John D. Prior

Prior, while in office

John Damrel Prior (10 March 1840 – 1923^[1]) was a British trade unionist.

Born in Shebbear in Devon, Prior was educated at Shebbear College.^[2] 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),^[3] serving on the executive of the "Junta"'s Conference of Amalgamated Trades.^[1]

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.^[3]

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.^[2]

References

1. M. C. Curthoys, "Junta (act. 1862–1871)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
2. "A labour pioneer", Manchester Guardian, 10 March 1921
3. Francis Chandler, Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners: History of the Society, 1860-1910