A trade Union may be defined as an organisation of employees formed on a continous basis for the purpose of securing diverse range of benefits. Sec (h) of Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926 defines trade union as any combination, whether temporary or permanent, formed primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers or between workmen and workmen, or between employers and employers or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes any federation of two or more trade unions.”

According to Edwin.B.Filippo, “ A trade union is an organisation of workers formed to promote, protect and improve, through collective action, the social, economic and political interests of its members.”

Features of trade Unions:-

1. They are voluntary association of workers in one or more occupations.
2. They are formed for the pursuit of common interests of members. They protect the economic interests of members and also promote their welfare.
3. They always act collectively i.e. through united action of members.
4. They are concerned with economic, cultural, political and social life of their members.