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 president of the local labor union that represents Cleveland-Cliffs employees did not want to speculate on whether or not the grant will be terminated. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

In 2015, Perry came into conflict with the live theatrical performance labor union Actors’ Equity by not signing a contract with them for his stage play Madea on the Run and instead casting non-union actors. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

Although Kroger declined to release a full list of shuttered stores, local media and labor union announcements have identified dozens of locations that will soon close. —Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025

Those with ties to big donors are wary of whether Martin can lead the party, as some influential DNC members, such as David Hogg, with ties to younger voters and labor unions, have quit. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025

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.