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British trade unionist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Damrel Prior (10 March 1840 – 4 February 1923)[1] was a British trade unionist and chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress from 1876 until 1879.[2]
Born in Shebbear in Devon, Prior was educated at Shebbear College.[3] He became interested in trade unionism, and by the mid-1860s, was a prominent figure in the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners (ASC&J),[4] serving on the executive of the "Junta"'s Conference of Amalgamated Trades.[2]
In 1871, Prior succeeded Robert Applegarth as general secretary of the ASC&J. As Prior was based in Manchester, the union's headquarters was relocated to the northern city. A large minority of the union's branches refused to accept his election but, with the support of Applegarth, Prior asserted his control.[4]
While general secretary, Prior was regularly elected to the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress, serving as its chairman from 1876 until 1879.
In 1881, Prior was appointed as a factory inspector, the first worker to hold the post. He resigned from his trade union posts, and worked as an inspector until his retirement in 1905. He enjoyed a long retirement, celebrating his diamond wedding in 1921.[3]
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