Labor unions in the U.S.S.R.--having emerged in Russia about 100 years after U.S. labor unions and been called by Lenin the "shock troops of the revolution"--do not much resemble their U.S. counterparts. Union members, including factory managers, constitute 99.3 percent of the work force, and place of employment or profession determines which of the 30 national unions workers belong to. Dues are 1 percent of wages. Local committees that formulate production norms for each 5-year plan include workers. Workers are expected to meet the 5-year plan in 4 years. Apportioned to the workers are such items as wage incentives, improved housing, rent subsidies, and space at day-care centers, hospitals, and vacation facilities at the Black Sea. Unions are to advocate for workers, but they do not fight for higher wages because wages are part of the 5-year plans and do not struggle with employers because there are so many job vacancies that employers do not give the union trouble. Trade union education, including two four-year institutions and a 5-year correspondence study option, is designed to train activists in their party responsibilities as well as to provide technical and professional education. (This information was collected during 6 weeks in the U.S.S.R. in 1984 and 1986.) (CML)