The United Textile Workers of America (UTW) was a North American trade union established in 1901.[1]
History
The United Textile Workers of America was founded following two conferences in 1901 under the aegis of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) as an amalgamation of several smaller craft unions. AFL first vice president James Duncan presided over a two-day initial conference held at Boston's Quincy House Hotel in May before a larger conference finalized the organization in November.[1] The union's most important early leader was John Golden, a Lancashire-born spinner from Fall River, Massachusetts. Golden was elected as the union's second president in 1902 and re-elected at each subsequent convention until his death in 1921. At the time of his election, UTW's membership was just 10,600 spread out among 185 local unions.[1]
In 1922, the UTW led[2]The New England Textile Strike where 40,000-50,000 workers went on strike.[3] This was alongside the IWW & ACTWU.[2] It lasted for around 200 days in most mills.[2] Principally Rhode Island, Massachusetts, & New Hampshire.[2]
The UTW & ACTWU led Rhode Island. The IWW, ACTWU, & UTW in Massachusetts. Lastly, the UTW completely led it in New Hampshire.[2]
From its founding in 1901 until 1912, UTW used the privately published The Laborer and Journeyman as its official organ. In 1912, The Textile Worker was founded and published by the union itself with secretary-treasurer Albert Hibbert as its editor. In September 1915, John Golden took over as editor on top of his other duties as president. He was replaced in both roles following his death by Thomas F. McMahon.[7]
^Fink, Gary M. (1977). Labor Unions. Greenwood encyclopedia of American institutions. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. 380–386. ISBN0-8371-8938-1.