LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate AFL-CIO as left-biased based on its consistent advocacy for progressive labor policies and political alignment with Democratic causes. We also rate them Mostly Factual for reporting due to strong sourcing, transparency in funding, and the absence of counterarguments in their promotion of unions.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT (-6.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.7)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, representing nearly 15 million workers through 63 national and international unions. Formed in 1955 through the merger of the AFL and CIO, it advocates for collective bargaining rights, fair wages, workplace safety, and social justice. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and describes itself as a democratic, voluntary federation devoted to improving the lives of working people through activism and policy engagement.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
According to InfluenceWatch, the AFL-CIO is funded primarily through per capita taxes from member unions, as well as voluntary member contributions to its political action arm, AFL-CIO COPE (Committees on Political Education). Additional funding comes from the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, federal and private grants, and training programs. The AFL-CIO’s political committees have historically supported Democratic Party candidates at a ratio of roughly 98–2 over Republicans.
Analysis / Bias
The AFL-CIO’s website content consistently promotes labor rights, unionization, and worker protections. Pages such as “What Unions Do” emphasize collective bargaining, workplace safety, and economic fairness. Its policy page, “What We Care About”, lists progressive priorities including civil rights, gender equality, criminal justice reform, immigration reform, climate-related infrastructure, and opposition to right-to-work laws, stances generally associated with left-leaning economic and social policies.
The organization’s advocacy campaigns, such as “Reverse Gutting of Core Worker Safety Agency, NIOSH”, reflect its alignment with pro-labor and pro-regulation perspectives, while directly opposing Republican policy actions under Donald Trump.
While the AFL-CIO’s reporting is factually supported and data-driven, its editorial tone and selection of advocacy issues clearly align with left-leaning priorities emphasizing government regulation, labor empowerment, and social equity. The site’s framing often assumes the benefits of unionization and redistributive policies without presenting counterarguments, contributing to its Left bias. Nonetheless, it remains transparent about its mission, funding, and political leanings.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the last 5 years.
Overall, we rate AFL-CIO as left-biased based on its consistent advocacy for progressive labor policies and political alignment with Democratic causes. We also rate them Mostly Factual for reporting due to strong sourcing, transparency in funding, and the absence of counterarguments in their promotion of unions. (D. Van Zandt 10/23/2025)
Source: https://aflcio.org/
Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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