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Early Labor Unions

Page history last edited by Mr. Hengsterman 4 years, 2 months ago

Knights of Labor - 1869

Uriah S. Stephens, Terrance Powederly

Membership

Comments

Open to all workers, both skilled and unskilled. Reached a peak membership of 700,000 in 1885

Setting up broad goals, the embattled Knights refused to thrust their lance into politics. Instead they campaigned for economic and social reform, including producers’ cooperatives and codes for safety and health. Voicing the war cry “Labor is the only creator of values and capital,” they frowned upon industrial warfare while fostering industrial arbitration.

The ordinary workday was then ten hours or more, and the Knights waged a determined campaign for the eight-hour stin

Took part in a number of railroad strikes, winning only one of them. Declined in importance after failing to win 8-hour day, better pay, improved working conditions, and a limit on child labor.

American Federation of Labor (AF of L) - 1886

Samuel Gompers (Video Clip)

Membership

Comments

Included only skilled workers belonging to particular crafts, such as machinists, carpenters, and plumbers. Thus, the skilled workers in a factory belonged to different national unions. Reached 8 million members by 1955.

Promoting what he called a “pure and simple” unionism, he sought better wages, hours, and working conditions. Unlike the somewhat utopian Knights of Labor.

Favored settling disputes peacefully in order to avoid long, costly strikes. Objectives: Higher pay, shorter hours, better working conditions, end of child labor, and immigration

Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) - 1938

John L. Lewis

Membership	Comments
Included all skilled and unskilled workers in a single industry, such as all automobile workers in the United States. Membership of 6 million in 1955.	Consisted of more than 30 industrial unions, including the automobile, steel, oil-refining, textile, and shipbuilding industries. Wanted higher pay and more fringe benefits for workers.