The union was founded in 1920 with the merger of the Associated Iron Moulders of Scotland, the Amalgamated Society of Coremakers of Great Britain and Ireland and the Friendly Society of Iron Founders of England, Ireland and Wales.
The Scottish Brassmoulders' Union joined in 1942, and the Associated Iron, Steel and Brass Dressers of Scotland merged in during 1945.
[2] Although many women worked in foundries during and after World War II, the NUFW only admitted men into its membership.
[3] The union sponsored Arthur Henderson as a Labour Party candidate in several Parliamentary elections.
[4] Hubert Jim Fyrth and Henry Collins, The Foundry Workers: a trade union history