What defines a labor union?

A labor union is fundamentally defined as an organization formed by workers to advocate for their collective interests, particularly with regard to improving working conditions, wages, benefits, and overall job security. This collective action allows workers to negotiate with employers on a more equal footing than they might have individually. Labor unions serve as a collective voice through which workers can express their needs and concerns about workplace issues.

In contrast, the other options describe concepts that do not align with the purpose and function of labor unions. Employee social events do not inherently involve collective bargaining or the improvement of working conditions, thus they do not represent the core objective of a labor union. A group marketing strategy for companies pertains to business practices aimed at promoting products or services and lacks any engagement with worker rights or conditions. Similarly, while a governmental body overseeing employee rights may exist to protect workers, it is not a labor union itself, as labor unions are independent organizations created by the workers to directly address their specific workplace issues. The essence of a labor union lies in its role as an advocate for workers, making the correct definition essential for understanding the dynamics of labor relations.