Abstract
This paper describes the AFL-CIO from its beginning as a representative of organized labor in the US. First, the paper describes the history of this organization and the merger between the The American Federation of Labor (AFL)and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). The paper highlights the differences between the two groups and how they managed their conflicts within the organization.

From the Paper
"From its beginning, organized labor has never had one cohesive definitive direction and philosophy. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) formed in 1881, and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed in 1935 had very different visions. The AFL supported trade specific workers, such as printers and electricians. It did not believe in large scale union organization within specific industries. Conversely, CIO focused on organizing specific industries such as the auto, steel and mine workers. . With polarized philosophies on labor, the merger of the AFL and CIO in..."

Tags:afl, cio, split, labor unions

Abstract
This paper discusses the current split within the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) union federation. It describes the history of the separate organizations and the history of their merger. It then discusses the changes that have occurred since the AFL-CIO merger. It also looks at the implications of the split within the merged organization and its implications.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
History
A Changing Workplace
The Split
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Acuff says the working relationship with the disaffiliated unions is difficult, but the AFL-CIO's goal is still to someday return those unions to the AFL-CIO fold. There's no question that labor must change to attract workers. But perhaps unions may have a chance for resurgence with the current undercutting of the middle class that is prevalent in the United States today. However, in order for that to be the case, unions must make their commitment to the worker their major priority. While politics is important (politics influences public policy), it cannot be first and center. The worker must perceive there is a benefit to union membership, and that benefit is to work to protect the individual workers rights."

Tags:union, policy, labor, merger

Abstract
This paper examines the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest association of organized labor in the United States. The paper looks at the key issues of the organization, such as its attempt to influence politics, its position on Iraq, its focus on civil rights, its stance on immigration and its role as an umbrella organization. The paper discusses the organization's methods to achieve its goals and notes the challenges it faces in the future.

From the Paper
"The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the largest association of organized labor in the United States, representing roughly 13 million of the country's estimated 16.4 million union members. It is an umbrella organization, consisting of 86 different national and international unions, and has members employed in virtually every field (Ness, 2002, p. 359). With its mission to "unify the diverse interests of organized labor into a single voice," the AFL-CIO coordinates its national program on a state and local level through state and regional branches of the organization. They have 50 state federations of labor and more than 600 central labor councils. These organizations formulate national policy and coordinate state and regional activities (Ness, 2002, p. 361). The union itself is headed by the President and the Executive Council."

Tags:lobbying, worker, rights, immigration, umbrella, organization

Abstract
The paper discusses how the AFL-CIO, the nation's most famous union, continues to act as an advocate for workers in areas of topical concern, such as expanding healthcare to all Americans. The paper also discusses how the union is fighting against gender and racial discrimination inflicted upon workers all over the world. The paper explains that wage discrimination embraces everything from fair pay issues, to harassment and discrimination in the workplace, as well as traditional union issues like family leave and benefits.

From the Paper
"At a time when American organized labor unions are declining in their political and cultural influence, the AFL-CIO, the nation's most famous union, continues to act as an advocate for workers in areas of topical concern, such as expanding healthcare to all Americans, and fighting against gender and racial discrimination inflicted upon workers all over the world.
"Although the union has in the past won comprehensive health care coverage for many of its members during individual negotiations, in tribute to its philosophy to stand proud for all workers' rights, the union is currently actively lobbying the U.S. congress for national health care coverage for all Americans. The AFL-CIO website contains a link to a petition that everyone surfing the website can sign, union members and non-members alike."

Tags:healthcare, coverage, gender, race, discrimination, harassment, benefits

Abstract
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a federation of autonomous labor unions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and U.S. dependencies, was formed in 1955 by the merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). This paper traces the history of the AFL-CIO, including the events that led up to the 1955 merger. It also discusses the organization's political leanings, operations, and presidents.

From the Paper
"From the start of Kirkland's term, the AFL-CIO was forced to adapt to a number of adverse economic trends. Union membership dropped from 33% of all U.S. workers in 1960 to 14% in the late 1990s. To shore up organized labor's declining influence, the AFL-CIO concentrated on organizing service workers and public employees and improving labor unity. In 1981 the UAW rejoined the union; the Teamsters (1988) and United Mine Workers (1989) later followed."

Tags:UAW, social, welfare, Knights, of, Labor

Abstract
This paper focuses on the rise and fall of the Extreme Football League (XFL), founded by Mr. Vince McMahon, President of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The paper explains that McMahon modeled the XFL, a joint venture between the XFL and NBC network, on the WWE, an example of great success; however, the XFL lasted only one season. The paper poses the question of why the XFL failed, opining that McMahon should have shaped it more closely to the indoor Arena Football League (AFL). The paper aims to identify other reasons for failure, also citing the fact that Mr. McMahon was the only owner. The paper concludes that if the XFL had been molded to match the AFL rather than the WWE, it would still be active today.

From the Paper
"Due to the nature of the XFL, Mr. McMahon had to be an innovator to differentiate his league from the NFL. However, "management seeks to produce predictability and order"
(Robbins & Judge, 2007). In the XFL, there was a different product with more people involved on the field at the same time. Mr. McMahon ended up managing the XFL as if there were too many variables as compared to the WWE. So why did the XFL fail? The first reason was Mr. McMahon was the only owner in the league. Mr. McMahon didn't have other owners in select cities to ask for suggestions, input, or gain direction. How then could Mr. McMahon put a product on the field without having the correct objective input? Mr. McMahon didn't have a system of checks and balances like the NFL has with other owners in the league. Second, Mr. McMahon ran the XFL like it was the WWE. Mr. McMahon didn't script the outcome of games but he had complete power. Mr. McMahon had the power to hire and fire anyone within the XFL. Third, the games were played on Saturday nights when the prime demographic of the XFL targeted the 12-24year old males. Statics proved that Saturday night was the least likely watch night for anything on TV."

Tags:wwe, wrestling, federation, McMahon

Abstract
The new leadership in the AFL-CIO is committed to putting the ?movement? back into the ?labor movement,? and there is now an opportunity for reflection on the role and strategy of organized labor in our society. This paper questions whether unions really matter anymore, and if they do, what their mission should be. Specifically, it asks whether there is a need to build a movement simply to represent our own members, or whether this movement have a wider role in society as a whole. Does the fate of the labor movement and workers? rights in the workplace concern more than the ranks of organized labor?

From the Paper
"For too long, there has been an irrational and self-defeating division of duties among progressives in the US Union workplaces, while other groups - the so-called social movements and identity groups - organize in the community. Even the term "labor movement" has been reduced to mean simply trade unions, which are supposed to focus on narrowly defined bread-and-butter workplace issues - wages and benefits. This topical and organizational division of turf misleadingly implies that there is an easy division between workplace issues and other social struggles. Furthermore, it suggests that wages and benefits are somehow unifying and other social issues are divisive (Blanton 2003). These separate spheres of influence have resulted in the sad fact that US progressives have often marched in solidarity with labor movements and workers around the world, but often fail to consider the working majority here at home."

Tags:wage, benefit, rights, privelege, pension, worker

Abstract
This seven-page undergraduate research paper discusses the career of American labor leader and AFL-CIO president George Meany, and evaluates what factors accounted for Meany's success and failures as a labor leader.

Abstract
This paper recounts the beginnings of the Super Bowl by first looking at the creation of the AFL. It looks at the role television had in the success of the Super Bowl and the tremendous amounts of money spent by both leagues which encouraged fans to pick sides. The continued success of the Super Bowl and some of the factors that contribute to its success (half time shows, commercial airtime) are also discussed.

From the Paper
"By 1968, the year of Super Bowl I, America accounted for over 78million households with televisions (out of a worldwide 200million) and its popularity was ever increasing. At this point, television shows that are now steady re-runs on Nick at Nite, were entertaining Americans as they lived their "American Dream". Televised football games were highly popular (much like today) and were a ready source of commercial income for broadcast stations and football franchises. Television programs and commercials were defining what Americans should buy, eat and live by. It was a viable force then as it is now."

Tags:NFL, football, team, lamar, hunt, franchise, commissioner, lombardi, national, american, league

Abstract
The book "Not Your Father's Union Movement", edited by Jo-Ann Mort, is comprised of eighteen articles covering many of the central issues in the changing world of union activism. The paper shows that the main argument of the book is that the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has undergone complete reorganization to meet the needs of working families in a changing economy and also to rebuild the critical link in fighting for worker's rights in a progressive and egalitarian America.

From the Paper
"The emphasis of the Bensinger article and many of the others in this book is on the argument that effective organization is the key to the re-emergence of the union as a powerful social, economic, and political force in society on behalf of those whom the corporations would exploit, if not intimidate and discourage into silence. Organization is the key to union success because it mobilizes workers and brings them together in a cooperative atmosphere which results in effective action (such as the HERE "sip-in" and marches), which, in turn, solidifies members' determination to fight for better pay and working conditions. In addition, success breeds more success, which convinces workers to see the fight through to little victory upon little victory at the local level, and this leads to bigger victories at the national level."

Tags:Dissent, John, Sweeney, Service, Employees