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The '''American Federation of Labor''' or '''AFL''' was a confederation of [[American labor unions|labor unions]] in the U.S., 1886 to 1955. Its great leader was [[Samuel Gompers]] (1850-1924). The rival [[Congress of Industrial Organizations]] (CIO) broke away in 1937, to form a rival federation.  The two merged in 1955 as the [[AFL-CIO]] ("American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations"). The [[AFL-CIO]] has had a cyclical history, with growth spurts around 1900-1910, 1917–20, 1935–60, and declines in the 1920s and in recent years, Politically it has been closely tied to the Democratic Party on the national level since 1910. Likewise the state and city affiliates have usually been tied to the Democrats, with some exceptions.  It has strongly opposed socialism and government ownership of business, and has supported capitalism, while at all times seeking higher wages, restricted work rules, pensions, health care, grievance procedures, and seniority for its members, as well as retirement benefits for its retired members.  A central theme was that certain jobs "belonged" to union members and non-members must be stopped from taking them, especially during strikes. This often led to dehumanizing of workers on both sides; non-union workers commonly being refereed to as "scabs" and being socially ostracized; violent attacks by both sides were not uncommon.  Many violent confrontations took place between AFL/CIO union supporters and the supporters or management/strike breakers. Efforts by unions belonging to the AFL and CIO in the later part of the 19th and early 20th centuries are generally credited with establishing concepts of a 40-hour work week, overtime pay, paid vacations, pensions, and medical benefits for blue-collar working Americans.

The '''American Federation of Labor''' or '''AFL''' was a confederation of [[American labor unions|labor unions]] in the U.S., 1886 to 1955. Its great leader was [[Samuel Gompers]] (1850-1924). The rival [[Congress of Industrial Organizations]] (CIO) broke away in 1937, to form a rival federation.  The two merged in 1955 as the [[AFL-CIO]] ("American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations"). The [[AFL-CIO]] has had a cyclical history, with growth spurts around 1900-1910, 1917–20, 1935–60, and declines in the 1920s and in recent years, Politically it has been closely tied to the Democratic Party on the national level since 1910. Likewise the state and city affiliates have usually been tied to the Democrats, with some exceptions.  It has strongly opposed socialism and government ownership of business, and has supported capitalism, while at all times seeking higher wages, restricted work rules, pensions, health care, grievance procedures, and seniority for its members, as well as retirement benefits for its retired members.  A central theme was that certain jobs "belonged" to union members and non-members must be stopped from taking them, especially during strikes. This often led to dehumanizing of workers on both sides; non-union workers commonly being refereed to as "scabs" and being socially ostracized; violent attacks by both sides were not uncommon.  Many violent confrontations took place between AFL/CIO union supporters and the supporters or management/strike breakers. Efforts by unions belonging to the AFL and CIO in the later part of the 19th and early 20th centuries are generally credited with establishing concepts of a 40-hour work week, overtime pay, paid vacations, pensions, and medical benefits for blue-collar working Americans.

==Origins==

==Origins==