to stop abuse by the employers . By banding together and acting in unison they prevented individual acts of retaliation by the employers. They were able to choose a leader who negotiated for better terms in pay , safety and benefits. If their demands were not met they will stop working{going on strike} Untill their demands were met. Bringing the employer back to the table for fear of loosing profits or risking failure. They were sometimes brutally and illegally opossed by management and owners alike. The legacy of the contribution of unions to the welfare and rights of todays worker is invaluable.
Over decades the government enacted laws to protect the worker from abuse and set standards in safety, wages and other benefits.As a result unions today are a shadow of what they once were.