Samuel Gompers and the American Federation of Labor in Puerto Rico

This article focuses on the role that Samuel Gompers and the American Federation of Labor played in Puerto Rico during the early years of the twentieth century. Specifically, it traces the origins of the Federación Libre s association to AFL and Gompers effort to promote his views among workers on the island. It also examines his thinking in regard to the relationship of Puerto Rico to the United States, as well as the aid the American Federation of Labor provided the FLT. It shows the AFL provided the Federación Libre important political, financial, and organizational support and protected the rights of island workers to organize labor unions and strike for higher pay, shorter hours of work, and better labor conditions. Samuel Gompers and the American Federation of Labor also campaigned to safeguard their freedom of assembly and their rights to free speech and a free press. In addition, the AFL provided the FLT the services of paid labor organizers and strike fund benefits. Organizationally, it facilitated the growth of the island s labor movement by commissioning and monitoring the work of local volunteer organizers and by chartering labor unions. This assistance allowed the FLT to survive in the context of the hostile, and very often violent, opposition of local employers and government officials. This essay proves that the AFL played a significant part in the history of organized labor in Puerto Rico, but questions the extent to which this influence determined its politics.