The Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) was a major British

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 factory workers and mechanics.

History

The history of the union can be traced back to the formation of the Journeymen Steam Engine, Machine Makers' and Millwrights' Friendly Society, in 1826, popularly known as the "Old Mechanics".Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, ''Historical Directory of British Trade Unions'', vol.3, pp.12-16 Its secretary, William Allan, and another leading figure in the union, William Newton, proposed forming a new union to bring together skilled workers from all engineering trades.Newton, William
, ''

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

'' They invited a large number of other unions to become part a new Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Smiths, Millwrights and Pattern-makers, which was soon shorted to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE). Other than the Old Mechanics, the only notable union to join was the Smiths Benevolent, Sick and Burial Society. Together with various small, local unions, they brought 5,000 members into the ASE on its creation in 1851, Allan becoming its first general secretary. The ASE was one of the '

New Model Unions New Model Trade Unions (NMTU) were a variety of Trade Unions prominent in the 1850s and 1860s in the UK. The term was coined by Sidney and Beatrice Webb in their ''History of Trade Unionism'' (1894), although later historians have questioned how ...

' of the 1850s–1870s. These unions, which also included the Ironfounders, Builders, and Carpenters' societies, rejected Chartism and the ideas of Robert Owen in favour of a more moderate policy based on 'prudence', 'respectability' and steady growth. Great importance was attached to the question of finance, as substantial funds would not only provide maintenance for members involved in strike action, but also help to deter the employers from attacking the organisation. Since its members were skilled and relatively highly paid, it was possible for the ASE to charge contributions of one shilling a week and to build up a fund of unprecedented proportions. Initially, there were strict restrictions on membership; all must have completed an

apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a ...

in their trade, and men who wore glasses were not permitted to join. The ASE was an immediate success, and within a year, membership had more than doubled to 11,000. However, in 1852, it agreed a ban on

overtime Overtime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours. The term is also used for the pay received for this time. Normal hours may be determined in several ways: *by custom (what is considered healthy or reasonable by society) ...

and

piecework Piece work (or piecework) is any type of employment in which a worker is paid a fixed piece rate for each unit produced or action performed, regardless of time. Context When paying a worker, employers can use various methods and combinations of ...

. In retaliation, employers began an extended national lockouts, which greatly weakened the organisation, an event repeated in 1896. But it maintained its pre-eminent position in the industry, and many local and regional unions joined. The union was invited to join the

Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU), often known as the Confed is a trade union confederation in the United Kingdom. History The confederation was founded in December 1890 as the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuil ...

(FEST) when it was formed in 1891, but refused to do so. It also had a turbulent relationship with the

Trades Union Congress The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in England and Wales, representing the majority of trade unions. There are 48 affiliated unions, with a total of about 5.5 million members. Frances ...

(TUC), not holding membership in 1905 or from 1907 to 1918. However, it was a founder member of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU). It finally joined the FEST in 1905, hoping to persuade its other members to amalgamate with it. Six small unions did so, but the other refused, and the ASE again left the FEST in 1918. The ASE set up overseas branches in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 1891, they had only 5,000 members between them, but by 1920 they had grown to 32,000 members. The union set up an Australasian Council, and in 1906 a South African Council, and the branches in those countries thereafter had a considerable degree of autonomy. They had their own full-time secretaries and organisers, and became the leading unions for engineers in those countries. However, in North America, the union failed to grow. American Organiser Isaac Cowen prioritised strong links with the union in Britain, and the union there came to largely consist of British members who were temporarily working overseas. Many of them left in 1905 to join the

Industrial Workers of the World The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), members of which are commonly termed "Wobblies", is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. The origin of the nickname "Wobblies" is uncertain. IWW ideology combines general ...

, and the ASE decided in 1920 to transfer the remaining branches to the International Association of Machinists. In 1920, the ASE put out a fresh call for other unions to merge with it. Seventeen unions balloted their members on a possible merger, and nine voted in favour of amalgamation. Together, they formed the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

Election results

The ASE was an early affiliate of the Labour Party. It sponsored candidates in each election from 1906 on, with several of its candidates winning election. Frank Bealey and Henry Pelling, ''Labour and Politics, 1900-1906''

Leadership

General Secretaries

:1851: William Allan :1875: John Burnett :1886: Robert Austin :1891: John Anderson :1896:

George Nicoll Barnes George Nicoll Barnes (2 January 1859 – 21 April 1940) was a British Labour politician and a Leader of the Labour Party (1910–1911). Early life Barnes was born on 2 January 1859 in Lochee, Dundee, the second of five sons of James Barnes, ...

:1909: Jenkin Jones :1912: Robert Young :1919:

Tom Mann Thomas Mann (15 April 1856 – 13 March 1941), was an English trade unionist and is widely recognised as a leading, pioneering figure for the early labour movement in Britain. Largely self-educated, Mann became a successful organiser and a ...

Chairmen

:1893:

Alfred Sellicks Alfred Sellicks (22 September 1845 – 14 February 1903) was a British trade union leader. Born in Andover, in Hampshire, Sellicks began working at the age of ten, later completing an apprenticeship as an agricultural engineer. He later relo ...

:1903:

Alfred Golightly Alfred William Golightly (21 October 1857 – 18 March 1948) was a British trade unionist and co-operative activist. Born in Lincoln, Golightly grew up in Peterborough, and attended the Great Northern Railway Company's British School. He ...

:1903: David Gardner :1910: Albert Taylor :1913:

James Thomas Brownlie James Thomas Brownlie (23 June 1865 – 13 October 1938) was a British trade unionist and politician. Born in Port Glasgow, Brownlie was educated at Wason’s Academy in Paisley. Who Was Who,Brownlie, James Thomas He became an apprentice bla ...

References

External links

Catalogue of the ASE archives
held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick {{Portal, Organized labour Defunct trade unions of the United Kingdom Engineering trade unions 1851 establishments in the United Kingdom Trade unions established in 1851 Trade unions disestablished in 1920 Trade unions based in London