AFL-CIO facts for kids
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| Formation | December 5, 1955 |
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| Merger of |
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| Type | Trade union center |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC, US |
| Location |
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Membership (2022)
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12,471,480 |
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President
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Liz Shuler |
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Secretary-treasurer
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Fred Redmond |
| Secessions | Change to Win Federation |
| Affiliations | International Trade Union Confederation |
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the largest group of worker unions in the United States. It brings together 60 national and international unions. These unions represent over 12 million workers, both active and retired. The AFL-CIO works hard in politics. It supports policies that help workers and promote fairness.
The AFL-CIO was created in 1955. This happened when two big groups, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, joined together. Before that, they had been separate for a long time. The number of union members in the U.S. was highest in 1979. At that time, nearly 20 million people were part of AFL-CIO unions. From 1955 to 2005, most union workers in the U.S. were part of the AFL-CIO.
In 2005, some large unions left the AFL-CIO. They formed a new group called the Change to Win Federation. However, some of those unions have since rejoined the AFL-CIO. Many local groups of Change to Win also work with the AFL-CIO. Today, the biggest unions in the AFL-CIO include:
- The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) with about 1.7 million members.
- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) with about 1.4 million members.
- The United Food and Commercial Workers with 1.2 million members.
Contents
What is AFL-CIO Membership Like?
The AFL-CIO is a group of international labor unions. It is a voluntary group, meaning it has limited power over its member unions. It can only step in for very specific reasons. For example, it can remove a union for corruption. It can also help settle disagreements between unions. As of May 2023, the AFL-CIO had 60 member unions. These unions represent 12.5 million members.
How Does AFL-CIO Affect Politics?
The AFL-CIO was a big part of the New Deal Coalition. This group was very important in politics until the mid-1960s. Even though it has fewer members and less money now, it is still a major player. It supports liberal ideas in national politics. The AFL-CIO does a lot of work like:
- Talking to lawmakers (lobbying).
- Organizing people at the local level (grassroots organizing).
- Working with other groups that share its goals.
- Raising money for political causes.
- Finding and supporting political candidates across the country.
In recent years, the AFL-CIO has focused its political efforts. It lobbies in Washington and state capitals. It also runs "Get Out The Vote" (GOTV) campaigns for elections. For example, in 2010, it sent out millions of mail pieces. Union members received a list of candidates the union supported. They also got a letter from President Obama. Volunteers went door-to-door to talk to union voters.
How is the AFL-CIO Run?
The AFL-CIO is run by its members. They meet every four years at a big convention. Each member union chooses people to represent them. These representatives are called delegates. Other groups, like state and local labor councils, also send delegates. The delegates choose leaders, discuss policies, and decide on membership fees.
Important Meetings
From 1951 to 1996, the AFL-CIO's Executive Council met in Bal Harbour, Florida. This meeting location was often criticized. There was even a labor dispute at the hotel itself.
To improve its image, the council moved the meeting to Los Angeles. But after a few years, the meeting moved back to Bal Harbour. The 2012 meeting was held in Orlando, Florida.
State and Local Groups
The AFL-CIO's rules allow international unions to pay dues for their state and local groups directly. This makes it easier for the local groups. They don't have to collect and pay the dues themselves. The international unions collect the dues or pay them from their own money. However, not all international unions pay these dues.
Special Departments
One well-known department was the Industrial Union Department (IUD). It was created when the AFL and CIO merged in 1955. CIO unions wanted to make sure that industrial unionism was strongly supported. For many years, the IUD helped organize new members. For example, it gave money to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in 1961. This helped the AFT win an election and grow much larger. The IUD often took strong stands on many issues.
There are six main departments in the AFL-CIO:
- Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
- Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO
- Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO
- Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO
- Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
- Union Label Department, AFL-CIO
Who Are the AFL-CIO's Allies?
The AFL-CIO works with many other groups. These groups help with things like voter registration and education. They also do research, hold training events, and publish reports. They lobby for new laws and build partnerships with local groups. Each of these groups can attend AFL-CIO executive council meetings. They also have voting rights at the AFL-CIO conventions.
The seven main allied groups include:
- The A. Philip Randolph Institute
- The AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council
- The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
- The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
- The Coalition of Labor Union Women
- The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
- Pride at Work
What Programs Does AFL-CIO Have?
The AFL-CIO runs several programs to help achieve its goals. These programs include:
- The AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust
- The AFL-CIO Employees Federal Credit Union
- The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust
- The National Labor College
- Union Privilege
How Does AFL-CIO Work Internationally?
The AFL-CIO is part of the International Trade Union Confederation. This group was formed in 2006. The AFL-CIO has always been active in promoting free labor unions around the world. During the Cold War, it strongly opposed Communist unions. For example, it helped create the anti-Communist Force Ouvrière in France.
Hackers working for China's military once accessed the AFL-CIO's computer networks. They wanted information about trade negotiations.
History of the AFL-CIO
Civil Rights and Unions
The AFL-CIO has a long history with civil rights. When the AFL and CIO were separate, the CIO was more open to including Black workers. The AFL had focused more on skilled craft workers. Later, some Black workers felt the CIO did not always support their interests after the merger.
In 1961, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech to the AFL-CIO. He spoke about how civil rights and labor could work together. He hoped this would help all working people by ending racial unfairness. However, King also criticized the AFL-CIO. He said it allowed some unions to exclude Black workers. He felt the labor movement had done more for civil rights in the past. King and the AFL-CIO disagreed more in 1967. King opposed the Vietnam War, but the AFL-CIO strongly supported it. The AFL-CIO did support the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Changes in the 1960s
After President Lyndon B. Johnson won the 1964 election, many new laws were passed. These laws included the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They also included programs to fight poverty, help cities, and improve education. Social Security benefits increased, and Medicare was created for older people. Union leaders felt they helped make these laws happen.
However, the 1966 elections were difficult for many Democrats. The AFL-CIO's political group, COPE, did not fully understand union members' concerns. Many members were worried about taxes and crime. Older members had more traditional social views. Also, the Vietnam War caused disagreements within the Democratic party.
New Unity Partnership and Changes
In 2003, the AFL-CIO began a big discussion about its future. A group of large unions formed the New Unity Partnership (NUP). This debate grew stronger after John Kerry, a candidate supported by labor, lost the 2004 presidential election. The NUP wanted to make the AFL-CIO smaller. They wanted more money spent on organizing new members, not just on politics. They also wanted to change how unions were structured.
In 2005, the NUP broke up. The Change to Win Federation (CtW) was formed. This new group threatened to leave the AFL-CIO if big changes weren't made. Before the AFL-CIO's 50th anniversary convention, three of its largest unions left. These were the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). Other unions also left later.
However, two unions later left CtW and rejoined the AFL-CIO. UNITE HERE rejoined in 2009. The Laborers' International Union of North America rejoined in 2010.
ILWU Leaves the AFL-CIO
In August 2013, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) left the AFL-CIO. The ILWU said that members of other AFL-CIO unions were crossing their picket lines. They felt the AFL-CIO did not stop this. The ILWU also disagreed with the AFL-CIO on some policies. These included laws about workers' rights, immigration, and health care. The longshoremen's union decided to become an independent union.
Norfolk Southern Railway Situation
In 2024, the AFL-CIO spoke out against a plan by investors at Norfolk Southern Railway. The investors wanted to replace the company's top leaders. Unions were divided on this issue. The AFL-CIO supported the current CEO, Alan Shaw. They were worried about safety, service, and job losses if the new plan went through. The union criticized the idea of replacing Shaw and using a system called precision railroading.
Leadership
Presidents
- George Meany (1955–1979)
- Lane Kirkland (1979–1995)
- Thomas R. Donahue (1995)
- John J. Sweeney (1995–2009)
- Richard Trumka (2009–2021)
- Liz Shuler (2021–present)
Secretary-Treasurers
- 1955: William F. Schnitzler
- 1969: Lane Kirkland
- 1979: Thomas R. Donahue
- 1995: Barbara Easterling
- 1995: Richard Trumka
- 2009: Liz Shuler
- 2021: Fred Redmond
Executive Vice Presidents
- 1995–2007: Linda Chavez-Thompson
- 2007–2013: Arlene Holt Baker
- 2013–2022: Tefere Gebre
See Also
In Spanish: AFL-CIO para niños
- Labor history of the United States
- Directly affiliated local union
- Labor unions in the United States
- List of labor unions in the United States
