“Unions, also known as labor unions or trade unions, are democratic organizations of workers that strive to achieve economic and political gains for their members or for workers in general. At a fundamental level the concept of a union refers to an organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members’ interests in regard to their employment situation or circumstance. It is usually described as a democratic institution based on the fact that they are “political organizations in which decisions are made by voting blocks of members.” (Gray, 128) The organizations can also be viewed as democratic because membership is typically voluntary.” (Drago & Fazioli)
Drago, R. & Fazioli, J. (2003). Unions and work and family integration, a Sloan Work and Family Encyclopedia entry. Retrieved May 11, 2007, from the Sloan Work and Family Research Network website: http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/encyclopedia_entry.php?id=259&area=academics.