John R. Bell (trade unionist)

John R. Bell was a British trade unionist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is primarily known for his work within the National Amalgamated Union of Labour (NAUL), a general labour union that sought to organize unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Bell served as the General Secretary of the NAUL for a significant period, likely from the early 1900s until the union's amalgamation into the National Union of General and Municipal Workers (NUGMW) in 1924. As General Secretary, he played a key role in negotiating wages and working conditions for members, representing the union in industrial disputes, and advocating for labour rights. He was a prominent figure in the wider labour movement, often involved in broader political and social issues affecting working-class communities. His leadership within the NAUL was crucial in establishing the union as a major force in representing the interests of less skilled workers, particularly in port and dock work.