When referring to a group of people or entities that have joined together for a common purpose, the term "the union" is a common phrase used. However, there are various synonyms that can be used instead of "the union." One such synonym is "the association," which implies a group of individuals or organizations that have aligned together voluntarily to achieve a goal. Another synonym is "the coalition," which refers to a temporary alliance of parties who agree on a specific issue. "The collective" can also be used as a synonym when referring to a group that is working together towards a shared objective. Finally, "the federation" denotes an organization of interconnected bodies, typically with a central governing body, such as the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs.