The union was formed as the National Amalgamated Coal Porters Union of Inland and Seaborne Coal Workers in 1890, and affiliated with the Trades Union Congress in 1890.[1] Union membership grew rapidly from 5000 in 1891 to 12,000 in 1892.[1] A major three-week strike occurred in London in 1892, involving 6,000 members of the union, over the employment on a non-union worker and the failure of some employers to pay standard wages. The strike was unsuccessful, but it was agreed through conciliation that the strikers would be re-employed.[2]
Following the failure of the strike, the union affiliated to the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, but its membership fell, to 4,000 in 1896 and 1,535 in 1910.[1] By 1920 it had recovered somewhat, with a membership of 10,000.[3] In 1922 it merged with 13 other British trade unions to form the Transport and General Workers' Union.[1]