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How Did Samuel Gompers Influence The American Federation Of Labor

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A man often criticized by his contemporaries, Samuel Gompers was a poor immigrant who left school at the age of ten but grew up to become one of the most influential people in labor union history. One of the founders of the American Federation of Labor, Gompers was instrumental in creating America’s first nationwide labor union. Gompers was vice-president of the Cigar Makers’ International Union Local 144 and the first president of the American Federation of Labor, positions he both held until his death. As president, one of Samuel Gompers’ main goals was improving the everyday lives of workers. His objectives included raising wages, lowering hours, and improving working conditions.Despite receiving criticism from many, Gompers was determined in his goal of protecting the rights of laborers. A politically conservative man at heart, Samuel Gompers succeeded in bringing about change for workers by defending and upholding his beliefs, but also by cooperating with large …show more content…

There, he helped found the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (FOTLU), a loose alliance of unions that was later renamed and restructured into the American Federation of Labor. However, after Gompers assisted in organizing a failed campaign for an eight-hour workday, it quickly became clear to Gompers that a larger, stronger national organization of labor unions was needed in order to preserve the future of the labor movement. When the FOTLU met in 1886 for their annual convention, Gompers was instrumental in persuading the delegates to reorganize their confederation into the American Federation of Labor (AFL), a loose federation made up of multiple labor unions. He convinced the delegates that changes needed to be made. At the age of 37, Samuel Gompers was elected the first president of the newly created American Federation of

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John L. Lewis - President of the United Mine Workers of America in 1919. He called his union members out on strike in protest of low wages and long workdays. 3. Samuel Gompers -The president of the American Federalization of Labor (AFL). He appealed to Coolidge on behalf of the fired men, which had saved the nation from communism.

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Unlike the Knights of Labor, the AFL only accepted white males who were skilled workers in similar trades into their ranks. Their focus was on economic gains including better wages, hours and working conditions; not over social reform or non-skilled workers plight. By using boycotts, strikes and collective bargaining the organization was able to win shorter working hours and better pay for its skilled workers. Gompers continued with these methods through out his reign, believing that by having a group of unions with only skilled laborers, he could have more influence by excluding the unskilled ones. He saw the higher wages earned by skilled individuals and wanted to capture their wealth and influence in with the AFLs own

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He tried to secure economic independence for skilled trade workers by advocating for trade unionism. This restriction of union membership was significant because it resulted in more specialized reforms and demands for that specific group. Gompers success in his work in social justice for unions affected the conditions of workers through regulation acts, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, and the Adamson Act in 1916. By creating this powerful union, Samuel Gompers contributed to the working class being treated fairly. His victories led the workers of America to an established minimum wage and fair hours, which overall improved their life quality during the hard times of

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From 1875-1900, America was beginning to rise up from the increase in industrialization. However, dubbed “the gilded age” by Mark Twain, the thriving promise of a better , wealthier life in America was not as it seemed. When labor unions rose to change the harsh working conditions placed on workers, it seemed to be that they found little to no success. This was brought on by the little change that they made, the suffering and hardships they brought on themselves and others, and the little support they received from those around them. Although labor unions were able to change some conditions, most of those changes were minimal.

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The feeling, shown in Nast's illustration after the railroad strike of 1877, that amalgamations simply lead to more " communistic values" and general uniformity made it very arduous to genuinely get anything done. Samuel Gompers, progenitor of the American Federation of Labor, argued that the right to strike was absolutely obligatory if any reforms were going to be made and not even this right had been officially granted to the people by regime (Document I). Gompers made it very pellucid that not even the very substratum of organized labor had been established and so up until this point the advances that had been made, were virtually frivolous. In conclusion, from 1875-1900 very few advances were made through organized labor in achieving better working conditions for workers.

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Samuel Gompers believed that craft unions, where workers of the skill or job joined together, would be the most successful in achieving reforms within the workplace. During his testimony to the Senate, he argued that, when properly organized, labor unions are a necessary part of American society because they help protect the rights of the working class. He argued that labor unions allow laborers to become more productive members of society by reducing their working hours and increasing their wages; this allows them to become “consumers instead of mere producers”. Based on Gompers’ testimony, I believe that he sought a positive relationship between the government and labor unions. Gompers argued that only uncivilized, barbarous nations, like

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The AF of L wanted “unionism” and opposed socialism. TheKnights of Labor, another labor union, was created in 1869 and enlisted in their ranks not only alllaborers but also everyone who could be truly classified as a producer. Labor unions, the two major depressions and the three “robber barons” were three of theforemost reasons the Gilded Age got its name. The “robber barons” invested in things that wouldultimately lead to a “Golden Industrial Age” but they didn’t achieve it totally legitimately, and thecreation of the labor unions sided with the workers, but at times, grew violent in their methods.

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