William Forshaw (trade unionist)

William Forshaw (born c. 1864, died 1928) was a British trade unionist and miners' leader.

Forshaw began working in the Lancashire coal mines at a young age. He became heavily involved in the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation (LCMF), serving as its General Secretary from 1911 until his death. A prominent figure within the Miners' Federation of Great Britain (MFGB), Forshaw was known for his moderate approach and emphasis on negotiation.

He served on various government committees and boards related to the coal industry, including the Coal Mines Department Advisory Committee during the First World War. He was a strong advocate for improved working conditions and fair wages for miners.

Forshaw's leadership of the LCMF spanned a turbulent period in British industrial relations, encompassing the First World War, the post-war economic downturn, and the General Strike of 1926. While committed to defending miners' interests, he frequently sought compromise solutions and generally favored negotiation over strike action. His stance sometimes brought him into conflict with more militant factions within the MFGB. He was a Justice of the Peace for Lancashire.