TRADE UNIONS, THE GENERAL FED ERATION OF. The central labor organiza tion of Great Britain. It was organized July 1, 1899, under the auspices of the Brithili Trades Union Congress for the purposes of upholding "the rights of combination of labor," promoting industrial peace, and establishing a fund for mutual assistance and support. The Federation is "open to every bona-fide trade union in Great Britain," but the unit of membership is the trade union and "no branches or individuals are allowed to join." It is governed by a gen eral council of delegates which meets an nually, and between these sessions by a manage ment committee of fifteen. Appeals may be taken from the decisions of both the council and the committee to the general membership. The Federation is "non-political and non-legislative," leaving to the Labor Representation Committee ((l.v.) the campaign for the election of labor representatives to Parliament, and to the Parlia ment committee of the Trades Union Congress the agitation for favorable labor laws. The Federation pays, in strikes authorized by the general council or the management committee, two grades of strike benefits: five shillings a week per member "on the higher scale," and half this amount ''on the lower scale." Unions OD the higher scale contribute sixpence a mem ber per quarter, and unions on the lower scale threepence a member per quarter, on ninety per cent. of the total membership, exclusive of super
annuated members. In cases of emergency the management committee is authorized to increase the regular dues 100 per cent. The entrance fee is one penny per member upon ninety per cent. of the total membership, but in addition it is provided that "Any society desirous of joining the Federation shall pay ten per cent. of the average worth per member of the class or scale the union or society is joining, in addition to their entrance fee, but any society not in exist ence at the time of adoption of this scheme shall be allowed to join on payment of five per cent. of the average worth per member of the Federation at the time of joining." No union is entitled to benefits until it has belonged to the Federation for twelve mouths. The Federation started with 343,000 members. During the fis cal year ending June 30, 1I,02, the total income was £29,962 and the total expenditures £9,957, of which £8,338 was for strike benefits. At that date the reserve or defense fund amounted to £76,969 and the membership to 419,606.