What is the difference between an employers' association and a labor union?
An employers’ association, also known as an employer trade association, is a group of companies in a certain industry who join together to promote their shared interests. They work collaboratively to ensure that their members are aware of and comply with labor laws, lobby for changes to benefit the industry, and represent the joint interests of their members in collective bargaining with labor unions. A labor union, on the other hand, is an organization of workers who join together to collectively bargain with employers. Unions negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions, and are legally responsible for representing their members in disputes with employers. Union members also have the right to strike, picket, or protest to get the attention of their employers. The key difference between an employers’ association and a labor union is that while the former is composed of businesses and seeks to promote the interests of its members, the latter is made up of employees, and its purpose is to protect the rights and welfare of its members. Both associations and unions are subject to labor relations law in Washington, so employers and employees should familiarize themselves with their rights and duties.
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