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

Hochul’s support for the tax credit is likely to divide New York Democrats and drive a wedge between the governor and labor unions. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026

The city’s powerful labor unions have backed her, along with much of the Democratic establishment. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

International trips and cushy jobs In her opening statement, Alhambra said the union was organized in 1880 and is one of the oldest labor unions in the country. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026

At the county, a coalition of labor unions and nonprofits are gunning for a $360 million sales tax hike to plug holes in the county’s budget. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 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.