American Federation of Labor (AFL)
Definition
The AFL was a national federation of labor unions in the United States founded in Columbus, Ohio, in December 1886. It focused on achieving concrete economic gains, such as higher wages and shorter work hours.
Analogy
Think of the AFL as a team of superheroes. Each superhero (or union) has its own special powers (or specific trade skills), but they all come together to fight for justice (or better working conditions).
Related terms
Samuel Gompers: He was the founder and longtime leader of the AFL.
Craft Unionism: This is a model of trade unionism where workers are organized based on their particular craft or trade. The AFL followed this model.
Closed Shop: A form of union security agreement under which the employer agrees to hire only union members. The AFL strongly advocated for closed shops.
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