AFL-CIO: A CONFEDERATION OR FEDERATION? WHICH ROAD FOR THE FUTURE?

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 350, S. 36-45

Abstract

The merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations entailed a substantial alteration in the concepts of union autonomy that animated S. Gompers & the other founders of the AFL. The constitutional powers granted to the central federation in such fields as the eradication of corrupt influence, Communism, & racial discrimination, have put meaningful curbs on the freedom of affiliates to exercise their sovereignty in ways that bring discredit on all labor. The problem for labor now is to find ways, through increased authority for the AFL-CIO, to overcome the lag in org'al activities. This need transcends such issues as the availability of money,& manpower. It requires changes in union structure to parallel the rapid changes created by technology & corporate mergers. It also means new types of union involvement in pol & in bargaining strategy, through the assignment of more power to the central body. AA.