Congress of Industrial Organizations

Definition

The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was a labor federation in the United States that played a crucial role during the Great Depression by organizing mass production workers into industrial unions, challenging the existing craft union model and advocating for workers' rights and collective bargaining.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The CIO was founded in 1935 by John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers, after he and other labor leaders were expelled from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) for advocating industrial unionism.
2. The CIO successfully organized mass production workers in industries such as steel, auto, and rubber, leading to a significant increase in union membership and worker empowerment during the Great Depression.
3. The CIO's use of sit-down strikes, where workers occupied their workplaces, was a highly effective tactic that forced employers to recognize and bargain with their unions.
4. The CIO's efforts led to the passage of the National Labor Relations Act in 1935, which guaranteed workers the right to organize and bargain collectively, and the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, which established a federal minimum wage and maximum work hours.
5. The CIO's political activism and support for the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped to strengthen the labor movement and improve working conditions for millions of Americans during the Great Depression.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) challenged the existing craft union model and advocated for workers' rights during the Great Depression.
  • The CIO's focus on industrial unionism, which organized all workers in a particular industry rather than by craft or trade, represented a significant departure from the traditional craft union model of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). This strategy allowed the CIO to successfully organize mass production workers in key industries, such as steel, auto, and rubber, leading to a substantial increase in union membership and worker empowerment during the Great Depression. The CIO's use of innovative tactics, like sit-down strikes, forced employers to recognize and bargain with their unions, ultimately contributing to the passage of landmark labor laws, such as the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, which protected workers' rights and improved working conditions.
• Describe the CIO's relationship with the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the impact it had on the labor movement during the Great Depression.
  • The CIO's political activism and support for the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a crucial role in strengthening the labor movement during the Great Depression. The CIO's alignment with the Roosevelt administration and its progressive agenda helped to secure the passage of key labor laws, such as the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, which guaranteed workers the right to organize and bargain collectively, and established federal minimum wage and maximum work hours. This symbiotic relationship between the CIO and the New Deal policies not only empowered workers and improved their working conditions but also contributed to the overall economic recovery and social progress during the challenging times of the Great Depression.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the CIO's organizing efforts and its influence on the evolution of the American labor movement.
  • The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) had a lasting impact on the American labor movement, fundamentally transforming the way workers organized and bargained for their rights. The CIO's successful organizing of mass production workers in key industries, such as steel, auto, and rubber, challenged the traditional craft union model and demonstrated the power of industrial unionism. This shift in organizing strategy, along with the CIO's innovative tactics like sit-down strikes, not only led to a significant increase in union membership during the Great Depression but also paved the way for the labor movement to become a more influential force in shaping workplace policies and broader social and economic reforms. The CIO's close relationship with the New Deal administration and its support for progressive policies further solidified the labor movement's role as a crucial stakeholder in the country's political and economic landscape. The legacy of the CIO's organizing efforts and its impact on the evolution of the American labor movement can still be seen today, as the principles of industrial unionism and collective bargaining continue to shape the rights and protections afforded to workers.

Related terms

Industrial Unionism:

A labor union organizing strategy that focuses on organizing all workers in a particular industry, regardless of their specific job or skill, rather than organizing by craft or trade.

Collective Bargaining:

The process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees to reach agreements that regulate working conditions, wages, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights.

Sit-Down Strike: A labor strike in which workers occupy the workplace and refuse to leave, rather than picketing outside, as a tactic to pressure employers to meet their demands.