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Craft Union or Industrial Union?
AMFA2000
The AMFA drive, which appears to be rapidly evolving into an
industry-wide movement, is in reality the continuation of a
struggle between the craft unionism concept of workers organizations
versus the theory of industrial unionism. AMFA supporters are
generally adherents to the craft ideology, which holds that
labor unions derive the bulk of their strength from members
skill, not simply the sheer number of workers, and should be
organized accordingly. Conversely, IAM patrons tend to be advocates
of industrial unionism, which espouses the belief that the sheer
numbers of members is the determining factor in the strength
of workers organizations, and all workers within a given industry
should belong to "one big union" An individuals preference often
appears related to his or her skill level, and both philosophies
have gained acceptance during different eras of American labor
history.
During the previous century and well into the 1900s the craft
concept was embraced by most unionists as the only realistic
avenue to strong, powerful worker organizations which could
effectively negotiate better wages, hours and working conditions
for members. The old-line craft unions created the American
Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886 and dominated that organization
until the mid-20th century. These early trade unions, comprised
almost exclusively of skilled craftsmen, vastly improved the
lives of workers. Among their numerous accomplishments: major
increases in wages, the 8-hour work day, the first minimum-wage
law (Massachusetts), creation of the U. S. Department of Labor,
and legislative restrictions on the use of injunctions in labor
disputes. Amazingly, they achieved these impressive gains during
an era renown for government and corporate antagonism toward
workers. All American workers owe a mammoth debt to those skilled
and unionized craftsmen.
Industrial unionism, previously unable to sustain growth and
toting the baggage of several well- publicized and disastrous
strikes, blossomed during the late 1930s. The favorable legislation
of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and dynamic organizing
drives combined to produce great gains in union membership.
In 1938 a group of dissident unions, unhappy with the AFL's
craft union culture, were expelled from the federation. They
formed the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and focused
their efforts on unionizing mass-production workers.
The success of the unskilled workers' organizations was not
rooted in the proven demand for highly trained professionals,
as is true of craft unions. The industrial unions good fortune
was fundamentally dependent upon circumstance: an expanding
economy; beneficial Federal legislation; a regulated business
environment; a dearth of competitive labor and protectionist
trade policies. For a relatively brief period of time these
conditions prevailed in the U. S., particularly in highly regulated
sectors such as trucking, railroads and airlines.
The old craft unions of the AFL became jealous of the growth
and wealth enjoyed by the CIO organizations and began to actively
recruit unskilled workers. Many craft unions, once proud bastions
of skilled artisans with exacting requirements for admittance,
relaxed standards so that anyone willing to pay dues was admitted.
CIO unions aggressively solicited unhappy AFL units. Soon, a
large number of craft unions and industrial unions were distinguishable
in name only.
In 1955 the AFL and CIO merged and the "raids" ceased. The lure
of enhanced revenues proved addictive, though, and craft unions
continued to woo unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Numerous
unions of the old AFL, once the domain of America's most skilled
craftsmen, are now thoroughly dominated and controlled by unskilled
laborers.
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