What Is a Workers Union? Definition, Pros and Cons, Examples

What Is a Workers Union?

By Keith Speights – Updated Nov 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM EST

Key Points

Workers unions promote employee interests like better wages and work conditions.
Historically, the first U.S. workers union formed in 1794, influencing labor dynamics significantly.
Unions may improve pay and benefits but can increase employer costs and impact competitiveness.

When some people think of a workers union, they think of a labor strike or other major conflict between an employer and its workers. While workers unions do sometimes engage in such skirmishes, there’s much more to the role they play in the economy.

People standing in a circle with their hands raised together in the middle. — Image source: Getty Images.

Loading image...

What exactly is a workers union?

A workers union is a group of employees who team up to promote their common interests, including better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Sometimes referred to as “labor unions” or simply “unions,” workers unions represent their members in discussions with employers.

About 11% of employees in the U.S. are represented by workers unions according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That figure includes almost 1.8 million workers who weren't affiliated with a union but whose positions were covered by a contract between a workers union and an employer. Membership in workers unions was split almost evenly between the public and private sectors.

Loading paragraph...

The history of workers unions in the U.S.

In 1794, a group of shoemakers formed the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers. The organization became the first workers union in the U.S. The seeds of this first union were planted even earlier, though. For example, in 1768 a group of New York journeymen tailors went on strike to protest a cut in their pay.

Other local workers unions were formed in the 19th century. For example, the Mechanics’ Union of Trade Associations was created in 1827 in Philadelphia. In 1852, a group of local printers unions in the U.S. combined to form the National Typographical Union. This union changed its name to the International Typographical Union in 1873 with the addition of some Canadian printers.

Arguably the biggest milestone in the history of workers unions in the U.S. was the founding of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886. Led by Samuel Gompers, the AFL gained significant momentum in the 1890s.

The Committee for Industrial Organizations, which later became the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), was formed in 1935 in the midst of the Great Depression. In 1955, the AFL and CIO merged, creating the AFL-CIO. The new entity became a powerful force in the U.S., negotiating higher pay and improved benefits for millions of employees.

However, the influence of workers unions began to decline in the 1970s. Increased deregulation in the U.S. and competition from international markets combined to reduce the strength of unions.

What are the pros and cons of workers unions?

The pros and cons for workers include:

Loading paragraph...

Pros	Cons
Can bring increased pay and benefits	Require dues and fees, in some cases even for workers who don’t want to join the union
Make it easier to address problems with employers	Can make promotion for younger workers more difficult due to unions’ focus on seniority
Provide a voice in advancing political causes that benefit workers	Can cause employers to be less competitive and reduce job security over the long term

Loading table...

Workers unions also have pros and cons for employers, such as:

Pros	Cons
Can result in lower employee turnover	Can increase labor costs that lead to employer becoming less competitive, such as by requiring pensions
Can result in better trained workforce	Can make it harder to promote and terminate workers
Can improve workplace safety and therefore profitability	Make it easier for employees to strike

Loading table...

Major workers unions in the U.S.

Major workers unions in the U.S. include:

American Federation of Government Employees
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
American Federation of Teachers
American Nurses Association
American Postal Workers Union
Communications Workers of America
International Allliance of Theatrical State Employees
International Association of Firefighters
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Longshore and Warehouse Union
International Union of Operating Engineers
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Laborers’ International Union of North America
Major League Baseball Players Association
National Association of Letter Carriers
National Education Association
National Football League Players Association
National Postal Mail Handlers
Screen Actors Guild
Service Employees International Union
Teamsters
Transport Workers Union of America
Unite Here
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry
United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
United Farm Workers
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
United Steel Workers

Loading paragraph...

About the Author

Keith Speights is a contributing Motley Fool healthcare analyst covering publicly traded companies across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, technology, and marijuana. Prior to The Motley Fool, Keith was CEO of Constant Care Technology, a healthcare technology company; vice president of American HealthTech, a healthcare software company; and a director of operations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, a health insurer. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University.

TMFFishBiz

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.