Who was the famous labor leader associated with the formation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)?

John L. Lewis was a prominent labor leader noted for his crucial role in the founding of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1935. He served as the president of the United Mine Workers and was instrumental in advocating for industrial unionism, which sought to organize workers across entire industries rather than by individual trades. Under his leadership, the CIO aimed to include all workers, regardless of their specific skill levels, which was a significant shift from the practices of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) that focused primarily on skilled workers.

Lewis’s efforts in the labor movement during the Great Depression helped elevate the status of industrial workers and promoted the right to organize, leading to significant growth in labor unions. His vision and strategies not only expanded union membership but also paved the way for better working conditions and collective bargaining rights during a time of economic struggle. This positions him as a pivotal figure in the history of organized labor in the United States.