Chorley and District Weavers', Winders', Warpers' and Reelers' Association

Last updated
Chorley Weavers' Association
Full nameChorley and District Weavers', Winders', Warpers' and Reelers' Association
Founded1855
Date dissolved1956
Members4,840 (1920)
Head union North East Lancashire Amalgamated Weavers' Association (18631884, 18861892)
Amalgamated Weavers' Association (18841956)
Office location1 Clifford Street, Chorley, Lancashire
Country England

The Chorley and District Weavers', Winders', Warpers' and Reelers' Association was a trade union representing cotton industry workers in the area of Chorley, Lancashire, in England.

The union was founded in 1855 as the Chorley Weavers' Association. It affiliated to the North East Lancashire Amalgamated Weavers' Association in 1863, but left in 1884 to become a founder member of the new Amalgamated Weavers' Association. It soon decided that it could be a member of both, rejoining the First Amalgamation in 1886, though it left once more in 1892. [1]

By the 1890s, the union had three district branches and about 3,000 members. Although this continued to increase, it decided to merge all the branches into the central organisation in about 1900. Membership peaked at 4,840 in 1920, but then declined rapidly, along with employment in the Lancashire cotton industry. [1]

By 1956, membership of the union was down to only 662, and it was decided to dissolve the organisation. Most members joined the Wigan Weavers' Association, although members in Wheelton instead transferred to the Blackburn Weavers' Association. [1]

General Secretaries

1890s: William Mellor
1910: John Wilson
1914: T. West
1932: T. Starkey

Related Research Articles

Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners

The Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners and Twiners, also known as the Amalgamation, was a trade union in the United Kingdom which existed between 1870 and 1970. It represented male mule spinners in the cotton industry.

The North East Lancashire Amalgamated Weavers' Association was a trade union federation of local weavers' unions in part of Lancashire in England, in the 19th century.

The Burnley and District Weavers', Winders' and Beamers' Association was a trade union representing workers in the cotton industry in the Burnley area of Lancashire, in England. As cotton manufacturing dominated the town's economy, the trade union played an important role in the town, and several union officials became prominent national figures.

The Nelson Weavers' Association (NWA) was a trade union representing cotton weavers in the area of Nelson, Lancashire. As the main industry in the town, the union has been influential in its history, and some of its leaders became significant national figures.

The Oldham Provincial Card and Blowing Room and Ring Frame Operatives' Association was a trade union representing cotton industry workers in Oldham, Lancashire, in England. Long the largest union in the industry, it played a leading role in establishing a regional federation of cardroom workers.

The Bolton and District Card, Blowing and Ring Room Operatives' Provincial Association was a trade union representing cotton industry workers in the Bolton area of Lancashire in England. The longest-established union of cardroom workers, it was central to early attempts to establish a national union for the industry.

The South East Lancashire Provincial Card and Blowing Room Operatives' Association was a trade union representing cotton industry workers in Ashton-under-Lyne and surrounding areas of Lancashire in England.

The Lancashire Amalgamated Tape Sizers' Friendly Society was a trade union representing workers involved in the preparation of cotton in the Lancashire area of England.

The Ashton-under-Lyne and District Power Loom Weavers' Association was a trade union representing cotton weavers in the Ashton-under-Lyne area of Lancashire, in England.

The Colne and District Weavers', Winders' and Beamers' Association was a trade union representing cotton weavers in the Colne area of Lancashire in England.

The Preston and District Weavers', Winders' and Warpers' Association was a trade union representing cotton weavers in the Preston, Lancashire, in England.

The Bolton and District Weavers', Winders' and Warpers' Association was a trade union representing cotton mill workers in the Bolton area of Lancashire in England. The union was the first in the Lancashire cotton industry to appoint a woman as its full-time leader.

The Hyde and District Weavers', Winders', Warpers' and Doublers' Association was a trade union representing workers in the cotton industry around Hyde, then in Cheshire and Derbyshire in England.

The Oldham and District Weavers', Winders', Reelers', Beam and Sectional Warpers' Association was a trade union representing cotton workers in an area centred on Oldham in Lancashire, England.

The Padiham and District Weavers', Winders' and Warpers' Association was a trade union representing cotton weavers in the Padiham area of Lancashire, in England.

The Rochdale and District Weavers', Reelers', Beamers' and Doublers' Association was a trade union representing cotton industry workers in Rochdale and surrounding areas of Lancashire in England.

The Great Harwood Power Loom Weavers' Association was a trade union representing cotton weavers in the Great Harwood area of Lancashire, in England.

The Rossendale Weavers', Winders' and Beamers' Association was a trade union representing cotton industry workers in the Rossendale area of Lancashire in England.

The Bolton and District Operative Cotton Spinners' Provincial Association (BOCSPA) was a trade union representing cotton spinners across central Lancashire, in England. It was the most important union of cotton spinners, and dominated the Spinners' Amalgamation.

The Manchester and Salford Weavers' Association was a trade union representing weavers in part of Lancashire, in England.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Marsh, Arthur; Ryan, Victoria; Smethurst, John B. (1994). Historical Directory of Trade Unions. 4. Farnham: Ashgate. p.  104. ISBN   9780859679008.