The American Federation Of Labor (AFL)

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The American Federation of Labor (AFL) has been impacted by several events throughout history. Some of these events had a positive influence on the union while others proved to be detrimental, not only to the AFL but to all unions and organized labor. Events such as the Haymarket riot, as well as the Homestead and Pullman strikes brought negative media attention and unfavorable views of organized labor while shedding light on the plight of the American working class. However, it is because of events such as these that federal legislation was passed, in order to provide American workers with the right to unionize. Furthermore, legislation offered legal protections against unsafe working environments and employer tactics that were intentioned …show more content…

The strike began as a lockout over the dispute of wages earned by employees at the Carnegie Steel Corporation. At the time of the strike, the employees wanted to bargain for better wages, but the company made one offer and then refused to bargain with the union. When the union and the workers turned down the offer, the company locked the doors and would not allow any union workers to return to work. Under the direction of Henry Frick, the company CEO, there was a wall built around the mill which was used to deny the workers access to the mill, and Pinkerton guards were dispatched to disperse the strikers from the town (History.com, 2014, para. …show more content…

Management," 2014, para. 6). This practice would be outlawed with future legislation, but prior to the passing of the Norris-LaGuardia Act it remained a common procedure. Finally, if union workers did strike, employers would hire strikebreakers who would take the place of the striking workers. “The crowded cities always seemed to have someone hopeless enough to ‘cross the picket line’ during a strike. The striking workers often responded with fists, occasionally even leading to death” ("Labor vs. Management," 2014, para. 7). While it is currently legal for employers to hire ‘scabs’ to work in place of a striking worker, the striking worker also has rights if the reason for the strike is to ensure workplace

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