Trade unions, also known as labor unions, are organizations that represent workers and promote their interests and welfare in matters such as wages, working conditions, and other benefits. The main goals of unions are to negotiate better pay and benefits for their members, protect workers' rights, and improve safety standards. There are different types of unions including craft unions for skilled workers, industrial unions for entire industries, and white collar unions for professional occupations. Unions engage in collective bargaining negotiations with employers over wages and conditions, and may resort to industrial actions like strikes if agreements cannot be reached. While unions can disrupt business operations, they can also benefit companies and non-union workers through higher productivity and establishment of industry standards.