What were the goals of Sarah Bagley's Female Labor Reform Association?

The Female Labor Reform Association (FLRA) was founded by the Sarah Bagley and the Lowell Mill Girls in Massachusetts.  It was the first attempt at collective bargaining by a women's group in the United States.  Formed in the 1840's while the Industrial Revolution was in its infancy in the United States, the women were faced with many of the problems that would come to light during the Progressive Era.  A movement had begun in Massachusetts by a larger labor group to lobby for a ten-hour work day.  The issue of shorter work hours was a cause that Bagley's group was certainly fighting for with the mill owners.  The FLRA also fought for better wages and safer working conditions.  The FLRA realized that they had very little power over the owners of the factory, as evidenced by earlier attempts at failed strikes.  The organization focused on political activism and reform and were pioneers in the early union movement.