American Federation of Labor

American  

noun

1. a federation of trade unions organized in 1886: united with the Congress of Industrial Organizations 1955. A.F.L., AFL, A.F. of L.

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American Federation of Labor British  

noun

1. the first permanent national labour movement in America, founded in 1886. It amalgamated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955 See also AFL-CIO

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Example Sentences

In December 1886, Samuel Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor, organizing only skilled workers and focusing on “pure and simple” unionism that rejected state intervention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

It then had a brief tenure as clubhouse for the Safeway Employees’ Assn. before it became the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor Teamsters Joint Council 42.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2024

Also highlighted are such workplace affiliations as the American Bar Association, the American Federation of Labor and the Society of Women Geographers, as well as religious, fraternal and neighborhood groups.

From Washington Post • Jan. 18, 2023

The Department of Labor credits McGuire, who founded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and was a co-founder of the organization that later became the American Federation of Labor, as the true father of Labor Day.

From New York Times • Sep. 5, 2020

The leaders of the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor were not averse to such common action, although the latter preferred their own Federation to any party.

From The New Nation by Dodd, William E.