Tom Chambers

Who was Tom Chambers?

Tom Chambers was a British trade unionist. His son was Fielding Reginald West, Labour MP for Kensington and Hammersmith.

In 1896, Chambers was elected as the Secretary of the International Transport Workers Federation, serving until 1904. He was active in the Independent Labour Party and was elected as the first General Secretary of the Workers' Union in 1898. In 1909, he toured the ports of the United States with Havelock Wilson in order to increase trade union membership. He was then centrally involved in the seamen's strike of 1911.

Chambers also served as Treasurer of the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union, and of the National Alliance of Employers and Employed, and was active in the Navy League and the Seafarers Education Service.