International Workers
Labor Without Borders: From Diplomacy to International Solidarity
The American labor movement has a long history of engaging in international affairs. At the turn of the 20th century, American Federation of Labor (AFL) President Samuel Gompers spoke out against imperialism and in support of independence and democracy in countries beginning to emerge from colonialization.
World War I and the Russian revolution shifted the AFL politically to the right. Facing competition for leadership of the movement from leftwing activists, the AFL leaders realigned themselves with U.S. foreign policy and anti-communist forces around the world. During most of the 20th century, the American labor movement regularly supported conservative unions and right-wing political organizations as partners in the resistance against communism. There were exceptions to these conservative stances when American labor allied with popular progressive forces such as the anti-Nazi movement, opposed the racist Apartheid regime in South Africa, and supported Solidarnosc, an independent union movement in Poland.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) began to shift its focus away from anti-communism and became more critical of U.S. foreign policy. Today, the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center focuses on promoting human rights, gender equality, immigrants’ rights, and union organizing around the world.
American Federation of Labor President Samuel Gompers visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico, in support of the local labor movement, 1904. AFL-CIO Still Images Collection.
AFL-CIO poster supporting Solidarnosc, the independent union which led the successful movement for democracy in Poland, 1980s. AFL-CIO Posters, Broadsides, and Art Collection.
Anti-apartheid poster advocating the union supported campaign for corporate divestment from racist South Africa, 1985. AFL-CIO Posters, Broadsides, and Art Collection.
Thank you letter for relief supplies provided to Poland. AFL-CIO International Affairs Department Records, Jay Lovestone Files.
Maria Zachariasieurcz to the Labor League for Human Rights and the American Federation of Labor. August 8, 1949.
Resolution on South Africa. Circular from the Eighth World Congress, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which included the AFL-CIO. Brussels. August 2, 1965. AFL-CIO International Affairs Department Records, International Labor Organization Activities.
Around the World with LBJ in Fourteen Days, May 9-24, 1961. George Meany Memorial Archives Records, Vertical Files.
A report documenting an international diplomatic tour with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson by James A. Suffridge, Retail Clerks International Association. It includes eyewitness accounts of the status of the labor movements in Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Greece and Libya.
Solidarnosc buttons, circa 1980s. AFL-CIO Artifact Collection.
Buttons expressing support for the independent democratic labor movement in Poland. "Solidarnosc" is the Polish word for "Solidarity." The organization was founded in 1980 and played a major role in establishing a democratic government. Solidarnosc continues today as a major labor union.
Solidarity for Freedom. AFL-CIO News. May 2, 1959. Cartoonist LeBaron Coakley. AFL-CIO Information Department Records, Cartoons.
Cartoon celebrating the ten year anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. It symbolizes AFL-CIO support for American cold war foreign policy against the Soviet bloc countries.
A Communist Plot Against Poland: An Appeal. Stefan Korbonski, Chairman, Polish Council of Unity in the USA, to the United States Congress. February 7, 1976. AFL-CIO International Affairs Department Records, Country Files.
Letter calling for the United States Congress to support the enforcement of the 1975 Helsinki Accords regarding human rights in Eastern Europe, including the right to organize freely elected and democratic unions.
Chest for Liberation of Workers of Europe. William Green, AFL President, to National Unions, State Federation of Labor, City Central Bodies and Directly Affiliated Local Unions. June 11, 1935. AFL-CIO Legislative Department Records.
Letter calling for the American labor movement to support a boycott of goods and services produced in Nazi Germany, organize educational efforts to counter Nazi propaganda, and raise money for European refugee union leaders and underground labor organizing.
Letter asking the AFL-CIO to oppose the 1975 Helsinki Accords. Dr. Julius Szygowski, Diplomatic Representative, Polish Government in-Exile, to George Meany, President AFL-CIO. August 2, 1975. AFL-CIO International Affairs Department, Country Files.
AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland speaking at the first National Congress of Solidarnosc. 1981. AFL-CIO Private Donations, Lane Kirkland Papers.
In 1980, Solidarnosc emerged as a movement of millions of Polish workers aimed at establishing a democratic society, including independent labor unions. The AFL-CIO has supported this movement from its founding.
Joint Statement of the AFL-CIO and Domei Kaigi. February 19, 1963. AFL-CIO Information Department Records, Press Releases.
Press release declaring the intention of the AFL-CIO and the Japanese labor federation, Domei Kaigi, to promote a free and democratic labor movement in Asia.