It was formed as a progressive "Social Catholic" organization in 1960 in response to the nation's labor strife of 1958-1959.

Following the strikes of these years, the Mexican government replaced the leaders of the rebellious mine, railroad and oil workers' unions with charros (corrupt labor bosses).

The FAT supported union democracy and opposed the authoritarian tendencies of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

Following the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, the FAT became one of the main organizations to oppose it.

Though independent from any political party, the FAT tends to side with the center-left National Regeneration Movement (MORENA).