Richard Oastler

• Richard Oastler, by 1834, was working as the steward of Fixby, a large estate outside of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The absentee landlord, Thomas Thornhill, knew about Oastler's support for the Ten Hours' Movement and to some extent sympathised with the movement's aims. He even introduced Oastler to several leading politicians, inlcuding the Duke of Wellington.
• Oastler believed the Poor Law commissioners were too powerful. Specifically, it was their ability to supply factories with cheap labour in the form of pauperised agricultural workers, as he believed his would lead to a reduction in factory wages and therefore the deterioration of the living conditions of the industrial working class. He was also concerned with the amalgamation of parishes, as he saw it as a depersonalisation of the system.
• By 1838, Oastler was urging workers to involve themselves in strikes and sabotage, resulting to him leading workers in violently resisting attempts to impose the Poor Law in Fixby. The commissioners approached Thornhill to ask for his help calming the situation. As a result, Thornhill dismissed Oastler.
• Although being fired didn't stop Oastler from campaigning, without an income, he ended up in a debtors' prison 2 years later. Oastler committees were formed to raise the necessary money to ensure his release, and after 4 years, they were successful.