Branch Records

Records of Association branches. Typically these comprise minute books, contribution books, benefit registers, cash books and accident books, though a range of other records exist. The minute books, with the exception of Bolton branch (see below) record the meetings of the Executive Committee and General Representative Meeting of the individual branch. The Cash Books give the accounts for each individual branch. The Contribution books record the levies paid to BOCSPA by individual members; they are arranged by mill employed at. They occasionally record information about the destination of members leaving the industry or transferring to other mills. The Benefit records include registers for the payment to individuals of temporary stoppage benefit, out-of-work pay, accident benefit, and superannuation benefit. TSB was a benefit paid as a result of loss of normal earnings due to short time working, which was a frequent occurrence in the cotton industry. Accident books record accidents to members while at work, including the nature of the accident. These records were kept in case a compensation claim was made against an employer.

Under the rules of the Association, a branch could be set up with approval of a General Representative Meeting, and could appoint its own officers. The branch secretaries collected contributions and paid out benefits.

The records are predominantly arranged in chronological order.