National Labor Union

The National Labor Union (NLU) was the first large-scale national organization of labor unions in the United States, founded in 1866. It aimed to unite various workers' groups to improve labor conditions, promote workers' rights, and advocate for issues like the eight-hour workday and better wages. The NLU included craft and common laborers and sought to influence politics for workers' benefits. While it helped raise awareness about labor issues, it struggled to maintain lasting influence and disbanded in the 1870s, paving the way for future labor movements and unions.