The American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest labor organization in the United States, representing 12.5 million workers, called for a cease-fire in Gaza last Thursday. Condemning the October 7 Hamas attack, the federation called for a negotiated cease-fire, including the release of all hostages and provision of “desperately needed” food, shelter and medicine to the Palestinians in Gaza.

The statement has emerged from the nationwide movement for a cease-fire, which has galvanized many rank-and-file union members. It’s a desperately needed development — and one that the entire labor movement needs to build on, using its considerable political capital to advance.

Put in historical context, the AFL-CIO’s statement is a big deal because, to put it mildly, the federation has not always been on the side of peace.