History

History

The Chicago Federation of Labor was founded in 1896 as a way to strengthen the efforts of individual local unions by creating a unified voice for the labor movement in the Chicago area.

Chicago is considered by many as the birthplace of the American labor movement, home to more “Local 1” unions than any other city and the movement for the eight-hour day. 

First organized as the General Trades Assembly in 1864 and later the Trades Council and Trades and Labor Assembly, it was finally reorganized as the Chicago Federation of Labor and received its charter from the American Federation of Labor on November 9, 1896. 

From the Haymarket Affair in 1886 spurred by the fight for the eight-hour day, to the Pullman railroad strike in 1894 over corporate greed and poverty, to the Memorial Day Massacre during the “Little Steel” strikes in 1937, Chicago’s rich labor history stems back to the formative years of our nation’s economy and the modern labor movement. 

Today, Chicago’s union members continue to be students of history and the struggles of the men and women who fought for fairness, justice and equality at work. 

The Presidents of the Chicago Federation of Labor

2010-Present   Jorge Ramirez

2002-2010       Dennis J. Gannon

1995-2002       Don Turner

1994-1995       Michael Bruton

1987-1994       Robert Healey

1984-1986       Edward F. Brabec

1946-1984       William A. Lee

1905-1908,      John Fitzpatrick

1909-1946       John Fitzpatrick

1908               Charles M. Dold

1896               Thomas Morgan