The influential figure advocating for labor reforms and the establishment of unions was Samuel Gompers. As a founding member and president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), Gompers played a pivotal role in promoting the interests of skilled workers. He advocated for better wages, working conditions, and shorter hours through collective bargaining. His approach emphasized the importance of union organization and solidarity among workers to achieve meaningful reforms in an industrial economy. Gompers's leadership significantly influenced labor rights in the United States, laying the groundwork for future labor movements and policies aimed at improving the lives of working-class Americans.