Abstract
The merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations entailed a sub stantial alteration in the concepts of union autonomy that animated Samuel Gompers and the other founders of the AFL. The constitutional powers granted to the central federation in such fields as the eradication of corrupt influence, communism, and 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 organizational activities. This need transcends such issues as the availability of money and man power. It requires changes in union structure to parallel the rapid changes technology and corporate mergers are bringing in industry. It also means new types of union involvement in politics and in bargaining strategy through the assignment of more power to the central body.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.