Experts in the World of Work
How the Banbury GMB Branch grew from the Northern Aluminium Company.
The Northern Aluminium Company opened in Banbury in 1931 and became the area's biggest employer, with the GMWU gaining recognition within the factory and branch membership reaching 3,000 strong by 1949.
Flora 'Flo' Blake became Branch Secretary and built the GMB in Banbury and the surrounding area for many years, later succeeded by Sandra Tanner around 1990.
The Alcan works closed in 2007 with the loss of jobs, and the branch was reorganised in 2010 to continue the work of its predecessors.
