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A union worker is to clergy as x is to laity. Is there a more encompassing term than non-union worker.

"The city was fined for contracting non-union workers."

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Uhmm, Union laborer. – Jim Dec 27 '12 at 4:34
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Nonunion workers is normal, and there is no more-encompassing term because this is the counterpoint to union workers. Sometimes scab (a derisive, contemptuous, & judgmental term), but scabs can be union workers who work for non-union wages & on nonunion jobs with less than union-prescribed working conditions. – Bill Franke Dec 27 '12 at 4:37
Also see Non-union-affiliated shop steward – jwpat7 Dec 27 '12 at 5:18
If one supposes clergy are not unionized, then x=clergy is a reasonable solution for “union worker : clergy :: x : laity”. Note, question organizations that could evoke x=non-union are “union worker : x :: clergy : laity” and “union worker : x :: laity : clergy”. – jwpat7 Dec 27 '12 at 6:48

1 Answer

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No, there is no better word. The opposite of union is non-union, and these two sets have no members in common. However, their own union is the universal set: everyone is either one or the other, never both.

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