National Association of Operative Plasterers

The National Association of Operative Plasterers was formed in 1860, probably by the amalgamation of a number of local societies. It admitted only plasterers and plasterers' labourers. Apart from a period between 1921 and 1932, when it was renamed the National Association of Plasterers, Granolithic and Cement Workers, it remained independent with this name until 1968.

Genealogical sources exist from 1873 to 1967.

Smaller unions

The Belfast Operative Plasterers' Protective and Friendly Trade Society was formed in 1839 and amalgamated with the National Association of Operative Plasterers in 1933. The Belfast Operative House and Ships' Plasterers' Association was formed in 1880 and amalgamated with the NAOP in 1934. Although genealogical sources are held for neither union, the 1934 NAOP lists of new members contain a large number of new Belfast members, which probably represent the existing members of these societies.

The Scottish National Operative Plasterers' Federal Union was formed in 1888. It was renamed the Scottish National Operative Plasterers' Protective and Benefit Federal Union in 1939 and the Scottish National Plasterers' Union in 1945 and merged with the NAOP in 1967. No genealogical sources are held for this union.

Note that the NAOP also had branches throughout Scotland and Ireland.

Later unions

In 1968, the National Association of Operative Plasterers amalgamated with the Transport and General Workers' Union. The plasterers therefore did not join the amalgamations that eventually formed the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) and have since belonged to:

• Transport and General Workers' Union (1968-2007)
• Unite (2007-present)

No genealogical sources are held for these unions.