The union was founded in 1872 as the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Miners and Quarrymen's Association by Joseph Shepherd.
It grew rapidly, with thirty-three lodges existing one year later, and also proved industrially successful, claiming to have increased miners' wages by 45%, and to have established a standard eight-hour working day.
[1] However, Shepherd fell out with his colleagues due to persistent drunkenness and was removed from his position in 1876 after leaving court documents on a train.
[2] From the start, the union campaigned to reduce miners' hours of work and increase their pay, and also to help educate miners, and provide healthcare in case of injury or sickness.
[3] By 1900, the union had a membership of 7,550, and around this time it shortened its name to the "Cleveland Miners and Quarrymen's Association".