Women Factory Workers and Campaigns for Reform (1830–1914)

1. Sadler Committee investigates factory conditions

   Jan 1, 1832Labels: Sadler Committee, Michael Sadler

   • UK Parliament

2. Factory Act creates inspectorate and limits hours

   Jan 1, 1833Labels: Factory Act, Factory Inspectorate

   • UK Parliament
   • Britannica
   • Nat Archives

3. Mines Act bars women from underground work

   Jan 1, 1842Labels: Mines Act, coal mines

   • UK Legislation
   • Britannica
   • Nat Archives

4. Factories Act extends limits to adult women

   Jan 1, 1844Labels: Factories Act, Sir James

   • Hansard
   • Nat Archives
   • UK Parliament

5. Ten Hours Act limits women and young persons

   Jun 8, 1847Labels: Ten Hours, Factories Act

   • UK Legislation
   • Britannica
   • UK Parliament

6. Factories Act adjusts hours and enforcement rules

   Jan 1, 1850Labels: Factories Act

   • Britannica
   • UK Parliament

7. Lancashire Cotton Famine disrupts women’s mill work

   Jan 1, 1861Labels: Lancashire Cotton, cotton operatives

   • Britannica
   • Parliament

8. Women’s Protective and Provident League founded

   Jan 1, 1874Labels: Women's Protective, Emma Paterson

   • WTUL UK
   • ODNB

9. Factory and Workshop Act consolidates protections

   May 27, 1878Labels: Factory and

   • UK Legislation
   • Hansard

10. Matchgirls’ strike spotlights women’s factory activism

    Jul 1, 1888Labels: Matchgirls' Strike, Bryant &

    • Nat Archives
    • English Heritage

11. Trade Disputes Act restores union strike immunities

    Jan 1, 1906Labels: Trade Disputes

    • Britannica
    • UK Parliament

12. National Federation of Women Workers expands organizing

    Jan 1, 1906Labels: National Federation, Mary Macarthur

    • Macarthur
    • NFWW

13. Trade Boards Act targets sweated women’s trades

    Oct 20, 1909Labels: Trade Boards

    • UK Legislation
    • Hansard

14. Cradley Heath chainmakers strike wins minimum rates

    Oct 22, 1910Labels: Cradley Heath, chainmakers

    • NEU
    • NFWW