Final answer:
Labor unions influence government to ensure the protection and progression of worker's interests, with the AFL-CIO being a prominent voice in organized labor. They also shift the power balance in employer-employee negotiations and have experienced a long-term decline in membership.
Step-by-step explanation:
Labor unions try to influence government on a wide range of issues to protect and advance the interests of their members regarding wages, working conditions, and benefits. The most important voice of organized labor in the United States is arguably the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), which is a federation of different unions representing a diverse group of workers. Labor unions have become victims of their own success in that sometimes, by achieving better pay and working conditions through legislation, the need for union representation seems less urgent, leading to a decrease in membership.
The federal government has created legislation regarding wages and discrimination to ensure fair treatment across all workplaces, representing a national standard that unions often support. Economically, government involvement in addressing issues such as the minimum wage, employment rates, and fair labor practices is crucial for a balanced workforce.
When labor unions enter negotiations, they alter the balance of power that typically favors employers, giving employees a collective voice. Over time, however, there has been a long-term trend of declining union membership in America.