labor union

noun

: an organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members' interests in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions

… members of a labor union with job protection under a collective bargaining agreement with the employer.

—Seth Sandronsky

Examples of labor union in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The California Teachers Association, one of the state’s largest labor unions, recommended Steyer for governor this week, after suspending its previous endorsement of Swalwell. —Linh Tat, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026

Securing protections from the downside of the technology has been a core goal of labor unions in negotiations this year with studios and streamers as the parties look to avoid a repeat of the dual strikes of 2023. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026

Supporters in labor unions and in the House soon began yanking their endorsements. —Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

The Post-Gazette, which was founded in 1786 and has operated under its current name since 1927, was set to cease operations early next month following a lengthy battle between its owners and its labor union. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for labor union

• antiunion
• communion
• disunion
• nonunion

Kids Definition

labor union

noun

: an organization of workers formed to protect the rights and advance the interests of its members concerning wages, benefits, and working conditions

Legal Definition

labor union

noun

: a labor organization usually consisting of workers of the same trade that is formed for the purpose of advancing its members' interests (as through collective bargaining) in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions see also craft union, bargaining unit

Note: Labor unions and employers are subject to the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or Wagner Act), as amended by the Labor Management Relations (Taft-Hartley) Act and the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure (Landrum-Griffin) Act. The NLRA authorized the establishment of the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency which administers the provisions of the Act.