This book is part of a series which trace the story of the creation and growth of Britain's largest trade union and with it the transformation of the unskilled workers of Victorian Britain form a mob into a movement. This comprehensive history throws some light on the meaning of trade union recognition, the contribution of syndicalism and guild socialism, and the influence of internationalism on the struggle of low paid workers to improve their income, and to achieve a means of political expression. The emergence of the TGWU is followed from the struggle or the dockers tanner in 1989 to Ernest Bevan's passionate advocacy on behalf of the dockers in 1920. The key figures who shaped events both nationally and regionally are quoted at length and so speak for themselves. The TGWU has recently celebrated its centenary and the book is based on material from the union's own archive in Transport House.