Catalogue Number
NMLH.2014.20.18
Object Name
Badge
Description
The Operative Society of Bricklayers union was founded in Manchester around 1829-33. Between 1831-34 the society joined with 6 other sections of the building trade to form the Operative Builders Union (OBU). The OBU collapsed in 1834/5, after which some of the orgainsations ceased to exist, but the masons, carpenters, bricklayers and plumbers remained. After strike action in 1848 incurred heavy expense, forcing the bricklayers to borrow money from the stonemasons, the union decided to split into two main sections: the Manchester Unity of Operative Bricklayers Society and the London Order of Operative Bricklayers Society. The two separate branches reunited with the stonemasons in 1921, establishing the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers.
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