ABSTRACT
Women have historically been underrepresented in American labor unions. Although the various labor organizations have had divergent attitudes toward women workers and their potential for organization, none have welcomed women with the same enthusiasm reserved for men. This is especially true when considering women's representation in union leadership. Certainly, some unions have done better than others: The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) unions made dramatic progress in organizing and integrating women into their unions. Unfortunately, its expulsion of eleven left-wing unions in 1949 and 1950 and its subsequent merger with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1955 slowed the process of women's inclusion. Despite the fact that unions underrepresent women, most have policies that affect female workers. They have supported protective legislation for female workers and, more recently, equality legislation, although they pursue these policies with unequal vigor.
