The prominent figure in the American labor movement during the 1800s was Samuel Gompers, who founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886. Gompers advocated for better labor conditions, including higher wages, shorter workdays, and the right to unionize. His approach focused on skilled laborers, aiming to maintain their status through organized union efforts rather than political activism. Gompers emphasized pragmatic and incremental reforms, which significantly influenced labor policies and rights in the United States, helping to establish a foundation for future labor movements.