[2] Although greatly weakened, the union survived, and experienced its most successful period between 1898 and 1918, when it was led by Tom Forrest.

[3] It joined the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and affiliated to the Labour Representation Committee, becoming heavily involved in local politics.

The union was thereafter restricted to the woolen industry in Yorkshire; by 1982, the majority of its members worked for the English Card Clothing Company,[1] and by 1984, membership was down to just 130.

[5] That year, about half the remaining membership, including the general secretary, were laid off, leading to one final major strike.

[6] By 2007, the CSMTS was the smallest union affiliated to the TUC, with just 19 members,[7] falling to five at the end of the year, when it decided to dissolve.