Term: AFL  (scroll down for definition)

Definition: AFL

The American Federation of Labor was founded as a craft union. A craft union has people of a similar craft, or job, in the same union. Their early leader was Samuel Gompers. Unlike the Knights of Labor, Gompers would strike only when necessary. He favored "bread and butter" issues, like an 8 hour day, and higher wages.

The AFL promoted collective bargaining, where employees met with employers to compromise and discuss differences in contracts.

Here's how you can distinguish the two major unions:

BAGS - Bread Butter Issues/ AFL / Gompers /  Skilled

KUPS - Knights / Unskilled / Powderly / Strike more ... (Unskilled spellers can't spell cups!)

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