The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merge on December 5, 1955, creating the AFL-CIO with 16 million members representing one-third of American workers. George Meany, the conservative plumber who led the AFL, becomes president, while the more progressive …
George MeanyWalter ReutherAmerican Federation of LaborCongress of Industrial OrganizationsAFL-CIOlaborunionslabor-consolidationlabor-politicscold-war
Congress passes the Communist Control Act of 1954, preventing members of the Communist Party from holding office in labor unions and other labor organizations. The legislation represents the culmination of systematic efforts to weaponize anti-communism against labor organizing, following the …
U.S. CongressDwight EisenhowerHouse Un-American Activities CommitteeAmerican Federation of LaborCongress of Industrial Organizationslabor-suppressionmccarthyismanti-communismred-scareunion-busting+1 more
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) holds its eleventh annual convention in Cleveland and expels two member unions, the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) and the Farm Equipment Workers, for alleged “disloyalty to the CIO” and support for the …
Congress of Industrial OrganizationsPhilip MurrayWalter ReutherUnited Electrical, Radio and Machine WorkersFarm Equipment Workers+1 morelabor-suppressionred-scareanti-communismunion-bustingmccarthyism+1 more
The Congress of Industrial Organizations launches Operation Dixie in spring 1946, the most ambitious post-World War II campaign to unionize industry in the Southern United States, particularly targeting the textile industry across 12 Southern states. A permanent Southern Organizing Committee is …
Congress of Industrial OrganizationsVan BittnerGeorge BaldanziUnited Auto WorkersUnited Electrical Workers+4 morelabor-organizingoperation-dixieciocorporate-violenceracial-politics+2 more
Congress overrides President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s veto to pass the Smith-Connally Act (War Labor Disputes Act), which prohibits unions from making contributions in federal elections and empowers the federal government to seize industries threatened by strikes. The legislation is hurriedly …
Howard W. SmithTom ConnallyFranklin D. RooseveltCongress of Industrial OrganizationsUnited Mine Workers+1 morelabor-suppressioncampaign-financepolitical-action-committeesunion-bustingcongressional-action+1 more