[6] It recruited principally from recent immigrants from the UK, although by the end of the century, most of its members had been born in the United States.
[7] However, the United Brotherhood grew as it involved itself in industrial disputes, while the ASC&J focused on providing welfare benefits to members.
In 1903, a committee chaired by Adolph Strasser proposed the two unions merge on an equal basis; this was supported by the ASC&J, but rejected by the United Brotherhood.
[8] In 1912, the AFL ordered that the ASC&J accept the United Brotherhood's term; when it would not, the federation suspended the British union.
This arrangement endured until 1923, when the United Brotherhood claimed that the ASC&J branches were seeking to regain their independence.