Although chain-making was a minor industry in Chester, the union spread to the main areas of chain-making: Crewe, Pontypridd, St Helens, Shifnal and Tipton, and most importantly Cradley Heath, where the union soon relocated its headquarters.
[1] In light of its increased remit, in 1899 the union renamed itself as the "Chain Makers' and Strikers' Association".
[1] It had 1,000 members by the end of the century, a majority of unionised workers in the industry.
[2] On Thomas' death in 1923, his son Charles became general secretary,[4] and from 1918 to 1931, he served as a Member of Parliament sponsored by the union.
He was removed from office, and later imprisoned, Bert Head succeeding as the new general secretary.