AFL-CIO

The AFL-CIO is a U.S. federation of labor unions formed in 1955 by the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations.

American Federation of Labor: A U.S. labor federation founded in 1886 that primarily organized skilled workers through craft unions. It was one of the two federations that merged to create the AFL-CIO.
Labor union: An organization through which workers collectively represent their interests in employment. The AFL-CIO is a federation whose members are labor unions.
AFL-CIO Department of Political and Legislative Action: The AFL-CIO department that coordinates political engagement and legislative advocacy for the federation. It channels the federation’s resources into elections and labor-related legislation.
Taft–Hartley Act: A 1947 U.S. federal law that restricted union practices and amended the National Labor Relations Act. The law shaped the political environment in which the AFL and CIO eventually united.
Congress of Industrial Organizations: A U.S. labor federation founded in 1935 that organized workers across entire industries. Its industrial-union approach joined the AFL in the 1955 merger.
Collective bargaining: Negotiation between employers and workers’ representatives over employment terms and conditions. Affiliated unions bargain with employers, while the federation can support their broader efforts.
AFL-CIO Organizing Institute: An AFL-CIO program that trains organizers to build and support labor unions. It develops organizing capacity for campaigns involving workers and affiliated unions.
Landrum–Griffin Act: A 1959 U.S. law establishing reporting requirements and internal rights for labor organizations. It imposed new obligations on unions affiliated with the federation.
AFL–CIO merger: The 1955 union of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The merger established the federation and ended the two organizations’ institutional rivalry.
Union federation: An organization that brings together autonomous labor unions for shared coordination and representation. This organizational form describes how the AFL-CIO relates to its affiliated unions.

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United Farm WorkersRelated: The UFW’s relationship with the federation shifted as the union pursued independent organizing.