# Amalgamated Society of Engineers

The Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) was a major British trade union, representing factory workers and mechanics.

## History

The history of the union can be traced back to the formation of the Journeymen Steam Engine, Machine Makers' and Millwrights' Friendly Society, in 1826, popularly known as the "Old Mechanics". Its secretary, William Allan, and another leading figure in the union, William Newton, proposed forming a new union to bring together skilled workers from all engineering trades. They invited a large number of other unions to become part a new Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Smiths, Millwrights and Pattern-makers, which was soon shorted to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE). Other than the Old Mechanics, the only notable union to join was the Smiths Benevolent, Sick and Burial Society. Together with various small, local unions, they brought 5,000 members into the ASE on its creation in 1851, Allan becoming its first general secretary.
The ASE was one of the 'New Model Unions' of the 1850s–1870s. These unions, which also included the Ironfounders, Builders, and Carpenters' societies, rejected Chartism and the ideas of Robert Owen in favour of a more moderate policy based on 'prudence', 'respectability' and steady growth. Great importance was attached to the question of finance, as substantial funds would not only provide maintenance for members involved in strike action, but also help to deter the employers from attacking the organisation. Since its members were skilled and relatively highly paid, it was possible for the ASE to charge contributions of one shilling a week and to build up a fund of unprecedented proportions. Initially, there were strict restrictions on membership; all must have completed an apprenticeship in their trade, and men who wore glasses were not permitted to join.
The ASE was an immediate success, and within a year, membership had more than doubled to 11,000. However, in 1852, it agreed a ban on overtime and piecework. In retaliation, employers began an extended national lockouts, which greatly weakened the organisation, an event repeated in 1896. But it maintained its pre-eminent position in the industry, and many local and regional unions joined.
The union was invited to join the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades (FEST) when it was formed in 1891, but refused to do so. It also had a turbulent relationship with the Trades Union Congress (TUC), not holding membership in 1905 or from 1907 to 1918. However, it was a founder member of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU). It finally joined the FEST in 1905, hoping to persuade its other members to amalgamate with it. Six small unions did so, but the other refused, and the ASE again left the FEST in 1918.
The ASE set up overseas branches in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 1891, they had only 5,000 members between them, but by 1920 they had grown to 32,000 members. The union set up an Australasian Council, and in 1906 a South African Council, and the branches in those countries thereafter had a considerable degree of autonomy. They had their own full-time secretaries and organisers, and became the leading unions for engineers in those countries. However, in North America, the union failed to grow. American Organiser Isaac Cowen prioritised strong links with the union in Britain, and the union there came to largely consist of British members who were temporarily working overseas. Many of them left in 1905 to join the Industrial Workers of the World, and the ASE decided in 1920 to transfer the remaining branches to the International Association of Machinists.
In 1920, the ASE put out a fresh call for other unions to merge with it. Seventeen unions balloted their members on a possible merger, and nine voted in favour of amalgamation. Together, they formed the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

## Election results

The ASE was an early affiliate of the Labour Party. It sponsored candidates in each election from 1906 on, with several of its candidates winning election.
| Election | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Position |
| 1906 general election | Barrow-in-Furness | Charles Duncan | 5,167 | 48.3 | 1 |
| 1906 general election | Darlington | Isaac Mitchell | 4,087 | 48.3 | 2 |
| 1906 general election | Glasgow Blackfriars and Hutchesontown | George Nicoll Barnes | 3,284 | 39.5 | 1 |
| 1906 general election | Great Grimsby | Tom Proctor | 2,248 | 17.8 | 3 |
| 1906 general election | Stockton-on-Tees | Frank Herbert Rose | 1,710 | 23.1 | 3 |
| 1910 January general election | Barrow-in-Furness | Charles Duncan | 5,304 | 55.2 | 1 |
| 1910 January general election | Birmingham East | Joseph James Stephenson | 3,958 | 31.9 | 2 |
| 1910 January general election | Crewe | Frank Herbert Rose | 1,380 | 09.5 | 3 |
| 1910 January general election | Govan | James Thomas Brownlie | 3,545 | 23.3 | 3 |
| 1910 January general election | Glasgow Blackfriars and Hutchesontown | George Nicoll Barnes | 4,496 | 61.7 | 1 |
| 1910 December general election | Barrow-in-Furness | Charles Duncan | 4,810 | 52.9 | 1 |
| 1910 December general election | Glasgow Blackfriars and Hutchesontown | George Nicoll Barnes | 4,162 | 59.1 | 1 |
| 1918 general election | Bristol North | James Kaylor | 5,007 | 26.5 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Chatham | Dan W. Hubbard | 4,134 | 22.5 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Crewe | James Thomas Brownlie | 10,439 | 43.8 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Dumbarton Burghs | David Kirkwood | 10,566 | 47.4 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Gateshead | John Brotherton | 7,212 | 23.8 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Gravesend | James Butts | 3,254 | 21.5 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Ilkeston | George Oliver | 7,962 | 45.2 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Islington West | John Thomas Sheppard | 2,300 | 20.9 | 3 |
| 1918 general election | Kennington | William Glennie | 2,817 | 25.4 | 3 |
| 1918 general election | Leeds North East | John Bromley | 4,450 | 24.5 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Leigh | Richard Owen Jones | 11,146 | 46.4 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Leith | Stanley Burgess | 4,251 | 19.1 | 3 |
| 1918 general election | Lincoln | Robert Arthur Taylor | 6,658 | 28.5 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Newcastle upon Tyne West | David Adams | 6,411 | 33.4 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Newton | Robert Young | 9,808 | 55.0 | 1 |
| 1918 general election | Nottingham East | Tom Proctor | 2,817 | 19.4 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Salford South | James Gorman | 3,807 | 19.0 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Sheffield Brightside | Richard Edward Jones | 6,781 | 35.8 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Shrewsbury | Arthur Taylor | 5,542 | 36.1 | 2 |
| 1918 general election | Yeovil | William Kelly | 7,589 | 36.4 | 2 |

## Leadership
### General Secretaries

    1851: William Allan
    1875: John Burnett
    1886: Robert Austin
    1891: John Anderson
    1896: George Nicoll Barnes
    1909: Jenkin Jones
    1912: Robert Young
    1919: Tom Mann

### Chairmen

    1893: Alfred Sellicks
    1903: Alfred Golightly
    1903: David Gardner
    1910: Albert Taylor
    1913: James Thomas Brownlie