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

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

With about 12 million members, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, as it is formally known, encompasses the bulk of the nation’s unions in both the public and private sectors.

From New York Times • Aug. 5, 2021

The American Federation of Labor, founded in 1881 and reorganized in 1886, aided in this general work, and with the Knights helped to reconcile the public to the principle of unionism.

From The New Nation by Dodd, William E.