Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1860-1971 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
52 volumes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The London Trades Council (LTC) was founded in 1860 as one of the first Trades Councils in the country. It was instrumental with other Trades Councils, particularly Manchester and Salford, in setting up the Trades Union Congress. It had a prominent role in the various working class struggles in the capital and nationally. In the 1860s it assisted in the set-up of the International Working Men's Association (the "First International"). It became closely involved in the struggles of New Unionism - particularly in the docks, the match girls, and gas workers. It took a leading role in opposing the use of troops in industrial disputes.
Through all the struggles of the 1900s, the LTC took a leading role - including the period of intense struggle from 1919 to the General Strike of 1926 - and on in to the 30s, 40s and 50s. In the Second World War it campaigned for equal pay for women workers mobilized for the war effort. It promoted increased production in combination with a greater say for workers in organizing production. In 1941 it organized a rally in Trafalgar Square supporting the Soviet Union, thus laying the foundations for the Second Front campaign. In the post-war period it campaigned for the nationalization of the mines, electricity supply and transport. In the 1950s the LTC was in conflict with the TUC and the London Federation of Trades Councils was set up.
The Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils was formed in 1974 to succeed the London Federation, and remains active.
Archival history
The papers were delivered to the TUC Library by Lord Feather in 1973.
GB 1924 London Trades Council 1860-1971 Collection (Fonds) 52 volumes London Trades Council
The London Trades Council (LTC) was founded in 1860 as one of the first Trades Councils in the country. It was instrumental with other Trades Councils, particularly Manchester and Salford, in setting up the Trades Union Congress. It had a prominent role in the various working class struggles in the capital and nationally. In the 1860s it assisted in the set-up of the International Working Men's Association (the "First International"). It became closely involved in the struggles of New Unionism - particularly in the docks, the match girls, and gas workers. It took a leading role in opposing the use of troops in industrial disputes.
Through all the struggles of the 1900s, the LTC took a leading role - including the period of intense struggle from 1919 to the General Strike of 1926 - and on in to the 30s, 40s and 50s. In the Second World War it campaigned for equal pay for women workers mobilized for the war effort. It promoted increased production in combination with a greater say for workers in organizing production. In 1941 it organized a rally in Trafalgar Square supporting the Soviet Union, thus laying the foundations for the Second Front campaign. In the post-war period it campaigned for the nationalization of the mines, electricity supply and transport. In the 1950s the LTC was in conflict with the TUC and the London Federation of Trades Councils was set up.
The Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils was formed in 1974 to succeed the London Federation, and remains active.
The papers were delivered to the TUC Library by Lord Feather in 1973.
The papers were transferred to the TUC Library Collections in the University of North London by the TUC in January 1998.
Records of the London Trades Council, 1860-1971, comprising: Minute books, 1860-1971, series also contains minutes of TUC General Arrangements Committee, 1901-1902, and extracts of minutes relating to the National Workmen's Exhibition, 1892; Annual Reports, 1873-1878, 1882-1888, 1890-1899, 1913-1915, 1924, 1926-1927, 1929-1930, 1932, 1935-1952; Press cuttings 1885-1886, 1930-1947, 1954-1957; Account Book, 1860-1874; Minutes of Central Workers' Committee on Unemployment, 1905-1907; Jubilee Souvenir, 1860-1910; London Joint Advisory Council of Trade Unionists and Co-operators: Annual Report, 1919-1920; file of correspondence/nomination forms on representation on outside bodies, 1970-1971.
Papers arranged in four series, Minute Books, Annual Reports, Press Cuttings and Miscellanea.
Open to bona fide researchers at the discretion of the TUC Librarian.
At the discretion of the TUC Librarian and subject to copyright conditions.
English
List (1998), copy at the National Register of Archives, Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.
Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Mar 2002 England Europe Labour relations London London Joint Advisory Council of Trade Unionists and Co-operators London Trades Council National Workmen's Exhibition Trade unions TUC , Trades Union Congress x Trades Union Congress UK Western Europe
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The papers were transferred to the TUC Library Collections in the University of North London by the TUC in January 1998.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the London Trades Council, 1860-1971, comprising: Minute books, 1860-1971, series also contains minutes of TUC General Arrangements Committee, 1901-1902, and extracts of minutes relating to the National Workmen's Exhibition, 1892; Annual Reports, 1873-1878, 1882-1888, 1890-1899, 1913-1915, 1924, 1926-1927, 1929-1930, 1932, 1935-1952; Press cuttings 1885-1886, 1930-1947, 1954-1957; Account Book, 1860-1874; Minutes of Central Workers' Committee on Unemployment, 1905-1907; Jubilee Souvenir, 1860-1910; London Joint Advisory Council of Trade Unionists and Co-operators: Annual Report, 1919-1920; file of correspondence/nomination forms on representation on outside bodies, 1970-1971.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Papers arranged in four series, Minute Books, Annual Reports, Press Cuttings and Miscellanea.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open to bona fide researchers at the discretion of the TUC Librarian.
Conditions governing reproduction
At the discretion of the TUC Librarian and subject to copyright conditions.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
List (1998), copy at the National Register of Archives, Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English