Who is known as the "father of the American labor movement"?

Samuel Gompers is recognized as the "father of the American labor movement" due to his significant contributions to the establishment and growth of organized labor in the United States. He was the founder and long-time president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which played a pivotal role in advocating for workers' rights and improving labor conditions. Gompers focused on practical goals for unions, such as better wages, safer working conditions, and reasonable hours, rather than political ideologies. Under his leadership, the AFL grew from a small organization into a major force in American labor, emphasizing the importance of collective bargaining and strikes as tools for negotiation.

This designation as the "father" highlights his influence in shaping labor policies and practices that still resonate in today's labor movements. His legacy is reflected in the structured approach to labor rights that many unions continue to uphold, focusing on the welfare of workers within the framework of capitalism.