Question

Identify the author of the following primary source quote: "I speak for the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which has honored me with its chairmanship.... .Organized Labor in America accepts the challenge of the omnipresent overlords of steel to fight for the prize of economic freedom and industrial democracy.. .I call upon the workers in the iron and steel industry who are listening to me tonight to throw off their shackles of servitude and join the union of their industry."

Answer 1

John L. Lewis, the influential labor leader who headed the United Mine Workers and co-founded the Congress of Industrial Organizations, is the author of the quote advocating for workers' rights in the steel industry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author of the primary source quote speaking for the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and advocating for workers to join the union in their industry is John L. Lewis. Lewis was a prominent labor leader who played a significant role in the American labor movement as the leader of the United Mine Workers and one of the founders of the CIO.

His advocacy for workers' rights and his methods, including calling strikes during critical periods such as World War II, made him a controversial figure. The quote reflects his commitment to fighting for economic freedom and industrial democracy as he believed that labor had the right to share in the profits and decision-making processes of their industries.

The CIO, under his leadership, was known for its aggressive tactics, such as the sit-down strike launched by the United Auto Workers against General Motors, which eventually led to successful negotiations for higher wages and better benefits for workers.