What is a labor union primarily formed to do?

A labor union is primarily formed to protect and advance the rights and interests of workers. Unions are organizations that represent the collective interests of their members, which typically includes negotiating better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The fundamental purpose of a labor union is to ensure that employees have a voice in the workplace and access to fair treatment and compensation. This advocacy can take various forms, such as collective bargaining, organizing strikes, or engaging in discussions with management to address worker grievances.

By focusing on workers' rights and interests, unions help to create a balance of power between employees and employers, enabling workers to collectively advocate for improvements that may not be possible on an individual basis. This foundational mission of unions underpins their existence and activities, distinguishing them from other organizations that may have different goals.