13 Jan 1886 Jahr - AF of L

Beschreibung:

The AF of L was not a labor union but rather a federation of labor unions. It was formed in 1886 as a national association of independent, self-governing craft unions. Their main focus was better wages, working conditions and a shorter workday. Their long time leader, Samuel Gompers, was effective in negotiating for wage increases, recognition of the right to bargain collectively, strike and the "closed shop." The AF of L represented only skilled workers and thus only a small percent of American workers. Its significance was probably as a vanguard for acceptance of unions and the greater gains for unskilled workers that came decades later.