What did the AFL consider to be its ultimate weapon for achieving its goals?

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) regarded strikes as its ultimate weapon for achieving organizational goals and advancing the interests of its members. Strikes serve as a powerful means for workers to demonstrate their solidarity and leverage against employers, showcasing their ability to withhold labor. This collective action attempts to exert pressure on employers to negotiate better wages, working conditions, and other labor-related demands. The efficacy of a strike lies in its potential to disrupt operations and highlight the importance of the labor force in achieving the employer's success.

Bargaining, while essential, is generally viewed as a means to reach agreements and is typically pursued before escalating to a strike. Lobbying and public relations campaigns are supportive strategies that seek to influence policy and public perception, but they do not carry the same immediate impact or urgency that a strike can create. Thus, within the context of the AFL's strategic toolkit, strikes are perceived as the most powerful mechanism for realizing the immediate goals of labor movements.