III.
1. Much confusion prevailed over form and structure up to the formation of the American Federation of Labor. Previous thereto, craft, industrial and "One Big Union" forms operated side by side.
2. This confusion reached its height in the Knights of Labor, a conglomerate body including organizations of all the discontented whether they were merchants, farmers or workers.
3. Soon two ideas crystallized as to form and structure: One element believed that all members irrespective of craft, trade or calling, belong to the same union, and that their affairs should be subjected to the control of the central organization. The other element favored segregation on craft and trade lines, with trade autonomy for each unit. This group consisted largely of wage workers.
IV.
1. Because of the "One Big Union" element which prevailed, the trade union element withdrew and joined the American Federation of Labor. Structurally, this organization believes in international craft or trade unions, with exclusive control over all workers of the trade or craft, and with complete autonomy over their internal affairs.
2. With a few exceptions the prevailing union type at present is the trade rather than the craft union. This was brought about by amalgamations and paralleled the development of large-scale production.
V.
1. With the trustification of industry another step was taken. Unions claiming jurisdiction over workers in trustified industries, joined to carry on organizing campaigns, strikes and bargaining jointly.
2. This is how the iron and steel, packing, railroad, shipbuilding and other trustified industries were organized.
3. To meet the new need, the American Federation of Labor created a Building Trades, Metal Trades, Mining and Railway Employes Department.
4. These intercraft federations and departments are intended to enable trade and craft unions to act as a unit in each industry.
5. They differ from industrial unions in that it remains optional with each union to join or refrain from joining the other unions in the industry, and it can withdraw whenever it sees fit.
6. This form of autonomy has often prevented united action, and has weakened the efforts of the remaining unions.
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