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The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was one of the most influential labor organizations in United States history. Established in 1886, it represented a new era in organized labor that was less radical than other movements of its time, yet still offered workers and those who supported their cause an opportunity to voice their grievances and fight for better wages and conditions (Gildemeister, 1981). The AFL focused more specifically on craft unions, which were organized by skilled workers in specific trades. This model quickly gained traction among employers and the public alike as it appeared to be more reasonable and achievable when compared with larger industrial unions, allowing the movement to attract more members. The AFL was also successful due to its focus on lobbying for legislative change at both state and federal levels in order to empower American workers. By championing such causes as an eight-hour workday, minimum wage legislation and workplace safety standards, the AFL had effective strategies for challenging corporate oppression that secured considerable gains for its members.
The rise of the AFL also had something to do with the unions opposition to unrestricted immigration in the early part of the 20th century (Greene, 1998). In response to a growing influx of immigrants, the AFL advocated for restrictions on certain types of foreign workers, as they claimed that these individuals were negatively impacting the wages and working conditions of native-born laborers. By 1915, the labor union had successfully achieved more stringent regulations on immigration into the United States. For instance, during this period, the AFL helped to get immigration restriction bills passed through Congress, such as the 1921 Emergency Quota Act and the Immigration Act of 1924, which were intended to reduce the flow of immigrants into America. The AFLs influence also extended beyond legislation; the union worked actively to ensure these...
…an active advocate for workers rights, but it did not focus exclusively on skilled or unionized labor. By pushing back against oppressive child labor practices and supporting the demands of the middle class for reform, the AFL sought to protect vulnerable populations and broaden its base of support. This policy allowed them to successfully accomplish their mission of improving working conditions by challenging legislations that protected exploitative corporate interests such as those that allowed factory owners to employ children as young as 5 years old (Greene, 1998).The AFL's campaign for child labor reform included bringing national attention to the reality facing many families with employed children and lobbying state legislatures for laws that protected minors from exploitation and abuse. By campaigning for prohibiting children under 14 to be allowed to work, the AFL reflected values that the middle class approved of and thus won the support of average workers and their families who wanted an…
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