The UK Association of Organised Trades was founded in Sheffield in July 1866.
[1][2] The organisation was largely inspired by William Dronfield, who was elected as its secretary.
The organisation agreed to secure mutual co-operation during lock-outs, to oppose the Master and Servant Act, and to work for the establishment of Courts of Conciliation and Arbitration.
[3] A second conference was held in Manchester in January 1867, and a third in Preston in September of that year, although by this point, it was in sharp decline.
Although it condemned them, it soon emerged that William Broadhead, Treasurer of the Association, was their ringleader.