[2] Taylor became active in the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association (SHMA), and in 1925 became a full-time organiser for the union.
Scollan rarely attended trades council meetings, so Taylor played a key role in the organisation.
Taylor stood in the ensuing election, defeating interim general secretary Peter Webster by 3645 votes to 2256 in November, and became leader of the union.
He pledged to engage with the Joint Industrial Council negotiating frameworks, and to consider amalgamation with other unions.
[1] Taylor announced his resignation as leader of the SHMA in September 1943, to become president of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society offering three months’ notice.