William Henry Wood
Encyclopedia
William Henry Wood was a British
trade union
leader.
Wood was a compositor, and became the Secretary of the Manchester Typographical Society. In 1864, he was elected as the first Secretary of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council.
A keen trade unionist, Wood played a prominent role in two national union conferences: in Sheffield
in 1866, and in London
in 1867. With Samuel Caldwell Nicholson
, he was inspired to create the Trades Union Congress
(TUC), in frustration at the indifference of the Congress of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science to trade union activities.
As Nicholson did not attend the first meeting of the TUC, Wood was elected as its first Secretary. He held the post for only one year, after which he was replaced by George Potter
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
leader.
Wood was a compositor, and became the Secretary of the Manchester Typographical Society. In 1864, he was elected as the first Secretary of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council.
A keen trade unionist, Wood played a prominent role in two national union conferences: in Sheffield
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...
in 1866, and in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1867. With Samuel Caldwell Nicholson
Samuel Caldwell Nicholson
Samuel Caldwell Nicholson was a British trade unionist.Nicholson was a compositor who became the Treasurer of the Manchester Typographical Society. In 1864, he was elected the first President of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council...
, he was inspired to create 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...
(TUC), in frustration at the indifference of the Congress of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science to trade union activities.
As Nicholson did not attend the first meeting of the TUC, Wood was elected as its first Secretary. He held the post for only one year, after which he was replaced by George Potter
George Potter
George Potter was a prominent British trade unionist.-Biography:George Potter was born in Kenilworth, where his father worked as a carpenter. He was educated for a short time at a local dame school, but left to work at a young age to supplement his father's income of three shillings a day...
.