Association of Women Clerks and Secretaries, 1903-1941

The Association of Women Clerks and Secretaries was formed in 1903 as the Association of Shorthand Writers and Typists. Initially the membership of the ASWT was not confined to women, but they always took the leading role, and the change of name to 'AWCS' in 1912 reflected the reality on the ground. In 1941 it merged with the National Union of Clerks and Administrative Workers (founded in 1890 as the National Union of Clerks), to form APEX, initially known as the Clerical and Administrative Workers Union.