Long the largest union in the industry, it played a leading role in establishing a regional federation of cardroom workers.
While a union of workers involved in preparing cotton existing in Oldham by the early 1860s, it dissolved later in the decade.
In addition, the union began accepting ring frame operatives into membership, and in 1890 added them into its name.
It did vote for the United Textile Factory Workers' Association to affiliate to the Labour Representation Committee in 1902, but by a smaller margin than other unions, and only 40% of members later contracted in to pay a political levy.
[1] Membership of the union declined along with the Lancashire cotton industry, and in 1968 it merged with the Oldham and District Weavers', Winders', Reelers', Beam and Sectional Warpers' Association, forming the Oldham Provincial Union of Textile and Allied Workers In 1986, this merged into the GMB.