ABSTRACT
Independently from one another but aware of each others views, different survivors of the pre-war international trade union movement each laid their foundations for a social reform programme at the conferences of Leeds and Berne. The International Labour Organization (ilo) was built on the foundations laid by the International Association for Labour Legislation, a centre that engaged in pure research and had its headquarters in Basle. The International Federation of Trade Unions consistently refused to have contact with them, and considered the 'Christians' as divisive elements, just like the communists. A. A. Purcell for his part tried to direct his criticism to the great burden that working in Geneva placed on Amsterdam, both in time and in resources. The informal and intimate ties under Thomas became a formal and distant relationship, as both the friendly personal relations and the ideological ties were severed. Butler, a true public servant, placed himself at the service of the Governing Body.
