[2] The idea to found the organisation was first proposed by the Chartist newspaper the Northern Star, and was then taken up by the United Trades of Sheffield, who lobbied the Member of Parliament Thomas Duncombe.
The conference founded the Association, appointing Duncombe as President and editor of the Northern Star Joshua Hobson to the Central Committee.
This promoted Robert Owen's concept of "union shops" - essentially producers' co-operatives.
[3] From August 1848 until the following summer, the Association issued a weekly journal, the Labour League.
[3] The Association continued to lobby Parliament, and finally saw some success with the passing of the Molestation of Workmen Act in 1859.