History
ETUC traces its history back to the medieval guilds. The first surviving minutes were written in 1859 when we campaigned for workers in Edinburgh to get a half day off on Saturdays.
- The minutes of Edinburgh Trades Council, the former name of Edinburgh TUC, between 1859 and 1873 were published in 1968 in a book edited by Ian MacDougall MA, the Secretary of the Scottish Labour History Society.
- Except for a minute book of Glasgow Trades Council for 1858-9, no other Scottish trades council minutes survive for this or any earlier period.
- There was an Edinburgh trade union committee in the 1830s. This is known because the press refer to a march and rally organised to celebrate the passage of the Reform Bill in 1832. However, it seems probable that the formation of a permanent trades council in Edinburgh took place in 1853. It has met continuously since then. Edinburgh Trades Council is the oldest existing trades council in Britain after Liverpool.
- Edinburgh Trades Union Council formed a Strike Committee in 1926 to organise the General Strike at a local level.
- Today, Edinburgh TUC, which is affiliated to the Scottish Trades Union Congress, represents 50 trade union branches in the city.
For a flavour of those days have a look at extracts from the minutes of 1859.
The minutes of the meeting held on 15th March 1859 in Burden's Coffee House, High Street, Edinburgh.
Delegates present: Brass Founders, Mr. George Smith; Joiners, Mr John Borrowman, Mr William Caw; Tailors, Mr William Troup, Mr Alexander Taylor.
The Secretary read a letter from the city clerk , Mr John Sinclair, intimating that he communication from the previous meeting regarding the erecting of wells in East Princes Street Gardens had been considered by the Magistrates, who had resolved that the consideration be delayed in the meantime.
Owing to the smallness of the Meeting it was agreed to remit the rest of the business on the paper till next meeting. viz., the vote on the grant to Mr Glover, and the consideration of the Conciliation Bill. Mr John Borrowman then gave notice that he would at next Meeting Move the consideration of the propriety of Establishing a Co-Operative Store in Edinburgh. Mr William Troup also gave notice that he would move the Propriety of having A Library for the use of the Working Classes, with suitable accommodation for the same.
An extract from the minutes of the meeting held on 28th September 1859. This meeting was called to discuss ' The Document'. This declared that the signatory was not and would not during his engagement become a member or supporter of a trade union.
A Special Meeting was held. Vice-President in the chair. Resolved that 200 bills announcing the meeting to be held on the 6th proximo be printed.
The following Resolutions were then agreed to be submitted to the Public Meeting on the 6th inst: 1st That this meeting is of the opinion that the Document issued by the Employers in the Building Trades of London for their Workmen to sign before giving them employment is an unjust and tyrannical interference with their rights as citizens and Freemen. 2ns That this meeting desire to record their sympathy with the Workmen of London for the Noble stand they have made in resisting the Master's Document and hereby resolve to aid them by subscriptions among the Working Classes of Edinburgh. 3rd That a Committee be appointed to Co-operate with the Trades Delegates to carry the above Resolutions into effect.
