{{short description, Former trade union of the United Kingdom
The National Cigar and Tobacco Workers' Union 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 tobacco workers in the United Kingdom.
The union was founded in 1918 when the Female Cigar Makers' Protection Union merged with the Cigar Makers' Mutual Association, the Cigar Sorters' and Bundlers' Mutual Association (London), and the Tobacco Strippers' Mutual Society.Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, ''Historical Directory of British Trade Unions'', vol.3, pp.487–488 The merger took place on the initiative of
Ben Cooper
Ben Cooper (September 30, 1933 – February 24, 2020) was an American actor of film and television, who won a Golden Boot Award in 2005 for his work in westerns.
Stage
Cooper appeared on Broadway in '' Life With Father'' (1939). He debuted in ...
, leader of the Cigar Makers', but he was soon replaced by Alf Santen, who led the union almost throughout its existence.Tobacco Workers' Union, ''The Tobacco Workers' Union, 1834-1984'', p.10
By 1939, the union had 3,000 members, most of whom were women. In 1946, it merged into the
Tobacco Workers' Union
The Tobacco Workers' Union (TWU) was a trade union representing workers in all areas of the tobacco industry in the United Kingdom.
History
The union was founded in 1834 in London as the Friendly Society of Operative Tobacconists. Two years ...
.
General Secretaries
:1918:
Ben Cooper
Ben Cooper (September 30, 1933 – February 24, 2020) was an American actor of film and television, who won a Golden Boot Award in 2005 for his work in westerns.
Stage
Cooper appeared on Broadway in '' Life With Father'' (1939). He debuted in ...