Universal Alliance of Diamond Workers

Universal Alliance of Diamond Workers
Native name Alliance Universelle des Ouvriers Diamantaires
Founded 1905
Date dissolved 2006
Merged into International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions
Members 10,100 (1982)
Journal Bulletin
Affiliation ICFTU
Office location 66-68 Plantin-en-Moretuslei, Antwerp

The Universal Alliance of Diamond Workers (UADW) was a small global union federation bringing together workers in the diamond polishing and jewellery making.

The federation was founded in Antwerp in 1905.[1] Its aims were to provide information on the industrial and social situations relevant to its members, and to conduct its own research.[2]

In its early years, the federation grew, representing 22,700 workers by 1913.[1] But this gradually declined; by 1982, the federation had affiliates in Belgium, France, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but they represented a total of only 10,100 members, making it by far the smallest global union federation.[2]

The federation remained at around 10,000 workers until 1993, when member unions in the Belgium, Israel and the Netherlands decided to relaunch it, with a focus on attracting unions outside Europe. It began campaigning against poor labour practices in diamond mining, including a call for children under 14 being banned from working in the industry, and a ban on dangerous cobalt "scaifes" (polishing wheels).[1][3] This was successful, and by 2006 had members in Africa, Asia and Latin America.[4]

In September 2006, the federation merged into the much larger International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Docherty, James C.; van der Velden, Sjaak (2012). Historical Dictionary of Organized Labor. Scarecrow Press. pp. 285&ndash, 286. ISBN 0810879883.
  2. 1 2 Marsh, Arthur (1984). Trade Union Handbook (3 ed.). Aldershot: Gower. p. 93–94. ISBN 0566024268.
  3. ↑ Farrell-Robert, Janine (2007). Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel. Red Wheel Weiser. ISBN 1609258800.
  4. 1 2 "Diamond And Allied Workers Join ICEM". IndustriALL. ICEM. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
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