Dismissal or firing is generally thought to be the fault of the employee, whereas a layoff is generally done for business reasons (for instance a business slowdown or an economic downturn) outside the employee's performance.
Australian Unions. In Australia, a union is sometimes referred to as a trade union or a labour union. A union is an organisation of workers or employees who have joined together to achieve common goals. These goals can include seeking higher pay and better working conditions, fighting for job security and protecting the integrity of a trade.
Labor Unions. A labor union is a third-party organization that acts as liaison between workers and the management of the companies that hire them. Labor unions commonly represent workers who perform manual labor, such as factory workers and janitors, but they can also represent teachers and other educated workers.