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Sims prioritised organisation, and quickly embarked on a sixty-day tour of the UK to strengthen existing branches and form new ones. Results were mixed; although he visited several cities where there was no interest, new branches were founded in
Norwich, Bradford, Liverpool and Birmingham, and he
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On release, Sims formed the
Electrical Wiremen's Union, a breakaway from the ETU. The new union was tiny, achieving a maximum of 52 members, and was beset by arguments over the details of its rules, in particular as to whether members would be permitted to work while intoxicated. In 1903, he
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The executive arranged an audit, which revealed that Sims had embezzled more than £100 of union money; he eventually admitted this, offering as an explanation only that his salary was insufficient. He was charged with theft and sentence to six months imprisonment.
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Later in 1900, complaints mounted about Sims' performance; his duties had been neglected, and financial records did not add up. When challenged by the union's executive, he did not offer an explanation, but gave two month's notice of his intention to resign.
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In 1899, ETU members in Bolton walked out. Sims went to the town to try to resolve the dispute; unable to do so, he made the strike official and achieved victory. The following year, he worked with
Councillor Richardson to secure a deal with
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emigrated to the United States, where his brother was living; he dissolved the
Wiremen's Union and asked the ETU for a reference, although there is no record of one being provided.
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40:(ETU). In 1895, the union was at its lowest point, heavily indebted, with only 236 members at the end of the year. The general secretary
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having been dismissed for embezzling union funds, Sims was elected as general secretary and took up the post in March 1896.
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Sims later returned to the UK, and in 1913 was readmitted to the ETU, as an ordinary member.
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36:, London, to John and Sarah Sims. He worked as an electrician and joined the
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General secretaries of the
Electrical Trades Union (United Kingdom)
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impressed existing members. He pressed branches to join local
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in order to help secure deals with local authorities.
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169:Light and Liberty: the history of the EETPU
156:Light and Liberty: the history of the EETPU
143:Light and Liberty: the history of the EETPU
121:Light and Liberty: the history of the EETPU
108:Light and Liberty: the history of the EETPU
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62:Labour Representation Committee
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22:(1866 – fl.1913) was a
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195:General Secretary of the
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197:Electrical Trades Union
38:Electrical Trades Union
58:Sheffield City Council
16:British trade unionist
181:Trade union offices
96:1891 England Census
20:Francis Ernest Sims
201:1895 – 1900
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204:Succeeded by
32:Sims was born in
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186:Preceded by
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225:1866 births
207:Alfred Ewer
219:Categories
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83:References
34:Lambeth
24:British
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