[1] By 1863, the union had 550 members, and it affiliated to the East Lancashire Amalgamated Weavers' Friendly Association.
However, the union survived, and by 1884 it had rebuilt its strength, for the first time employing a full-time general secretary.
[1] Membership of the union continued to grow, reaching 4,500 in 1910, the large majority of whom were women.
It began losing members, as the Lancashire cotton industry declined, and in 1949 the Church and Oswaldtwistle Weavers', Winders' and Warpers' Association joined it, forming the Accrington, Church and Oswaldtwistle Weavers', Winders' and Warpers' Association.
It survived until 1981, when it merged into the Northern Textile and Allied Workers' Union.