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
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.
As self-driving vehicles spread across the country, a major California labor union is taking a stand against state regulators who say autonomous trucks are ready for the road. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Since 2009, some labor unions and industrialists have changed their position to the anti-EU camp. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 These advocates are joined by the Democratic Party of California and some labor unions, including the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Since its founding, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been an adaptable labor union, evolving alongside technological progress and helping to usher in a new era of transportation. — Mark Dalton, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for labor union

See All Rhymes for labor union

Browse Nearby Words

labor under a delusion/misapprehension/misconception
labor union
Labouchère
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Labor union.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor%20union. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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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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