International Federation of Textile Workers' Associations - IFTWA (1894-1960)
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Description
The organisation was founded following the 1894 International Textile Congress in Manchester, initiated by British union leaders James Mawdsley and David Holmes. Delegates from several countries agreed to form an international organisation and campaign for an eight-hour workday.
Initially focused on organising conferences, the federation gained momentum in 1905 with the appointment of William Marsland as general secretary, followed by Tom Shaw. After a pause during World War I, it was re-established in 1920 and affiliated with the International Federation of Trade Unions. Under Shaw’s leadership, it advocated for reduced working hours and investigated labor conditions abroad.
The federation became inactive during World War II but was revived in 1946. In 1960, it merged with the International Garment Workers' Federation to form the International Textile and Garment Workers' Federation (ITGWF).
