The American Federation of Labor (AFL), founded in 1886, initially allowed membership primarily for certain groups of workers. Here are the groups that were typically allowed to join:
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Skilled Workers: The AFL focused on including skilled tradesmen and craftsmen (e.g., carpenters, electricians, etc.) who were organized into craft unions.
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Trade Unions: Established trade unions that represented skilled trades were allowed to affiliate with the AFL.
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White Male Workers: The organization primarily accepted white male workers, often excluding women and racial minorities.
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Labor Leaders: Leaders of local or regional unions were often represented within the AFL’s structure.
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Craft-based Unions: Unions that represented specific trades or crafts, regardless of the industry, were welcomed, reflecting the AFL's focus on organized labor based on skills.
It's important to note that the AFL's inclusiveness has been criticized for its limited acceptance of diverse and unskilled laborers, particularly in contrast to organizations like the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which sought to organize all workers across industries.
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