What was the main goal of workers uniting in groups known as unions?

Workers united in groups known as unions primarily to negotiate for better wages and improved working conditions. The formation of unions allowed workers to collectively voice their concerns and demands to employers, leveraging their combined numbers to achieve goals that would be difficult to attain individually. These goals included advocating for higher wages to ensure a better standard of living and pushing for safer working conditions to reduce the risks and health hazards associated with industrial labor.

During the Industrial Revolution, many factories had dangerous environments, long hours, and minimal pay. Unions served as a powerful tool for workers to organize strikes, negotiate contracts, and demand changes that directly impacted their livelihoods. This collective bargaining approach traditionally marked a significant shift in the power dynamics between laborers and management, as it provided workers a unified platform to pursue their rights and interests effectively.