How did unions reach their goals of better wages and working conditions

Unions play a pivotal role both in securing legislated labor protections and rights such as safety and health, overtime, and family/medical leave and in enforcing those rights on the job. Because unionized workers are more informed, they are more likely to benefit from social insurance programs such as unemployment insurance and workers compensation. Unions are therefore an intermediary institution that provides a necessary complement to legislated benefits and protections.