The Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) was a Britishtrade union. It merged with the MSF to form Amicus in 2001.
The history of the union can be traced back to the formation of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in 1851. Many local and regional unions joined the ASE in subsequent years and in 1920, after the acquisition of nine fresh member unions, the name of the organisation was changed to the Amalgamated Engineering Union. The style, Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union was adopted in 1992. [1] (http://www.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/ead/259aeucol.htm)
The original ASE was one of the 'New Model Unions' of the 1850s-1870s. These unions, which also included the Ironfounders, Builders, and Carpenters' societies, rejected Chartism and the ideas of Robert Owen in favour of a more moderate policy based on 'prudence', 'respectability' and steady growth. Great importance was attached to the question of finance, as substantial funds would not only provide maintenance for members involved in strike action, but also help to deter the employers from attacking the organisation. Since its members were skilled and relatively highly paid, it was possible to charge contributions of a shilling a week and to build up a fund of hitherto unimaginable proportions.
In 1896, the ASE was involved in an extended national lock-out which greatly weakened the organisation.
Now Sir Ken is faced with a far bigger revolt by members working in the electrical contracting industry, who believe AEEU officials have given too much away in their annual pay negotiations.
A network of well organised AEEU stewards, representing a skilled workforce which now has the whip hand in a tight labour market, has seen off several attempts by contracting employers in recent years to undermine the electricians' position or target union activists.
But Paul Corby, the AEEU national organiser for construction, said the workers were "jumping the gun".
Derek Simpson (born 1944-12-23) is the General Secretary of the Amicus trade union.
He was the surprise winner of the June 2002 election for the position of Joint General Secretary of the AEEU Section of Amicus.
During this election campaign he appeared at fringe meetings of the Amicus MSF section conference in Blackpool, defying an instruction from Jackson not to attend.
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