William Forshaw (trade unionist)

William Forshaw (1872 – 22 April 1938) was a British trade unionist and politician who served on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress.

Born in St Helens, then in Lancashire, Forshaw worked underground as a coal miner before working above ground on the mining machinery.[1] He was a founder member of the Labour Representation Committee, and he was elected to St Helens Borough Council in 1905, remaining on it for many years.[2][3] From 1908 to 1913, he was the political agent for the Labour Party in the Newton constituency.[1]

Forshaw was active in the Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales Enginemen's, Boilermen's and Brakemen's Federation, and served as its honorary president for some years. In 1913, Forshaw became the full-time assistant secretary of the union, and in 1921 he was elected as its general secretary.[1] As the leading figure in the union, he represented it at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and from 1933 to 1935 he served on the General Council of the TUC.[2]

In his spare time, Forshaw undertook administration for the St Helens Co-operative Society.[2] He also enjoyed mountain climbing.[1]