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Trade union history

Learning from the past

When explaining the benefits of trade union membership to potential members, many reps have reported back the lack of understanding of what trade unions are and how they originated.

Our reps are trained to develop skills to deal with workplace issues in the context of the current social, economic and political climate. There is often little opportunity to relate this to the social, economic and political context of the past. The lessons derived from the history of the labour and trade union movement are therefore, arguably being lost.

This is noticeable amongst a younger layer of members who are less likely to grow up in an environment where union membership or activity is commonplace amongst their family and/or peer group.

Hidden history


Not only is workers' history being lost but also applies to other forms of “hidden” histories of oppressed and marginalised sections of society. Under-represented groups such as women, black, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and disabled members suffer further discrimination by being invisible in much of general history and trade union history. In contrast, their contributions are often highly significant.

Benefits of informal learning


PCS Organising, Legal, Education and Environment department have therefore developed some simple introductory bite-sized chunks on trade union history.

The benefits are

  • These can be used by members and reps who wish to increase their knowledge of the trade union and labour movement. 
  • Reps can use the information to support recruitment activities
  • Provide inspiration for discussion at members / BEC meetings
  • Link historical events with current campaigning work e.g. Work Your Proper Hours day and the fight for an eight hour day, May Day and international workers day, Ford machinists strike and equal pay, Grunwicks dispute and migrant workers.
  • Reinforce the link between learning and trade union activism
  • Help counteract the under-representation of women, Black, disabled, LGBT members and support the work of PCS equality department
  • Members can support their children who may be studying History or Citizenship at school (Key Stage 3 /4 and post 16) 
  • Learning reps can use them for Learning at Work days or promote informal learning.
  • Help develop informal learning for branches

The pages below will also consist of some key questions to help create talking points and signpost members to further information and reading.

Why workers formed trade unions

International workers day - May Day


“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. George Santayana, philosopher.