The Knights of Labor was a trade union organization founded in 1869 that fought for workers’ rights. They operated in secret due to laws favoring employers, and their membership was diverse but excluded certain professions and African Americans in the South. The organization was eventually replaced by the American Federation of Labor.
Founded in 1869, the Noble and Sacred Order of the Knights of Labor was an organization that campaigned for trade union rights during the latter part of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known to most people simply as the Knights of Labour, the group represented about 19 union members during its height of power. The organization was eventually replaced by the American Federation of Labor. In the 20th, the last members dissolved the organization and joined the largest labor collective.
During the period in which the Cavalieri del Lavoro operated, trade unions were largely not accepted by society at large. Local laws generally sided with business owners and management, allowing employers to prevent the public formation of workplace unions. Most workers had to decide whether to support the union or if they wanted to keep their jobs. Therefore, many workers would have to meet in secret and organize outside the parameters of legal authority, often posing as fraternities and men’s clubs.
In late December 1869, seven Philadelphia tailors met under the leadership of Uriah Smith Stephens. Based on the concepts of the Freemasons, the group created some secret rituals and procedures that became the standard of the Knights of Labor. During its early days, the organization’s name was kept a secret from the public. This has led to many of the union’s factions being labeled criminal groups. In response, many of the secrets were divulged in 1878, just as membership began to skyrocket.
Each local group of the Cavalieri del Lavoro was organized with officials elected by the members. The permanent officers included a venerable sage, a great master craftsman, a worthy foreman, a worthy inspector, and an unknown knight. The different positions acted as leaders of the particular union, helping guide the decision-making process and logging the activities at each meeting.
In terms of membership, the Cavalieri del Lavoro were widely known for a certain degree of inclusion among different types of people, while also working against specific groups. Union groups in the North recruited all types of individuals regardless of race, nationality or gender. In the South, however, African Americans were forbidden to enter. Certain professions were also excluded from the organization, namely bankers, doctors, liquor producers, lawyers and stock traders. In 1882, the Knights of Labor united with other unions across the country against Chinese workers.
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