AFL-CIO

AFL-CIO Headquarters, Washington, D.C

AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States. It is made up of 56 national and international labor unions representing over 12 million active and retired workers. The AFL-CIO aims to improve the lives of working people by advocating for better working conditions, higher wages, and stronger worker protections. The federation also engages in political activities to support legislation favorable to workers and to elect pro-labor candidates to office.

History

The AFL-CIO was formed in 1955 by the merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), two of the country's largest labor federations. The AFL was founded in 1886 and primarily consisted of craft unions that represented skilled workers. The CIO was established in 1935 and consisted of industrial unions that represented both skilled and unskilled workers. The merger was motivated by a desire to eliminate competition between the two organizations and to strengthen the labor movement's ability to advocate for workers' rights.

Structure

The AFL-CIO's governing body is the Convention, which meets every four years. The Convention elects the President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Executive Council, which oversees the federation's operations. The Executive Council is composed of representatives from member unions and sets policy and direction for the federation.

Activities

The AFL-CIO engages in a wide range of activities to support its member unions and the broader labor movement. These activities include organizing and supporting union organizing efforts, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, advocating for pro-labor legislation, and engaging in political action through its political arm, the AFL-CIO Political Action Committee.

The federation also provides resources and support to its member unions in areas such as research, legal assistance, and training for union members and leaders. Additionally, the AFL-CIO works on international labor issues, supporting workers' rights and labor movements around the world.

Challenges and Criticisms

The AFL-CIO and the labor movement as a whole have faced numerous challenges over the years, including declining union membership, globalization, and changes in the economy that have weakened the bargaining power of workers. The federation has also faced criticism from within its own ranks, with some member unions leaving the AFL-CIO to form their own federation, the Change to Win Federation, in 2005. However, some of these unions have since rejoined the AFL-CIO.

Despite these challenges, the AFL-CIO continues to be a powerful voice for workers in the United States, advocating for policies and legislation that support working people and their families.

See Also

• Labor unions in the United States
• Collective bargaining
• Strike action