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Samuel Gompers founds the American Federation of Labor.
It was founded in Colombus, Ohio in December 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. The AFL was the largest union grouping in the United States for the first half of the 20th century. -
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
It was one of the first to have a primarily female membership,a nd a key player in the labor history of the 1920's and 30's. -
Strike by ILGWU wins pay gains, shorter workdays.
The women went on strike because they were laboring 65 hours a week. At the height of the season they worked 7 hours. They were obliged to provide their own needles, thread, knives, irons, occasionally their own sewing machines. The women were paid less than men. -
Hundred of strikes sweep the nation, causing fear of revolution
A couple strikes in 1919 were the Steel strike which was an attempt by the weakened Algamated. Another strike was the Influenza strike trying to get medicine to cure it. -
Wagner Act Gives Workers Right to Organize.
This act was created to enforce the National Labor Relations Act. The Wagner Act protected workers' right to unionization. -
Union membership peaks at 35 percent.
Labor unions are legally recognized as representatives of workers in many industries in the U.S. -
Taft Hartley Act
A United States federal law that restricts the activities and power of labor unions. The act, still effective, was sponsored by Senator Robert Taft, and Rep. Fred A. Hartley Jr. -
Government Employees begin to organize.
Bargaining did not come until the government employees began to organize. When they organized, the population grew.
