The primary purpose of a labor union is to represent the interests of workers in negotiations with employers. This includes negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions.

The process of forming a labor union involves workers voting to form a union, the employer recognizing the union as the exclusive bargaining representative for its employees, and the union filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is responsible for conducting union representation elections, investigating unfair labor practices, and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act.

A collective bargaining agreement is a contract between a labor union and an employer that sets forth the terms and conditions of employment. This includes wages, benefits, working conditions, and grievance procedures.

A strike is a work stoppage by employees in order to force an employer to meet their demands. This is typically done in an effort to improve wages, benefits, or working conditions.

A lockout is a refusal by an employer to allow employees to work. This is typically done in an effort to force employees to accept the employer's terms in a collective bargaining agreement.

A grievance procedure is a process for resolving disputes between employees and employers. This typically involves a series of steps, such as informal discussions, mediation, and arbitration.

The role of a union steward is to serve as a liaison between the union and the employer. This includes representing the interests of workers in negotiations with employers, investigating unfair labor practices, and enforcing the collective bargaining agreement.

In a closed shop, all employees must be members of the union and the employer is required to hire only union members. In an open shop, employees are not required to be members of the union.

The Taft-Hartley Act is an act that amended the National Labor Relations Act. It outlawed closed shops, prohibited strikes and lockouts, and gave states the right to pass right-to-work laws.

A right-to-work law is a law that allows employees to opt out of paying union dues. This means that employees can still benefit from the union's collective bargaining efforts without having to pay dues.

The percentage of unionized workers in the United States is approximately 10%.

The industry with the highest percentage of unionized workers is government.

The state with the highest percentage of unionized workers is New York.

The main challenges facing labor unions today include declining membership, globalization, and technological change.