CHICAGO — Leaders of the AFL-CIO, wrestling with the abortion issue, agreed today that the powerful labor federation should continue its decade-long path of neutrality on the subject.

The Executive Council of the 14.2-million-member organization voted not to take a position on abortion.

"The overwhelming view of the council was that this was a matter of deep conscience, conviction and religion" on the part of union members, AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland said.

Kirkland said only two or three members of the 34-member council dissented during today's voice vote. He said the group did not think any stance taken by the union as a whole could change the minds of individual members.

Three members of the council are women.