Who was the leader of the National Labor Union and advocated for labor rights?

The leader of the National Labor Union who advocated for labor rights was William Sylvis. He founded the National Labor Union (NLU) in 1866, which was one of the first national labor federations in the United States. Sylvis aimed to unite various labor organizations to improve working conditions, wages, and hours for workers. The NLU also sought to address broader social issues, such as advocating for the eight-hour workday and the end of child labor.

Sylvis's leadership marked a pivotal moment in labor history, as it signaled a growing recognition of the importance of organized labor in advocating for workers' rights. Under his guidance, the NLU sought to create a united front for workers, emphasizing solidarity among diverse groups. This was an important step in the evolution of organized labor in the late 19th century, setting the stage for future labor movements and organizations.

Other individuals listed made significant contributions to labor movements, but they were associated with different organizations or time periods than the National Labor Union that Sylvis led.