Tom Chambers (trade unionist)

John Thomas G. Chambers (July 1867 – 3 January 1926) was a British trade unionist.

Born in St Neots, Chambers left school at the age of twelve and began working in a grocery shop. He later completed an apprenticeship as a stonemason and developed an interest in socialism, being an early member of the Independent Labour Party. He moved to London in 1893.^[1]

In 1896, Chambers was elected as the Secretary of the International Transport Workers Federation,^[2] serving until 1904.^[3] He was active in the Independent Labour Party and was elected as the first General Secretary of the Workers' Union in 1898.^[4] In 1909, he toured the ports of the United States with Havelock Wilson in order to increase trade union membership. He was then centrally involved in the seamen's strike of 1911.^[2]

Chambers also served as Treasurer of the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union, and of the National Alliance of Employers and Employed, and was active in the Navy League and the Seafarers Education Service.^[2]

References

^ The Labour Annual (1900), p.150
^ ^a ^b ^c "Mr. Thomas Chambers", Manchester Guardian, 5 January 1926
^ Bob Reinalda, The International Transportworkers Federation, 1914-1945, p.35
^ Richard Hyman, The Workers' Union, p.8

Trade union offices
Preceded by Robert Peddie	General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation 1896–1904	Succeeded by Ben Tillett
Preceded by Tom Mann	President of the International Transport Workers' Federation 1901–1904	Succeeded by Ben Tillett
Preceded by New position	General Secretary of the Workers' Union 1898–1900	Succeeded by Charles Duncan

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[1] The Labour Annual (1900), p.150

[obit-2] "Mr. Thomas Chambers", Manchester Guardian, 5 January 1926

[3] Bob Reinalda, The International Transportworkers Federation, 1914-1945, p.35

[4] Richard Hyman, The Workers' Union, p.8

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