David K. Stone: Samuel Gompers

Artist: David K. Stone
1922 - 2001
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1986
Image Size: 21.75 by 18 inches
Overall Size: 27 by 23.75 inches
Medium: Oil on Masonite

The history of organized labor in America began in 1882 with Samuel Gompers, who worked in the cigar industry in New York City. Together with Adolph Strasser, Gompers organized the American Federation of Labor (A.F. of L.) -- an organization based, not on the concept of one big national union, but on a federation of quasi-independent trade unions and on "the philosophy of the job." It rejected Marxism and the class struggle as it rejected politics. "We have no ultimate ends," said Gompers, "we go on from day to day, fighting for immediate objectives." Although Gompers and the A.F. of L. dominated labor for half a century, at no time did it embrace the majority of the working class, for it made no effort to organize unskilled laborers, but concentrated on "the aristocracy" of labor -- the building trades, transportation, and manufacturing. In fact, not until 1935, when the head of the United Mine Workers, John L. Lewis, seceded from the A.F. of L. and organized the Congress of Industrial Organization (eventually absorbed by the A.F. of L.) did American workers achieve even a semblance of a unified national union movement. But, Gompers' achievements remain of historic significance: he organized a permanent labor movement, gave it respectability, avoided the pitfalls of politics, and helped write enlightened federal labor legislation. This Cover is postmarked on the anniversary of Gompers' election as President of the A.F. of L. in Columbus, Ohio.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Commemorative Cover for the Shapers of America Collection produced throughout 1986 and 1987.

Artwork Copyright © 1986 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB10584

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