The CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations)

The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was a major U.S. labor organization founded in 1935 to unite workers across entire industries, such as steel, autos, and textiles, rather than by specific skill or craft. It aimed to improve workers’ wages, working conditions, and rights through collective bargaining and strikes. The CIO focused on industrial unions and was instrumental in advocating for workers' interests during the mid-20th century. In 1955, it merged with the older American Federation of Labor (AFL) to form the AFL-CIO, continuing its legacy of promoting workers’ welfare.