The AFL-CIO was created in 1955 by the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations as a voluntary federation of 54 national and international labor unions. Since its founding, the AFL-CIO and its affiliate unions have been the single most effective force in America for enabling working people to build better lives and futures for our families. These organizations are the most singular driving force behind all national, state and local initiatives to provide health care coverage for all Americans.

The AFL-CIO functions at three levels. The National AFL-CIO is governed by a bi-annual convention and an Executive Council. The National AFL-CIO sets policy on national and international issues. Its affiliates (members) are national and international unions.

The State Level:
The State AFL_CIO, the California Labor Federation, determines policy on statewide issues, and provides the leadership for the state's labor movement. Its affiliates are local unions and councils.

The Central Labor Councils:
The Central Labor Councils, chartered by the National AFL-CIO, determines policy on local issues, as well as working closely with the State and National AFL-CIO to carry out federation priorities. Its affiliates are local unions and district councils. These councils are located in every city/county. The councils endorse local and state candidates running for public office. These same public officials govern our profession. The councils provide finances, campaign workers and telephone banking for the endorsed candidates.

The American Federation of Labor:
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) chartered the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPIEU) in 1945. At the time of its founding, the membership of the Union numbered 22,000. The Union now counts 145,000 members and is one of the larger unions in the AFL-CIO.

As it moves into its 57th year of chartered existence, the OPEIU has local unions functioning throughout the fifty states, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia and Canada. The aims and purposes of the Union are set out in its constitution:

"The International Union shall be devoted and dedicated to promoting, protecting and championing the legitimate struggles of professional, technical, office and clerical employees toward achieving economic well-being, their general welfare and rights as workers and citizens."
OPEIU Constitution, Article II.

Other professional medical organizations affiliated with the OPEIU are a diverse group which includes physicians, optometrists, pharmacists, chiropractors, podiatrists, and clinical social workers.

Although these professions do not enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining per se, they have found that partnering with the OPEIU benefits them by providing more legislative clout and greater access to patients by virtue of inclusion as providers in other union health plans.