trade union

American  

noun

1. a labor union of craftspeople or workers in related crafts, as distinguished from general workers or a union including all workers in an industry.

2. labor union.

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trade union British  

noun

1. an association of employees formed to improve their incomes and working conditions by collective bargaining with the employer or employer organizations

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Other Word Forms

• trade unionism noun
• trade unionist noun
• trade-union adjective

Etymology

Origin of trade union

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

French daily Le Monde said the departure of des Cars became "inevitable" following the burglary as well as trade union strikes pressing for more recruitment, pay and better maintenance of the museum.

From Barron's

Parts of the German business lobby and trade unions, long enthusiastic supporters of free trade, are pushing Berlin to erect barriers to Chinese imports.

From The Wall Street Journal

He forced it to negotiate legalising trade unions -- and, eventually, the first semi-free elections in the Polish People's Republic.

From Barron's

Furthermore, the EU is no longer just a monetary and trade union of nations.

From MarketWatch

According to Unite, it is the largest trade union in the UK and supports workers in public, voluntary and private sectors.

From BBC