Thomas Birtwistle
Encyclopedia
Thomas Birtwistle, Thomas (16 October 1833, Great Harwood
, Lancashire
– 22 March 1912, Accrington
) was a trade unionist and factory inspector. From the age of six he worked in a cotton mill
becoming a power-loom weaver at the age of fourteen. In spite of limited education he had a flair for mathematics and was skilled at working out the complicated the way cotton workers were paid. This led to involvement in the early trade union
movement where he worked to enable British trade unions to gain recognition, respectability, and responsibility in the second half of the 19th century.
at Padiham
in 1859) and Colne
in 1860, he was elected to the council of the new North-East Lancashire Powerloom Weavers' Association. This enable co-operation between works in different towns. In 1861 he became its full-time secretary, and held the post until 1892.
He represented the North East Association at the Trades Union Congress
from 1872 and was on its parliamentary committee from 1875-1889, and was its chairman in 1882.
In 1885 he became one of the country's first working-class JPs
.
In 1892, however, he was appointed by the government as a factory inspector (duties now carried out by the Health and Safety Executive
), responsible for implementing parts of of the Factory Act 1891.
Great Harwood
Great Harwood is a small town in the Hyndburn district of Lancashire, England, north-east of Blackburn.-History:Great Harwood is a town with a industrial heritage. The Mercer Hall Leisure Centre in Queen Street and the town clock pay tribute to John Mercer , the 'father' of Great Harwood, who...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
– 22 March 1912, Accrington
Accrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
) was a trade unionist and factory inspector. From the age of six he worked in a cotton mill
Cotton mill
A cotton mill is a factory that houses spinning and weaving machinery. Typically built between 1775 and 1930, mills spun cotton which was an important product during the Industrial Revolution....
becoming a power-loom weaver at the age of fourteen. In spite of limited education he had a flair for mathematics and was skilled at working out the complicated the way cotton workers were paid. This led to involvement in the early trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
movement where he worked to enable British trade unions to gain recognition, respectability, and responsibility in the second half of the 19th century.
Union activity
He was a leading figure during the 1858 lock-out at Great Harwood. When there were strikesStrike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
at Padiham
Padiham
Padiham is a small town and civil parish on the River Calder, about west of Burnley and south of Pendle Hill, in Lancashire, England. It is part of the Borough of Burnley but also has its own town council with varied powers.-History:...
in 1859) and Colne
Colne
Colne is the second largest town and civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England, with a population of 20,118. It lies at the eastern end of the M65, 6 miles north-east of Burnley, with Nelson immediately adjacent, in the Aire Gap with two main roads leading into the Yorkshire...
in 1860, he was elected to the council of the new North-East Lancashire Powerloom Weavers' Association. This enable co-operation between works in different towns. In 1861 he became its full-time secretary, and held the post until 1892.
He represented the North East Association at the Trades Union Congress
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
from 1872 and was on its parliamentary committee from 1875-1889, and was its chairman in 1882.
In 1885 he became one of the country's first working-class JPs
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
.
In 1892, however, he was appointed by the government as a factory inspector (duties now carried out by the Health and Safety Executive
Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom. It is the body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare, and for research into occupational risks in England and Wales and Scotland...
), responsible for implementing parts of of the Factory Act 1891.