 Burns' high political profile led him to prominence in the union; he became auditor of the South Kirkby lodge, then successively secretary, collector, and president, and from 1912 the branch delegate to the YMA Council.In the late 1900s, he was sacked for his trade union activities, but the union stood by him, and after ten months was able to get him a new role as a checkweighman at the colliery.He also served on the Yorkshire County Joint Wages Board for fifteen years.