Abstract

The development of trade unions in the public and political dimension associated with maintaining by them socio-political movements, which in different periods of political history had the status of social movements. Among these movements are a social democratic and labor movements in Europe, which later acquired the status of parties. In addition, social movements are informal and very broad associations that need support group of values, or focused on single-step action, such as changing the current ruling power. In these circumstances, trade unions have to choose cooperation or dismissal from the social movements.The main cause of optimum interaction of trade unions and social movements are spontaneous occurrence of the latter. However, the broad social base, which is natural in the social and political movements, based on the negative perception of individuals and groups surrounding social reality. In this regard unions can support or deny certain facts of social life. The development of social movements is an important feature of democratic political life. Access to political participation is determined by the ability of self-organization and freedom to nominate requirements. The trade union movement at this stage has the ability to mobilize citizens to defend their labor rights that are under regulatory pressure correction and minimization by reviewing the priorities of the welfare state. New typological features of social movements are formed on the basis of a new type of social and communication links. Social hierarchy and class antagonisms, which provided the basis for the existence and development of trade unions in the past, expired. Therefore, the organizational forms of trade unions as social movements have become more available and acceptable for contemporary citizens.