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

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He’s been known to sing it on the campaign trail, from labor union rallies in New Haven to a No Kings Protest in Greenwich last year. — Lucy Gellman, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026 Remembering Dolores Huerta The fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers, and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 Six decades after its founding, the United Farm Workers remains the nation's longest-standing labor union representing agricultural workers. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Channeling that passion into action led her to co-found the labor union, the National Farm Workers Association, alongside Cesar Chavez, which later became United Farm Workers. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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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