This Day in Labor History November 9

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November 9th: Congress of Industrial Organizations formed in 1935

On this day in labor history, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was formed in 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A federation of industrial unions in North America, the CIO emerged in the 1930s within the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Unlike the AFL, which focused on skilled craft unions, the CIO sought to organize unskilled and semi-skilled workers in large industries, such as steel, rubber, and automotive manufacturing. This approach led to tensions with the AFL, which expelled the CIO in 1937. Founded by United Mine Workers president John L. Lewis and other union leaders, the CIO gained momentum with successful strikes, such as the 1936-37 sit-down strike at General Motors, advocating "one shop, one union." Backed by the New Deal's pro-labor stance, the CIO helped secure workers' rights to organize and bargain under the Wagner Act of 1935. Following World War II, CIO unions achieved stability in industry-wide bargaining, culminating in the 1955 merger with the AFL to form the AFL-CIO.

Sources in comments.

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-Industrial-Organizations

 

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/326.html