National Federation of Building Trade Operatives

The National Federation of Building Trades Operatives (NFBTO) was a trade union federation in the United Kingdom, consisting of unions with members in construction and related industries.

The federation originated in 1914 as the National Building Trades Council, which was created in opposition to the Building Workers Industrial Union. The council achieved little, as its members remained autonomous in all matters and were free to leave at will, but it attracted affiliations from most relevant unions:

In 1918, the federation was refounded as the NFBTO. It launched a campaign for a shorter working week, which was successful. In 1924, its members were locked out, the NFBTO coming to a settlement with employers. The Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists and National Association of Operative Plasterers resigned from the federation in protest, but both rejoined a few years later.

The federation remained prominent under two long-term secretaries: Richard Coppock from 1920 to 1961, then Harry Weaver. In 1934, Coppock and the NFBTO were central to forming the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers. In 1970, it changed its name to the National Federation of Construction Unions. At this point, its affiliates included:

In 1971, several affiliates merged to form the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians, and the federation decided to dissolve.

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