National Union of Water Works Employees

The union was founded in 1906 as the Metropolitan Water Board Employees' Association.

The union was initially a staff association/company union for London’s Metropolitan Water Board board's chair acting as the association’s president.

The Water Board employees were joining the National Union of Corporation Workers Metropolitan Water Board branch in increasing numbers which had applied for recognition.

The NUCW had recruited a third

In 1920, the union changed its name to the National Union of Water Works Employees to attract members from outside London.

The union affiliated to the TUC in 1964 and for the remainder of the sixties and early seventies was subject of a number of TUC inquiries over clashes with the other water unions NUPE, TGWU, GMWU, NALGO and the craft unions.

In 1971 the union disobeyed the instructions of the TUC and registered under the Industrial relations act and so was expelled from the TUC.

The union began talks regarding a merger with the GMWU in 1969.

In 1972 the union transferred its engagements to the GMWU.