Definition

1. Noun:
   • An organized collective effort by workers: The "labor movement" refers to the social and political campaign, typically involving the formation and activities of labor unions, through which workers seek to improve their working conditions, wages, rights, and overall social status.
   • The collective body of organizations and leaders: It can also denote the entirety of the organizations, unions, and their leaders that constitute this ongoing effort.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The early 20th century saw a powerful labor movement fight for the eight-hour workday.
  • Her research focuses on the history of the labor movement in industrialized nations.
  • The success of the labor movement led to the establishment of workplace safety standards.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a part of the labor movement": to be actively involved in organized worker activism.
  • He has been a dedicated part of the labor movement for decades.
• "the rise/decline of the labor movement": referring to periods of increasing or decreasing influence and membership.
  • The book analyzes the factors behind the decline of the labor movement in recent years.

Variants and Related Words

• Labor union (n): An organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interests.
  • The workers joined a labor union to negotiate better contracts.
• Trade unionism (n): The system, principles, or practices of labor unions.
  • She is a strong advocate for trade unionism.

Synonyms

• Workers' movement: A collective term for organized labor activism.
• Union movement: Specifically emphasizes the role of trade unions.

Related Phrases

• Labor rights: The legal rights and protections granted to workers, often championed by the labor movement.
  • The labor movement was instrumental in securing fundamental labor rights.
• Collective bargaining: The negotiation of wages and other conditions of employment by an organized body of employees, a key activity within the labor movement.
  • Collective bargaining is a central tool of the modern labor movement.

Noun

1. an organized attempt by workers to improve their status by united action (particularly via labor unions) or the leaders of this movement