Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance
Encyclopedia
The Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance - commonly abbreviated STLA or ST&LA - was a revolutionary socialist labor union
in the United States closely linked to the Socialist Labor Party (SLP), which existed from 1895 until becoming a part of the Industrial Workers of the World
at its founding in 1905.
The idea to found the Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance likely came from Daniel DeLeon, a leader in the Socialist Labor Party. Before 1895, DeLeon and the SLP had worked within the Knights of Labor
, but then they were driven out. On December 6, 1895, members of the Knights met in New York City to found the STLA. At the following convention of the SLP in 1896, it formally endorsed the Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance. Hugo Vogt represented the labor union at the convention and promised that it would "not be affiliated with any capitalist party and will not spport any political action except that of the Socialist Labor Party."
The organization of the STLA was very similar to that of the Knights of Labor. It differed from the American Labor Union
and the IWW, which it would later become a part of, in that it was not structured industrially
. It radically resented the established trade unions, like the American Federation of Labor
; its Declaration of Principles asserted that "the methods and spirit of labor organization are absolutely impotent to resist the aggressions of organized capital".
The union was, however, never able to reach a mass following. Even at the most liberal estimate, it never had more than 15,000 members. It did not control any large factories and was only able to organize one significant strike
- in Slatersville
, Rhode Island (now part of North Smithfield) -, which was, however, a great failure. In 1905, at that union's founding convention, the STLA became a part of the Industrial Workers of the World, an industrial union. Some in the IWW feared that DeLeon, who became an important leader in the organization, would attempt to make it a shadow of the SLP, as the STLA had been. In 1908, the IWW was split
and DeLeon and some of his fellow STLA members left it.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
in the United States closely linked to the Socialist Labor Party (SLP), which existed from 1895 until becoming a part of the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
at its founding in 1905.
The idea to found the Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance likely came from Daniel DeLeon, a leader in the Socialist Labor Party. Before 1895, DeLeon and the SLP had worked within the Knights of Labor
Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was the largest and one of the most important American labor organizations of the 1880s. Its most important leader was Terence Powderly...
, but then they were driven out. On December 6, 1895, members of the Knights met in New York City to found the STLA. At the following convention of the SLP in 1896, it formally endorsed the Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance. Hugo Vogt represented the labor union at the convention and promised that it would "not be affiliated with any capitalist party and will not spport any political action except that of the Socialist Labor Party."
The organization of the STLA was very similar to that of the Knights of Labor. It differed from the American Labor Union
American Labor Union
When the Western Labor Union , a labor federation formed by the Western Federation of Miners, decided to overtly challenge the American Federation of Labor in 1902, it changed its name to the American Labor Union . The ALU was created because the WFM wanted a class-wide labor body with which to...
and the IWW, which it would later become a part of, in that it was not structured industrially
Industrial unionism
Industrial unionism is a labor union organizing method through which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union—regardless of skill or trade—thus giving workers in one industry, or in all industries, more leverage in bargaining and in strike situations...
. It radically resented the established trade unions, like the American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
; its Declaration of Principles asserted that "the methods and spirit of labor organization are absolutely impotent to resist the aggressions of organized capital".
The union was, however, never able to reach a mass following. Even at the most liberal estimate, it never had more than 15,000 members. It did not control any large factories and was only able to organize one significant strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
- in Slatersville
Slatersville, Rhode Island
Slatersville is a village on the Branch River in the town of North Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States. It includes the Slatersville Historic District, a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
, Rhode Island (now part of North Smithfield) -, which was, however, a great failure. In 1905, at that union's founding convention, the STLA became a part of the Industrial Workers of the World, an industrial union. Some in the IWW feared that DeLeon, who became an important leader in the organization, would attempt to make it a shadow of the SLP, as the STLA had been. In 1908, the IWW was split
Industrial Workers of the World organizational evolution
The Industrial Workers of the World is a union of wage workers which was formed in Chicago in 1905. The IWW experienced a number of divisions and splits during its early history....
and DeLeon and some of his fellow STLA members left it.
Archives
- Guide to the Socialist Labor Party Records, 1877-1907. Collection Number: 5168. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.Consist of the official records of the Socialist Labor Party from its organization in 1877 until 1907. Retrieved September 19, 2006.
Articles
- Editorial: The Socialist Trade & Labor Alliance. By Daniel De Leon. The People, New York, Sunday December 15, 1895. DeLeon article on the split from the Knights of Labor. Archived by the Marxists Internet ArchiveMarxists Internet ArchiveMarxists Internet Archive is a volunteer based non-profit organization that maintains a multi-lingual Internet archive of Marxist writers and other similar authors...
. Retrieved September 19, 2006. - The Socialist Trade & Labor Alliance versus the ‘Pure and Simple’ Trade Union: A Debate at the Grand Opera House, New Haven, Conn., November 25, 1900, between Daniel De Leon representing the Socialist Trade & Labor Alliance and the Socialist Labor Party, and Job HarrimanJob HarrimanJob Harriman was an ordained minister who later became an agnostic and a socialist. In 1900 he ran for Vice President of the United States along with Eugene Debs on the ticket of the Socialist Party of America. He later twice ran for mayor of Los Angeles, drawing considerable attention and support...
, representing the "Pure and Simple" Trade Union and the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party (United States)The Social Democratic Party of America was a short-lived political party in the United States, established in 1898. The group was formed out of elements of the Social Democracy of America , and was a predecessor to the Socialist Party of America, established in 1901.-Forerunners:Following the...
. Daily People, Vol. I, No. 155. Sunday, December 2, 1900. 44 Page Document of contemporary debate. Retrieved September 19, 2006. - Preceding the ST&LA. Daily People. Vol. X, No. 1. July 3, 1910. By "X. L. Y., New York". Socialist Labor Party perspective on formation of ST&LA. Retrieved September 19, 2006.