Catalogue Number
NMLH.1990.29
Object Name
Banner
Title
'Rossendale Valley Textile Workers Union 1961. Haslingden Weavers Assoc. 1843. Rossendale Weavers Assoc. 1873. Unity creates strength.'
Place
Haslingden, Rossendale, Lancashire, UK
People
Rossendale Valley Textile Workers Union,
Haslingden Weavers Association,
Rossendale Weavers Association,
Burnley, Nelson, Rossendale and District Textile Workers' Union (BNRDTWU,
Events
Deindustrialisation
Date
1961
Description
A red banner with yellow text and a pair of clasped hands in the centre.
The clasped hands represent Haslingden Weavers Association (founded 1843) and Rossendale Weavers Association (founded 1873), which merged to create the Rossendale Valley Textile Workers Union in 1956. The banner was taken on marches and protests at the Houses of Parliament, against textile workers unemployment. When the union was dissolved, the banner was rescued by their last secretary, Mary Abbott.
In 1966, with membership of textile unions decreasing as deindustrialisation increased in Lancashire, the Rossendale union merged with other Lancashire trade unions to become the Burnley, Nelson, Rossendale and District Textile Workers' Union (BNRDTWU) and represented cotton industry workers across Lancashire. However, in 1984, with membership down to only 1,600, the union merged again into the Transport and General Workersâ Union (TGWU).
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