Organized Labor & U.S. Labor Movement

This paper will begin with a brief examination of the phenomenon of organized labor, and will then turn to a history of the labor movement in the United States. In looking at case studies in order to determine the economic impact of organized labor, the paper will deal with the wage theory problem, unionism and wages, and inflation and wages. In this analysis, the dichotomous relationship between union and nonunion labor will be addressed, particularly in reference to the scholarship of H. Gregg Lewis. Finally, the paper will conclude with a concise assessment of the role of organized labor on the American economy.

One scholar began his work with the notation that, "the history of the American work force is a complex and fascinating story of the men and women who provided much of the physical and mental power essential to the development of the

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change drastically in the twentieth century. In presenting an overview of the history of organized labor in the United States, it is necessary to mention two integral bodies which formed the backbone of unionism in the United States. These were the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). In the history of the former, the efforts of the energetic Samuel Gompers were essential in the building of the organization as a viable body. Gompers was selected as the first president of the AFL and served in that capacity until his death in 1924. Gompers' success in this organization may be attributed to his vision of a particular type of unionism. This type, sometimes characterized as "pure and simple" unionism, places its focus on the achievement of immediate gains, for example higher wages and shorter working hours. In actual practice, this type of unionism had a variety of facets, all of which reflected certain historical experiences. The organization was primarily by craftunits, leadership by nonworker intellectuals was resisted, and gains were to be won by the simple economic power of unions rather than by any legislative action. Economically, this was most in evidence in that wor
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2835
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)

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