The organization was primarily developed under the leadership of Louis Laberge from 1964 to 1991, with support from American unions concerned about the potential relocation of industry to Canada.

The FTQ is unusual among labour unions in that it founded (in 1983) and controls a capital investment fund called "Fonds de solidarité FTQ" which it uses to collaborate with and influence industrial groups and to promote economic growth.

The FTQ endorsed the Parti Québécois for the 2007 Quebec election, but criticized their call for a new referendum.

In January 2023, Magali Picard became the first indigenous person to lead FTQ when she was elected president.

[1] She had previously been national vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada before resigning in 2020 after concerns of anti-Black behaviour against PSAC employees were widely expressed by Black staff members.