| Administrative History | The Aberdeen branch of the Scottish Sawmill Operatives' and Woodcutting Machinemen's Society was formed on 30 May 1893. By 1931, it had become known as the Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists [although MS 2641/18 is inscribed with this name and dates from 1918-1925].
Further information about the development of the trade union movement and the history of individual trade unions in Aberdeen can be found in William Diack, 'History of the Trades Council and the Trade Union Movement in Aberdeen' (Aberdeen: Aberdeen Trades Council, 1939), and in Kenneth D. Buckley, 'Trade Unionism in Aberdeen 1870 - 1900' (Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd, 1955). Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, 'Historical Directory of Trade Unions', 4 vols (Aldershot: Gower, 1980 - 1984) also contains useful information about the development of individual unions, at both the national and local level. Summarised details from each of these sources has been used in compiling this collection level description. |
| Description | The earlier records deposited here relate to the Scottish Sawmill Operatives and Woodcutting Machinemen's Society, and later records to the Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists. Minutes, 1893 - 1958; Cash books (Secretary's and Treasurer's), 1898 - 1960; contribution books, 1898 - 1958; printed papers, 1917 - 1948. |