[1] In ballots of the various unions on amalgamation, only the ballots put to the Amalgamated Stevedores Labour Protection League, the Scottish Union of Dock Labourers (SUDW) and the Cardiff Coal Trimmers memberships failed.

[7] The ITGWU initially challenged the name of the TGWU, claiming that the similar titles would cause confusion.

[8] Compromise was reached when the TGWU agreed to operate under the name Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union (ATGWU) within Ireland.

[2][9] Through the NUDRW and the DWR&GLU, the TGWU inherited a number of active branches in Ireland in Belfast, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cork, Derry, Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry and Waterford.

[2] While the issue failed to create a larger defection, the two unions would come into conflict multiple times.

[14][13] The Waterways Group was created in 1922 to represent members of the Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen.

The Administrative, Clerical and Supervisory Group was created in 1922 to represent members of the following unions: There was often ambiguity in the TGWU over the actual name of its white-collar section.

It was noted for an enquiry by the Certification Office in 2006 into board members who had joined the union within six months of being elected to senior posts.

These decisions were made at the Biennial Delegate Conference, and although there were many applications to form new trade groups, most were unsuccessful.

[13] The Transport and General Workers' Union spearheaded the campaign for the registration of Gangmasters in the UK, sponsoring an Act of Parliament which received the Royal Assent on 8 July 2004.

[15] During 2005 discussions started between the TGWU, Amicus and the GMB about the possibility of merging the three unions into one organisation with potentially 2.5 million members covering almost every sector of the economy.

[16] The TGWU and Amicus proceeded without GMB involvement,[16] with delegates from the two unions approving the proposed 'Instrument of Amalgamation' at a special conference on 18 December 2006.