TGWU

TGWU. The Transport and General Workers' Union was one of the largest and most influential trade unions in United Kingdom history, formed in 1922 through the amalgamation of several transport and unskilled labour unions. Often referred to simply as "the T&G," it played a central role in British labour movement for over eight decades, representing a diverse range of workers from dockers to lorry drivers and automotive industry employees. Its power and political activism made it a formidable force in industrial relations and within the Labour Party, until its 2007 merger to form Unite the Union.

History

The union was founded in 1922 under the leadership of Ernest Bevin, who masterminded the merger of 14 smaller unions, including the Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Labourers' Union and the National Union of Dock Labourers. This creation of a single, powerful "general union" was a strategic response to the industrial turbulence following the First World War and the defeat of the 1921 UK miners' strike. The TGWU quickly grew, absorbing other organizations like the Workers' Union in 1929 and becoming deeply involved in major industrial disputes, including the 1926 United Kingdom general strike and the National Dock Labour Scheme. Its history is marked by pivotal moments such as the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, where many members opposed the British Union of Fascists, and its significant influence during the post-war consensus period under governments from Clement Attlee to James Callaghan.

Structure and organization

The union was organized into trade groups, a structure designed by Bevin to cater to its wide-ranging membership across different industries. Key sections included the Road Transport Commercial, Docks and Waterways, Engineering and Manufacturing, and General Workers' Trade Group. This decentralized model allowed for negotiation of specific agreements, such as those for London bus workers or Ford Motor Company employees. The TGWU was headquartered at the iconic Transport House on Smith Square in London, a building that also housed the Labour Party for many years, symbolizing the close institutional link. Regional organization was robust, with offices and committees across the United Kingdom, including major industrial centres like Liverpool, Glasgow, and Birmingham.

Political activity and campaigns

The TGWU was a cornerstone of the Labour Party's affiliation, wielding substantial block votes at the Party Conference and sponsoring numerous MPs. It was a key player in the creation of the National Health Service and a staunch advocate for nationalization, particularly of the railways and steel industry. The union led and supported major industrial actions, from the 1972 UK miners' strike and the Winter of Discontent to the UK miners' strike (1984–85). It also campaigned on international issues, opposing the apartheid regime in South Africa and supporting the Solidarity (Polish trade union) movement in Poland. Under leaders like Jack Jones, it was a proponent of the Social Contract with the Harold Wilson government in the 1970s.

Merger and legacy

Facing declining membership due to deindustrialization, anti-union laws like the Trade Union Act 1984, and political changes after the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, the TGWU sought greater unity within the movement. After preliminary discussions with the GMB (trade union), it eventually merged with Amicus in 2007 to form Unite the Union, now the UK's largest union. The TGWU's legacy is profound, having shaped industrial relations in the United Kingdom, trained a generation of labour leaders, and left an enduring model of general unionism. Its archives are held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick, and its history remains a critical subject of study for understanding 20th-century British politics.

General Secretaries

* 1922–1945: Ernest Bevin * 1945–1956: Arthur Deakin * 1956–1960: Jock Tiffin * 1960–1969: Frank Cousins * 1969–1978: Jack Jones * 1978–1985: Moss Evans * 1985–1992: Ron Todd * 1992–2003: Bill Morris * 2003–2007: Tony Woodley

Category:Trade unions in the United Kingdom Category:Organizations established in 1922 Category:2007 disestablishments in the United Kingdom