National Union of Agricultural Workers 1944

The Farm Workers Friend

National Union of Agricultural Workers (NUAW) established 1920, previously known as the Eastern Counties Agricultural Labourers & Small Holders Union founded at the Angel Hotel, North Walsham, Norfolk, 20 July 1906.

J.W. Bye Union membership card, Old Leake, Lincolnshire branch

National Agricultural Labourers & Rural Workers Union

On July 20th 1906 a meeting was held at the Angel Hotel, North Walsham, Norfolk to establish a new Agricultural Workers Union

The Union was called the Eastern Counties Agricultural Labourers & Small Holders Union

its Secretary was George Edwards; President George Nicholls MP; Treasurer Richard Winfrey MP

and an Executive Committee comprised of J.Binder, J. Sage, William .G. Codling, Herbert day, J. Bly, C.Holman, J. Stibbins

George Edwards was appointed as Secretary on 13shillings a week

However little could be done to organise before the end of that years Harvest, but a start was made in St Faiths (Stronghold of the Arch's National Union) and Kinninghall and Shipham

Between September 1906 and December 1906 George Edwards spoke at 88 meetings and established 57 branches with 1,600 members

By the end of the year Thomas Thacker of East Dareham had been appointed as Assistant Organiser

Within one year the union had held 324 meetings, established 89 branches with 3,000 members

The union introduced a unique part time organiser role called a "walking delegate" who was paid 2s a day to organise the first of whom was William Codling of Briston

By 1909 the union had 4,000 members


In 1910 major strikes and disputes broke out at Trunch, Knapton and St Faiths.

At St Faiths the 105 union men were on strike from May 1910 until February 1911 for 1 shilling a week extra - but the strike ended in failure when it was called off by the Executive (not Edwards)

As a result at the February 1911 annual conference at Fakenham the "old guard" were voted out and new radical element took control of the union

the union changing its name In 1910 to

The National Agricultural Labourers & Rural Workers Union

George Edwards (Secretary)
Walter Smith President (Norwich)
Herbert Day Treasurer (St Faiths)
W.B. Harris Vice President (Sleaford, Lins)
Executive Members
William Codling (Briston)
James Coe (Castle Acre)
William "Bill" Holmes (Norwich)
Robert Green
John Arnett(School master)
Herbert Harvey (Trunch)
George Hewitt (St Faiths)
M. Berry

The union later changed its name to National Union of Agricultural Workers (NUAW) in 1920

Later becoming part of the Transport & General Workers Union