Who is known as a key labor leader and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor?

Samuel Gompers is recognized as a pivotal figure in the American labor movement and is most notably known as the co-founder and long-time president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). He played a significant role in advocating for workers' rights and was instrumental in promoting a collective bargaining approach to labor relations, emphasizing better wages, hours, and working conditions. Gompers believed in the importance of unionism and sought to organize skilled workers to achieve these aims effectively.

Under his leadership, the AFL focused on organizing trade unionism rather than seeking political solutions, which shifted the labor movement's dynamics in the United States. His strategies and policies laid the foundation for many of the labor rights that workers enjoy today. Gompers’ commitment to improving the lives of working people helped solidify the importance of organized labor in the U.S. economy and society.

In contrast, John L. Lewis is known for his role in the mine workers' union and the establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), while Eugene V. Debs was a prominent socialist leader and founder of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), focusing more on political and social change rather than direct labor organization. Cesar Chavez is famous for his work with farmworkers