A tackler was a supervisor in a textile factory responsible for the working of a number of power looms and the weavers who operated them.[1] The title derived from the job, which was to “tackle” any mechanical problems encountered with the looms in their charge. Invariably male, they had a reputation for gullibility and were the butt of many jokes.[2]

References

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  2. p. 191

Bibliography

OED. “Tackler n.” Oxford English Dictionary, Online, Oxford University Press, 2018, http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/196942.
Worthington, Barry. Discovering Manchester: A Walking Guide to Manchester and Salford. Sigma Leisure, 2002.