There were trade unions in the 1790’s. Printers were the first to go on strike - in New York in 1794; cabinet makers struck in 1796; carpenters in Philadelphia in 1797; and cordwainers (shoemakers) in 1799.
The Nation Labor Union, (actually a federation- an organization of local unions) formed in 1866. The NLU eventually persuaded Congress to pass an eight hour day for Federal workers. Never very strong, it was a casualty of the sweeping economic depression of 1873.
(http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Eco_Unionization.htm)
So, yes I know about trade unions in early America (although I did have to refresh my memory about specifics), but I don’t see where they had much of any influence until around 1894 at the earliest when the American Railroad Union struck the Pullman Company.
I would be interested in learning specifically where and how any trade unions had any appreciable impact on production and trade in pre-1860’s America.
You didn’t until you googled it! lol Too funny!