A galactic wide conglomerate, the Mining Union was born of the collaboration between different companies and firms in the mining of low class (not habitable) yet rich with ore planets, like Tydaria. As such, it controls every stage since the extraction of the ore to its refining into starship grade steel. Since it's origins, The Mining Union has grown to the point it's the steel provider of 50% of the ships constructed in the galaxy. As such, it is a powerhouse comparable to The Alliance lobbies. Despite it, the Union has never preoccupied itself with the relations with the powers, and never had a relation with the Alliance despite it's democratic and capitalistic nature (due to this, it's influence in the Alliance politics it's a lot less than it's internal lobbies, despite having a size that rivals them). However, this has gained the Union a niche with freelancers and mercenaries, being their main provider of supplies and the only way to legally purchase weapons (and it's licenses). The Union has encouraged this by offering protection and patrolling jobs (with the objective of gaining further independence of the any nation), and in general being receptive to proposals whenever they can gain some benefits. A good example of this is their good reception of Asaga Oakrun and Chigara Ashada, offering the first a place among the mercenaries patrolling the mining areas despite it's inexperience, recognizing her skills, and lending the second a facility in which conduct starship reparations (and bake pastes) in exchange of her working in reparations of ships of the Union (recognizing again her top skills despite being very young). The Union in general has a policy which gives priority to money before all (though they seem to respect the law), so they don't take sides in any war. Because of that they are the ones which profit the most, as it doesn't matter which sides wins or loses, both will need more warships, either to recoup the losses or to maintain the advantage.
As Captain Shields essentially becomes a freelancer, the Union becomes his main provider of supplies, including rockets and repair drones. His contact with the Union is Sophita Brooks, the Vice-secretary of Operations.