[2] CETU was founded in January 1977 as the All-Ethiopia Trade Union (AETU).

The AETU changed its name in 1986, to the Ethiopian Trade Union (ETU), then again in 1993 to the CETU.

In 2008, top management of the state-owned Bole Printing Enterprise disagreed with its trade union over worker compensation and unlawful termination.

In late December a labor advisory board composed of state ministers, representatives of the employees, the CETU, and the management of Bole Printing found that both sides were at fault and called for employees terminated as a result of the dispute to be reinstated.

They celebrated their successful resolution of a labor dispute at the Bole Printing Enterprise, and the Kaliti Food Share Company, while announcing their intent to unionize the growing flower industry in the country.