The union federations had earlier refused to talk to the government as long as the law remained on the books.

This makes it the world's largest sectorial global union federation.

The union federation also plans to start a similar program in New Orleans, with an investment of $300 million.

The 300,000-member union federation threatened to call for an open-ended strike if its demands were not met.

Since 1985, general secretary of the largest union federation.

The major black union federation responded today to a Government offer to consider changes in a labor bill that has come under criticism.

It was formed in 1986, and in 2002 was the country's largest union federation, with 546,000 members.

Already, the most critical union federations are warning him to expect people in the streets if he tries to push through either change.

Instead, they called for the foundation of a single independent union federation.

The union federation still views immigrant workers as a potential threat.