He became active in the Northumberland Miners' Association, and served as a checkweighman for seven years, then became a deputy.
[1] The newly formed Bristol Miners' Association invited him to become their agent and secretary in 1889, and he took up the post there in June.
[2] He proved immediately successful, negotiating a 10% pay increase for union members.
[4] Whitefield was asked to stand as a Liberal-Labour candidate in the 1890 Bristol East by-election, but was unable to finance a candidacy.
However, he was elected to Bristol City Council in 1906, representing St George East until 1919.