In London's East End there were many factories that lined the streets during this period. Poor women and girls were going to these factories to participate in harsh labor environments to make matches by the thousands in a 14 hour shift. Working in the factory was describe as prison because these girls/ women would be punished for leaving their work space dirty or speaking to others while working. The wage as well was not even close to what was afforable during the time to live comfortably, and could get their wages lowered for acting out or taking an "unscheduled" bathroom break. One of the most dangerous outcomes from working in the match factories was "phossy jaw"; which is a type of bone cancer that is caused from the phosphorus ingredients in the matches and will eventually deform the person's face. 

In July 1888, the strike fully started from a young girl being wrongly dismissed from the factory. A newspaper wrote an article broadcasting all of the harsh conditions which in result caused the managers to force signatures from their workers to refute what was said. When one girl refused to sign, she was fired from the factory and created an uprise from everyone else to throw down their tools and strike. The managers tried to stop the women from walking out but nothing could stop them from going to Fleet Street towards the newspapers. After many years the House of Commons finally passed an act to prohibit the use of phoroporus or any dangerous materials in the creation of matches. The Match Girls Strike also was the leading impowerment for unions to be created for women that are working and changes to occur in the industrial factories.