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

Anger at autocratic bosses and the misery of the Great Depression helped unions like the Teamsters and Machinists, which belonged to the older American Federation of Labor, to make inroads as well.

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2022

Samuel Gompers, the first president of the American Federation of Labor and an advocate of making Labor Day a national celebration, lifted up freedom in a commentary on the holiday in 1910.

From Washington Post • Sep. 5, 2021

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.