Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/312

"You will be aware that for many years there has been a contest between the N.U.R. and ourselves on the great question of which Union could best represent the Locomotivemen, and round the great problem of Industrial versus Craft Unionism.

"During the last year or two the possibilities of Industrial Unionism have become smaller and smaller, for not only have Craft Unions either amalgamated on national lines, or are contemplating doing so, as witness the Engineers, Toolmakers, Pattera Makers, etc., but even unskilled Labour Unions have amalgamated. All this has cut clean across Union by Industry, and has increased on national lines Union by Crafts.

A similar tendency has been operating in the railway industry, as witness the increased membership of Craft Unions in railway shops and works, the growth of the Railway Clerks to some 70,000, and our own phenomenal growth of from 32,900 at the end of 1914, to over 46,000 at the present day.

"Throughout all the misunderstandings of the past we have, as a Union, while claiming our identity and self-government, always proclaimed our readiness and even desire to work in the closest agreement with the other Railway Unions and, if necessary, with other organised workers. This has been proclaimed by our speakers on a thousand platforms, and now, in the height of our success, when we have by our power obtained the Eight Hour Day, and are hammering out a National Working Agreement for all our members, and enrolling members and opening branches most successfully, we are giving a proof of the honesty of our intentions to work in close harmony with others.

We have, as you know, recently entered into a very close agreement for offensive and defensive action with the National and Provincial Union of Licensed Vehicle Workers. We have also recently been approached by another organisation on the subject of coming to an understanding, although of a less binding nature than that mentioned above. In addition to this, your Executive were recently approached by the National Union of Railwaymen with a view to the two Unions considering the future relations between us, and coming, if not to a working agreement, at least to an understanding.

"Your E.C., anxious to prove the bona-fides of our statement that we were willing to work with others, especially the N.U.R., although not prepared to consider the fusion of our Union with any, accepted the invitation, with the result that a meeting of the two Executives was held on June 5th, at which meeting, after mutual