What is the role of a labor union in the workplace?

The role of a labor union in the workplace is primarily to represent employees' interests. Unions are organizations formed by workers to advocate for their rights, improve working conditions, negotiate wages, and secure benefits. They provide a collective voice that enhances workers' bargaining power when dealing with employers. By engaging in collective bargaining, unions strive to ensure that their members receive fair treatment and adequate compensation.

Unions focus on advocating for their members rather than supporting the management. Unlike an organization that looks to aid management with decision-making or supervise employee performance, unions are dedicated to championing the needs and rights of workers. They also do not have the authority to set company policies; that responsibility typically lies with management. Instead, unions work to influence these policies through negotiations and discussions with employers to achieve agreements that benefit their members.