What were labor unions primarily established to achieve?

Labor unions were primarily established to advocate for better wages and working conditions for workers. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many industries were characterized by harsh working environments, long hours, and low pay. Unions arose as a response to these challenging conditions, seeking to organize workers to collectively bargain for improved labor standards. By banding together, workers were able to exert more influence over employers, which often resulted in negotiated agreements that led to higher wages, safer working environments, shorter hours, and other benefits that addressed their grievances.

The foundational goal of these unions was centered around the welfare of the workers themselves, contrasting with other options that do not align with the primary mission of labor unions. For instance, eliminating poverty is a broader social goal that may not have been the direct focus of labor movements specifically. Similarly, while unions may have encountered technological changes, their primary aim was not to promote technological advancements but to secure the immediate rights and needs of workers. Lastly, supporting corporate interests runs counter to the mission of unions, which were created to challenge, not uphold, the often exploitative practices of corporations.