Labour movement newspapers and journals

The Associated Carpenters' and Joiners' Society of Scotland was founded in 1861, largely on the initiative of the United Joiners of Glasgow and West of Scotland. In 1911 it merged with the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. Although the majority of members were in Scotland, the ACJSS also operated in England and Northern Ireland. Branches outside Scotland included Belfast, Jarrow, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough and Newcastle on Tyne.

The Associated Carpenters' and Joiners' Society of Scotland produced regular monthly, quarterly and half yearly reports for members. Interim fortnightly returns were also issued up to at least 1885. The reports and returns can include information about branch finances, local attempts at organisation and state of trade, death notices ('obituaries') of members and their wives if they were entitled to funeral benefits, and information about applications for the '£50 bonus' given to members unable to work through illness or disability. Monthly reports between 1872-1876 also include lists of members who were receiving union benefits (declaring on and off the funds).

The Modern Records Centre has an incomplete set of members' circulars for 1872-1876, 1880-1885, 1894-1898 and 1901-1911. The following volumes have been digitised in full:

Apr 1872 - Oct 1876Link opens in a new window

Feb 1880 - Jan 1885Link opens in a new window

The Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers (AUBTW) was established on 1 January 1921 by the amalgamation of the Operative Society of Masons, Quarrymen and Allied Trades of England and Wales, the Manchester Unity of Operative Bricklayers' Society and the London Order of Operative Bricklayers' Society.

The 'Trade Circular and General Reporter' was the internal bulletin sent to members of the AUBTW and included Executive Council minutes, notices, lists of recipients of compensation, correspondence and articles on items of general interest. As the circulars include full minutes they tend to be considerably larger than a magazine or newspaper (the volume containing the first 8 circulars consists of 950 pages).

The earliest volume of the 'Trade Circular and General Reporter', covering the first year of the new trade union, is available through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue:

Special amalgamation circular, Mar 1921Link opens in a new window

No.1, May 1921Link opens in a new window

No.2, Jul 1921Link opens in a new window

No.3, Aug 1921Link opens in a new window

No.4, Sep 1921Link opens in a new window

No.5, Oct 1921Link opens in a new window

No.6, Nov 1921Link opens in a new window

No.7, Dec 1921Link opens in a new window

In 1920 the United Operative Masons' Association of Scotland, the Associated Paviors' Federal Union, the Scottish Amalgamated Society of Mosaic and Encaustic Tile Fixers, Marble Workers and Fireplace Builders and the United Operative Masons and Granite Cutters' Union amalgamated to form the Building and Monumental Workers' Association of Scotland (BMWAS). The union amalgamated with the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers in 1942.

The Modern Records Centre has editions of the BMWAS journal for 1924-1935 and 1939-1941. These have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue. Subjects include: state of trade in Scotland, industrial disputes, wages and working conditions. The journals also contain some information about individual members (e.g. lists of members who have joined, transferred, left or died) and brief information about 'Work in progress and in prospect' (building projects in Scottish towns and cities).

'The Building and Monumental Workers' Trade Journal', vol.2, nos.35-70, Jan 1924-Dec 1926Link opens in a new window

'The Building and Monumental Workers' Trade Journal', vol.3, nos.71-106, Jan 1927-Dec 1929Link opens in a new window

'The Building and Monumental Workers' Trade Journal', vol.4, nos.107-142, Jan 1930-Dec 1932Link opens in a new window

'The Building and Monumental Workers' Trade Journal', vol.5, nos.143-178, Jan 1933-Dec 1935Link opens in a new window

'The Building and Monumental Workers' Trade Journal', vol.7, nos.215-[250], Jan 1939-Dec 1941Link opens in a new window

The National Association of General Railway Clerks was formed in 1897 and renamed the Railway Clerks' Association (RCA) two years later. By 1904 the RCA comprised over four thousand members out of a potential total of 60,000 railway clerical members. In 1951 the union changed its name to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association.

The RCA's journal 'The Railway Clerk' was first published in 1904 and replaced the 'Railway Herald', a publication which had reported on the General Railway Workers' Union, the Railway Clerks' Association and the United Pointsmen and Signalmen's Society.

The Modern Records Centre has an extensive but incomplete collection of 'The Railway Clerk' and successive periodicals between 1904- 2016. The volumes dating between 1904 and 1908-1918 have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue (we currently don't hold editions for 1905-1907):

'The Railway Clerk', vol.1, nos.1-12, 1904

'The Railway Clerk', vol.5, nos.49-60, 1908

'The Railway Clerk', vol.6, nos.61-72, 1909

'The Railway Clerk', vol.7, nos.73-84, 1910

'The Railway Clerk', vol.8, nos.85-96, 1911

'The Railway Clerk', vol.9, nos.97-108, 1912

'The Railway Clerk', vol.10, nos.109-120, 1913

'The Railway Clerk', vol.11, nos.121-132, 1914

'The Railway Clerk', vol.12, nos.133-144, 1915

'The Railway Clerk', vol.13, nos.145-156, 1916

'The Railway Clerk', vol.14, nos.157-168, 1917

'The Railway Clerk', vol.15, nos.169-180, 1918

The National Union of Clerks was formed in 1890 and changed its name to the National Union of Clerks and Administrative Workers in 1920. In 1941 it amalgamated with the Association of Women Clerks and Secretaries under the new name of the Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union. In 1972 the union changed its name to the Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staff, known as APEX. In 1989 APEX merged with the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union.

The Modern Records Centre has a large but incomplete run of the union's journal 'The Clerk' / 'APEX' between 1908-1989. Editions of 'The Clerk' between 1908-1912, 1916-1931 and 1938-9 have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue. Subjects include: the work of a clerk, the history of the union, wages and working conditions, women workers (including 'Women's Page'), branch and district news, the First World War and other contemporary international and domestic events. Cartoons and photographs are also included.

'The Clerk', vol.1, nos.1-12, Jan-Dec 1908Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.2, nos.13-24, Jan-Dec 1909Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.3, nos.25-36, Jan-Dec 1910Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.4, nos.37-48, Jan-Dec 1911Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.5, nos.49-60, Jan-Dec 1912Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.9, nos.96-107, Jan Dec 1916Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.10, nos.108-119, Jan-Dec 1917Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.11, nos.124-125, Jul, Oct 1918Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.12, no.127, Feb 1919Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.13, nos.138-149, Jan-Dec 1920Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.14, nos.150-157, Jan-Sep 1921Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.15, nos.158-169, Jan-Dec 1923, and vol.16, no.174, May 1924Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.16, nos.171, 175, 177-181, Feb-Dec 1924Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.17, nos.182-195, Jan-Dec 1925Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.18, nos.196-206, Jan-Dec 1926Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.19, nos.215-218, Sep-Dec 1927Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.20, nos.219-230, Jan-Dec 1928Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.21, nos.231-240, Jan-Oct 1929Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.22, nos.243-254, Jan-Dec 1930, vol.23, no.255, Jan 1931Link opens in a new window

'The Clerk', vol.28, no.11, Nov 1938, vol.29, nos.1-11, Jan-Nov 1939Link opens in a new window

The National Union of Operative Boot and Shoe Rivetters and Finishers was founded in 1874 and renamed the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives in 1890. The Modern Records Centre has bound editions of the union's 'Monthly Reports' from June 1877 to April 1971 (when the union merged with three other unions to form the National Union of the Footwear, Leather and Allied Trades). The monthly reports include union and industry news, including branch reports, balance sheets, lists of firms on strike or blocked, lists of members and occasional poems and jokes. Early editions can also include a 'wanted' column containing descriptions of individuals wanted for theft.

The first seven volumes, covering 1877-1890, have been digitised and are available through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue. Full annual lists of members are included in reports for February 1879, March 1880, February 1881-1888, and separately in the volume covering 1889-1890.

Jun 1877 - Dec 1878Link opens in a new window

Jan 1879 - Dec 1880Link opens in a new window

Jan 1881 - Dec 1882Link opens in a new window

Jan 1883 - Dec 1884Link opens in a new window

Jan 1885 - Dec 1886Link opens in a new window

Jan 1887 - Dec 1888Link opens in a new window

Jan 1889 - Dec 1890Link opens in a new window

The Amalgamated Union of Clothiers' Operatives was formed in 1894 by the amalgamation of the Bristol Clothiers Cutters Trade Association and the Leeds Wholesale Clothiers Operatives Union. In 1915 it was a founder member of the United Garment Workers Union.

The Modern Records Centre has one volume of the union's journal, the 'Clothiers Operatives Monthly Gazette', which includes an incomplete series of issues from February 1898 to February 1900. This has been digitised and is freely available through our online catalogue. Subjects include: state of trade, industrial disputes, branch and district news, employment of women, non-unionists, piece-work and 'sweating' in the textile trades.

'Clothiers Operatives Monthly Gazette', new series nos.1-8, 10-18, 21-22, 24-25, Feb 1898-Feb 1900Link opens in a new window

To mark the Fire Brigades Union's 100th anniversary in 2018, the FBU funded the digitisation of surviving editions of the union journal from 1932-2001.

During the 1930s, 'The Firefighter' was issued as an occasional publication, providing information about the FBU's annual conference to the union's members. 'Firefighter' was published as a regular journal or newspaper from March 1940 onwards, as the demands of the Second World War made good communication vital, and can include articles about broader political, international and societal subjects as well as material relating to the service and union.

All issues of the journal from 1947 to 2001 are available online through Warwick Digital Collections,Link opens in a new window and many (but not all) issues from 1932-1946 are also included - please contact usLink opens in a new window if you can help to fill in the gaps. Issues of the Firefighter from 2001 onwards are available through the FBU's websiteLink opens in a new window. The online collection also includes The Fire Brigade Union's Fifty Years of ServiceLink opens in a new window, 1918-1968, a pamphlet celebrating the first 50 years of the FBU.

The Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen was formed in the early twentieth century. It became the Draughtsmen and Allied Technicians' Association (DATA) in 1960. In April 1970 the Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers (AEF) amalgamated with the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicians' Association (DATA) and the Constructional Engineering Union to form the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW).

The Modern Records Centre has a largely complete run of the journal from 1918-1971. The first volume, covering the period between 1918-1920, has been digitised and is available through our online catalogue. Subjects include: branch and district news, the history of the union, wages and working conditions, industrial action, the First World War and other contemporary international and domestic events, education and training, and intellectual property (e.g. patents and copyright). Cartoons and poems are also sometimes included.

Vol.1, no.3 - vol.3, no.11, May 1918 - Dec 1920Link opens in a new window

The National Union of Foundry Workers was formed in 1920 by the amalgamation of the Friendly Society of Iron Founders of England, Ireland and Wales, the Amalgamated Society of Coremakers of Great Britain and Ireland and the Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland. In 1944 it absorbed the Scottish Brassmoulders' Union and in 1945 the Associated Iron, Steel and Brass Dressers of Scotland. In 1946 it amalgamated with the United Metal Founders' Society and the Ironfounding Workers' Association to form the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers.

The Modern Records Centre has a largely complete run of the journal from 1920-1985. The first volume, covering the period between 1920-1923, has been digitised and is available through our online catalogue. Subjects include: amalgamation, working conditions, branch and district news, state of trade and members' benefits. Returns from branches, listing numbers of members (including numbers on benefits), local state of trade and cash in hand, are included.

'Monthly Report and Journal', Jul 1920 - Oct 1923Link opens in a new window

The Asylum Workers' Association (AWA) was founded in 1895. It was in competition with the National Asylum Workers' Union (NAWU), founded in 1910.

'The Asylum News' was the monthly members' journal of the AWA. It includes reports on union activities, asylum work and staff social / sporting events, lists of successful candidates for certificates in nursing issued by the Medico-Psychological Association of Great Britain and Ireland, medical articles, poems, lists of members (including a full list of all members in the issue for August 1906), obituaries and names of officers. An index is included at the front of volume.

The Modern Records Centre only holds one volume of this publication (vol.10) and this has been digitised and is available in full through our online catalogue:

Vol.10, Jan-Dec 1906Link opens in a new window

The National Asylum Workers' Union (NAWU) was founded in 1910 and renamed the Mental Hospital and Institutional Workers' Union in 1930. In 1946 the union merged with the Hospitals and Welfare Services Union to form the Confederation of Health Service Employees. The Modern Records Centre has copies of the NAWU / MHIW magazine from 1912 to 1945 and the first 18 volumes (1912-1929) have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue.

The earliest issues were edited by Rev. H.M.S. Bankart, a former Chaplain at Lancaster County Asylum, and are a quirky mix of union news, articles, cartoons and short stories. In June 1913 two rival editions of the magazine were produced, one by Bankart and the other by the union's Executive Committee, who objected to the production costs of the Bankart version. From July 1913, the Executive Committee had undisputed control of the publication and it turned into more of a standard union journal, with a range of articles, branch news, obituaries, correspondence, etc. Editions published during the First World War include information about military service of members.

Vol.1, Jan-Dec 1912Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, Jan-Dec 1913Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, Jan-Dec 1914Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, Jan-Dec 1915Link opens in a new window

Vol.5, Jan-Dec 1916Link opens in a new window

Vol.6, Jan-Dec 1917Link opens in a new window

Vol.7, Jan-Dec 1918Link opens in a new window

Vol.8, Jan-Dec 1919Link opens in a new window

Vol.9, Jan-Dec 1920Link opens in a new window

Vol.10, Jan-Dec 1921Link opens in a new window

Vol.11, Jan-Dec 1922Link opens in a new window

Vol.12, Jan-Dec 1923Link opens in a new window

Vol.13, Jan-Dec 1924Link opens in a new window

Vol.14, Jan-Dec 1925Link opens in a new window

Vol.15, Jan-Dec 1926Link opens in a new window

Vol.16, Jan-Dec 1927Link opens in a new window

Vol.17, Jan-Dec 1928Link opens in a new window

Vol.18, Jan-Dec 1929Link opens in a new window

The Poor Law Workers' Trade Union was established on 7 December 1918 and changed its name to the Poor Law Officers' Union (1922), the National Union of County Officers (1930) and the Hospitals and Welfare Services Union (1943). It amalgamated with the Mental Hospital and Institutional Workers' Union in 1946 to form the Confederation of Health Service Employees.

The union's 'Monthly Notes' were published between 1920-1922 and are available to view through the Modern Record Centre's catalogue. 'Poor Law Gazette', the successor to 'Monthly Notes', has also been digitised.

The 'Monthly Notes' include general articles and news items, branch news and job adverts. The focus of the publication is on conditions for Poor Law or workhouse staff (including nursing staff) rather than the inmates.

Vols.1-2, Sep 1920-Dec 1921Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, Jan-Dec 1922Link opens in a new window

The Poor Law Workers' Trade Union was established on 7 December 1918 and changed its name to the Poor Law Officers' Union (1922), the National Union of County Officers (1930) and the Hospitals and Welfare Services Union (1943). It amalgamated with the Mental Hospital and Institutional Workers' Union in 1946 to form the Confederation of Health Service Employees.

The 'Poor Law Gazette' was published between 1923-1930 and was replaced by the 'County Officers' Gazette'. All eight volumes of the 'Poor Law Gazette' have been digitised and are available through the Modern Record Centre's catalogue. 'Monthly Notes', an earlier publication of the Poor Law Workers' Trade Union, has also been digitised.

'The Poor Law Gazette' includes general articles, branch news and job adverts. The focus of the publication is on conditions for Poor Law or workhouse staff (including nursing staff) rather than the inmates.

Vol.1, nos.1-22, Jan-Jun 1923Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.23-48, Jul-Dec 1923Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.1-53, Jan-Dec 1924Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, nos.1-51, Jan-Dec 1926Link opens in a new window

Vol.5, nos.1-52, Jan-Dec 1927Link opens in a new window

Vol.6, nos.1-52, Jan-Dec 1928Link opens in a new window

Vol.7, nos.1-52, Jan-Dec 1929Link opens in a new window

Vol.8, nos.1-6, Jan-Feb 1930Link opens in a new window

The Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) was formed in 1946 by the amalgamation of the Mental Hospital and Institutional Workers' Union and the Hospitals and Welfare Services Union. In 1993 it amalgamated with the National and Local Government Officers' Association and the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) to form UNISON.

The Modern Records Centre has a run of the COHSE journal 'Health Services' from 1946-1993. The volumes for 1946-1950, around the time of the formation of the National Health Service, have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue.

The journals include information about wages and working conditions of health workers (particularly in what were then termed 'Mental Hospitals'), articles on the National Health Service and other medical developments in the UK and abroad, job advertisements and obituaries.

'Health Services Journal', nos.1-12, Jan-Dec 1946Link opens in a new window

'Health Services Journal', nos.1-12, Jan-Dec 1947Link opens in a new window

'Health Services Journal', vol.1, nos.1-12, Jan-Dec 1948Link opens in a new window

'Health Services Journal', vol.2, nos.1-12, Jan-Dec 1949Link opens in a new window

'Health Services Journal', vol.3, nos.1-12, Jan-Dec 1950Link opens in a new window

The Liverpool Victoria Employees' Union was formed in or before 1910 to promote the interests of employees of the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society (later the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society) and to regulate relations between the Society's committee of management and the employees. In 1926 it changed its name to the Liverpool Victoria Workers' Union and in 1965 it became the National Union of Insurance Workers Liverpool Victoria Section.

The 'Victoria Gazette' was the members' bulletin of the Liverpool Victoria Employees' Union and included branch and district news, articles about the insurance industry and current affairs, correspondence and lists of members interested in a transfer.

The Modern Records Centre holds editions of the 'Victoria Gazette' dating from 1915-1987. The first three volumes have been digitised by Find My Past and are available on a paid / subscription basis through their website:

1915-1919 (3 vols.)Link opens in a new window

Preceded by a number of local guilds, the National Association of Local Government Officers (NALGO) was founded in July 1905. It was renamed the National and Local Government Officers' Association in 1952. In 1993 the association amalgamated with the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) and the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) to form UNISON.

The Modern Records Centre has a series of journals with different titles which were published by NALGO between 1906-1993. Editions of the journal 'The Municipal Officer' between October 1911 - February 1920 have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue. Subjects include: branch and district news, social activities (including rifle club), benefits (including the Benevolent and Orphans' Fund and superannuation) and the union during the First World War.

Vol. 1, no.1 - vol.3, no.10, Oct 1911 - Jul 1914Link opens in a new window

'Special circular', Jun 1915, and vol.1, no.1 - vol.4, no.12, Jan 1916 - Dec 1919Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, no.1 - vol.5, no.14, Jan 1916 - Feb 1920Link opens in a new window

The National Union of Public Employees traces its origins from the London County Council Employees' Protection Society which was founded in 1888. It became the Municipal Employees' Association in 1894. The National Union of Corporation Workers, which initially seems to have called itself the Municipal Workers' Society, broke away from the Municipal Employees' Association in 1907-1908, and changed its name to the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) in 1928. In 1993 NUPE amalgamated with the National and Local Government Officers' Association (NALGO) and the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) to form UNISON.

The Modern Records Centre has a run of NUPE's journal (under various titles) from 1929-1993. Editions dating between 1929-1936 have been digitised and are available through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue. The journal was published quarterly over this period and was aimed at workers employed by county councils, borough councils, urban and district councils, water works, electricity works, gas works, asylums, poor law institutions, fire brigades and other public bodies. Subjects include: the contemporary political and economic situation, wages and working conditions, social events, branch and district news, decisions of joint industrial councils, and the cost of living. Photographs and cartoons can be included.

'Journal of the National Union of Public Employees', vol.1, nos.12-13, May 1929 - Apr 1930Link opens in a new window

'Public Employees Journal', Sep 1931 - Dec 1933Link opens in a new window

'Public Employees Journal', Mar 1934 - Dec 1936, and reports of annual conference, 1934-1936Link opens in a new window

The Postmen's Federation was founded in 1891 following the collapse of an earlier organisation, the Postmen's Union. In 1919 it was one of the unions which amalgamated to form the Union of Post Office Workers (UPW). The union's journal 'Postman's Gazette' was first published in May 1892. The Modern Records Centre has an incomplete run of the Gazette from May 1895 to December 1918 (with some gaps in the 1890s), the majority of which have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue.

'Postman's Gazette' includes general information about the union and the postal service, branch news, correspondence and advertisements; illustrated profiles of members are included in earlier volumes, and comments on current affairs and cartoons can be included in later editions. During the First World War period, the journal includes photographs of members serving in the military.

Vol.4, nos.1-17, May-Dec 1895Link opens in a new window

Vol.5, nos. 4-15, Feb-Apr 1896Link opens in a new window

Vol.7, nos.17-18, Aug 1898; vol.8, no.9, May 1899; vol.11, nos.9, 20, 22-26, May, Oct-Dec 1902; vol.12, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1903Link opens in a new window

Vol.13, no.1A - vol.14, no.26, Jan 1904-Dec 1905Link opens in a new window

Vol.15, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1906Link opens in a new window

Vol.16, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1907Link opens in a new window

Vol.17, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1908Link opens in a new window

Vol.18, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1909Link opens in a new window

Vol.19, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1910Link opens in a new window

Vol.20, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1911Link opens in a new window

Vol.21, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1912Link opens in a new window

Vol.22, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1913Link opens in a new window

Vol.23, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1914Link opens in a new window

Vol.25, nos.1-25, Jan-Dec 1916Link opens in a new window

Vol.26, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1917Link opens in a new window

Vol.27, nos.1-26, Jan-Dec 1918Link opens in a new window

'The Postal Mentor' was an illustrated monthly magazine on "literature, science and art" produced with the intention of being "educational and entertaining". It was published by the Postmen's Federation and aimed at both members and non-members.

The Modern Records Centre has copies of the first four editions of the magazine. These have been digitised and are available through the Modern Record Centre's catalogue (links below). It isn't apparent whether any more editions were produced.

Vol.1, no.1, May 1902Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, no.2, Jun 1902Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, no.3, Jul 1902Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, no.4, Aug 1902Link opens in a new window

A monthly trade union journal of London and provincial compositors, published in London. It includes general printing news (including re developments abroad), reports on printing unions (including the National Typographical Association and the London Union of Compositors), correspondence, serialised stories (e.g. 'Moll Cutpurse'), poems, and articles on unemployment and welfare (including re the London Compositors' Provident Association and Printers' Pension Society).

The Modern Records Centre has 19 editions of this publication, bound in one volume. All have been digitised and are freely available through our online catalogue:

Nos.1-19, Nov 1843 - Jun 1845Link opens in a new window

The Provincial Typographical Association was established in 1849 by delegates from across Yorkshire and Lancashire who met at Angel Street in Sheffield. It was a successor to the Northern Typographical Union (1830-1844) and the National Typographical Association (1844-1848). In 1877 it merged with a related relief association and dropped "Provincial" from its title. In 1963 it amalgamated with the London Typographical Society to form the National Graphical Association.

The 'Provincial Typographical Circular' or 'Typographical Circular' was the monthly members' newsletter and can include branch and district news, articles or news items about aspects of the printing industry and current affairs, and correspondence. Some volumes can include lists of deceased members and more detailed obituaries of prominent members.

The Modern Records Centre has 92 volumes of circulars dating from 1849-1963. Five volumes dating from 1874-1879 have been digitised by the MRC and are available to read for free through our online catalogue. An additional five volumes dating from 1915-1919 have been digitised by Find My Past and are available on a paid / subscription basis through their website:

Available through the Modern Records Centre (free):

'Typographical Societies' Monthly Circular', nos.262-273, Jul 1874-Jun 1875Link opens in a new window

'Provincial Typographical Circular', nos.274-285, Jul 1875-Jun 1876Link opens in a new window

'Provincial Typographical Circular', nos. 286-297, Jul 1876-Jun 1877Link opens in a new window

'Provincial Typographical Circular', nos.298-309, Jul 1877-Jun 1878Link opens in a new window

'Typographical Circular', nos.310-321, Jul 1878-Jun 1879Link opens in a new window

Available through Find My Past (subscription required):

'Typographical Circular', 1915-1919 (5 vols.)Link opens in a new window

'On the Road' was first published by the Commercial Travellers' Christian Association in 1883 and became the official journal of the United Kingdom Commercial Travellers' Association (UKCTA) in 1886. The Modern Records Centre has a large but incomplete run of the union's journal 'On The Road' / 'Selling Today' between 1883-1974. Editions of 'On The Road' between May 1883 - April 1885, January 1886 - November 1888, and January 1892 - December 1920 have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue.

Subjects include: reports on the activities of commercial travellers' organisations including UKCTA, the Commercial Travellers' Christian Association, the Commercial Travellers' Benevolent Institution, and commercial travellers' schools and libraries; articles on religion and temperance (particularly in the early years); articles about being 'on the road', transport and the work of a commercial traveller in Britain, Ireland and beyond; profiles and portraits of prominent members (from 1887 onwards); branch and district news; poems and songs; and listings of recommended hotels.

'On The Road', vol.1, May 1883 - Apr 1884Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', vol.2, May 1884 - Apr 1885Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1886 - Nov 1888Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1892 - Dec 1894Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1895 - Sep 1897Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Oct 1897 - Jun 1899Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jul 1899 - Dec 1900Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1901 - Dec 1903Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1904 - Dec 1906Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1907 - Dec 1909Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1910 - Dec 1912Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1913 - Dec 1915Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Jan 1916 - Dec 1917Link opens in a new window

'On The Road', Dec 1918 - Dec 1920Link opens in a new window

The National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers (NUDAW) was formed in 1921 by the merger of the National Union of Warehouse and General Workers and the Amalgamated Union of Co-operative Employees. NUDAW ceased to exist in 1947, when it merged with the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants to form the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW).

The union's journal 'New Dawn' was named, loosely, after the initials of the union ('NUDAW N') and was published fortnightly. 'New Dawn' included branch and district news, illustrated profiles of union officials and prominent members, articles about general political, social, economic and international issues, information about negotiations over pay and conditions, reports on local strikes, cartoons, poems, guest articles from prominent members of the labour movement, information about the co-operative movement, and articles on literature, the arts and travel.

The following editions of 'New Dawn' are available through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue (free).

Vol.1, nos.1, 3-11, 13-17, 19-22, 24, Jan - Dec 1921Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1922Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1924Link opens in a new window

Vol.5. nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1925Link opens in a new window

Vol.6, nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1926Link opens in a new window

Vol.7, nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1927Link opens in a new window

Vol.8, nos.1-2, 4-26, Jan - Dec 1928Link opens in a new window

Vol.9, nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1929Link opens in a new window

Vol.10, nos.1-26, Jan - Dec 1930Link opens in a new window

'The Telegraph and Telephone Journal' was published by the General Post Office (GPO) as a staff journal from October 1914. The illustrated magazine included information about technological developments, articles on the broader use of telephones and telegraphs (and some of the social, economic, political or military consequences), and news about the activities of GPO staff associations and individual employees. During the First World War, the journal also contained articles from former staff on military service and news of conditions in Belgium and France following the German invasion.

The Modern Records Centre has editions of the journal for Oct 1914 - Sep 1920, Oct 1924 - Sep 1925, and Oct 1926 - Sep 1932. The following volumes have been digitised in full:

'The Telegraph and Telephone Journal', vol.1, Oct 1914-Sep 1915Link opens in a new window

'The Telegraph and Telephone Journal', vol.2, Oct 1915-Sep 1916Link opens in a new window

'The Telegraph and Telephone Journal', vol.3, Oct 1916-Sep 1917Link opens in a new window

'The Telegraph and Telephone Journal', vols.4-5, Oct 1917-Sep 1919Link opens in a new window

Early issues of The Railway Review, "a weekly newspaper for railwaymen" produced by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and its successor the National Union of Railwaymen, have been digitised to help preserve and provide wider access to the fragile volumes.

The digitised editions cover the following dates:

• July 1880 - Dec 1881 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1882 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1883 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1884 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1885 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• May - Dec 1886 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1887 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1888 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1889 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1890, and Apr 1891 - Dec 1892 (MRC catalogue - 1890Link opens in a new window and 1891-1892Link opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1898 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1899 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1900 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1901 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1902 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1903 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1904 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1905 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1906 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1907 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1908 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1909 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1910 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1911 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1912 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1913 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1914 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1915 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1916 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1917 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1918 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1919 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)
• Jan - Dec 1920 (MRC catalogueLink opens in a new window)

Some of the stranger stories from the newspaper are highlighted in Tales of the Unexpected in The Railway Review. Some of the editions are also included in Warwick Digital Collections.

'Battle of Bread': Tales from the Victorian breadline

The first editor of 'Railway Review', James Greenwood, was a “social explorer” known for his colourful descriptions of working class life in London. Early editions of the NUR newspaper include Greenwood's articles on the urban underclass of the early 1880s - from mudlarks to quack medicine sellers.

First World War cartoons

We have also digitised and made available online cartoons from 'The Railway Review' dating from August 1914 to December 1914. The cartoons, drawn by 'DIN', include satirical comment on railway working conditions and management, wartime social problems (including profiteers and food shortages), the introduction of women workers, the 1918 general election and plans for post-war reconstruction.

The General Railway Workers' Union (GRWU) was founded in 1890 and amalgamated with the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and the United Pointsmen's and Signalmen's Society in 1913 to form the National Union of Railwaymen. The membership of the General Railway Workers' Union appears to have been concentrated in the railway workshops and amongst railwaymen engaged in handling goods traffic.

The Modern Records Centre has one bound volume containing an incomplete run of the GRWU's journal 'The Railway Express' between October 1890 - February 1892 (volume 1, nos.1-6, 8-15, 19-20, 22-41, and volume 2, nos. 54, 56-59, 63, 70). The newspaper included reports of union meetings and demonstrations, branch and district reports, information about strikes, working conditions, wages and accidents, editorials on a range of trade union and labour movement related subjects, and correspondence and poems.

'The Railway Express', vols.1-2, Oct 1890 - Feb 1892Link opens in a new window

The 'Railway Herald' was a weekly journal published between 1887-1903. It reported on the activities of the General Railway Workers' Union, the Railway Clerks' Association and the United Pointsmen and Signalmen's Society (and criticised the rival Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants). The newspaper included branch and district news for unions and welfare societies; general reports on the railway industry, including technical developments and descriptions of working conditions; information about railway-related accidents (fatal and non-fatal) and criminal offences; 'The women's corner' (including recipes and household tips); correspondence and advertisements (including for clothing and patent medicines).

The Modern Records Centre has four volumes of the journal dating between 1896-1899 and loose editions from 1901. All have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue:

'Railway Herald', vol.XVII-XVIII, nos.435-486, Jan-Dec 1896Link opens in a new window

'Railway Herald', vol.XVIII-XX, nos.487-538, Jan-Dec 1897Link opens in a new window

'Railway Herald', vol.XX-XXII, nos.539-591, Jan-Dec 1898Link opens in a new window

'Railway Herald', vol.XXII-XXIII, nos.592-643, Jan-Dec 1899Link opens in a new window

'Railway Herald', vol.XXV-XXVI, nos.696-747, Jan-Dec 1901Link opens in a new window

'The Dockers' Record' was the members' journal of the Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Workers' Union of Great Britain and Ireland (also known as the Dockers' Union). The Modern Records Centre has the majority of issues published between 1901-1921 in two different archive collections - the archives of the DWRGWU (editions for Feb 1901 - Dec 1914, Apr 1916 - Jul 1921) and the International Transport Workers' Union (editions for 1901-1914, Apr 1915 - May 1916, Jul - Oct 1916, Dec 1916 - Feb 1917).

'The Dockers' Record' includes news about the union and the industry, wages and working conditions, advertisements, and lists of members who received compensation for accidents.

Editions from 1901-1921 have been digitised and are available through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue:

Nos.1-44, Feb 1901 - Nov 1911Link opens in a new window

Nos.45-54, Feb 1912 - Dec 1914Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.1-12 (new series), Apr 1915 - Mar 1916Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.1-12, Apr 1916 - Mar 1917Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, nos.1-12, Apr 1917 - Mar 1918Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, nos.1-12, Apr 1918 - Mar 1919Link opens in a new window

Vol.5, nos.1-12, Apr 1919 - Apr 1920Link opens in a new window

Vol.6, nos.1-12, vol.7, no.1, May 1920 - Jun/Jul 1921Link opens in a new window

The National Association of General Railway Clerks was formed in 1897 and renamed the Railway Clerks' Association (RCA) two years later. By 1904 the RCA comprised over four thousand members out of a potential total of 60,000 railway clerical members. In 1951 the union changed its name to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association.

The RCA's journal 'The Railway Clerk' was first published in 1904 and replaced the 'Railway Herald', a publication which had reported on the General Railway Workers' Union, the Railway Clerks' Association and the United Pointsmen and Signalmen's Society.

The Modern Records Centre has an extensive but incomplete collection of 'The Railway Clerk' and successive periodicals between 1904- 2016. The volumes dating between 1904 and 1908-1918 have been digitised and are available through our online catalogue (we currently don't hold editions for 1905-1907):

'The Railway Clerk', vol.1, nos.1-12, 1904

'The Railway Clerk', vol.5, nos.49-60, 1908

'The Railway Clerk', vol.6, nos.61-72, 1909

'The Railway Clerk', vol.7, nos.73-84, 1910

'The Railway Clerk', vol.8, nos.85-96, 1911

'The Railway Clerk', vol.9, nos.97-108, 1912

'The Railway Clerk', vol.10, nos.109-120, 1913

'The Railway Clerk', vol.11, nos.121-132, 1914

'The Railway Clerk', vol.12, nos.133-144, 1915

'The Railway Clerk', vol.13, nos.145-156, 1916

'The Railway Clerk', vol.14, nos.157-168, 1917

'The Railway Clerk', vol.15, nos.169-180, 1918

The National Sailors and Firemen's Union (NSFU) was founded in 1893 and renamed the National Union of Seamen (NUS) in 1926. In 1990 the NUS amalgamated with the National Union of Railwaymen to form the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

'The Seaman' was initially published in 1908 as a monthly newspaper, changing to a fortnightly paper when it was relaunched in 1912. Publication was suspended after September 1939, following the outbreak of the Second World War, but resumed in August 1941, when 'The Seaman' became a less frequently produced magazine.

'The Seaman' can include news of the union's activities and campaigns, including reports of speeches; general maritime news, including articles and news items on safety, technology, accidents and wrecks; reports on prosecution of sailors in court or violence / unrest on ships; lists of recipients of accident, death or shipwreck benefits; attacks on Communism; correspondence, poems, jokes and photographs. During the First World War information is given about members of the union serving with the armed forces (in some cases illustrated with photographs).

The earlier years of 'The Seamen' include extensive coverage of the union's campaign against foreign (especially non-European) seamen serving on British merchant vessels and contain explicitly racist views and language.

All available editions of 'The Seaman' between October 1912 to December 1946, together with 5 editions of the newspaper from 1908, have been digitised and are available to read through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue. Indexes are usually included at the front or back of the volumes.

Vol.1, nos. 4, 7-10, Feb, May-Aug 1908Link opens in a new window

[Vol.1], nos.1-2 (new series), Apr-May 1911Link opens in a new window

[Vol.1], nos.2, 9-12 (new series), vol.2, nos.13-19, Jun 1911-Oct 1912Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.1-26 (new series), Oct 1912-Oct 1913Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.27-56 (new series), Oct 1913-Dec 1914Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.57-83 (new series), Jan-Dec 1915Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.84-108 (new series), Jan-Dec 1916Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.109-133 (new series), Jan-Dec 1917Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.134-159 (new series), Jan-Dec 1918Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, no.160 - vol.2, no.185 (new series), Jan-Dec 1919Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.186-212 (new series), Jan-Dec 1920Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.213-236 (new series), Jan-Dec 1921Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.237-260 (new series), Jan-Dec 1922Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, nos.261-285 (new series), Jan-Dec 1923Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, nos.286-311 (new series), Jan-Dec 1924Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, no.312 - vol.4, no.341 (new series), Jan-Dec 1925Link opens in a new window

Vol.5, nos.342-364 (new series), Jan-Dec 1926Link opens in a new window

Vol.6, nos.365-391 (new series), Jan-Dec 1927Link opens in a new window

Vol.7, nos.392-417 (new series), Jan-Dec 1928Link opens in a new window

Vol.8, nos.418-442 (new series), Jan-Dec 1929Link opens in a new window

Vol.9, nos.443-469 (new series), Jan-Dec 1930Link opens in a new window

Vol.10, nos.470-495 (new series), Jan-Dec 1931Link opens in a new window

Vol.11, nos.496-521 (new series), Jan-Dec 1932Link opens in a new window

Vol.12, nos.522-547 (new series), Jan-Dec 1933Link opens in a new window

Vol.12, nos.548-573 (new series), Jan-Dec 1934Link opens in a new window

Vol.12, nos.574-599 (new series), Jan-Dec 1935Link opens in a new window

Vol.12, nos.600-625 (new series), Jan-Dec 1936Link opens in a new window

Vol.12, nos.626-651 (new series), Jan-Dec 1937Link opens in a new window

Vol.16, nos.652-677 (new series), Jan-Dec 1938Link opens in a new window

Vol.17, nos.678-696 (new series), Jan-Sep 1939Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.1, 3-5, 8-11, Aug 1941-Jun 1942Link opens in a new window

Vol.1, nos.18-25 (new series), Jan-Dec 1943Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.1-12 (new series), Jan-Dec 1944Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, nos.1-12 (new series), Jan-Dec 1945Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, nos.1-9 (new series), Jan-Dec 1946Link opens in a new window

'The Transport Worker' was published by the National Transport Workers' Federation in Liverpool during and after the 1911 transport strike, and was edited by trade union leader Tom Mann.

The Modern Records Centre has a copy of the first edition, which is available online through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue. The British Library's catalogue lists eight editions of the journal in total, dating from Aug 1911 - Mar 1912.

Vol.1, no.1, Aug 1911Link opens in a new window

The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) formally came into existence on 1 January 1922 and was formed by the amalgamation of fourteen unions: the Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen; the Amalgamated Carters, Lurrymen and Motormen's Union; the Amalgamated Association of Carters and Motormen; the Associated Horsemen's Union; the Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Workers' Union of Great Britain and Ireland; the Labour Protection League; the National Amalgamated Labourers' Union of Great Britain and Ireland; the National Union of Docks, Wharves and Shipping Staffs; the National Association of Ships' Clerks, Grain Weighers and Coalmeters; the National Union of Vehicle Workers; the National Amalgamated Coal Workers' Union of Inland and Seaborne Coal Workers; the North of England Trimmers and Teemers' Association; the North of Scotland Horse and Motormen's Association; and the United Vehicle Workers.

The TGWU's journal 'The Record' was launched in August 1921 and so pre-dates the formal creation of the union. The digitised editions include news items and articles on trade unionism, politics, social policy and the international situation; sections dedicated to the work of the union and conditions in the different industries covered by the TGWU (docks, road transport, inland waterways, etc.); 'Our women's page'; 'Our convalescent home'; cartoons; and profiles and obituaries of prominent officials and members. Earlier editions also include sections on 'Labour in Parliament' and 'Law for the workman'. Later editions include 'Our smiles column' and 'Gramophone notes'.

The Transport and General Workers' Union archive at the Modern Records Centre includes editions of 'The Record' from 1921-2008. The first 10 volumes have been digitised and are available to read through our catalogue:

Vol.1, nos.1-12, Aug 1921-Jul 1922Link opens in a new window

Vol.2, nos.13-24, Aug 1922-Jul 1923Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, nos.25-36, Aug 1923-Jul 1924Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, nos.37-48, Aug 1924-Jul 1925Link opens in a new window

Vol.5, nos.49-58, Aug 1925-Jul 1926Link opens in a new window

Vol.6, nos.59-70, Aug 1926-Jul 1927Link opens in a new window

Vol.7, nos.71-82, Aug 1927-Jul 1928Link opens in a new window

Vol.8, nos.83-94, Aug 1928-Jul 1929Link opens in a new window

Vol.9, nos.95-106, Aug 1929-Jul 1930Link opens in a new window

Vol.10, nos.107-118, Aug 1930-Jul 1931Link opens in a new window

'The International Seafarer' was published as an English language supplement to 'Der Internationale Transportarbeiter' ('The International Transport Workers Bulletin') by the Seamen's Section of the International Propaganda Committee of Revolutionary Transport Workers. It was a 'rank and file' journal linked with the Communist Party and attacked mainstream trade union leaders such as Ernest Bevin. Subjects covered include conditions in Germany and the Soviet Union, Chinese and other non-European workers on European merchant vessels, Communist-led campaigns such as the National Unemployed Workers' Committee Movement and National Minority Movement, international solidarity and seafarers' strikes, marine safety and working conditions.

The archives of the International Transport Workers' Federation include an incomplete set of the journal:

Sep/Oct 1923 - Dec 1924/Jan 1925: vol. 1, nos. 1-2, 4-5, 7-8.

Mar/Apr 1926: vol. 2, no. 1.

Jan/Mar & Jun/Oct 1927: vol. 3, nos. 1 & 4.

Sep-Nov 1928: new series, vol. 1, nos. 1-3

Jan/Feb - Dec 1929: new series, vol. 1, nos. 1-4, 7, 9-10

Apr & Jun 1930: new series, vol. 2, nos. 3 & 5

All of these editions have been digitised and are freely available through our online catalogue.Link opens in a new window

The Workers' Union was established in 1898. It aimed to be an all-inclusive union and recruited members from a large cross-section of trades, including labourers of all types, machinists, chemical workers, municipal and other local and central government employees, cocoa workers, brewery workers, file cutters, grinders and hardeners, riddle-makers, packing case makers, sanitary pipe workers, quarrymen, farm and rural workers, and factory workers of all kinds. It absorbed several smaller unions, including the London Cloth Workers' Union and the Small Arms Employees' Union in 1914. The Workers' Union amalgamated with the Transport and General Workers' Union in 1929, forming its own semi-independent trade group until 1931 when its members were split between other trade groups.

The Workers' Union Record included branch and district news, including information about negotiations over local pay and conditions; articles on general social, political or economic topics; First World War profiles of members on active service and lists of members killed in action; photographs of union activities and prominent members or officials.

The Modern Records Centre holds five volumes of the 'Record', dating from 1913-1929. The first two volumes have been digitised by Find My Past and are available on a paid / subscription basis through their website:

1913-1920 (2 vols.)Link opens in a new window

'The Labour Prophet' was the monthly journal of the Labour Church, a Christian Socialist organisation, and was edited by Rev. John Trevor.

The illustrated journal includes articles on the work of the Labour Church (locally and nationally), politics (particularly socialism, also some coverage of anarchism), trade unionism and labour disputes, working conditions in particular industries, welfare (including child welfare, poor law and unemployment), education, the role of women, temperance, and profiles of prominent individuals. A 'Cinderella' supplement for children is also included from May 1893 onwards. Contributors to the publication included Tom Mann, Keir Hardie, Ben Tillett, Robert Blatchford, Margaret McMillan, Sergius Stepniak, Edward Carpenter, Caroline E.D. Martyn and Edward Aveling.

The Modern Records Centre has bound volumes of the journal between Jan 1892-Dec 1897, all of which have been digitised and are freely available through our online catalogue:

Vols.1-2, nos.1-24, 1892-1893Link opens in a new window

Vol.3, nos.25-35, 1894Link opens in a new window

Vol.4, nos.37-48, 1895Link opens in a new window

Vols.5-6, nos.49-72, 1896-1897Link opens in a new window

'The Weekly Tribune' was a shortlived newspaper "under the direction of" Richard Bell, General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and Labour Member of Parliament, and Edmond Browne, a Progressive Party member on London County Council and legal advisor to the Trades Union Congress.

The newspaper was intended for a general audience - "a genuine Labour paper in which all shades of opinion might find a common meeting ground, and which should make Labour news a special feature" ('The Weekly Tribune', no.17, 28 May 1904) - and was priced at 1 penny. 17 issues (plus a supplement) were published between 6 February 1904 and 28 May 1904.

Content included a regular serial ('Lives of Iron' by Bart Kennedy), short stories, political and parliamentary news (including London County Council elections and profiles of Labour Representation Committee candidates), international news (including the Russo-Japanese War), advertisements, coverage of British protests against employment of indentured Chinese labourers in South Africa, and articles on economic policy (free trade v. protectionism), the arts, employment, trade unionism, wages and accidents at work. A 'Women's World' column is included in earlier issues and cartoons and illustrations can also be included.

All editions of 'The Weekly Tribune' are available free of charge through the Modern Records Centre's online catalogue:

Nos.1-17, Feb-May 1904

Britain's only General Strike took place between 4-12 May 1926. As printing workers were on strike, normal editions of local and national newspapers were unable to be produced for much of the dispute (though some organisations did produce smaller 'emergency' bulletins). On the second day of the strike, 5 May 1926, the government began to publish its own newspaper 'British Gazette'. In response, the Trades Union Congress produced 'The British Worker', presenting the unions' view of the dispute. The Scottish Trades Union Congress published its own national version between 10-15 May. Other General Strike newspapers, including Newcastle and Coventry editions of 'The British Worker', are available through our digitised collection on Reporting the General Strike: Contemporary accounts of "The Nine Day Wonder"Link opens in a new window. Nine editions of 'The British Worker' were also produced between April - June 1927, as part of the TUC's campaign against the Trade Disputes and Trade Union Bill.

Available through Warwick Digital Collections (free):

'The British Worker', nos.1-11, 5-17 May 1926Link opens in a new window

'The Scottish Worker', nos.1-6, 10-15 May 1926Link opens in a new window

'The York Labour News' was a monthly newspaper published by York Labour Representation Committee between 1904-1905. 'The York Daily Labour News' replaced it at the beginning of 1906, in the immediate run up to the general election.

The newspapers promote G H Stuart (of the Postmen's Federation) as the Labour parliamentary candidate for York and include articles on local and national politics, housing, welfare, international affairs (including the Russo-Japanese war, Chinese labour in South Africa and revolution in Russia), trade unionism, unemployment, education, transport and municipal management of services (as opposed to private enterprise). 'A woman's column' on political and social issues (as well as promoting women's suffrage) is included from January 1905.

The Modern Records Centre has 20 out of 23 editions of 'The York Labour News' and one edition of 'The York Daily News'. They have been digitised and are available through the MRC catalogue:

'The York Labour News', nos. 2-5, 7-9, 11-23, and 'The York Daily Labour News', no.402Link opens in a new window

The Democratic Federation (later the Social Democratic Federation) was founded by Henry M. Hyndman as a Marxist political party in 1881. The Social Democratic Federation was one of the co-founders of the Labour Representation Committee (later the Labour Party) in 1900 but by the time 'The Border City Socialist' was published the SDF had split from the Labour Party and routinely criticised it for lack of radicalism. The Social Democratic Federation was replaced by the British Socialist Party in 1911.

'The Border City Socialist' was the journal of the Carlisle branch of the Social-Democratic Party (i.e. the Social Democratic Federation) and was first published in 1908. It includes articles on local and national politics, the theory and nature of socialism, unemployment, trade unionism, May Day, emigration, the military, nationalisation, poverty and disease, religion, old age pensions, education, Empire, aviation, railway workers, Boy Scouts, 'The Chinese coolie at home' (by J.H. Penfold, Hong Kong, nos.3-4, Jun-Jul 1908), 'State maintenance of the children' (by A.C. Bannington, no.5, Aug 1908), 'Francisco Ferrer - martyr' (no.20, Nov 1909), 'A Carlisle man in New Zealand' (T. Muse on J.G. Muse, no.20, Nov 1909), 'Electoral manifesto of the Social-Democratic Party' (no.21, Dec 1909), and 'The Amble coal-diggers' (no.24, Mar 1910). The journal also contains advertisements for local businesses, regular 'Woman's letter', and occasional poems. Cartoons are included in nos.22-24, Jan-Mar 1910. The masthead of the publication was designed by Walter Crane.

'The Border City Socialist' is available in full through the Modern Records Centre's catalogue (free):

Nos.1-24, Apr 1908-Mar 1910Link opens in a new window

The Clyde Workers' Committee was formed in 1915 to campaign against the Munitions of War Act which introduced government control of key industries, backed up by penal sanctions, including strict regulation of wages, hours and working conditions, banning of strikes, and making it illegal for employees to leave jobs at "controlled establishments" without their employers' permission. The first edition of 'The Worker' was published in January 1916 and provided a lengthy and critical report of the visit of Prime Minister David Lloyd George to the Clyde, ignoring official censorship of press coverage of the event. The newspaper was banned under the Defence of the Realm Act in February 1916 and the editor John Muir and CWC Chairman Willie Gallacher were imprisoned.

The Modern Records Centre has the first issue of 'The Worker' which has been digitised and is available through our online catalogue:

No.1, 8 January 1916Link opens in a new window