[4] He joined the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) in 1897, and was elected as its Salford branch secretary in 1899.
[4][3] Rowan was a delegate to the Manchester and Salford Trades Council from 1900, and was a founder member of the Labour Representation Committee in the city.
Rowan was appointed as acting general secretary and won an election for the permanent post in July 1907.
[4] Rowan was elected to the General Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in 1921, serving until 1935.
He became known for his anti-communism but, despite this, members of the Communist Party of Great Britain became increasingly prominent in the union.