1887 Massachusetts State Federation of Labor Founded, "Labor Leader" begins Publication

Emblem of the American Federation of Labor

During the 1880’s, workers were a little tired of the Knights of Labor’s promises and lofty ambitions and wanted to see real results for their sacrifices in the Labor Movement. The American Federation of Labor provided the real results as they stepped back from the lofty ideals of the Knights of Labor and substituted them with a more down to earth Labor Movement; working within the system. The principles of the Knights of Labor, such as unity and solidarity among workers, were not forgotten, but the AFL aimed for bottom line results such as higher wages and shorter hours.

The Massachusetts Federation of Labor was formed as the state branch of the American Federation of Labor in 1887. One of founders of the state federation was Frank Foster who also began to publish the Labor Leader, a newspaper dedicated to the Labor Movement, in 1887. One of the principle differences between the Knights of Labor and the AFL was that the Knights wanted all workers to be united regardless of trade, and the AFL felt that working people had more in common with workers of their same trade and therefore should be further united with those workers. The AFL promoted the creation of new unions for different trades and became the unifying group between the different unions and regional Central Labor Councils.

Another principle difference between the Knights of Labor and the newly formed American Federation of Labor was the idea of inclusiveness. The Knights believed that all workers should be united regardless of trade, sex or race. The AFL’s policy on organizing African-Americans and women was much less inclusive than their predecessors in the Knights of Labor. The AFL also was reluctant to include foreign born workers and immigrants in large numbers.

Though the AFL did not go to any great lengths in its early days to include African-Americans, women or immigrants, many local unions, such as the hod carriers and brewers did include some minority groups. The AFL also aimed to benefit all workers by pushing the Massachusetts Legislature for a restoration of wages after the Depression of the 1890s and for better working conditions and hours.

The Massachusetts Federation also began a Union-Label campaign to add an economic force to the Labor Movement. Labels placed on things such as Union Made cigars and clothing indicated to consumers that those products were made by skilled union workers. Regional Central Labor Unions in Massachusetts also led boycotts of goods produced by anti-worker manufacturers.