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The National Labor Union (NLU) Was founded in 1866 and led by William H. Sylvis. It was the first nation labor federation in the United States. The Nation Labor Union is responsible for the foundation of such organizations as the Knights of Loabor and the American Federation of Labor. The Nation Labor Union’s goal was to bring together all national labor groups and fight for labor reform and bring labor representation to areas of the country where there was none. The National Labor Union was dissolved in 1873.

Origins

The National Labor Union was the first attempt to organize a nation federation of labor in the United States. The idea of a national labor organization was originated before the American Civl War but was not set in motion until 1866. William Harding, president of the Coachmakers’ International Union, and William H. Sylvis, president of the Iron Moulder’s International Union, were the two men responsible for to formation of the National Labor Union.

On August 20th, 1866 in Baltimore, MD a national labor convention was held. The National Labor Union quickly grew in membership. The Chicago Tribune estimated that its membership in 1869 was 800,000. Sylvis estimated the figure at 600,000. Though these numbers are exaggerated the National Labor Union was a large portion of the nation’s labor force.

The National Labor Union was originally composed of groups with similar wants and needs. It was originally made up of 77 delegates representing 50 local trade unions, 13 trade assemblies, five right-hour leagues, and two national trade unions. Ideology

Ideals

The Nation Labor Union was an outgrowth of the American Democratic Movement. Its goals were to restore an equal opportunity for all workers.

The National Labor Union’s major objectives were to unify the labor organizations across the United States and bring labor representation to areas in the country that did not have any. The National Labor also believed strongly in the reforming many of the policies and practices in the country.

A major fear of the workingmen at this time was Monopolies. For many the chief threat to the equality of opportunity was the development of large-scale organizations. The National Labor Union took a staunch antimonopoly stance from the very beginning.  It wanted a complete revamping of the American Society. 

Monetary Reform

The National Labor Union did not call for a monetary reform due to the currency agitation that was affecting the United States at this time.The National Labor Union sought to revamp society. They wanted organize economic life on the basis of a large number of small producers but just one large entity.

The Nation Labor Union believed that all of society's wealth and property was the product of labor. In the eyes of the Nation Labor Union under a just monetary system workers would receive most of the products of their own hard work. They believed that the workers were not receiving their just share. William H. Sylvis publicly attacked the extreme gap that had been formed between the the wealthy and the poor.

U.S. Banking Structure

The members of the National Labor Union regarded the banks in the United States with great hostility. National banks were especially hated. Williams H. Sylvis said that a, “bank in any shape is a licenses swindle; and the greatest swindle ever imposed upon our people is out present national banking system.”

The National Labor Union believed that banks were taking money from the workingmen. They requested that the Federal Government enter the banking field. They advocated a system whereby treasury notes were to be made legal tender in the payment of all debts, public and private.

Tax Reform

The National Labor Union demanded that all government bonds be subject of taxation and that the nation debt be dispensed with as quickly as possible. They believed that the entire tax structure of the United States be dismantled.

On topic that the members of the National Labor Union were passionate about was the reconstruction after the Civil War. Many believe that the wealthy had the most to lose from the war so they should pay a greater proportion of its costs.

William H. Sylvis believed that the tax system, which appointed taxes on a per capita basis, was unjustified. Sylvis said for the, “poor man, with a family of six, pays as much tax in prices he pays to feed and clothe them as his neighbor with his millions, with a family of equal number.” Sylvis wanted a system of progressive income taxation.

Federal Land Policy

The National Labor Union believed that the Homestead act of 1862 was not living up to its expectation. They believed that the land was not being sold at a fair price to actual settlers. The National Labor Union wanted land to be distributed as widely as possible to prevent monopolies and land sold to companies to be taxed.

The Eight Hour Work Day

During the 1860’s there was a major push for an eight hour work day in the United States. When the National Labor Union was first stared many of these groups joined to have their needs heard. Ira Steward was one of the major leads in the fights for a shorter work day. The belief was the factory owners were exploiting their workers and over working them.

Tactics

Communitarianism

The National Labor Union believed that communitarianism would be a more effective tactic to successfully have their needs met. Communitarianism is the system of social organization based on small self-governing communities. This emphasizes the responsibilities of the individual to the community. The National Labor Union saw this as a way to prevent large companies from taking over. This system did not prove successful due lake of money made by the individual groups.

Strikes

The National Labor Union believed in co-operation with the Government rather then the use of strikes. In the past most strikes were unsuccessful. Co-operation with other organizations showed that the National Labor Union were educated and capable.

Political Action

After the the lack of success of communitarianism the National Labor Union began to use political means to get what they wants. In 1870 the National Labor Party was started. For the 1872 presidential election the National Labor convention was held in Columbus, Ohio. Judge Davis Davis of Illinois and Governor Joel M. Park of New Jersey were chosen as the President and Vice President candidates. Judge Davis withdrew from the election after the Democratic party announced their candidates. No one replaced Davis and the National Labor Party disappeared as active bodies.

African Americans, Women, and Contract Laborers

African American Laborers

One of the issues that the National Labor Union had with unifying the United States’ labor unions was the African American labor force. Emancipation had intensified old rivalries between African American and white workers in the South. Many members of the National Labor Union did not want to talk about this problem and would have rather avoided the topic.

By the time that the National Labor Union began to discuss the idea of letting African them join, many African Americans had begun o start their own labor organizations. Many of the black laborers were hired because they would get paid less and they were used to break strikes.

The National Labor Union did finally accept African Americans into their organization. They would recognize no color and they invited all Negro labor organizations to send delegates to their meetings. The National Labor Unions openness to African American served useless because the trade unions would not accept black workers.

Woman Labor

Women laborers in the United States were also used because they could be paied less then man and they could break up strikes. The National Labor Unions original stance of women was vague but they later stood up equal rights and pay for women.

Contract Labor

The National Labor Union was not against the use of european labor but they objected to the importation of contract labo specifically designed to lower wages and break strikes. They believed that contract labor needed to be regulated and that co-operation between international workingmen could be the answer.

Matison, Sumner. “The Labor Movement and The Negro During Reconstruction.” The Journal of Negro History
Vol. 33, No. 4 (Oct., 1948), pp. 426-468 Grob, Gerald. “Reform Unionism: The National Labor Union”. The Journal of Economic History
Vol. 14, No. 2 (Spring, 1954), pp. 126-142 Oakes, James. McGerr,Michael. Ellen Lewis, Jan. Cullather, Nick. Boydston, Jeanne. “The Rise and Fall of the National Labor Union.” Of the People: A Histoy of the United States Vol.1, p.473-474