International Federation of Textile Workers' Associations
April 12, 2024
The International Federation of Textile Workers' Association (IFTWA) was a global union federation bringing together unions of textile workers, principally in Europe.
The federation's origins lay in the International Textile Congress, held in Manchester, in England, in 1894. The congress was organised on the initiative of James Mawdsley and David Holmes, and of the 179,000 workers represented, 150,000 were covered by the British unions. Other representatives came from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and the United States. The European delegates pushed a more socialist approach, focusing on political action. The congress agreed to establish an international organisation, and to campaign for a maximum eight-hour working day.[1]
For the first few years, the federation did little beyond organise further conferences. The European delegates argued unsuccessfully for the creation of an international strike fund, and successfully for the appointment of a general secretary to organise action. William Marsland was appointed in 1905, and initially proved successful, learning French and publishing a quarterly newsletter. However, his decision to publish an obituary for Edward VII proved highly controversial, and he stood down, to be replaced by Tom Shaw.[1]
The organisation became inactive during World War I, but was re-established in 1920, and affiliated to the International Federation of Trade Unions. Reductions in the working week were achieved over the next few years, and the federation agreed to establish a full-time secretariat, to be based in Manchester. James Bell was appointed as general secretary, but after a year was replaced by Shaw. Shaw was in government between 1929 and 1931, but continued on an unpaid basis, and then resumed the full-time position.[1]
Under Shaw's leadership, the federation investigated working conditions in India and China, and made some limited efforts to encourage trade unionism in India. An international 40-hour working week was agreed by the International Labour Organization, but never enacted, due to the outbreak of World War II.[1] After the war, James Stott led successful efforts to reconstruct the federation.[2]
^ abcdFowler, Alan (2018). Lancashire Cotton Operatives and Work, 1900-1950. Routledge. ISBN1351753207.
^"Obituary". Bulletin of the International Federation of Textile Workers' Associations. 1957.
^"International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF)". Union of International Associations. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
^Mitchell, James P. (1954). Directory of International Trade Union Organisations. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Labor. pp. 135–139.
^ abcdefghijYearbook of the International Free Trade Union Movement. London: Lincolns-Prager. 1957–1958. pp. 577–578.
April 12, 2024
international, federation, textile, workers, associations, international, federation, textile, workers, association, iftwa, global, union, federation, bringing, together, unions, textile, workers, principally, europe, contents, history, affiliates, general, se. The International Federation of Textile Workers Association IFTWA was a global union federation bringing together unions of textile workers principally in Europe Contents 1 History 2 Affiliates 3 General Secretaries 4 ReferencesHistory editThe federation s origins lay in the International Textile Congress held in Manchester in England in 1894 The congress was organised on the initiative of James Mawdsley and David Holmes and of the 179 000 workers represented 150 000 were covered by the British unions Other representatives came from Austria Belgium Denmark France the Netherlands and the United States The European delegates pushed a more socialist approach focusing on political action The congress agreed to establish an international organisation and to campaign for a maximum eight hour working day 1 For the first few years the federation did little beyond organise further conferences The European delegates argued unsuccessfully for the creation of an international strike fund and successfully for the appointment of a general secretary to organise action William Marsland was appointed in 1905 and initially proved successful learning French and publishing a quarterly newsletter However his decision to publish an obituary for Edward VII proved highly controversial and he stood down to be replaced by Tom Shaw 1 The organisation became inactive during World War I but was re established in 1920 and affiliated to the International Federation of Trade Unions Reductions in the working week were achieved over the next few years and the federation agreed to establish a full time secretariat to be based in Manchester James Bell was appointed as general secretary but after a year was replaced by Shaw Shaw was in government between 1929 and 1931 but continued on an unpaid basis and then resumed the full time position 1 Under Shaw s leadership the federation investigated working conditions in India and China and made some limited efforts to encourage trade unionism in India An international 40 hour working week was agreed by the International Labour Organization but never enacted due to the outbreak of World War II 1 After the war James Stott led successful efforts to reconstruct the federation 2 In 1960 the federation merged with the International Garment Workers Federation forming the International Textile and Garment Workers Federation 3 Affiliates editIn 1954 the following unions were affiliated to the federation 4 Union Country Affiliated membershipAll India Federation of Textile Unions India 90 000Danish Textile Workers Union Denmark 26 299General Industrial Union of Textiles and Clothing Netherlands 10 110Italian Federation of Textile Workers Italy 200 000Italian Union of Textile Workers Italy 20 000Japan Federation of Textile Workers Unions Japan 200 000National Federation of Textiles France 18 000National Union of Dyers Bleachers and Textile Workers United Kingdom 74 000Norwegian Union of Textile Workers Norway 11 879Pakistan Textile Workers Federation Pakistan 20 000Swedish Textile Workers Union Sweden 44 239Textile and Clothing Union West Germany 275 000Textile and Knitting Workers Union Finland 6 000Textile Workers Union of America United States 264 000Union of Belgian Textile Workers Belgium 65 190Union of Textile Clothing and Leather Workers Austria 65 000Union of Textile and Factory Workers Switzerland 12 000United Textile Factory Workers Association United Kingdom 172 770General Secretaries edit1893 James Mawdsley 5 1895 Ferdinand Hardijns 5 1897 William Henry Wilkinson 5 1905 William Marsland 5 1911 Tom Shaw 5 1924 James Bell 5 1925 Tom Shaw 5 1938 Arthur Shaw acting 5 1939 James Stott 5 1949 Jack Greenhalgh 5 References edit a b c d Fowler Alan 2018 Lancashire Cotton Operatives and Work 1900 1950 Routledge ISBN 1351753207 Obituary Bulletin of the International Federation of Textile Workers Associations 1957 International Textile Garment and Leather Workers Federation ITGLWF Union of International Associations Retrieved 13 June 2019 Mitchell James P 1954 Directory of International Trade Union Organisations Washington DC U S Department of Labor pp 135 139 a b c d e f g h i j Yearbook of the International Free Trade Union Movement London Lincolns Prager 1957 1958 pp 577 578 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title International Federation of Textile Workers 27 Associations amp oldid 1080201573, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
