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

The group of five trade unions, including the Bakers Union and the TUC, alongside the Corporate Justice Coalition, state that their complaint - which was lodged in February 2024 - was prompted by the BBC's investigation.

From BBC

In December, trade unions took part in a protest against an increase in the price of school dinners and other savings plans announced by the EA.

From BBC

Five workers at a western Iranian sugar factory who had been striking for better pay were released late Tuesday, according to the Free Workers’ Union of Iran, the country’s main federation of independent trade unions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Members of the trade union Nipsa, who are mostly administrative staff, voted in favour of industrial action following a recent ballot.

From BBC

"We want the repeal of that decree," Mario Argollo, the main leader of the country's largest trade union, Bolivian Workers' Central, told AFP.

From Barron's