Employers’ associations were formed in many industries throughout the 19th century. In Liège in 1840 several coal mines united to form the Union of Liege coal mines (Union des charbonnages Liègeois). The 1868 this became the Union of coal mines, mines and metallurgical factories of the province of Liège (Union des charbonnages, mines et usines métallurgiques de la province de Liège). Its objective was to defend the interests of the local coal and metal industries, and it annual reports reveal its role as a lobby group to fight government intervention in issues such as child and female labour, working conditions, and

unionisation.