James Conley (29 May 1850 – c.1922) was a

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trade unionist 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 Employee ben ...

. Born in

Tow Law Tow Law is a town and civil parish in County Durham, England. It is situated a few miles to the south of Consett and 5 miles to the north west of Crook. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,952, increasing to 2,138 at the 2011 ...

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, Conley became an apprentice boilermaker when he was seventeen. He completed this successfully in 1872, when he moved to

South Shields South Shields () is a coastal town in South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the south bank of the mouth of the River Tyne. Historically, it was known in Roman times as Arbeia, and as Caer Urfa by Early Middle Ages. According to the 20 ...

to find work, and joined the

United Society of Boilermakers The Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers (ASB) was a trade union in the United Kingdom. Many of its members worked in shipbuilding, in which industry it was the leading trade union, while over tim ...

. Immediately active in his branch, he was elected secretary within six months, and was then chosen as the union's first district auditor. D. C. Cummings, ''A historical survey of the Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship Builders' Society, from August, 1834, to August, 1904'' In 1881, Conley stood to become assistant general secretary of the Boilermakers, but was not elected. However, he was elected to the union's executive council, and served as a branch secretary, moving to

Partick Partick ( sco, Pairtick, Scottish Gaelic: ''Partaig'') is an area of Glasgow on the north bank of the River Clyde, just across from Govan. To the west lies Whiteinch, to the east Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Park (across the River Kelvin), and to t ...

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in 1887. While there, he greatly increased union membership and was presented with gold valued at £100 in thanks by the union. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to be elected as general secretary of the Boilermakers, but was elected to Partick Town Council. Conley stood for the Labour Representation Committee in Liverpool Kirkdale at the 1906 general election, but narrowly missed out on election, taking 45.7% of the vote. Conley retired in 1916, and died aged 72.''United Society of Boilermakers & Iron Shipbuilders' Monthly Report'', p.62

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Conley, James 1850 births 1920s deaths Councillors in Scotland Trade unionists from County Durham Labour Party (UK) parliamentary candidates People from Tow Law