Trade unions, also known as labor unions, are organisations formed by workers in a specific trade, industry, or company with the primary purpose of maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment. These conditions typically include attaining better wages and benefits, improving working conditions, and enhancing safety standards in the workplace. Trade unions operate through elected leadership and bargaining committees that negotiate with employers on behalf of their members in a process known as collective bargaining, aiming to establish labor contracts or collective bargaining agreements that outline the terms of employment. Unions may organise workers based on their specific skills (craft unionism), across various trades (general unionism), or within an entire industry (industrial unionism). Historically, trade unions emerged in response to the often precarious and exploitative conditions faced by workers, particularly during the Industrial Revolution, providing a collective voice and power to negotiate for fairer treatment and improved livelihoods. They have played a significant role in advocating for workers' rights, safer workplaces, and the end of child labor, often operating with a democratic structure where members elect officers and pay dues to support the union's activities.