What criterion did the CIO use to organize workers into unions?

The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) primarily organized workers into unions based on the criterion of industry. This approach was rooted in the idea of uniting all workers from specific industries, regardless of their skill level or job position, to strengthen their bargaining power. This was especially important in the context of the industrial sector, where many workers faced similar challenges, such as low wages and poor working conditions.

By organizing workers according to their industry, the CIO was able to create a unified front that could more effectively negotiate with employers. This strategy contrasted with the more traditional craft union model, which organized workers by specific trades or skills. Through industry-based organization, the CIO aimed to advocate for the rights and needs of all workers within a particular field, enhancing solidarity and collective action.

In contrast to other potential organizing criteria, such as geographic location, political affiliation, or type of employment contract, focusing on industry allowed the CIO to address the specific interests and issues faced by workers collectively, thereby improving the effectiveness of their efforts in labor movements during the 1930s and beyond.