Which labor organizer believed in reforms such as an eight-hour workday and better conditions for all workers?

William Sylvis was an early labor leader known for his advocacy for an eight-hour workday and improved working conditions. He was instrumental in founding the National Labor Union (NLU) in 1866, which was one of the first significant efforts to unite various labor factions in the U.S. under a common agenda of reform. He believed that workers deserved fair treatment, shorter working hours, and better conditions, which were fundamental concerns of the labor movement during the industrialization period of the late 19th century.

While other labor organizers like Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, and Terence Powderly also made important contributions to labor rights and reforms, they each had differing focuses and methods. Gompers, for instance, emphasized the importance of skilled labor and collective bargaining through the American Federation of Labor, while Powderly led the Knights of Labor, which aimed for broader social reforms. Lewis was known for his role in unionizing miners and focusing on industrial workers' issues rather than the more general reforms Sylvis championed. Each had distinct approaches and specific goals related to labor rights, but Sylvis can be distinctly remembered for his foundational role in advocating for both an eight-hour workday and better working conditions through the NLU.