The ZCTU was formed on February 28, 1981 through the merger of six trade union centres: African Trade Union Congress (ATUC), the National African Trade Union Congress (NATUC), the Trade Union Congress of Zimbabwe (TUCZ), the United Trade Unions of Zimbabwe (UTUZ), the Zimbabwe Federation of Labour (ZFL) and the Zimbabwe Trade Union Congress (ZTUC).
ZCTU blev dannet 28. februar 1981 ved en sammenslutning af seks hovedorganisationer; African Trade Union Congress (ATUC), National African Trade Union Congress (NATUC), Trade Union Congress of Zimbabwe (TUCZ), United unions of Zimbabwe (UTUZ), Zimbabwe Federation of Labour (ZFL) og Zimbabwe Trade Union Congress (ZTUC).