Final answer:
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was a federation of unions established in 1935 to represent unskilled and semiskilled laborers. It was key in advancing labor rights but faced failed initiatives like Operation Dixie in the South. In 1955, it merged with the AFL to create the AFL-CIO, facing new challenges in a changing economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was a pivotal labor organization formed in 1935, which came into existence under the leadership of John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers. It primarily represented unskilled and semiskilled workers across various industries. By 1938, due to ideological and tactical differences, the CIO broke away from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and, over the years, played a significant role in labor movements and strikes that led to significant negotiations for worker's rights and benefits.
During the post-World War II era, the CIO launched Operation Dixie, which aimed to expand union influence in the politically conservative and union-hostile South. Despite its efforts, this campaign did not meet with the success the CIO had hoped for, indicative of the shifting landscape of labor and industry in the United States at the time.
Ultimately, the AFL and CIO reconciled their differences and merged in 1955 to form the AFL-CIO, becoming the largest federation of unions in the United States. However, this newly formed organization faced challenges and a decline in membership due to various economic changes, including a shift towards a white-collar workforce and companies relocating to anti-union states or abroad.