Labor leader Samuel Gompers was the president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), for 38 years, after he first founded the labor federation in 1886.

It consisted mostly of skilled labor craft unions. While active, the AFL fought for better pay, safer working conditions, and more worker or union control over jobs.

Early in its history, it help organize or fund new unions, including the United Brotherhood of Teamsters and American Federation of Musicians unions.

In 1955, the AFL merged with the CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations), to form the AFL-CIO.

A total of 61 major unions are part of the AFL-CIO, including the unions that represent airline pilots, teachers, fire fighters, police, air traffic controllers, postal workers, and screen actors.

The Gompers memorial is located is a small park.

Samuel Gompers Memorial statue
L Street, NW, between 10th and 11 Street at Massachusetts Ave.
Washington, DC  (map it)

Dates and Times – Open to the public 24-hours daily.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Mt. Vernon Sq. 7th St-Convention Center – Green and Yellow line, then a 3-block walk.

Parking – Metered street parking is available in the area.

Images – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti  ___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler