Five items relating to the Amalgamated Engineering Union, Birmingham Branch No. 304BE, including two minute books, 1943-1956 and 1957-1980; 'Proposition and Entrance Book', 1966-1976; and two unemployment benefit books, 1956-1978 and 1966-1979.

This small archive casts invaluable light on British labour relations at a local level during a turbulent economic period in postwar British history, with specific day-to-day information about persons and events. The two minute books, 1943-1980, are both 4to, with the first of around 200 pp and the second of around 150 pp. Both texts clear and complete, and some matter loosely inserted (including a letter from an individual pursuing a complaint against the branch). In worn bindings, with the boards of the second volume detached. The minutes, containing the usual business for such organisations, are each signed off by the secretary. First entry in first volume begins 'Birmingham 25 Branch was opened by Bros Lane & Ager 8th Oct. 1943', followed by a list of officers. The second volume contains lists of branch officers in 1962, 1964 and 1971. The Proposition and Entrance Book (so titled on label inside front cover), 1966 to 1976, is landscape 8vo, 92 pp., with entries in printed columns, giving names of candidates, proposer and seconder together with relevant dates and other information. Fair, in black cloth binding. The two unemployment benefit books, 1956-1978 and 1966 to 1979, are both landscape folio, the first of 38 pp and the second of 56 pp, with each page on a recto. Texts clear and complete. Some of the entries filled out in ink, and others in carbon. The first volume is in good condition, in its original worn and stained brown card wraps, with AEU details printed on the front. The second volume is in the remains of green card wraps, with front cover lacking. Its first leaf is heavily worn, but the rest of the volume is in fair condition. Each page is a printed form, with columns ruled in green and red, and under the headings 'Con. Book No.', 'NAME', 'Section of Membership', 'Date of Admission', 'Total received during 12 months previous to last Declaring On.' [four columns: 'Full Benefit', 'Wks.' and 'Days'; and 'Short Benefit', 'Wks.' and 'Days'], 'Dates of Coming On and Leaving Off Benefit (Inclusive Dates) [four columns], 'Sickness Benefit - Dates of Weekly Payments', 'Period of Benefit for Quarter' ['Wks.' and 'Days'] and 'Total Amount paid to each Member during Quarter'. In 1992 the union merged with the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union, to form the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union.