prounion

Prounion is a term used to describe support for labor unions and for collective bargaining. It can refer to individuals, political movements, or policies that advocate organizing workers into unions and permitting workers to negotiate wages and conditions through collective bargaining.

Etymology and usage: The term combines pro- with union. In political discourse it distinguishes policies or parties that favor unions from those that oppose or restrict union activity, and can apply to national labor laws, company policies, or organizing campaigns.

Contexts: Across countries, prounion policies range from strengthening collective bargaining and strike rights to promoting union representation on corporate boards in some European systems. Historically, prounion positions gained momentum during the rise of industrial labor movements and remain central in debates on labor law, wage setting, and workplace governance.

Debates: Proponents argue prounion policies raise wages and improve safety and voice at work; critics say unions can reduce flexibility or raise costs and may not reflect all workers’ preferences. In practice, prounion positions sit within broader discussions of labor-market reform and social policy.

See also: labor union, collective bargaining, right to organize, labor movement, industrial relations.