In its early years, the union organised only strippers and grinders, and was only open to men.
This caused problems in 1867 when women workers, who were not permitted to join the union, agreed to accept a 5 per cent cut in wages.
[1] The union was a founder constituent of the Cardroom Amalgamation in 1886, but at the time it had only 91 members, despite having broaden its base by becoming the Stockport Association of Card and Blowing Room Operatives, Ring and Throstle Spinners.
It changed its name again, to the Stockport Card and Ring Spinning Room Operatives' Association.
[1] Membership of the union declined in line with employment in the Lancashire cotton industry, and in 1967 it merged with the Hyde and District Card, Blowing and Ring Frame Operatives' Association and the South East Lancashire Provincial Card and Blowing Room Operatives' Association, forming the South East Lancashire and Cheshire Textile Operatives' Association.