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Arthur Deakin (11 November 1890 – 1 May 1955) was a prominent

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

trade unionist who was acting general secretary of the

Transport and General Workers' Union The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU or T&G) was one of the largest general union, general trade unions in the United Kingdom and Ireland—where it was known as the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union (ATGWU)—with 900 ...

from 1940 and then general secretary from 1945 to 1955.

Background

Arthur Deakin was born at Holland Street,

Sutton Coldfield Sutton Coldfield or the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield ( ), is a town and civil parish in the city of Birmingham, West Midlands County, West Midlands, England. The town lies around 8 miles northeast of Birmingham city centre, 9 miles south of L ...

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, on 11 November 1890, the son of a domestic servant, Annie Deakin. His birth certificate did not record the name of his father. At the age of ten he moved with his mother and stepfather to Dowlais in

South Wales South Wales ( ) is a Regions of Wales, loosely defined region of Wales bordered by England to the east and mid Wales to the north. Generally considered to include the Historic counties of Wales, historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire ( ...

Career

Deakin began his working life at the age of 13 at the Dowlais Ironworks. https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/32761 In 1910, Deakin moved to Shotton in

North Wales North Wales ( ) is a Regions of Wales, region of Wales, encompassing its northernmost areas. It borders mid Wales to the south, England to the east, and the Irish Sea to the north and west. The area is highly mountainous and rural, with Snowdon ...

and took a job with another steel firm as a roll turner. He became an active trade unionist during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and a full-time official in 1919. In 1932, Deakin became national secretary of the General Workers National Trade Group within the TGWU. In 1935, he became assistant general secretary. In 1940, Deaken effectively took over the position of general secretary, following the appointment of

Ernest Bevin Ernest Bevin (9 March 1881 – 14 April 1951) was a British statesman, trade union leader and Labour Party politician. He co-founded and served as General Secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union from 1922 to 1940 and ...

as a cabinet minister. Deakin's period as general secretary was marked by a consolidation of the powers of executive, occasional serious outbreaks of unofficial

strike action Strike action, also called labor strike, labour strike in British English, or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to Working class, work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Str ...

among union members and a fierce anti-communist line. During the 1950s he aligned with the right-wing Gaitskellite wing of the Labour Party, and favored expelling the leader of the left-wing faction

Aneurin Bevan Aneurin "Nye" Bevan Privy Council (United Kingdom), PC (; 15 November 1897 – 6 July 1960) was a Welsh Labour Party (UK), Labour Party politician, noted for spearheading the creation of the British National Health Service during his t ...

from the party. Although Bevan remained in the party, Deakin's union's endorsement was crucial for

Hugh Gaitskell Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell (9 April 1906 – 18 January 1963) was a British politician who was Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom), Leader of the Opposition from 1955 until ...

's victory over him in the

1955 Labour Party leadership election The 1955 Labour Party leadership election was held following the resignation of Clement Attlee. Attlee was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951 and stayed on as Leader of the Labour Party (UK), party leader unt ...

Death

Deakin was due to retire in November 1955 but on 1 May 1955 Deakin was addressing a

Labour Day Labour Day is an annual day of celebration of the labour movement and its labor rights, achievements. It has its origins in the trade union, labour union movement, specifically the Eight-hour day movement, eight-hour day movement, which advoca ...

rally at the Corn Exchange in

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when he collapsed, he was dead on arrival at hospital. He was succeeded as general secretary by Jock Tiffin.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Deakin, Arthur 1890 births 1955 deaths General secretaries of the Transport and General Workers' Union Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom People from Sutton Coldfield Members of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress Presidents of the Trades Union Congress