Talk about spending a long time in labor: The AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) has been focused on the task for more than a century. The AFL-CIO is an umbrella organization for more than 55 autonomous national and international unions. Altogether, the AFL-CIO represents more than 12 million workers -- from actors and airline pilots to marine engineers and machinists -- and fights to improve wages and working conditions. The organization charters 51 state federations and about 500 central labor councils. Union members generally receive about 30% higher pay and more benefits than non-members. The AFL-CIO was created in 1955 by the merger of the AFL and the CIO.