Scottish Union of Dock Labourers facts for kids

The Scottish Union of Dock Labourers (SUDL) was a special group, or trade union, for people who worked at the docks in Glasgow, Scotland. Dock workers are also called waterfront workers. They load and unload ships. This union was created during big strikes by sailors and dock workers in the summer of 1911.

The SUDL took the place of an older union called the National Union of Dock Labourers. That union had started in Glasgow in 1889. But it became unpopular there and closed its local office in 1910. Joe Houghton was the president of the Scottish Union of Dock Labourers for its entire history. The union later joined a larger group, the Transport & General Workers' Union, in 1922. However, some members left in 1932 to start a new union called the Scottish Transport and General Workers' Union (Docks).

What was the Scottish Union of Dock Labourers?

The Scottish Union of Dock Labourers was a group that helped dock workers. A trade union is like a team that works together. It helps its members get fair pay, good working conditions, and a safe place to work. The SUDL focused on helping the people who worked on the docks in Glasgow. These workers were very important for moving goods in and out of Scotland by ship.

How the Union Started in 1911

The Scottish Union of Dock Labourers was formed because of big strikes. Strikes happen when workers stop working to demand better conditions. In June and July of 1911, sailors and dock workers went on strike. They wanted improvements in their jobs.

Before the SUDL, there was another union in Glasgow. It was called the National Union of Dock Labourers. This union had been around since 1889. But over time, many dock workers in Glasgow were not happy with it. Because of this, the local office of the National Union of Dock Labourers closed in February 1910. This left a need for a new group to support the workers. The strikes of 1911 showed how much a new union was needed. The Scottish Union of Dock Labourers was created to fill this important role.

Key Leader: Joe Houghton

Throughout its time, the Scottish Union of Dock Labourers had one main leader. His name was Joe Houghton. He was the president of the union. The president is like the head of the team. Joe Houghton helped guide the union and its members. He worked to make sure the dock workers' voices were heard.

Joining a Bigger Union and New Paths

The Scottish Union of Dock Labourers did not stay a separate union forever. In 1922, it joined a much larger union. This new, bigger group was called the Transport & General Workers' Union (TGWU). This meant that the dock workers from Glasgow became part of a bigger team. The TGWU represented many different types of transport workers.

However, the story did not end there. About ten years later, in 1932, some members of the old Scottish Union of Dock Labourers decided to form a new group. They left the TGWU to create the Scottish Transport and General Workers' Union (Docks). This shows how unions can change over time. Workers sometimes form new groups to better represent their specific needs.

See also

• Transport and General Workers' Union
• TGWU amalgamations