GMB History
Asked why he
had dedicated his life to the labour and trade union movement GMB
founder Will Thorne explained, "There is a
world of freedom, beauty and equality to gain, where everyone will
have an opportunity to express the best that is in them for the
benefit of all, making the world a place more to our heart's desire
and the better to dwell in." These principles guide
GMB today.
The union began as the Gas
Workers and General Union was formed in March 1889 in East London
by one of the greatest pioneers of the Labour movement, Will
Thorne.
"A resolution was
passed in favour of a gas workers' union being formed, with the 8
hour day as one of its objects…Sunday morning March 31st
1889- a lovely sunny morning - was the birthday of the National
Unionof Gas Workers and General Labourers." Will Thorne
founder of GMB.
Its first battle in spring
1889 ended with the birth of the 8 hour working day. This
set the goal for all working people who until then toiled
for 12 hours a day.
GMB as it is today is
the result of mergers and amalgamations of unions
throughout the last century but mainly in the last 30 years.
Founder Will Thorne was born
in Birmingham in 1857. He lived in great poverty and began his
working life in a brickworks at the age of 6.