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{{labor unions racism sb}}

{{labor unions racism sb}}

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==

==CIO breaks away==

==CIO breaks away==

Coal mine leader [[John L. Lewis]] led a group of industrial unions to break away in the 1930s to form the [[CIO]].  The two federations competed furiously, even violently.  The AFL was always larger, and added more members in the late 1930s and World War II era, while avoiding the radicalism of the CIO.  William Green was president (1925-1952),  but after 1940 the dominant leader was William Meany (1894-1980), former head of the New York State Federation of Labor.

Coal mine leader [[John L. Lewis]] led a group of industrial unions to break away in the 1930s to form the [[CIO]].  The two federations competed furiously, even violently.  The AFL was always larger, and added more members in the late 1930s and World War II era, while avoiding the radicalism of the CIO.  William Green was president (1925–1952),  but after 1940 the dominant leader was William Meany (1894–1980), former head of the New York State Federation of Labor.

The AFL was always hostile to Communists, especially as they were powerful inside the rival CIO. The AFL boycotted the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), formed in 1945, because of it for its decision to admit Soviet trade unions. Attacking them as creatures of the Soviet state, the AFL was instrumental in establishing a rival federation, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which eventually won the allegiance of all labor federations save those of the Soviet Union and its satellites. The AFL hailed the [[Harry S. Truman|Truman]] administration's [[Cold War]] policies and strongly supported American military intervention in the [[Korean War]]. Corruption in labor unions became a major political issues in the 1950s. Meany convinced the AFL to expel the racketeer-influenced International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) in 1953, and several other corrupt affiliates, most notably the [[Teamsters Union]], several years later.  

The AFL was always hostile to Communists, especially as they were powerful inside the rival CIO. The AFL boycotted the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), formed in 1945, because of it for its decision to admit Soviet trade unions. Attacking them as creatures of the Soviet state, the AFL was instrumental in establishing a rival federation, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which eventually won the allegiance of all labor federations save those of the Soviet Union and its satellites. The AFL hailed the [[Harry S. Truman|Truman]] administration's [[Cold War]] policies and strongly supported American military intervention in the [[Korean War]]. Corruption in labor unions became a major political issues in the 1950s. Meany convinced the AFL to expel the racketeer-influenced International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) in 1953, and several other corrupt affiliates, most notably the [[Teamsters Union]], several years later.