The definition of a labor union, according to Merriam-Webster, is “an organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members’ interests in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions.”

The goal of a union is to build trust among the workforce as it provides a mechanism for dialogue between workers and employers, and it ensures that problems can be identified and resolved quickly and fairly.

Unions benefit employers as well as employees as they help employers create a more stable, productive workforce — where workers have a say in improving their jobs. It is a solution where both parties benefit.

I encourage those interested in forming a union at Bates College to do so.