labor movement

noun

1. labor unions collectively:

   The labor movement supported the bill.

2. the complex of organizations and individuals supporting and advocating improved conditions for labor.
3. the effort of organized labor and its supporters to bring about improved conditions for the worker, as through collective bargaining:

   Their activities proved more harmful than helpful to the labor movement.

labor movement

1. The movement of workers for better treatment by employers, particularly through the formation of labor unions .

Word History and Origins

Origin of labor movement¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

At The American Prospect, Thomas Nelson advises the Democratic Party to embrace an economic agenda that uplifts the American worker and fully embraces the labor movement:

From Salon

The solution to rebuild the Democratic Party in the image of the worker is simple: Rebuild the labor movement.

From Salon

According to a Politico report, the Catholic Diocese of Scranton lost 39% of its physical churches since 2009 — a contraction in a predominantly white, working class region that, combined with a perceived turn by the Democratic Party towards cultural issues, has alienated much of the population from Catholic churches that once mobilized a Democratic Party-aligned labor movement.

From Salon

That last dock strike, 47 years ago, came a few years before the election of Ronald Reagan, who kneecapped the American labor movement for a generation when he summarily fired thousands of striking air traffic controllers.

From Salon

Before winning the seat in 2022, Schiavo, 45, worked in the labor movement as an organizer for the California Nurses Assn. and a political director for the San Francisco Labor Council.

From Los Angeles Times