U.S. Labor Movement

History of the american labor movement. The U.S. labor movement started with local crafts unions in the 18th century. In 1834 the National Trade Unions joined forces. In 1881 the American Federation of Labor (AFL) formed an alliance of skilled trade unions led by Samuel Gompers. The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), known as the Wobblies, concentrated on organizing unskilled workers. In 1910 the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) won a series of strikes against clothing manufactures. In the 1930s John L. Lewis organized semi-skilled workers into Congress of Industrial Organization (CIO). In 1955, the two organizations merged under the leadership of George Meany and Walter Reuther, becoming the AFL-CIO. The links included herein relate to U.S. labor movement and the achievements.