The National Cutlery Union 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 ( ...

representing workers involved in the manufacture of

cutlery Cutlery (also referred to as silverware, flatware, or tableware), includes any hand implement used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food in Western culture. A person who makes or sells cutlery is called a cutler. The city of Sheffie ...

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 continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

, particularly in

Sheffield Sheffield is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is Historic counties o ...

. The union originated in 1914 when the Table and Butcher Knife Hafters' Trade and Provident Society merged with the Table and Butcher Blade Smithers' Association, forming the Cutlery Union. This initially had 1,072 members, but the figure gradually fell, reaching only 589 members in 1938. That year, it merged with the Amalgamated Scissors Workers Trade, Sick and Funeral Society, and added "National" to its name. From the start, the union admitted women as members, and about half the women working in cutlery manufacture in Sheffield were said to be members by 1920. However, women were not initially eligible for the union's sickness benefits. In 1957, the union merged into the National Union of General and Municipal Workers. By this time, the union had about 900 members. The union's secretary and treasurer was Harold Slack, who also served as a Labour Party member of

Sheffield City Council Sheffield City Council is the city council for the metropolitan borough of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It consists of 84 councillors, elected to represent 28 wards, each with three councillors. It is currently under No Overall Contr ...

. He was considered for membership of the

Design Council The Design Council, formerly the Council of Industrial Design, is a United Kingdom charity incorporated by Royal Charter. Its stated mission is "to champion great design that improves lives and makes things better". It was instrumental in the prom ...

, but was ultimately not appointed. Other union officials included Eddie Wood, who in his spare time officiated the 1933 FA Cup Final.{{cite news, title=Edward Wood, work=Liverpool Daily Post, date=25 November 1942

References

Trade unions established in 1914 Trade unions disestablished in 1957 Defunct trade unions of the United Kingdom GMB (trade union) amalgamations Trade unions based in South Yorkshire