The Cigar Makers' International Union (CMIU) was a labor union
that represented workers in the cigar The union was founded in
1864 as the Cigar Makers' National Union of America and changed
its name to the Cigar Makers' International Union in 1867 . It
participated in the formation of the Federation of Organized
Trade and Labor Unions in 1881. The following year, seceding New
York City locals formed the Cigarmakers' Progressive Union of
America , which rejoined the International in 1886. The American
Federation of Labor chartered the Cigar Makers in 1887. The CMIU
represented skilled cigar makers of various ethnic backgrounds.
By its 1867 constitution the union admitted women, although the
policy was openly defied by some of its own city locals The
union pressed for higher wages, shorter hours, better working
conditions, and the right of collective bargaining. After 1880,
Cigar manufacturers who negotiated labor contracts with the CIMU
affixed blue labels to boxes of "union made" cigars. Previously,
local cha