The Amalgamated Society of Core Makers of Great Britain and Ireland (ASC) was a

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

representing foundry workers in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. The union was founded in 1902 by a large number of local unions, with a total membership of less than 1,000. About half the members came from the Manchester and District Coremakers' Society, the largest of the local unions. Despite its small membership, the union employed a full-time general secretary, Edmund Clegg, who was able to increase membership to 1,400 by 1910. The union focused on paying benefits to members who were not working, and avoided industrial action.Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, ''Historical Directory of Trade Unions'', vol.2, pp.14-15, 35-36 In 1906, the union was a founder of the Federation of Moulders and Collateral Trades, although this soon collapsed. It continued alone until 1920, growing to over 4,000 members, when it merged with the

Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland The Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland (AIMS) was a trade union representing foundry workers in Scotland. The union was created in 1831 as the Scottish Iron Moulders' Union. Its founder was James Dunn, a former cotton worker who had been blac ...

and the

Friendly Society of Ironfounders The Friendly Society of Iron Founders of England, Ireland and Wales (FSIF) was an early trade union representing foundry workers in the United Kingdom. History The union was founded in 1809 in Bolton as the Friendly Iron Moulders' Society. Unlike ...

to form the

National Union of Foundry Workers The National Union of Foundry Workers (NUFW) was a trade union representing workers in foundries in the United Kingdom. History The union was founded in 1920 with the merger of the Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland, the Amalgamated Society of ...

References

Trade unions established in 1902 Trade unions disestablished in 1920 1920 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Foundry workers' trade unions