 Its membership stood around 13,000 by 1920, and it was granted legal status in 1921 under the Trades Union Ordinance.Although recognition of other unions would not come until 1939, the BGLU was an indication that the working class was becoming politically aware and more concerned with its rights.The second trade union, the British Guiana Workers' League, was established in 1931 by Alfred A. Thorne, who served as the League's leader for 22 years.