The Steel Workers Organizing Committee was one of two precursor labor organizations to the United Steelworkers. It was formed by the CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations) in 1936. It disbanded in 1942 to become the United Steel Workers of America. A labor union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals such as protecting the integrity of its trade, achieving higher pay, increasing the number of employees an employer hires, and better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts (collective bargaining) with employers. Union dues are a regular payment of money made by members of unions. Dues are the cost of membership and are used to fund the various activities which the union engages in. Nearly all unions require their members to pay dues.