United Machine Workers' Association

The United Machine Workers' Association was a trade union representing engineers in the United Kingdom.

United Machine Workers' Association
Founded1844
Date dissolved1920
Merged intoAmalgamated Engineering Union
Members14,000 (1915)
AffiliationTUC, FEST, GFTU
Key peopleMatthew Arrandale (Gen Sec)
Office location48 Plymouth Grove, Manchester
CountryUnited Kingdom

The union was founded in 1844 in Manchester and initially grew only slowly, having to compete directly with the larger Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) for members.[1] Matthew Arrandale became secretary in 1885, when it still had only 371 members. Under his leadership, it grew rapidly. This enabled him to take the role full-time in 1887, and the union reached 2,500 members by 1891.[2] That year, the union was a founder member of the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades in 1891.[1]

The union had 3,800 members by 1900, and again began growing quickly, with 14,000 in 1915.[1] From 1916, it admitted all engineering workers who used machines, regardless of level of skill or training.[3] Following World War I, it began discussions on a possible merger with the ASE, and the two merged along with six other unions in 1920, forming the Amalgamated Engineering Union.[1]

General Secretaries
1885: Matthew Arrandale
1913: Robert H. Coates

References
  1. Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.2, p.64
  2. "Prospective vacancy in the representation of Ardwick ward", Manchester Guardian, 5 March 1891
  3. "United Machine Workers: An extension of scope", Manchester Guardian, 19 June 1916
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