USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1886, under the leadership of Samuel Gompers, they organized themselves as the AFL, a loose federation that remained for half a century the sole unifying agency of the American labour movement. In its beginnings, the American Federation of Labor was dedicated to the principles of craft unionism.

Detailed explanation-2: -Samuel Gompers (1850 –1924) founded the American Federation of Labor and served as its president for nearly forty years, between 1886 and 1924, and the nation’s leading trade unionist and labor spokesman.

Detailed explanation-3: -The resulting backlash against unionism, along with the dissatisfaction of many KOL members, led to the union’s demise and fostered the establishment of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in December 1886. The AFL focused on winning economic benefits for its members through collective bargaining.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Illinois Labor History Society put together this brief biography of Samuel Gompers, founder and president for 38 years of the American Federation of Labor.

Detailed explanation-5: -Unlike the Knights of Labor, the AFL organized only skilled workers into unions defined by particular trades. The AFL also emphasized relatively high dues in order to create a treasury large enough to sustain the members during a prolonged strike.