National Union of the Footwear, Leather and Allied Trades
The National Union of the Footwear, Leather and Allied Trades was a trade union in the United Kingdom which existed between 1971 and 1991. It represented workers in the leather and footwear industry.
History
The union was founded in 1971, with the merger of the Amalgamated Society of Leather Workers, the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives, the National Union of Glovers and Leather Workers and the National Union of Leather Workers and Allied Trades. Although initially a strong union with many closed shop agreements, its membership fell rapidly due to large-scale redundancies in the industry. In 1991, it merged with the National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers to form the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades. By the time of the merger, membership had fallen to 22,894.Election results
The union sponsored a Labour Party candidate in several Parliamentary elections.Election | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Position |
Feb 1974 general election | Melton | 16,228 | 23.9 | 3 | |
1979 general election | Northampton South | 15,491 | 40.2 | 2 |