Final answer:
Labor unions in the late 1800s were effective in initiating change and uniting workers, but their full impact on securing additional rights would be more evident in later years, particularly during the Progressive Era and under President Franklin Roosevelt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effectiveness of labor unions in securing additional rights for workers in the late 1800s was significant, although progress was often slow and met with resistance. Labor unions were a key force in organizing workers and pressing for improved conditions. Despite facing significant challenges such as economic downturns, opposition from employers, and internal divisions, unions forged unity among workers and achieved some notable successes.
The National Labor Union (NLU) played a pivotal role during the 1870s and 1880s, uniting a considerable number of laborers behind the push for an eight-hour workday. While they secured this condition for federal employees, their influence did not extend much further at that time. Similarly, organizations like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor worked relentlessly to improve wages, work hours, safety, and other benefits for workers, advocating for reforms that would be solidified in subsequent decades, especially during the Progressive Era and under Franklin Roosevelt's administration.