On the recommendation of Steward, the Machinists' and Blacksmiths' Union (to which he belonged) sent resolutions to the Boston Trades' Assembly, urging for a concentration on reduction of hours for working individuals.
Not satisfied with the efforts of the Boston Trades' Assembly in approaching the issue, Steward joined several other former Machinists' and Blacksmiths' Union members in forming the Labor Reform Association, which in 1865 would be reconstituted into the Grand Eight Hour League of Massachusetts.