Abstract:The autonomy is an inherent characteristic of the discipline and knowledge system. To strengthen the autonomy of the discipline is a fundamental thread that runs through the theoretical research of trade unions in China since the reform and opening up. It is the essential requirement for Trade Union Studies to be an independent discipline. The research objects, disciplinary foundation, and knowledge domains of Trade Union Studies have its own unique characteristics, which are jointly determined by the historical traditions, value core, guiding principles, organizational principles, structural features, and institutional spirit of trade unions in China. This is the basic foundation for setting up a Trade Union Studies. Setting up Trade Union Studies under the Marxist theoretical discipline is a signifi cant event for the cause of the Chinese labor movement and trade union work. It has great practical and far-reaching historical signifi cance for opening up new frontiers of Marxist trade union theory with Chinese characteristics, promoting the development of socialist trade unions in China with the right orientation and innovation, and constructing an independent knowledge system of trade unions in China.