The General Tramping Union of Tin-Plate Workers (the 'Tramping' part of the name was not often used after the first few years of existence) was established in 1861 as a co-ordinating body for the various local tin-plate workers' societies in the North of England. Many of them affiliated, although gradually the union's position was displaced by the National Amalgamated Association of Tin-Plate Workers of Great Britain, which was formed in 1889. The union became the General Union of Braziers and Sheet Metal Workers in 1892.
Reference: Ted Brake, Men of Good Character: A history of the National Union of Sheet Metal Workers, Coppersmiths, Heating and Domestic Engineers (Lawrence and Wishart: London, 1985).
From the guide to the Papers of the General Union of Braziers and Sheet Metal Workers and the General Tramping Union of Tin-Plate Workers, 1861-1897, (Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick Library)
