The American Federation of Labor I.Conditions A.The Problem of Legitimacy B.The Craft Economy II.Understanding the AFL A.Origins, Leaders, & Members B.Class identity C.Organizational consciousness D.Craft governance E.Political action III.Problems A.Factionalism B.Temptation C.Exclusivity D.Cynicism

The Problem of Legitimacy How do you maintain an organization that has no legal existence? How do you enforce a contract when you have no legal standing? Bartenders’ union, shop cards

The Craft Economy Bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, flat janitors, stationary engineers, and realtors, shopkeepers, butchers and bakers, barbers, tailors, launderers, teamsters, teaming contractors, longshoremen, and sailors South Water Street Market, Chicago, 1908

Origins, Leaders, & Members Founded 1881 Grows to 1.7M by 1904 Roots –European craft radicalism –Irish nationalism –American labor republicanism Samuel Gompers, AFL president William Pomeroy P.J. Maguire

Class relations With employers –From explosive to contractual With other workers –Sympathy Chicago Teamsters’ strike of 1905 Pennsylvania militia, waiting for Homestead strikers

Organization Legitimacy –Employer recognition –Charter –Union cards, labels, buttons Jurisdiction Perfection Homogeneity –Apprenticeship –Patrimony Teamsters displaying their banner, c. 1900

Craft governance Goal –Market control Enforcement –Walking delegates –Arbitration boards Punishments –Strikes –Fines –Boycotts –Expulsion Chicago bill posters picketing worksite

Political action AFL declines to endorse an independent labor party But local unions are intensely involved in local politics. Labor day float, Chicago, 1904

Factionalism Craft lines lead to jurisdictional battles –United Assn. of Plumbers battles Intl. Assn. of Steamfitters for over ten years Widow of slain labor union officer, c. 1912

Temptation Craft governance creates ample opportunities for graft. Chicago building trades unionists, Michael “Umbrella Mike” Boyle and Martin “Skinny” Madden

Exclusivity Some unions were egalitarian Others had segregated locals Desire for market control prompts leaders to institutionalize their prejudices about blacks, Asians, and women Delegates to the 2 nd annual convention, Hotel and Restaurant Employees, 1893

Cynicism Failures prompt leaders to question: –Organizing immigrant workers toiling in corporate manufacturing –Initiating major political reforms Disgraced teamsters’ president Cornelius Shea, c. 1903