Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners and Twiners

The Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners was established in 1870 as a trade union to support mule spinners in the cotton industry. The Union was formed from the Association of Operative Cotton Spinners, Twiners, and Self Acting Minders of the United Kingdom, in order to include further local unions such as Oldham. The union became known for its role in ensuring its members were able to receive wages and working conditions significantly better than most British industrial employees. Membership was restricted, as less skilled workers and women had to instead form their own unions.

Mule spinning was replaced gradually as of 1950 with ring spinning, due to improvements in technology. After a rapid decline in numbers, the union dissolved in 1970 and eventually deregistered in 1977.