In the first place, as we have seen, a large proportion of their work is "out work" done at home or in small domestic workshops.

Now labour organizations are necessarily strong and effective, in proportion as the labourers are thrown together constantly both in their work and in their leisure, have free and frequent opportunities of meeting and discussion, of educating a sense of comradeship and mutual confidence, which shall form a moral basis of unity for common industrial action.

But to the majority of women-workers no such opportunities are open.

Even the factory workers are for the most part employed in small groups, and are dispersed in their homes.
Combination among the mass of home-workers or workers in small sweating establishments is almost impossible.

The women's Unions have hitherto been successful in proportion as the trades are factory trades.