Community was formed in 2004 following the merger of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) and the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear & Apparel Trades (KFAT). By combining the strengths and resources of both unions, the merger has resulted in a stronger organisation offering a wide range of services and benefits for their members, their families and communities.

The Iron and Steel Trades Confederation was mtl’s first ever customer. mtl installed their TUMS (Trades Union Membership System) at ISTC in 1983. This was one of the first, if not the first, real-time interactive membership databases installed in a British trade union. At the same time mtl set up their offices in ISTC’s Head Office in Gray’s Inn Road in Central London.

Since then the steel industry has undergone a dramatic decline in the UK but Community has gone from strength to strength by adapting to the changing needs of its members and by broadening its appeal. As well as representing the great majority of employees involved in the steel industry, the ISTC welcomed members from the electronics industry, plastics and glass, the manufacture of kitchen furniture, carpet production, and call centres, especially in areas where the local community was built around major steel industry installations.

Merging of these two great unions, ISTC and KFAT to form Community has resulted in a union for the 21st century that offers improved services and greater resources, as well as increased accessibility through its wider geographical and industrial coverage.

The community role of the union has been reinforced and can be developed by reaching out to new members, and training and educating the trade unionists of the future. Community is an organisation with vision and mtl looks forward to helping them to realise that vision over the next 23 years.