George F. Browett (1929 – November 1994) was a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

trade union leader. Born in

Northampton, Northamptonshire Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England; ...

, Browett began working in a footwear factory when he was sixteen. He joined the

National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives The National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives (NUBSO) was a trade union in the United Kingdom which existed between 1873 and 1971. It represented workers in the footwear industry. History The union was founded in 1873, when many riveters and ...

(NUBSO), and began working full-time as a union organiser in 1965. NUBSO became part of the

National Union of the Footwear, Leather and Allied Trades The National Union of the Footwear, Leather and Allied Trades (NUFLAT) was a trade union in the United Kingdom which existed between 1971 and 1991. It represented workers in the leather and footwear industry. History The union was founded in ...

(NUFLAT), and Browett continued in post. In 1988, he was elected as general secretary of the union, and he became prominent on the

Trades Union Congress The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is a national trade union centre A national trade union center (or national center or central) is a federation or confederation of trade unions in a country. Nearly every country in the world has a national tra ...

' Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industries Committee. The footwear and leather industry was in decline, so, working with Bob Stevenson, Browett organised a merger between NUFLAT and the

National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...

, forming the

National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades The National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades (KFAT) was a trade union in the United Kingdom. History The National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades was formed in 1991 through the amalgamation of the National Union ...

. He was appointed as the union's first general secretary, but retired in September 1992. He died two years later.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Browett, George 1929 births 1994 deaths General secretaries of British trade unions People from Northampton