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 , and was active in the Navy League and the Seafarers Education Service.[2]
References[]
- 1867 births
- 1926 deaths
- General secretaries of British trade unions
- People from St Neots
- Workers' Union
- British trade unionist stubs