The way in which the grain scooping business was conducted also affected the size of the work force in Buffalo. In the 1890s about 1200 to 1600 men were engaged regularly at scoopers. In 1899, directly after the strike, the union reported a monthly membership of 1700. With the establishment of stable relations with the elevator owners came a rapid decline in the number of grain scoopers. In 1901 the number was 540, with some of those holding on for political or sentimental reasons. New members were admitted when there was a decrease in members or an increase in the volume of work. An applicant would be required to secure an endorsement from a member in good standing and the application need approval by the Executive Board of the union.

During the shipping season, the union would be divided into twenty-one gangs of 25 to 28 men each. Each gang had one boss scooper and one committeemen who would represent his gang on the Executive Board of the union. Seven gangs constituted one division, and for each division there would be one timekeeper.

The boss scooper was responsible for supervising and directing the actual work of the scooping gang. The timekeeper would visit the gang within his division and maintain a record of the men who were at work. He would also inspect the bills of lading to assure the men received full payment for their work. The boss scooper and the timekeepers received the same share of pay as the scoopers in the gang.

Each man in a gang had a particular job to perform. A complete grain scooping gang consisted of one boss, fifteen shovelers, two sweepers, four shovel-followers, and four brakemen. The shovel-followers and brakemen attended to the rigging and adjusting of the steam shovel. Sweepers were responsible for removing grain from crevices.

Advancing technology brought shifts in trade and transportation patterns which made Buffalo's position in the
grain industry increasingly vulnerable.