Mergers have led to the emergence of two giant unions.

AMFA will argue that it can look after their interests better than the giant union.

B1 Rifts at a Powerful Union District Council 37, New York City's giant municipal union, seems less like a labor organization than a dysfunctional family.

The giant left-wing C.G.T. workers' union estimated that 1.5 million people protested nationwide; the Interior Ministry put the total at more than 500,000, with 80,000 in Paris.

Mr. Hill, who was forced to resign because of the scandal at the giant union of municipal employees, has repeatedly said he knew nothing about the fraud.

The giant union will create economic weapons that the individual unions, operating alone, would not carry.

The pullout by the two giant unions is a major blow to the federation, which until Monday had 56 unions and 13 million members.

Two top former officials of District Council 37 were convicted yesterday of helping rig the 1995 contract ratification vote at the giant union of municipal workers.

Nowadays, District Council 37, New York City's giant municipal union, often seems less like a labor organization than a dysfunctional family.

The two giant unions that quit the A.F.L.-C.I.O. say their exodus will help revive the labor movement.