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--Roots of 
the ILA

 

 

 

 

--The Dawn 
of Unionism

 

 

--First 
Longshoremen's
Union

 

--ILA
Beginnings

--Early Threats
To Unionism

--Realism 
and Caution

--The Haymarket
Riot

 

--Creation of
the ILA

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AFL-CIO

 

--Fighting
Communism
and racism

--ILA arrives in
New York

--ILA absorbs
LUPA

 

--Gangland
Myths

--Wagner Act

--Pacific Coast
Split

 

 

 

 

--ILA Accused
of Gangsterism

--Teddy Gleason
Fights to Save
the ILA

Teddy Gleason

--Elected President
of the ILA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--ILA in the
Present

 

 

 

 

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AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR AND THE COMMITTEE FOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION (AFL-CIO)

In 1881, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada was formed in Pittsburgh, PA by a group of trade unionists. It was reorganized in Ohio during the widespread labor strikes of 1886 and renamed the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Over the next five decades, the new organization steadily enlisted members, growing to become one of the most powerful labor organizations in the country.

Internal unrest appeared in 1936 when eight member unions attempted a new reorganization of the AFL. These members were expelled from the AFL and went on to establish the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1938. Over the years, disagreements between the two federations gradually subsided, and the deaths of the presidents of both the AFL and the CIO eliminated much of the acrimony that had embittered the two organizations. Finally in 1955 the two unions joined to form the AFL-CIO.

By the early 1990's the AFL-CIO represented 81 affiliate organizations and listed nearly 14 million active members, nearly 75% of all union workers in the country. The governing body of the organization as a whole is a democratic council of representatives from each member union whose representation is based on membership.

Under the AFL-CIO constitution, the AFL-CIO as the parent body can require that affiliates remain in good financial standing, maintain democratic, honest procedures, and outlaw all forms of discrimination. Within these limits, individual unions have full autonomy-that is, the AFL-CIO cannot determine their policies.

Today, organizations such as the AFL-CIO have regained much of their former political power and are now focusing more attention on increasing membership, notably among women and minority workers. The main function of the organization continues to be providing assistance with economic research, workers' education, political lobbying, industrial safety concerns and other issues pertinent to its members needs.

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