Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland facts for kids
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| Predecessor | Scottish Iron Moulders' Friendly Society |
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| Merged into | National Union of Foundry Workers |
| Founded | 1831 |
| Dissolved | 1920 |
| Headquarters | 12 St Vincent Place, Glasgow |
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Members
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8,127 (1907) |
The Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland (AIMS) was an important trade union in Scotland. It represented workers who made metal castings in places called foundries. A trade union is like a team that workers join to protect their rights and get fair treatment at work.
The Start of AIMS
The union began in 1831. It was first called the Scottish Iron Moulders' Union. A man named James Dunn started it. He used to work with cotton but was put on a "blacklist" because he was involved in union activities. Being blacklisted meant employers wouldn't hire him.
James Dunn saw that iron moulders needed a strong union. The old union, the Scottish Iron Moulders' Friendly Society, had failed. So, he created a new one. This new union quickly became successful. By 1834, it had 556 members. It also helped its members get paid more money, about 4 shillings extra each week.
Helping Members and Setting Rules
The union wanted to make sure there were enough jobs for its members. It tried to limit the number of young people learning the trade, called apprentices. It also asked for a fee of £5 for workers from outside Scotland to join. This helped to protect the jobs and pay of existing members.
The union also offered good benefits. Members paid regular fees, called subscriptions. Because these fees were high, the union could pay a small pension of 3 shillings and 6 pence each week to members who retired. They also helped members who had accidents at work.
Growing Stronger
In 1869, the union changed its name to the Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland. It joined the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in 1875. The TUC is a big group that represents many unions across the UK. AIMS was also one of the first members of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). By the early 1910s, the union had grown to more than 7,500 members.
Joining Forces
In 1920, the Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland joined with two other unions. These were the Friendly Society of Iron Founders of England, Ireland and Wales and the Amalgamated Society of Coremakers of Great Britain. Together, they formed a new, bigger union called the National Union of Foundry Workers. This merger made the union even stronger for foundry workers.
