AFL (American Federation of Labor)

The American Federation of Labor (AFL), founded in 1886, was a major national labor union organization in the United States. It primarily aimed to improve working conditions, wages, and rights for skilled workers through collective bargaining and negotiations with employers. The AFL brought together various craft unions under one umbrella to increase their influence. It emphasized better treatment for workers and operated until it merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1955 to form the AFL-CIO, which continues to advocate for workers' rights today.