The union was founded in 1873, when many riveters and finishers left the Amalgamated Society of Boot and Shoe Makers.

[2] The General Union of Clickers and Rough-stuff Cutters merged into the NUBSRF in 1892, but most of its members left again in 1895.

[3] Under their influence, the union organised a 34-week strike in 1897, in support of a minimum wage and a 54-hour week, but this was unsuccessful.

[1] Members in the Republic of Ireland left in 1953, to form the Irish Shoe and Leather Workers' Union.

[1] The union was affiliated to the Labour Party, and sponsored numerous Parliamentary candidates, many of whom won election.