Introduction

Amalgamation of Unions into larger and more inclusive bodies, and in some cases inter-union agreements providing for a demarcation of membership, have indeed since 1918 reduced the amount of overlapping and the number of inter-union disputes. But plenty remain. An engine-driver can choose between the National Union of Railwaymen and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. The General Council of the Trades Union Congress attempt to deal with certain conflicts of jurisdiction between societies affiliated to Congress; but this development—mainly since the war—and Congress claims no right to settle finally what classes of workers each of its affiliated Unions may enroll. Before the war there were at least ten general labour Unions of some size, all competing for members; there are only two. The list of amalgamations is, again, hardly more than a random sample, indicative of a much more widespread tendency.