The AMFA drive, which appears to be rapidly evolving into an industry-wide movement, is in reality the continuation of a struggle between the craft unionism concept of workers organizations versus the theory of industrial unionism. AMFA supporters are generally adherents to the craft ideology, which holds that labor unions derive the bulk of their strength from member's skill, not simply the sheer number of workers, and should be organized accordingly. Conversely, TWU patrons tend to be advocates of the industrial unionism, which espouses the belief that the sheer numbers of members in the determining factor in strength of workers organizations, and all workers within a given industry should belong to "one big union" An individuals preference often appears related to his or her skill level, and both philosophies have gained acceptance during different eras of American labor history.

During the previous century and well into the 1900s the craft concept was embraced by most unionists as the only realistic avenue to strong, powerful worker organizations which could effectively negotiate better wages, hours and working conditions for members. The old-line craft unions created the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886 and dominated the organization until the mid-20th century. These early trade unions, comprised almost exclusively of skilled craftsmen, vastly improved the lives of workers. Among their numerous accomplishments:

Major increases in wages, The 8-hour work day, The first minimum-wage law (Massachusetts), creation of the U.S. Department of Labor, and legislative restrictions on the use of injunctions in labor disputes. Amazingly, they achieved these impressive gains during an era renowned for government and corporate antagonism toward workers.

All-American workers owe a mammoth debt to those skilled and unionized craftsmen.

Industrial unionism, previously unable to sustain growth and toting the baggage of several well- publicized and disastrous strikes, blossomed during the late 1930s. The favorable legislation of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and dynamic organizing drives combined to produce great gains in union membership. In 1938 a group of dissident unions, unhappy with the AFL's craft union culture, were expelled from the federation. They formed the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and focused their efforts on unionizing mass-production workers. The success of the unskilled workers' organizations was not rooted in the proven demand for highly trained professionals, as is true of craft unions. The industrial unions good fortune was fundamentally dependent upon circumstance: an expanding economy; beneficial Federal legislation; a regulated business environment; a dearth of competitive labor and projectionist trade policies. For a relatively brief period of time these conditions prevailed in the U.S., particularly in highly regulated sectors such as trucking, railroads and airlines.

The old craft unions of the AFL became jealous of the growth and wealth enjoyed by the CIO organizations and began to actively recruit unskilled workers. Many craft unions, once proud bastions of skill artisans with exacting requirements for admittance, relaxed standards so that anyone willing to pay dues was admitted. CIO unions aggressively solicited unhappy AFL units. Soon, a large number of craft unions and industrial unions were distinguishable in name only.

In 1955 the AFL and CIO merged and the "raids" ceased. The lure of enhanced revenues proved addictive, though, and craft unions continued to woo unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Numerous unions of the old AFL, once the domain of America's most skilled craftsmen, are now thoroughly dominated and controlled by unskilled labors.

References:

"The Encyclopedia Americana" International Edition, 1994. Vol. 16, Pg. 621-634

"Labor in America" by Foster Rhea Dulles & Melvin Dubofsky, 1993, 5th edition. Published by Harlan Davidson, Inc.

"THE FIGHTING MACHINISTS" by Robert G. Rodden. Published by Kelly Press, Inc., Washington, DC.

"Academic American Encyclopedia" 1989. Vol. 12 pg. 152-156.