Newcastle upon Tyne TUC was founded in 1873.  Ever since, the Trades Council has been working to unite trades unionists across the City.

In 1890, it was the Trades Council which responded to the international campaign for the Eight Hour Day, and organised Tyneside's first May Day.

In the 1970s, it was the Trades Council which set up Britain's first Centre Against Unemployment , leading to a national network, supported by the Trades Union Congress.

For its centenary, the Trades Council published a history in pamphlet form. More recent history is contained in the Annual Reports presented to the Annual General Meeting held every February.  Several are included here, together with the list of delegates who have held the role of President, Secretary and Treasurer, as far back as can be remembered. 

We also cherish the memory of stalwart members of Newcastle TUC who have sadly passed away.  Follow the link Roll of Honour to read their biographies. 

 

Centenary History

NTUC centenary history cove

Newcastle and District Trades Council, 1873-1973: Centenary History, was published in 1973.  

Links to individual chapters can be found below.

1. Formation and early years

"A very enthusiastic meeting assembled at the Flying Horse Inn, Groat Market, on Saturday, 18th January 1873 and the Newcastle and Gateshead Trades Council was formed. A Patternmaker named Gibson was Chairman and G.L. Atkinson, a printer, became the first secretary. The printers were playing a prominent part and two others were members of the committee, Kidd and Hudson. The only others we know of were a baker named Gladstone and one Brown, a co-operative smith." 

NB: Gateshead now has a separate Trades Union Council.

 

2. Politics and the Trades Council up to about 1900

"Leaders of the Trades Council, as might be expected, showed an early interest in political affairs.  This was often confused and frequently there was a rejection of what might be called ‘party politics’ and it seems likely that a few of the early leaders may well have supported the Conservative Party.  At this time, in Newcastle, as elsewhere, it was usually the Liberals who enjoyed the support of trade unionists. "

 

 3. 1900-1917

"“The objects of this trades council are, to establish a more intimate relationship between all branches of the operative classes, and for securing increased efficiency to the operation of Trades and Labour Unions, to watch over the interests of Labour in and out of Parliament, and on local bodies, and to support all measures or movements likely to be of advantage and a benefit to the workers generally; to foster and encourage existing societies in trades or occupations not already organised; to render assistance, where desired, to any such affiliated society, either by giving advice, deputations etc, and endorsing and issuing of ‘Appeals’ for assistance on their behalf during times of stress and struggle."

 

4. Years of struggle and depression, 1918-1939

General Strike, 1926:

“The Trades Council appeals to all workers to stand solidly together and maintain the perfect order that exists.  By tonight, we shall have the machine of resistance working with the highest efficiency.  The following departments will be set up today: Publicity, Propaganda, Feeding and Sport.  The Workers’ Chronicle will appear each day.  The workers must obey their unions.  All delegates to the Trades Council must get into immediate touch with the secretary.  BRING YOUR CYCLES ALONG!  STAND FIRM.   WE ARE WINNING." 

 

5 War and its aftermath.

6 The nineteen fifties.

7 The last decade.

8 A retrospect.

John Creaby's Address to the 140th AGM, 2023

Annual Reports 

pdf icon2005

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2006

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2007

pdf icon2008

 

Officers

Officers of The Trades Council in living memory are listed below, by the year in which they were elected:

Year President  Secretary  Treasurer 
2023 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2022 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2021 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2020 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2019 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2018 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2017 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2016 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2015 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2014 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2013 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2012 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2011 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2010 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2009 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite) Alan Lubbock (Unite)
2008 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Unite-Amicus) Alan Lubbock (Unite-Amicus)
2007 Martin Levy (UCU) Jim Simpkin (Amicus) Alan Lubbock (Amicus)
2006 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Jim Simpkin (Amicus) Alan Lubbock (Amicus)
2005 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Jim Simpkin (Amicus) Alan Lubbock (Amicus)
2004 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Jim Simpkin (Amicus) Alan Lubbock (Amicus)
2003 Martin Levy (NATFHE)  Peter Burnett (Amicus-MSF) (res)   Alan Lubbock (Amicus-MSF) 
Jim Simpkin (Amicus-MSF)
2002 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Peter Burnett (Amicus-MSF) Alan Lubbock (Amicus-MSF)
2001 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Peter Burnett (MSF) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
2000 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Peter Burnett (MSF) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1999 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Joe Scurfield (EQUITY) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1998 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Joe Scurfield (EQUITY) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1997 Martin Levy (NATFHE) Maureen Foster (MSF) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1996 Maureen Foster (MSF) Ron Taylor (NATFHE) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1995 Maureen Foster (MSF) Jimmy Barnes (GPMU) (res) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
Norman Anderson (UNISON) 
1994 Maureen Foster (MSF)/ Martin Spence (BECTU) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
Margaret Sharkey (MSF) Jimmy Barnes (GPMU)
1993 Margaret Sharkey (MSF)/ Martin Spence (BECTU) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
Maureen Foster (MSF)
1992 Maureen Foster (MSF)/ Martin Spence (BECTU) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
Margaret Sharkey (MSF)
1991 Martin Spence (BECTU) Peter Burnett (MSF) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1990 Martin Spence (ACTT) Ken Ternent (MSF) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1989  Berit McFadden (NUT) (res) Steve Manchee (NALGO) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
Martin Spence (ACTT)
1988 Tommy Gardner (EEPTU) Steve Manchee (NALGO) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1987 Ron Taylor (NATFHE) Steve Manchee (NALGO)  Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1986 Ron Taylor (NATFHE) Steve Manchee (NALGO) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1985 Steve Manchee (NALGO) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1984 Steve Manchee (NALGO) Alan Lubbock (MSF)
1983 Steve Manchee (NALGO) Alan Lubbock (MSF)

 

Roll of Honour

Throughout the history of Newcastle upon Tyne TUC, many delegates have made an outstanding contribution to the Trades Council and the wider labour movement.  Their passing caused us deep grief,  but the greatest tribute we can pay is to carry on. What we build now depends strongly on the foundation which they laid for us.  To cherish their memory, and learn from their example, we record some biographies here.  We hope, in the fullness of time, to add many more to this list.

Dave Atkinson - Read More about Dave

Berit McFadden

Terry Rogers

Joe Scurfield - Read More about Joe

Ron Taylor

 

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The Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards’ Combine’s Alternative Corporate Plan of 1976 was a pioneering effort by workers at the arms company to retain jobs by proposing alternative, socially-useful applications of the company’s technology and their own skills. A 40th anniversary conference, sponsored by (among others) Newcastle TUC, was held in Birmingham on 26 November 2016.
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