The concept of the union label as a tool for harnessing support from fellow working-class consumers for unionization spread rapidly in the next decades, first among the cigarmakers (their union adopted the first national union label in 1880), but among other unions as well, including typographers, garment workers, coopers, bakers and iron molders. By 1909, the American Federation of Labor had created its Union Label Department.
The notion of using a union emblem to mobilize support from fellow working-class consumers for labor organizing became increasingly popular over the next few decades, first among cigarmakers who adopted their own national label in 1880, and then spreading to other unions such as typographers, garment workers, coopers, bakers, and iron molders. By 1909, the American Federation of Labor had established its Union Label Department.