Final answer:
Labor unions formed as a collective effort by workers to negotiate better working conditions, wages, and fair treatment through tools like collective bargaining and strikes. They arose due to the need for organized action against poor working conditions during industrialization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inception of labor unions was primarily driven by a need for workers to band together to improve their working conditions, wages, and overall treatment in the workplace. Workers united to form unions as a collective voice to negotiate for better conditions such as reasonable work hours, safe working environments, health benefits, and support in case of injury or retirement. The negotiation tools of collective bargaining and striking were central to labor unions' strategies for achieving their goals. During the early phases of industrialization, working conditions were often poor and workers had little recourse, leading to frustration and sporadic protests. Over time, workers realized that organizing into unions was essential to enact meaningful change, leading to the formation of various labor organizations that advocated for workers' rights both politically and through engagement with industry owners.