Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers

Executive Council Minutes 1973-1984; Agendas and Conference Papers 1977-1983; Correspondence 1970-1983; National Conference Reports 1971-1984; Executive Council Reports 1975-1985; Rule Books; Election Addresses 1972-1985; Summer Schools, Promotional Material; The Way for Women and Youth 1968-1978; Annual Reports 1983-1995; Publications. Also District and Branch Records for the Accrington Branch of the AUEW.

The Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers was formed in 1970 through the merging of three Unions, the Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers (formerly the AEU), the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technician's Association and the Constructional Engineering Union.

The Union was organised in sections: the Technical and Supervisory Section; the Constructional Section; the Foundry Section and the Engineering Section. In 1976 the Amalgamated Springworkers and Allied Trades amalgamated with the Union. In 1983 the British Roll Turners' Trade Society amalgamated with the Union. Each section of the Union was to retain its own organisation but work together through one National Executive Council with the purpose of eventually forming one engineering Union. Ultimately the amalgamation was not successful and in 1985 the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section left while the Construction and Foundry Sections transferred their engagements to the Engineering Section and the Union was renamed the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers - Engineering, Foundry and Construction Section. The union changed its name to the Amalgamated Engineering Union in May 1986. The AEU and the EETPU merged to form the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) in 1992.

Gavin Laird was elected General Secretary of the AUEW in 1982 and then the AEU/AEEU until 1994.

Reference: Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, Historical Directory of Trade Unions Volume 2 (London, 1982).

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

These papers form part of a large collection (MSS.259) that has been deposited in the Modern Records Centre over a number of years. Most of the Records came from the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (Engineering Section). The first deposits were made in 1984 with further deposits have been made up to 1997. Items with references beginning 1157 were transferred from the Working Class Movement Library, Salford in February 2017.

Link to full catalogue: https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/AUW

This paper collection is in very good condition.

There are no restrictions on the use of this archive, apart from the requirements of copyright law.

This collection has been weeded for duplicates.

Further deposits were made in 1984 (principally minutes) and in 1995 (journals and annual reports). In 1996 executive committee minutes were deposited along with the Tom Mann bust which sits in the foyer of the Modern Records Centre.The last deposits were made in 1997 (AEEU papers) and in 1998 (John Foden papers). Further deposits are possible.

The Centre also holds records of: Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers Construction Section, earlier the Constructional Engineering Union; the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section (TASS), earlier the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section) and predecessors.