Talk:Labor union

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The term "trade union" was long ago chosen as a Wikipedia category. It was an unfortunate decision, since not all labor unions are trade unions. For example, industrial unions see "trade" or "craft" as a restrictive basis upon which to organize. The decision to use "trade union" as a category has forced numerous compromises in labor-related articles on Wikipedia. This article title, therefore, may contribute to clarification of that issue. The challenge is explaining that circumstance, yet keep the language encyclopedic.

This is a narrow definition:

In economics, a labor union is an organization of workers that tries to improve working conditions, wages, and benefits for its members.

It is true of many unions. However, there are at least two very significant areas in which this definition is inaccurate and much too restrictive. (1) Many mainstream unions fight for legislation which benefits not just members of those unions, but many working people. And, (2) unions such as the Industrial Workers of the World base their entire existence on the concept of working people fighting not as local groups of workers, but as a class (i.e., all working people).

Because this article was deleted and moved to Trade union, and then recreated, i don't know precisely how the re-creator wishes to distinguish labor unions from trade unions. I think taking the above into account could be a good first step. Richard Myers (talk) 16:36, 16 February 2009 (UTC)


 * This reeks of original research and failure to recognize variations in use of the English language. As one of the few card-carrying Wobblies editing Wikipedia, I can assure you that this splitting of articles does not have my support, and has been reverted until and unless you can make your case convincingly to the rest of us. -- Orange Mike  &#x007C;   Talk  01:49, 17 February 2009 (UTC)


 * I'll let Smallman12q make that argument, if he chooses to. I'm not invested in the article, i just didn't like the narrow definition of a labor union. I'm a little confused about what you're referring to as original research. For what its worth, i'm a Wobbly Wikipedia editor too. best wishes, Richard Myers (talk) 02:18, 17 February 2009 (UTC)
 * By original research, I'm talking primarily about the fine distinction you're making here, one not normally in common discourse, between "labor union," "trade union" and "trades union." The lines are not as clear as you seem to make them. I would advise you to make these distinctions (if you can source them) within the body of the existing article trade union, rather than forking the article. -- Orange Mike  &#x007C;   Talk  03:18, 17 February 2009 (UTC) I.U. 660; Milw. G.O.B.