Samuel Gompers, 1850-1924: 'The Grand Old Man of Labor'

In eighteen eighty-one, Mister Gompers was sent as the delegate of the cigar makers union to a conference of unions.  The delegates agreed to organize an alliance called the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada.  The alliance held yearly meeting of national union and local labor councils.  It was designed to educate the public on worker issues, prepare labor-related legislation, and pressure Congress to approve such bills.  Sam Gompers was an officer in the alliance for five years.

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