National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades
The National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades (KFAT) was a trade union in the United Kingdom.
 | |
| Full name | National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Date dissolved | 2004 |
| Merged into | Community |
| Members | 82,303 (1991) 16,000 (2002) |
| Affiliation | TUC |
| Office location | 55 New Walk, Leicester |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | www |
History
The National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades was formed in 1991 through the amalgamation of the National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers and the National Union of the Footwear, Leather and Allied Trades.[1] It had 82,303 members when it was formed.[1] KFAT organised a range of clothing-related workers and was particularly strong in areas of the East Midlands including Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, with other members in Lancashire textile regions and the Yorkshire leather-producing industry. It absorbed the Rossendale Union of Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives in the mid 1990s.[2] The union was notable for its high proportion of female members - roughly half of its members in 2004 being women.
After initially considering amalgamation with the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers KFAT merged with the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation in 2004 to form Community.[3]
Leadership
General Presidents
- 1991: David Lambert
- 1994: Helen McGrath
- 1999: Tony Hallam
General Secretaries
- 1991: George Browett
- 1992: Helen McGrath
- 1994: Paul Gates
References
- Undy, Roger (2008). Trade Union Merger Strategies: Purpose, Process, and Performance. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 257. ISBN 9780191562686. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- Farnham, David (2000) [1997]. Employment Relations in Context (2nd ed.). London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. p. 270. ISBN 0 85292 876 9. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- Waddington, Jeremy; Kahmann, Marcus; Hoffmann, Jürgen (2005). A Comparison of the Trade Union Merger Process in Britain and Germany: Joining forces?. Abingdon: Routledge. p. 124. ISBN 0 415 35378 5. Retrieved 11 April 2013.