National Federation of Building Trades Operatives
The National Federation of Building Trades Operatives (NFBTO) was a trade union federation in the United Kingdom, consisting of unions with members in construction and related industries. History In 1914, a group of workers attempted to form the Building Workers' Trade Union, a single industrial union to cover the entire construction industry. The existing unions in the industry opposed this, and held a conference in London in February 1915, to discuss their response. They decided to set up the National Associated Building Trades Council (NABTC). This focused on considering what industrial policies would be desirable after World War I was concluded. The council's members remained autonomous in all matters and were free to leave at will, but it attracted affiliations from most relevant unions: Amalgamated Slaters', Tilers' and Roofing Operatives' Society Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners Manchester Unity of Operative Bricklayers' Society National Association of Builders' Labourers National Amalgamated Society of Operative House and Ship Painters and Decorators United Builders' Labourers' Union United Operative Plumbers and Domestic Engineers Association of Great Britain and Ireland The council achieved little, and the Carpenters proposed that a more centralised federation be created. This was agreed by the member unions, and on 5