Labour Research Department
Encyclopedia
The Labour Research Department (LRD) is an independent trade union
based research organisation, based in London
, that provides information to support trade union activity and campaigns. LRD's publications Labour Research, Bargaining Report, Fact Service and LRD Booklets, along with an Enquiry Service provide detailed information for supporting negotiations and campaigns. About 2,000 trade union organisations, including 54 national unions in the UK, representing more than 99% of total Trades Union Congress
(TUC) membership, are affiliated.
LRD had its beginnings as the Committee of Inquiry into the Control of Industry, set up by the Fabian Society
in 1912. The following year the committee was consolidated as the Fabian Research Department. Its first monthly bulletin was established in 1917, as the Monthly Circular. In 1918 the organisation broadened its membership and changed its name to the Labour Research Department. Since then the organisation has become a source of information for British trade unionists at all levels of organisation.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
based research organisation, based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, that provides information to support trade union activity and campaigns. LRD's publications Labour Research, Bargaining Report, Fact Service and LRD Booklets, along with an Enquiry Service provide detailed information for supporting negotiations and campaigns. About 2,000 trade union organisations, including 54 national unions in the UK, representing more than 99% of total Trades Union Congress
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
(TUC) membership, are affiliated.
LRD had its beginnings as the Committee of Inquiry into the Control of Industry, set up by the Fabian Society
Fabian Society
The Fabian Society is a British socialist movement, whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist, rather than revolutionary, means. It is best known for its initial ground-breaking work beginning late in the 19th century and continuing up to World...
in 1912. The following year the committee was consolidated as the Fabian Research Department. Its first monthly bulletin was established in 1917, as the Monthly Circular. In 1918 the organisation broadened its membership and changed its name to the Labour Research Department. Since then the organisation has become a source of information for British trade unionists at all levels of organisation.