Legal Definitions - horizontal union

A horizontal union, also known as a craft union, is a type of labor organization that unites workers who share a common skill, trade, or profession, regardless of the specific industry or company they work for. Its membership is drawn across different sectors based on the specialized work performed, rather than being confined to a single employer or industry.

• Example 1: The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

  Imagine a union that represents licensed electricians. This union would include electricians working on new residential construction sites, those maintaining electrical systems in a large manufacturing plant, and even electricians responsible for lighting and sound at a major concert venue. This is a horizontal union because it brings together individuals who possess the same specialized skill (electrical work), even though they are employed in vastly different industries (construction, manufacturing, entertainment).

• Example 2: A Union for Commercial Pilots

  Consider a union specifically for commercial airline pilots. This organization would represent pilots flying for various airlines, whether they work for a major international passenger carrier, a regional commuter airline, or a cargo transport company. The unifying factor is their shared, highly specialized skill and profession as pilots, not the particular airline or segment of the aviation industry they serve. This demonstrates a horizontal structure because membership is based on their craft, spanning multiple employers within the broader industry.

• Example 3: The American Federation of Musicians (AFM)

  The AFM is a union that represents professional musicians. Its members might include orchestral musicians performing in a symphony, studio musicians recording soundtracks for films, or live performers playing in clubs and theaters. Despite working in different facets of the entertainment and arts industries, their common craft as musicians forms the basis of their union membership. This illustrates a horizontal union because it unites individuals based on their shared artistic skill across diverse employment contexts.