AFL-CIO
The largest federation of unions in the US
Real World Example
The AFL-CIO, formed in 1955, was a major force during the Postwar Boom, a period of economic growth and prosperity in the U.S. It united two large labor organizations—the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)—to strengthen workers' rights and improve wages and working conditions. This was important at the time because it responded to the need for greater worker protections and bargaining power in a rapidly changing economy. Today, the AFL-CIO continues to matter as it advocates for fair labor practices and policies, affecting millions of workers. For example, if your parent works in a factory or as a teacher, the union might help negotiate better working conditions or pay, directly impacting your family's well-being.
