Samuel Gompers
Definition
Samuel Gompers was an English-born American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. He founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and served as its president for nearly four decades, from 1886 to 1924.
Analogy
Think of Samuel Gompers as the "coach" of a sports team, but instead of athletes, he's leading workers. Just like a coach who strategizes to win games, Gompers organized workers to fight for better wages, working conditions, and hours.
Related terms
Collective Bargaining: This is a process where workers negotiate as a group with their employers over wages, benefits, and working conditions. It's like haggling at a market but on a much larger scale - instead of one person trying to get a good deal on apples, it's thousands of people trying to get fair pay and safe workplaces.
American Federation of Labor (AFL): The AFL was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It’s like an umbrella that shelters various smaller unions under its protection and advocacy.
Trade Unionism: This refers to activities concerning the association of workers in trade unions. Imagine it as being part of a club where everyone has similar interests or jobs - except this club fights for your rights at work.
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