The union acquired the Textilarbeiter newspaper, and made it the official journal.

[1][2] In 1903 and 1904, the union led the Crimmitschauer Strike, in support of a maximum ten-hour working day.

This severely strained the union's finances and ultimately proved unsuccessful, but it led to a rapid increase in membership.

It was a founding affiliate of the General German Trade Union Confederation in 1919.

Membership density was not as strong as other sectors, as Christian trade unions recruited well in the industry.