Final answer:
Labor unions were first created to improve working conditions and protect workers' rights such as fair wages and safe environments. They evolved as a response to the challenges presented by the Industrial Revolution, and they used collective bargaining and strikes as key strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Labor unions were first created to advocate for better working conditions for workers, particularly as the Industrial Revolution changed the nature of work. These organizations of workers sought to address labor rights such as fair wages, reasonable work hours, safe working environments, and ending child labor.
Labor unions also aimed to negotiate health benefits and to establish support programs for workers in case of illness, injury, or retirement.
Among the first labor unions was the National Labor Union followed by others, such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor. The Knights of Labor began in 1869 and promoted both skilled and unskilled worker's interests, whereas the American Federation of Labor focused more on skilled labor rights. Significant advancements came with the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, encouraging the formation of unions.
Labor unions employed strategies like collective bargaining and strikes to leverage their numbers and solidarity in their negotiations with employers. These strategies remain fundamental to the labor movement, allowing workers to have a collective voice and representation in discussions that affect their work life.