Backers of business help to exploit union member (6)
I believe the answer is:
spouse
'union member' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'backers of business help to exploit' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
'exploit' could be 'use' (use can mean to exploit) and 'use' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spouse that I've seen before include "Very hot and dry" , "Consort" , "old lady?" , "Possibly wife" , "Partner in marriage" .)