Local union


A local union, in North America, or union branch, in the United Kingdom and other countries, is a local branch of a usually national trade union. The terms used for sub-branches of local unions vary from country to country and include "shop committee", "shop floor committee", "board of control", "chapel", and others.
Local branches are organised to represent the union's members from a particular geographic area, company, or business sector. Local unions have their own governing bodies which represent the interests of the national union while at the same time responding to the desires of their constituents, and organise regular meetings for members. Local branches may also affiliate to a local trades council.
In the United States and Canada, local unions are usually numbered. In the United Kingdom, they are usually named by geographical location, but may also have a name and a number or have a more specific name if there is more than one branch in a town. Some unions number their branches as well as naming them.
In the British printing industry, union branches are traditionally divided into sub-branches known as "chapels", led by the Father of the Chapel. Each chapel represents members in a single printing works or department of a larger works.

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