions formed the Mutual Association of Journeymen Coopers, which attempted to co-ordinate activity, but permitted each affiliate to control its own money and retain a high level of autonomy.Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.3, pp.389-401 The government of the union was rotated between different branches."Trade unions", 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
By 1888, the union had grown to 4,000 members in 27 affiliates, and this continued to grow, with the following unions affiliated by 1910:John Smethurst and Peter Carter, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.6
Union Founded Aberdeen General Coopers' Protective Society 1907 Alloa Journeymen Coopers' Society 1873 Belfast Coopers' Trade Union 1812 Birmingham, Wolverhampton and District Good Intent Coopers' Society 1850 Blackburn and District Society of Coopers 1881 Bradford and District Friendly Society of Coopers 1868 Bristol Friends of Humanity Society of Coopers 1822 Cork Coopers' Society 1700 Dundalk and District Coopers' Trade Union 1894 Glasgow Journeymen Coopers' Trade Society 1851 Good Intent Society of Coopers of Newcastle-on-Tyne and District 1882 Greenock Coopers' Society 1879 Hull Coopers' Society 1853 Leeds and District Society of Coopers 1857 Leith, Edinburgh and District Journeymen Coopers' Friendly and Protective Society 1851 Limerick Guild of Coopers Unknown Liverpool Coopers' Friendly, Trade and Burial Society 1843 Liverpool Dry and Tight Coopers' Association 1895 Livingston Society of Operative Coopers 1865 Londonderry and District Coopers' Trade Union 1896 London Hand-in-Hand Society of Coopers 1824 Manchester, Salford and District Society of Brewers' and General Coopers 1845 Northwich and District Coopers' Trade Society 1896 Nottingham Society of Coopers 1897 Philanthropic Society of Journeymen Coopers of Burton-on-Trent and Vicinity 1853 Regular Dublin Operative Coopers' Society 1666 St Helens Coopers' Friendly Trade Society Unknown Sheffield and District Society of Coopers Unknown Swansea Friends of Humanity Coopers' Society 1872 Tyne Hand-in-Hand Friendly Protecting Society of Journeymen Coopers 1876 United Society of Coopers (London) 1821 Warrington Coopers' Society 1888 Waterford Operative Coopers' Trade Union 1884 Widnes, Runcorn and District Coopers' Association 1875
In 1919, the union renamed itself as the Amalgamated Society of Coopers. Despite its national scope, several rival coopers' unions existed, including the National Association of Coopers. In 1926, the Amalgamated Society, the National Association and three smaller unions formed the Coopers' Federation of Great Britain. The Amalgamated Society remained in existence as an affiliate, but declined in importance. In 1970, it merged fully into the federation.
General Secretaries E. Girling 1902: J. Carroll 1907: John Connell 1908: John Shankie 1909: A. J. Spiller 1911: George William Harrison 1914: R. W. Mann 1940s: T. B. Ford
References