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

They said they were negotiating with trade union representatives about proposals to change the "academic staffing model" which would increase the use of grade 6 academic tutors, the lowest grade of staff.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The Unite trade union, which has campaigned for the contract to be approved, said the news represented a "tremendous victory" for workers in the aerospace sector.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

A local trade union on Monday said it had not been allowed to inspect the facility.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

This was a wonderful honor, to be sure, and my rivals were none other than Princess Anne and the trade union leader Jack Jones.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela