Samuel Gompers

(noun)

An English-born, American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history; he founded the American Federation of Labor.

Related Terms

  • layoff
  • American Federation of Labor (AFL)
  • National War Labor Board
  • Knights of Labor
  • strike

(noun)

Samuel Gompers (January 27, 1850 – December 13, 1924) was an English-born American cigar maker who became a labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history, most famous for founding the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and serving as that organization's president from 1886 to 1894 and from 1895 until his death in 1924. Gompers was a strong supporter of the war effort and strove to minimize strikes as wages soared and full employment was reached.

Related Terms

  • layoff
  • American Federation of Labor (AFL)
  • National War Labor Board
  • Knights of Labor
  • strike

Examples of Samuel Gompers in the following topics:

  • Gompers and the AFL

    • Samuel Gompers was a labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history, founding the American Federation of Labor.
    • Samuel Gompers was an English-born American cigar maker who became a labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history.
    • In 1886, it was reorganized into the American Federation of Labor, with Gompers as its president.
    • Gompers was elected president of Cigarmakers' International Union Local 144 in 1875.
    • Samuel Gompers began his labor career familiar with, and sympathetic to, the precepts of socialism, but gradually adopted a more conservative approach to labor relations.
  • Toward Permanent Unions

    • The American Federation of Labor , led by Samuel Gompers until his death in 1924, proved much more durable than the Knights of Labor .
    • Samuel Gompers in the office of the American Federation of Labor, 1887.
  • Labor and Domestic Tensions

    • The new American Federation of Labor, headed by Samuel Gompers, found the solution.
    • Gompers repudiated socialism and abandoned the violent nature of the earlier unions.
  • Setbacks for Unions

    • Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) died in 1924 after serving as its president for 37 years, while successor William Green, secretary-treasurer of the United Mine Workers, "lacked the aggressiveness and the imagination of the AFL's first president."
  • The Decline of Labor

    • Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor died in 1924 after serving as the organization's president for 37 years.
    • Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor for 37 years, died in 1924.
  • A New Labor Force

    • Samuel Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and nearly all labor unions were strong supporters of the war effort.
    • President Wilson appointed Gompers to the powerful Council of National Defense.
  • The Labor Movement's Early Years

    • In 1881, Samuel Gompers, a Dutch immigrant cigar-maker, and other craftsmen organized a federation of trade unions that five years later became the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
    • Gompers was its first president.
  • The Rise of Unions

    • Rather than open its membership to everyone, the AFL, under former cigar-makers union official Samuel Gompers, focused on skilled workers.
    • As such, Gompers helped turn the labor movement away from the socialist views earlier labor leaders had espoused.
    • By 1920, Gompers had largely marginalized the socialists' role to a few unions, notably coal miners and the needle trades.
    • Gompers, notably, opened the AFL to radical and socialist workers and to some semiskilled and unskilled workers.
    • Gompers in the office of the American Federation of Labor, 1887.
  • AFL and WWI

    • Gompers, notably, opened the AFL to radical and socialist workers and to some semiskilled and unskilled workers.
    • While the organization was founded by socialists such as Gompers and Peter J.
    • Furthermore, the AFL leadership took a pragmatic view toward politicians, following Gompers' slogan to "reward your friends and punish your enemies" without regard to party affiliation.
    • Over time, however, Gompers became almost anti-political, opposing some forms of protective legislation, such as limitations on working hours, because they would detract from the efforts of unions to obtain those same benefits through collective bargaining.
    • American Federation of Labor head Samuel Gompers (right) endorsed the pro-labor independent Presidential candidate Robert M.
  • Workers Organize

    • Rather than open its membership to all, the AFL, under former cigar-makers union official Samuel Gompers , focused on skilled workers.
    • As such, Gompers helped turn the labor movement away from the socialist views earlier labor leaders had espoused.
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