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 employerSeth Sandronsky

Examples of labor union in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Langston Hughes, Sterling Brown, and the impact of Black labor unions on poetry. Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 But now Nevada labor unions hoping to boost jobs and tourism are pushing state officials to offer tax credits aimed at bringing more Hollywood filmmaking to the state. Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025 General strikes, led by labor unions and professional associations, as in Sudan or Myanmar, can be particularly effective. Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2025 While the group has declined to reveal its donors, past support has come from select labor unions, charter school groups and business interests, like the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Denver’s apartment association, according to tax and campaign finance filings. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for labor union

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of labor union was in 1849

Cite this Entry

“Labor union.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor%20union. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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.

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