AFL-CIO   815 16th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20006

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a voluntary federation made up of more than 50 national and international labor unions. The AFL-CIO represents more than 11 million workers, including teachers, miners, firefighters, pilots, nurses and painters.

Founded in 1955, the AFL-CIO aims to establish economic and social justice to the workplace and improve the lives of working families. In fact, according to its website, the AFL-CIO and affiliate unions have been “the single most effective force” for helping working Americans build better lives for themselves and their families. The federation also states that it must build and change the American labor movement to enhance the lives of working class families. To do this, the AFL-CIO hopes to complete the goals outlined in their mission statement, which include:

• Building, recruiting and training a broad movement of American workers by organizing workers into unions
• Building a strong political voice for the country’s workers
• Changing our unions to give a new voice to workers in today’s economy
• Changing the labor movement by giving a voice for workers in communities