The unions originated and developed as organisations in defence of professional interests, but in some countries this basic aim has been supplemented by another pursuing general interests. In some countries the unions’ activities on behalf of the whole community are officially recognised, while in others the unions themselves began to perform them spontaneously. Widespread throughout Europe, the phenomenon has always been particularly marked in Italy. The essay examines the public-spiritedness of the Italian unions, its origins and development, the main areas in which it is expressed, and the advantages and disadvantages of this way of pursuing public interests. The conclusion aims to bring out the benefits that would derive from a fuller implementation of the principles of the constitution.