A trade union is the central organizational unit upon which organized labor is based. Its role is to corral the financial and political resources of its members and sympathizers to create political, economic, and social change. It does this through several tactical approaches.

First, the trade union encourages the enactment of legislation favorable to its members by making political endorsements to friendly candidates, using the collective financial power of the dues it collects from its members to provide donations to those candidates and leveraging its trusted voice to encourage its members to vote for them.

Second, the trade union encourages the creation of workplace policies favorable to its members by using its corporate power to negotiate with employers. Applications of this corporate power can include strikes, pickets, and work slowdowns.

Third, the trade union can represent the personal financial interests of its members through a variety of collective and individual actions, which may include the creation of pension funds and the provision of legal aid to aggrieved workers.

The main functions of the trade union are to protect and defend the interests of workers by serving as a mediator between the workers and the company. Trade unions exist to help workers ban together to have a stronger collective voice of influence.

The breakdown of those functions is as follows:

1. Advocating for fairness and equality for workers' compensations.
2. Securing better working conditions for workers.
3. Trade unions will organize strikes and demonstrations on behalf of worker demands.
4. Fight for social welfare for workers.
5. Promote and advocate for education and proper training for workers.
6. Advocate and fight the government for legislative protection for workers.
7. Promote and advocate for organizational growth and stability.
8. Trade unions act as representatives of workers in national and international forums.
9. Involved in collective bargaining agreements and disputes with management to settle any conditions on employment.
10. Advising management on correct personnel policies and procedures.
11. Involved in collective and personal collective grievances between management and workers.