AFL–CIO, in full American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations, American federation of autonomous labour unions formed in 1955 by the merger of the AFL (founded 1886), which originally organized workers in craft unions, and the CIO (founded 1935), which organized workers by industries.

When did the AFL Join the CIO?

Following the 1955 merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), the AFL-CIO became an ally of civil rights organizations.

Why did the AFL and CIO split in 1937?

Lewis believed that workers in large industries were at a disadvantage when organized into craft unions, because it both hurt solidarity within industries and limited workers' ability to bargain with management. [1] As industrial workers continued to organize and join unions affiliated with the AFL, a split occurred.