The International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers (IBPAW) was a

labor 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 workers in the pottery industry in the United States and Canada. The union originated as a split from the

Knights of Labor Knights of Labor (K of L), officially Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor, was an American labor federation active in the late 19th century, especially the 1880s. It operated in the United States as well in Canada, and had chapters also ...

, based in

East Liverpool, Ohio East Liverpool is a city in southeastern Columbiana County, Ohio, United States. The population was 9,958 at the 2020 census. It lies along the Ohio River within the Upper Ohio Valley and borders Pennsylvania to the east and West Virginia to the ...

. It was founded as the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters on December 29, 1890. In 1900, it absorbed the Sanitary Pressers' National Union. On March 14, 1899, it was chartered by the

American Federation of Labor The American Federation of Labor (A.F. of L.) was a national federation of labor unions in the United States that continues today as the AFL-CIO. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions eager to provide mutu ...

, and in 1904, it absorbed the Potters' National Union of America. By 1925, the union had 7,900 members. In 1952, it was renamed as the International Brotherhood of Pottery Workers, and in 1955 it affiliated to the new

AFL–CIO The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO) is the largest federation of unions in the United States. It is made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 12 million ac ...

. It had 26,000 members in 1957, and in 1970, it adopted its final name. In 1976, it affiliated to the

Seafarers' International Union The Seafarers International Union or SIU is an organization of 12 autonomous labor unions of mariners, fishermen and boatmen working aboard vessels flagged in the United States or Canada. Michael Sacco has been its president since 1988. The orga ...

, but it split away again in 1978. The union's membership declined to 16,938 in 1980, and on August 5, 1982, it merged with the

Glass Bottle Blowers' Association The Glass Bottle Blowers' Association (GBBA) was a labor union representing workers involved in making blown glass in the United States and Canada. Origins Early glassmakers' unions In 1842, craftsmen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed a glass ...

, to form the

Glass, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers' International Union The Glass, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers' International Union (GPPAW) was a labor union representing manufacturing workers in various industries in the United States and Canada. The union was founded on August 5, 1982, with the merger of th ...

Presidents

:1890: Harry Layden{{cite book , title=Notable Names in American History , date=1973 , publisher=James T. White & Company , location=Clifton, New Jersey , isbn=0883710021 , page=558 :1892: Albert S. Hughes :1903: Thomas J. Duffy :1911: Edward Menge :1921: John Wood :1927: James M. Duffy :1953: Frank Hull :1956: Edwin L. Wheatley :1969: Lester H. Null

References

Trade unions established in 1890 Trade unions disestablished in 1982 Ceramics and pottery trade unions