The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) represents the interests of people who go to work in helmets and shoulder pads. The union oversees its members' collective bargaining agreement with the National Football League, negotiates and monitors retirement and insurance benefits, and works to promote the image of the players, through marketing and licensing subsidiary NFL PLAYERS (formerly PLAYERS INC). A member of the AFL-CIO, the NFLPA represents both active and retired players. It is governed by a board of player representatives who are chosen by their teammates. The union was established in 1956, more than 35 years after the NFL was organized.