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

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