| Creator Name | NATSOPA: National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants, c. 1912-1972;
SOGAT: Society of Graphical and Allied Trades, 1966-1991;
GPMU: The Graphical, Paper and Media Union, 1991-2004;
STA: The Scottish Typographical Association, c. 1853-1973;
Press and Journal Chapel, fl. 1926-1942. |
| Administrative History | The National Society of Operative Printers, Graphical and Media Personnel was formed in 1889 as the Printers' Labourers' Union. After a number of name changes, the union became known as the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants in 1912. In 1966, NATSOPA formally merged with the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers, coming together under an umbrella organisation called the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades. The National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers became the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades Division A; NATSOPA became the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades Division 1. Differences of opinion caused the two divisions to split in 1972. Division 1 became the National Society of Operative Printers, Graphical and Media Personnel (retaining its former acronym NATSOPA) whilst Division A retained the name Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT). A merger between the two was finally agreed in 1982, the union acquiring the name SOGAT 1982. This eventually led to the establishment of the Graphical, Paper and Media Union in 1991 after SOGAT 1982 and the National Graphical Association (1982) merged. |
| Description | Papers, mostly minute books, relating to printing and media unions including:
National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants (NATSOPA): minutes of branch and quarterly meetings of local NATSOPA branch, 1952-84; cash receipt book for the NATSOPA Benevolent Sick Fund, 1977-88; papers relating to sick fund, 1983-84.
SOGAT: Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT): minute books, 1975-91 and printed rules of the Scottish Graphical Division, 1975. SOGAT family tree chart.
The Graphical, Paper and Media Union (GPMU): printed minutes of the GPMU, Scottish Branch (later Amicus GPM Sector), 1996-2006 and accounts and other papers, 1998-2006.
The Scottish Typographical Association (STA): minute books, 1942-75, Subscription book, 1954-78 and Income and Expenditure book, 1968-83.
Press and Journal Chapel: minute books, 1926-42 and Rules of the Aberdeen Press and Journal and Evening Express Sick Benefit Society, 1968. |