Sheffield Wool Shear Workers Union
Encyclopedia
The Sheffield Wool Shear Workers Union was based in Sheffield
, South Yorkshire
. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
. 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
Trades Union Certification Officer
The Trades Union Certification Officer was established in the United Kingdom by Act of Parliament in 1975.-Responsibilities:The Certification Officer is responsible for:* maintaining a list of trade unions and employers' associations...
it was down to nine members - six male and three female.
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
National Amalgamated Union of Labour
The National Amalgamated Union of Labour was a general union in the United Kingdom.The trade union was founded in 1888 as the Tyneside and District Labourers Union, and it participated in the National Labour Federation...
in 1914, but left again in 1920, adopting its final name.
Its final officer was Bob Whomersley, General Secretary
General Secretary
The office of general secretary is staffed by the chief officer of:*The General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace, a government agency for the Greek regions of Macedonia and Thrace...
, and it had headquarters in Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
. In 2004 it received an income of £112.95, all of which was spent on administrative expenses.
It was affiliated to the Trades Union Congress
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
until its removal from the list of recognised Trades Unions on 7 August 2007 on the grounds that it had ceased to exist.