He joined the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, and towards the end of the decade was corresponding secretary of his local union.
Upon realizing that this was contrary to the federation's rules, he resigned, but was immediately re-elected, this time unanimously.
[2] He came to greater prominence in 1892, as a leader of the Homestead strike, giving speeches and chairing numerous meetings.
[3] Part of the annual AFL convention was set aside to discussing the strike, at which Carney and William Weihe attracted the most attention.
In 1895, he left his Iron and Steel Workers post, to become a full-time AFL organizer for Pennsylvania and West Virginia.