Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, casting his ballot in his home district

The American Federation of Labor (A.F. of L.) was founded in 1886 as a federation of craft unions seeking to strengthen organized labor through mutual support. It emerged from conflicts with the Knights of Labor, whose efforts to organize individual members of craft unions threatened the independence of established trade organizations. Its formation grew partly out of labor conflicts in New York City, including a major 1886 dispute involving the Cigar Makers’ International Union. The federation was initially dominated by skilled craft unions, particularly in the building trades, and Samuel Gompers, a leader of the Cigar Makers’ International Union, became its first full-time president. He was re-elected almost every year until his death in 1924 and became one of the most prominent spokespeople for the American labor movement.

The A.F. of L. grew into the largest federation of labor unions in the United States. Competition with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) intensified after 1935, when several unions were expelled from the A.F. of L. The two organizations competed during the late 1930s but cooperated during World War II before merging in 1955 to form the AFL-CIO, which remains the country’s most influential labor federation.

Published by the American Federation of Labor, Washington, DC, 1919 - Published in the book: American Federation of Labor: History, Encyclopedia, Reference Book. (title page)

1st meeting to found the American Federation of Labor

Druid's Hall

American Federation of Labor founded

Samuel Gompers was a British-born American cigar maker and influential labor leader who founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886 and served as its president for most of his life. He advocated for strong craft unions, collective bargaining, higher wages, and shorter working hours, believing these were essential to improving workers’ lives. Gompers generally discouraged unions from becoming directly involved in partisan politics, instead focusing on organizing workers and negotiating with employers. During World War I, he strongly supported the American war effort and opposed antiwar labor organizations such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

Resting place - exact location not specified

Samuel Gompers

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