Organizations of workers formed to protect and advance their collective interests, primarily focusing on wages, working conditions, and job security. These associations acted as a unified voice for employees, enabling them to negotiate with employers from a position of greater strength than individual workers could achieve. A notable example from the Industrial Revolution involves associations formed by factory workers seeking safer environments and fair compensation.
The emergence and growth of these worker organizations significantly altered the dynamics of labor relations. They provided a mechanism for addressing the imbalances of power inherent in employer-employee relationships. Their actions often resulted in improved standards, safer workplaces, and a greater share of profits being distributed to the workforce. Historically, their struggles played a crucial role in shaping labor laws and social welfare policies in many nations.
