Universal Alliance of Diamond Workers
Alliance Universelle des Ouvriers Diamantaires | |
| Merged into | International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| Dissolved | 2000 |
| Headquarters | 66-68 Plantin-en-Moretuslei, Antwerp |
Members | 10,100 (1982) |
Publication | Bulletin |
| Affiliations | ICFTU |
The Universal Alliance of Diamond Workers (UADW) was a small global union federation bringing together workers in the diamond polishing and jewellery making.
History
[edit]The federation was founded in Antwerp in 1905.[1] Its aims were to provide information on the industrial and social situations relevant to its members, and to conduct its own research.[2]
In its early years, the federation grew, representing 22,700 workers by 1913.[1] But this gradually declined; by 1982, the federation had affiliates in Belgium, France, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but they represented a total of only 10,100 members, making it by far the smallest global union federation.[2]
The federation remained at around 10,000 workers until 1993, when member unions in the Belgium, Israel and the Netherlands decided to relaunch it, with a focus on attracting unions outside Europe. It began campaigning against poor labour practices in diamond mining, including a call for children under 14 being banned from working in the industry, and a ban on dangerous cobalt "scaifes" (polishing wheels).[1][3] This was successful, and by 2006 had members in Africa, Asia and Latin America.[4]
In September 2000, the federation merged into the much larger International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions.[4]
Affiliates
[edit]In 1960, the following unions were affiliated to the federation:[5]
| Union | Country | Affiliated membership |
|---|---|---|
| General Diamond Workers' Association of Belgium | Belgium | 7,000 |
| General Dutch Industrial Union for the Metal and Electrical Industries | Netherlands | 800 |
| National Federation of French Diamond Workers' Unions | France | 400 |
| National Union of Diamond Workers | Israel | 2,000 |
| Society of Goldsmiths, Jewellers and Kindred Trades | United Kingdom | 260 |
Leadership
[edit]General Secretaries
[edit]- 1905: Jef Groesser[6]
- 1910: J. Jans[6]
- 1912: Louis van Berckelaer[6]
- 1936: Alf Daems[6]
- 1946: Franz Schoeters[6]
- 1980s: Constant Denisse
- 1990s: Jef Hoymans
Presidents
[edit]- 1905: Henri Polak[6]
- 1946: Pieter Van Muijden[6]
- 1950: Ies Mug[6]
- 1958: H. Van Eerde
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Docherty, James C.; van der Velden, Sjaak (2012). Historical Dictionary of Organized Labor. Scarecrow Press. pp. 285–286. ISBN 0810879883.
- ^ a b Marsh, Arthur (1984). Trade Union Handbook (3 ed.). Aldershot: Gower. p. 93–94. ISBN 0566024268.
- ^ Farrell-Robert, Janine (2007). Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel. Red Wheel Weiser. ISBN 1609258800.
- ^ a b "Diamond And Allied Workers Join ICEM". IndustriALL. ICEM. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Arthur (1960). Directory of International Trade Union Organizations. Washington DC: United States Department of Labour. pp. 3.1–3.7.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Yearbook of the International Free Trade Union Movement. London: Lincolns-Prager. 1957–1958. p. 520.
