AFL–CIO

AFL–CIO
Name	AFL–CIO
Founded	5 December 1955
Location	Washington, D.C.
Key people	Elizabeth Shuler (President), Fred Redmond (Secretary-Treasurer)
Website	aflcio.org

AFL–CIO. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is the largest federation of unions in the United States, representing millions of workers across diverse sectors. Formed by the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, it serves as a national voice for the labor movement. The federation engages in political advocacy, coordinates organizing drives, and provides support to its affiliated unions.

History

The federation was created on December 5, 1955, through the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, ending a two-decade split that began in the 1930s. Key architects of the merger included George Meany of the AFL and Walter Reuther of the CIO. Throughout the Cold War, it was a staunch anti-communist force, expelling unions like the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and collaborating with the Central Intelligence Agency on international projects. In 2005, several major unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, disaffiliated to form the Change to Win Federation, marking a significant schism.

Structure and governance

The federation is governed by a quadrennial convention where delegates from affiliated unions set policy and elect officers, including the President and Secretary-Treasurer. Between conventions, authority rests with an Executive Council and a smaller Executive Committee. It comprises over 50 national and international unions, organized into Departments such as the Union Label Department and state and local central labor councils. The headquarters are located in the historic Samuel Gompers Memorial Building in Washington, D.C..

Political activities and lobbying

It operates one of the most influential political and lobbying arms in the nation, primarily through its political action committee, the AFL–CIO Committee on Political Education. The federation mobilizes members for get-out-the-vote efforts, conducts issue advocacy, and provides substantial support to endorsed candidates, typically from the Democratic Party. Key legislative priorities have included raising the federal minimum wage, protecting the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and opposing trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement. It also files amicus briefs in pivotal cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Member unions and affiliates

Affiliates include major unions such as the American Federation of Teachers, the United Steelworkers, and the Communications Workers of America. The federation also includes organizing committees for professions without a traditional union, like the Tech Guild. Through its Solidarity Center, it partners with labor organizations globally, such as the International Trade Union Confederation. In recent years, it has focused on organizing workers in new sectors, including video game development and cannabis retail.

Criticism and controversies

It has faced criticism from both the political left and right, with some progressive unions and activists accusing it of being overly bureaucratic and insufficiently militant during periods of industrial decline like the 1981 PATCO strike. From the right, it is often criticized for its close ties to the Democratic National Committee and its opposition to right-to-work laws. Internal debates have persisted over its strategic response to the Taft–Hartley Act and its historical support for the Vietnam War. The 2005 split with the Change to Win Federation highlighted deep divisions over organizing strategy.

Leadership

The first president was George Meany, who served from the merger until 1979, followed by Lane Kirkland. John Sweeney, former president of the Service Employees International Union, was elected in 1995 on a platform of revitalization. Richard Trumka, a former president of the United Mine Workers, led the federation from 2009 until his death in 2021. The current president, Elizabeth Shuler, formerly of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, is the first woman to hold the office, serving alongside Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond of the United Steelworkers.

Category:AFL–CIO Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Trade union federations in the United States