Iris has workers and a standard bearer (9)
I believe the answer is:
flagstaff
'a standard bearer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'iris has workers' is the wordplay.
'iris' becomes 'flag' (synonyms).
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'workers' becomes 'staff' (members of staff).
'flag'+'staff'='FLAGSTAFF'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for flagstaff that I've seen before include "where colours seen" , "Arizona city" , "Pole for the standard" , "Standard bearer" , "Flying Pole" .)