1940's Business and the Economy | "We Back America"

Magazine article

By: George Meany

Date: July 1946

Source: Meany, George. "We Back America." American Federationist 53, no. 7, July 1946, 3–6.

About the Author: George Meany (1894–1980) was born and raised in New York City, and entered the workforce as a journeyman plumber. He eventually climbed the ranks of the Plumbers International Union in New York State. A staunch advocate of social justice, Meany served in various capacities for his own union, and later for the nationwide American Federation of Labor (AFL) in Washington. He became the AFL president in 1952. After the celebrated reunification with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1955, Meany served as the first president of the combined AFLCIO until his retirement in 1979.

Introduction

After defeating its great rival, the Knights of Labor, for the allegiance of American workers,...