The Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association (SSA) 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 (s ...
representing shipbuilders in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
.
History
The union was founded in 1882 as the Associated Society of Shipwrights, by eleven local unions in Scotland and North East England. Seven further unions in Scotland and North West England quickly joined the new association. The union changed its name to the Associated Shipwrights' Society, and gradually other unions around the UK affiliated.
[Shipconstructors and Shipwrights Association](_blank)
Working Class Movement Library
In 1908, the union merged with the
Ship Constructive Association
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished ...
and the
Amalgamated Society of Drillers and Hole Cutters, and renamed itself as the Ship Constructive and Shipwrights' Association, later changing this to the "Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association". At the beginning of 1963, it merged with the
United Society of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders and Structural Workers.
Election results
The union sponsored
Labour Party candidates in several Parliamentary elections.
General Secretaries
:1882:
Alexander Wilkie
:1928:
Frank Purdy (acting)
:1929:
William Westwood
:1945:
John Willcocks
:1948:
Sydney Ombler
:1958:
Arthur Williams
References
Further reading
* Dougan, David ''The shipwrights: a history of the Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association, 1882–1963''. Newcastle upon Tyne: Graham, 1975. .
External links
Catalogue of the Association archives held at the
Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
The Modern Records Centre (MRC) is the specialist archive service of the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, located adjacent to the Central Campus Library. It was established in October 1973 and holds the world's largest archive collecti ...
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Defunct trade unions of the United Kingdom
1882 establishments in the United Kingdom
Shipbuilding trade unions
Craft unions
Trade unions established in 1882
Trade unions disestablished in 1963
Trade unions based in Tyne and Wear