AFL-CIO

In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was born.
In 1938, the Congress of Industrial Organization was as well.
17 years later, both organizations would unite and become the biggest, oldest, and most powerful labor coalition in the nation.
Whether they are electricians, nurses, musicians, or janitors, the AFL-​CIO has been there to stand up for their rights, to improve their working conditions, and to give them a forum in which to speak.
Without organizations like the AFL-​CIO, the 8-​hour day, the 40-​hour work week, the minimum wage, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would not be reality and the workplace would be far more hostile and unforgiving than it currently is.
That is not to say that their work is finished. Out-​of-​control CEO Pay at the expense of worker’s wages, income inequality, discrimination, outsourcing, living wage legislation, collective bargaining, healthcare, and immigration all remain crucial issues to the AFL-​CIO.
As Corporate Amerika continues to wage war on those who toil and make our society function, the AFL-​CIO will be defending workers from assaults on their basic liberties and will stay intact to ensure that the reforms that have been won do not wither.
Regardless of your shade, nationality, gender, religion, age, sexuality, or level of ability, the AFL-​CIO has your back.
With over 11 million members in its registry, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization has been a blazing beacon for working people in the United States. May it burn brightly for another 57 years.
P. S. The AFL-​CIO has had its issues with leadership and internal conflicts (not all progressives are completely in line with the organization. Ralph Nader himself has critiqued them recently.), but in spite of that, I feel that their overall cause is a worthy one and that they still deserve support.