The American Federation of Labor

The American Federation of Labor (AFL), founded in 1886, was a major American labor union that aimed to improve working conditions, wages, and hours for skilled workers through collective bargaining. It organized individual craft-specific unions and focused on pragmatic goals like better pay and job safety, often working within existing legal frameworks. The AFL emphasized economic gains for workers rather than broader social or political change, distinguishing it from more radical movements. Over time, it became one of the most influential unions in the United States, advocating for workers’ rights and shaping labor policies.