The American Federation of Labor (AFL) unified craft unions into a single movement. Due to industrialization, there were many unorganized unskilled workers in mass industries. These workers did not fit into existing craft unions of the AFL because they worked in new industrialized production methods. In 1935, the politics between craft unionism and industrial unionism became contested within the AFL. As the nation industrialized, unskilled factory workers began to displace craftsmen. Technological advances allowed unskilled workers to complete work more quickly than tradesmen. There was a call for industrial unionization — John L. Lewis, determined to organize mass production industries, along with seven other union leaders created the Committee for Industrial Organization as a faction within the AFL in 1935.
The founding eight organizations of the CIO included:
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- United Mine Workers of America
- International Typographical Union
- Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
- International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union
- United Textile Workers
- Oil Workers Union
- United Hatters, Cap and Millinery Workers
- Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers Union
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Always in favor of craft unionism, the AFL was hesitant to organize these industries. The Committee for Industrial Organization understood that the majority of workers did not fit into craft categories, leaving them unorganized. The Committee believed industrial unionism could still be beneficial to skilled workers in the AFL, despite the fear of industrial unions by AFL members. The committee believed that it was easier to create a new union framework for industrial unskilled workers than to try to fit these workers into already existing factions in the AFL.They felt it would be more influential for industrial workers to present demands to their employers together rather than in small trade-based groups.
The AFL leadership denied the Committee’s demands and in 1936 told the Committee to disband and stop efforts or face suspension. The Committee refused and suspension took place later that year.
A formal split of the eight founding union leaders and their respective unions took place in 1938, founding the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). Tensions between the AFL and the CIO persisted. Many unskilled workers wanted to join an organized union, but hesitated to join the CIO if it meant being part of the AFL. After the separation and establishment of the CIO, new AFL members fled to join the CIO. Leadership from the CIO continued to view the AFL as obstructionist craft leadership. From 1935 to 1937, CIO membership grew dramatically from 1 million to 4 million.
