Definition

1. Noun:
   • An organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer: A "trades union" (also commonly called a "trade union" or simply a "union") is a formal association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company. Its primary purpose is to protect and advance the collective interests of its members, primarily through collective bargaining with employers over wages, working conditions, benefits, and workplace rules.

Usage

• The term "trades union" is used to refer to the organization itself as a collective entity. It is often used in formal or historical contexts.
• It functions as a singular countable noun (e.g., , ).
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • The trades union successfully negotiated a new contract with the management.
  • Membership in a strong trades union can provide job security.
  • The history of the labor movement is deeply connected to the formation of trades unions.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in a trades union" / "To be a member of a trades union": To be part of such an organization.
  • Most of the factory workers are in a trades union.
• "Trades union official/leader/representative": A person who holds a position of authority within the union.
  • The trades union representative will present the workers' demands.

Variants and Related Words

• Trade union (n): The more common modern spelling and form, identical in meaning to "trades union".
• Union (n): The most common short form for "trade union" or "trades union".
• Labor union (n): A common term used especially in American English.
• Syndicate (n): A term sometimes used, particularly in historical or international contexts.
• Collective bargaining (n): The core activity of a trades union, the process of negotiating terms of employment between an employer and a group of workers.
• Unionize (v): To organize or become organized into a trades union.
  • The employees voted to unionize.

Synonyms

• Labor organization
• Workers' association
• Guild (historically, or for specific skilled crafts)

Related Phrases

• Union dues: Regular payments made by members to fund the union's activities.
  • He pays his union dues every month.
• Union contract / Collective agreement: The formal agreement reached between the union and the employer.
  • The new union contract includes a pay raise.
• To go on strike: A primary action a union may take during a dispute, where workers refuse to work.
  • The trades union voted to go on strike.

Noun

1. an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
   • you have to join the union in order to get a job