Hundreds of Laborers Local Unions existed across North America at the turn of the century but they were not organized for effective power. But in 1903, Samuel Gompers, President of the American Federation of Labor, sent out a convention call to independent local Laborers’ Unions, urging them to join together and establish an international union of construction laborers.

In the 21st century LIUNA has led the way for trade unions in its commitment to growth and member activism. We have made a historic commitment to help more workers join the union with the passage of resolutions that raise more than $100 million a year for organizing — more than any construction union and more than virtually any union in North America.