The Association of Building Technicians (ABT) was a
trade union
A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits (s ...
representing architects, surveyors and related workers in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
.
History
The union was founded in 1919 as the Architects' and Surveyors' Assistants' Professional Union. In 1924, it changed its name to the Association of Architects, Surveyors and Technical Assistants,
and its membership and influence increased into the 1930s, as it became associated with left-wing ideas in architecture. Its membership included some prominent members of the
Communist Party of Great Britain
The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was the largest communist organisation in Britain and was founded in 1920 through a merger of several smaller Marxist groups. Many miners joined the CPGB in the 1926 general strike. In 1930, the CPGB ...
, such as
Francis Skinner and Graeme Shankland, and the union's leadership was also composed of party members.
In 1942, the union renamed itself again, this time as the Association of Building Technicians. It gradually declined in membership until 1970, when it merged with the
Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers and the
Amalgamated Society of Painters and Decorators, forming the
Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers and Painters.
General Secretaries
:1936: Cleve Barr
:1940s: Virginia Penn
:1948: F. E. Shosbree
References
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Defunct trade unions of the United Kingdom
1919 establishments in the United Kingdom
Building and construction trade unions
Trade unions established in 1919
Trade unions disestablished in 1970
Trade unions based in London