4.3 American Federation of Labor

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) emerged in the late 19th century, marking a shift towards pragmatic, trade-focused labor organizing. Founded in 1886, the AFL prioritized immediate economic gains for skilled workers through collective bargaining and workplace improvements.

Led by Samuel Gompers, the AFL focused on "bread and butter" issues like wages and working conditions. It rejected radical ideologies, emphasized American values, and operated as a decentralized federation of autonomous craft unions. This approach shaped American labor relations for decades to come.

Origins of AFL

• American Federation of Labor emerged during a period of rapid industrialization and economic transformation in the late 19th century
• AFL's formation marked a shift from earlier, more radical labor movements towards a pragmatic, trade-focused approach to workers' rights

Early labor movement context

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• Knights of Labor preceded AFL as a major labor organization but declined due to internal conflicts and failed strikes
• Economic depression of 1873 led to increased labor unrest and demand for workers' rights
• National Labor Union (1866-1873) laid groundwork for future labor organizations
• Haymarket Affair of 1886 intensified public scrutiny of labor movements

Samuel Gompers' role

• Served as AFL's first and longest-serving president (1886-1924)
• Developed "pure and simple" unionism focusing on immediate economic gains for workers
• Advocated for craft unionism over industrial unionism
• Emphasized collective bargaining and workplace improvements over political revolution
• Shaped AFL's conservative approach to labor organizing and negotiation

Founding principles

• Established in 1886 as a federation of craft unions
• Focused on skilled workers in specific trades (carpenters, printers, cigar makers)
• Prioritized "bread and butter" issues like wages, hours, and working conditions
• Rejected socialism and radical political ideologies
• Emphasized American identity and values to gain public support
• Advocated for voluntary union membership rather than closed shops

Organizational structure

• AFL operated as a decentralized federation of autonomous craft unions
• Structure allowed for flexibility and adaptation to different industries and regions
• Centralized leadership provided overall direction while individual unions maintained autonomy

Craft unionism approach

• Organized workers based on specific skills or trades
• Focused on protecting skilled workers' interests and bargaining power
• Limited membership to workers in recognized crafts or trades
• Resulted in multiple unions within single workplaces or industries
• Contrasted with industrial unionism which organized all workers in an industry regardless of skill

Leadership and governance

• Executive Council served as the main governing body
• President and secretary-treasurer elected by convention delegates
• Annual conventions held to set policies and elect officers
• State and local labor federations coordinated activities at regional levels
• Department system organized similar unions into functional groups (building trades, metal trades)

Affiliated unions

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
• International Association of Machinists (IAM)
• American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
• United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters
• Each affiliated union maintained its own constitution, officers, and treasury

Key strategies and tactics

• AFL focused on practical, achievable goals rather than radical societal change
• Emphasized gradual improvements in working conditions through negotiation and economic pressure
• Developed a reputation for responsible, business-friendly unionism

Collective bargaining emphasis

• Prioritized direct negotiations between unions and employers
• Sought written contracts specifying wages, hours, and working conditions
• Utilized professional negotiators and labor lawyers
• Developed grievance procedures to address workplace disputes
• Emphasized mutual gains for workers and employers to build long-term relationships

Political neutrality policy

• Avoided formal affiliation with political parties
• Focused on "rewarding friends and punishing enemies" in elections
• Lobbied for pro-labor legislation without endorsing specific candidates
• Encouraged union members to vote based on labor issues
• Maintained flexibility to work with different administrations and political factions

Strike actions and boycotts

• Used strikes as a last resort after negotiations failed
• Developed strike funds to support workers during work stoppages
• Implemented "secondary boycotts" targeting businesses that dealt with struck companies
• Utilized sympathy strikes to increase pressure on employers
• Developed sophisticated strike strategies (rotating strikes, selective strikes)

Major historical events

• AFL's involvement in key labor conflicts shaped its reputation and strategies
• These events demonstrated both the strengths and limitations of AFL's approach to labor organizing

Homestead Strike of 1892

• Occurred at Carnegie Steel Company in Homestead, Pennsylvania
• AFL-affiliated Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers led the strike
• Resulted in violent clashes between strikers and Pinkerton detectives
• Ended in defeat for the union and weakened AFL's position in the steel industry
• Highlighted limitations of craft unionism in heavily industrialized sectors

Pullman Strike of 1894

• Nationwide railroad strike led by Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union
• AFL initially supported the strike but withdrew support as violence escalated
• Federal troops intervened to break the strike, leading to multiple deaths
• Demonstrated AFL's cautious approach to large-scale industrial conflicts
• Reinforced AFL's focus on craft-based organizing over industry-wide actions

AFL vs IWW rivalry

• Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) formed in 1905 as a radical alternative to AFL
• IWW advocated for "One Big Union" and revolutionary industrial unionism
• AFL criticized IWW's radical tactics and socialist ideology
• Competition for members led to increased organizing efforts by both groups
• AFL emphasized its "American" values to contrast with IWW's internationalism
• Rivalry highlighted ideological divisions within the American labor movement

Impact on labor rights

• AFL's pragmatic approach led to gradual but significant improvements in working conditions
• Focus on skilled workers sometimes limited broader impact on labor rights
• Established precedents for collective bargaining and workplace regulations

Eight-hour workday campaign

• AFL made the eight-hour day a central demand from its founding
• Organized nationwide strikes and demonstrations on May 1, 1886 (origin of May Day)
• Achieved eight-hour day in government jobs through lobbying efforts
• Gradually won eight-hour day in various industries through collective bargaining
• Campaign lasted decades before becoming standard in most industries

Workplace safety improvements

• Advocated for creation of Bureau of Labor Statistics to track workplace injuries
• Lobbied for state and federal workplace safety regulations
• Negotiated safety provisions in collective bargaining agreements
• Promoted use of safety committees in unionized workplaces
• Supported workers' compensation laws to provide benefits for injured workers

Child labor opposition

• Campaigned against employment of children in hazardous industries
• Supported state-level restrictions on child labor
• Lobbied for federal child labor laws (Keating-Owen Act of 1916)
• Promoted education as an alternative to child labor
• Collaborated with progressive reformers on child labor issues

AFL and politics

• Despite official neutrality, AFL became increasingly involved in political activities
• Adapted political strategies to changing economic and social conditions
• Maintained pragmatic approach, working with both major parties when beneficial

Progressive Era alliances

• Collaborated with progressive reformers on workplace safety and child labor issues
• Supported creation of Department of Labor in 1913
• Worked with reformers to pass workers' compensation laws
• Advocated for immigration restrictions to protect American workers' wages
• Supported some progressive social reforms while maintaining conservative economic stance

New Deal support

• Initially cautious about government intervention in labor relations
• Came to support many New Deal labor policies under Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Played key role in drafting and passing National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) of 1935
• Benefited from increased union rights and protections under New Deal legislation
• Maintained close relationship with Democratic Party during and after New Deal era

Anti-communist stance

• Opposed communist influence in American labor movement
• Expelled communist-led unions from AFL in 1930s
• Supported Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 which required union leaders to sign anti-communist affidavits
• Collaborated with government agencies to identify and remove suspected communists from unions
• Stance aligned AFL with Cold War foreign policy and strengthened ties to business community

Racial and gender policies

• AFL's policies often reflected and reinforced societal discrimination
• Gradual shifts occurred due to internal and external pressures
• Tensions between exclusionary practices and need for broader worker solidarity

Exclusionary practices

• Many AFL unions restricted membership based on race
• Separate "Jim Crow" locals created for Black workers in some industries
• Some unions completely excluded non-white workers
• Justified exclusion as protecting white workers' economic interests
• Practices varied by region and trade, with some unions more inclusive than others

Women's auxiliary groups

• Established to involve wives and daughters of male union members
• Focused on supporting strikes, organizing social events, and political advocacy
• Limited direct involvement of women in union leadership or decision-making
• Gradually evolved to advocate for women's labor rights and union membership
• Served as stepping stone for increased women's participation in labor movement

Civil rights movement tensions

• AFL leadership officially opposed racial discrimination by 1940s
• Many affiliated unions continued discriminatory practices
• A. Philip Randolph's Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters pushed for greater inclusion
• AFL faced pressure from civil rights groups to address racial discrimination
• Merger with CIO in 1955 increased internal pressure for civil rights support

Merger with CIO

• Consolidation of AFL and CIO created largest labor federation in United States
• Merger reflected changing industrial landscape and need for unified labor movement
• Combined strengths of craft and industrial unionism approaches

Reasons for consolidation

• Declining union membership in post-World War II era
• Increased employer and government opposition to labor unions
• Need to present unified front in political arena
• Recognition that jurisdictional disputes weakened overall labor movement
• Desire to organize new industries and adapt to changing workforce

AFL-CIO formation process

• Merger discussions began in early 1950s
• No-raiding agreement signed in 1953 to stop competition for members
• Merger completed in 1955 with George Meany as first president
• Combined membership of approximately 15 million workers
• Retained elements of both craft and industrial unionism in structure

Post-merger influence

• Became dominant force in American labor movement
• Increased political influence through unified lobbying efforts
• Played key role in civil rights legislation of 1960s
• Faced challenges of globalization and deindustrialization in later decades
• Struggled to maintain membership levels in changing economy

Legacy and modern relevance

• AFL's approach to labor organizing shaped American industrial relations for over a century
• Principles of collective bargaining and workplace representation remain relevant
• Modern labor movement faces new challenges while building on AFL's foundations

AFL's lasting contributions

• Established collective bargaining as primary method of labor-management relations
• Developed model of business unionism focused on immediate economic gains
• Created enduring labor institutions (labor law, arbitration systems, union structures)
• Demonstrated effectiveness of gradual, pragmatic approach to workers' rights
• Helped establish labor as legitimate partner in American economic system

Contemporary labor movement impact

• AFL-CIO remains largest labor federation in United States
• Collective bargaining principles still central to union-management relations
• Political influence of organized labor shaped by AFL's historical strategies
• Tension between craft and industrial unionism persists in some sectors
• AFL's emphasis on American identity continues to influence union messaging

Challenges in 21st century

• Declining union membership in traditional industries
• Adapting to gig economy and non-traditional employment arrangements
• Balancing needs of diverse workforce (gender, race, immigration status)
• Addressing impact of globalization and technological change on labor markets
• Revitalizing public support for organized labor in changing political climate