American Federation of Labor

Definition

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was a national federation of labor unions in the United States founded in 1886. It focused on securing better wages, working conditions, and hours for skilled workers while promoting collective bargaining as a primary strategy. The AFL played a crucial role in labor movements during the Gilded Age and beyond, reflecting both the continuity and change within American labor dynamics amid waves of immigration and evolving responses to new labor challenges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The AFL was primarily composed of skilled workers' unions and emphasized practical economic goals rather than broader social reforms.
2. Samuel Gompers served as the first president of the AFL, advocating for policies that prioritized the interests of its member unions.
3. Unlike the Knights of Labor, which accepted all workers regardless of skill level, the AFL focused exclusively on skilled labor and sought to limit membership to those workers.
4. The AFL played a significant role in organizing strikes and campaigns that successfully secured better pay and working conditions for its members during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
5. The federation also engaged in political advocacy, pushing for laws that benefited laborers, such as those regulating work hours and ensuring safer workplace conditions.

Review Questions

• How did the formation of the American Federation of Labor represent a shift in labor organizing strategies during the late 19th century?
  • The formation of the American Federation of Labor marked a significant shift towards organizing skilled workers into craft unions rather than broad-based movements like the Knights of Labor. By focusing on practical economic goals such as better wages and working conditions for skilled laborers, the AFL adapted to the realities of an industrialized economy where specialized skills were increasingly valuable. This strategic emphasis on collective bargaining allowed the AFL to become a powerful force in labor relations, influencing both local and national policies.
• Discuss the impact of immigration on the American Federation of Labor's membership and strategies during its early years.
  • Immigration significantly influenced the AFL's membership base as many skilled immigrants joined the workforce in various trades. However, the AFL often adopted exclusionary practices, limiting membership primarily to native-born white workers. This approach reflected both a desire to protect jobs for existing members and a response to growing competition from unskilled immigrant labor. As a result, while immigration contributed to expanding labor markets, it also led to tensions within labor movements regarding inclusion and representation.
• Evaluate the long-term significance of the American Federation of Labor in shaping labor relations in the United States through the 20th century.
  • The American Federation of Labor played a crucial role in shaping labor relations throughout the 20th century by establishing norms around collective bargaining and advocating for workers' rights. Its focus on skilled labor and economic issues laid a foundation for future unions to build upon. Over time, as new movements emerged that embraced broader social justice issues, the AFL's strategies influenced how unions interacted with political structures and addressed changing workforce demographics. This legacy persists today, as many contemporary unions trace their roots back to the foundational principles established by the AFL.

Related terms

Craft Union: A type of labor union that represents skilled workers from a specific trade or craft, focusing on issues pertinent to their particular skills and professions.

Collective Bargaining: The process in which unions negotiate with employers on behalf of workers to establish employment terms, including wages, hours, and working conditions.

Knights of Labor:

An early labor organization founded in 1869 that sought to unite all workers across various trades and industries into one large union, advocating for broad social reforms.