The AFL-CIO is supporting the NFL Players Association after a group of retired players filed a grievance against the union.

A group of 20 former players requested that the NFLPA be expelled from the AFL-CIO, The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. The players said the NFLPA has failed to meet its obligation to retirees.

In a statement Thursday, AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said "we should all applaud the fierce advocacy the NFLPA has demonstrated for its members, and for all working people."

NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said, "the NFLPA is proud of the more than $1 billion in benefits current NFL players created for former NFL players and we are proud of our strong affiliation with the AFL-CIO."