Labor Unions

During the industrial revolution, worker wanted to have better conditions and higher wages at their places of employment.  These unions started off as friendly groups of workers that collected dues and helped workers when they were sick or out of a job.  Soon, however, they started turning to methods like strikes and collective bargaining to get what they wanted.  Industrial workers also wanted to increase their political power and rights.

With industry workers coming together in unions, factory owners and employers were forced to listen to demands and to negotiate better conditions and wages, otherwise they would face a striking workforce which would cause them to lose money.  This was the beginning of the labor unions we still see today.