Congress of Industrial Organizations

Congress of Industrial Organizations

The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was a federation of labor unions in the United States that existed from 1935 to 1955. It played a significant role in the labor movement and helped improve the working conditions and rights of American workers during its existence.

Formation

The CIO was formed in 1935 as a result of a split from the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Led by John L. Lewis, the CIO aimed to organize industrial workers, particularly those in mass production industries such as automobile manufacturing and steel production. The split was primarily due to disagreements over the AFL's reluctance to organize workers in these industries.

Organizing Strategy

The CIO adopted a more aggressive organizing strategy compared to the AFL. It focused on organizing workers in specific industries rather than by craft, which was the traditional approach of the AFL. This approach allowed the CIO to bring together workers from different trades within the same industry, enabling them to collectively bargain for better wages, working conditions, and benefits.

Major Achievements

One of the major achievements of the CIO was the successful organization of the automobile industry. Through strikes and negotiations, the CIO was able to secure better wages and working conditions for auto workers, leading to the establishment of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) as one of the most powerful unions in the country.

Another significant achievement of the CIO was its role in the passage of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935. This legislation protected workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively, providing a legal framework for the labor movement.

Decline and Merger

In the 1950s, the CIO faced challenges from anti-union sentiments and the rise of McCarthyism. Many of its member unions were targeted by government investigations and faced accusations of communist influence. Additionally, the AFL and CIO began exploring the possibility of reuniting to present a stronger front against these challenges.

In 1955, the AFL and CIO merged to form the AFL-CIO, which still exists today as the largest federation of labor unions in the United States. The merger brought together the craft-based unions of the AFL with the industrial unions of the CIO, creating a more unified labor movement.

Legacy

The CIO's legacy is significant in the history of the labor movement in the United States. It demonstrated the power of industrial unions and collective bargaining in improving the lives of workers. The organizing strategies and achievements of the CIO paved the way for future labor movements and influenced the development of labor laws and regulations.

See Also

• American Federation of Labor
• United Automobile Workers
• National Labor Relations Act
• AFL-CIO