Question

how did unions work?

Answer 1

A labor or trade union is an organization of workers dedicated to protecting members’ interests and improving wages, hours and working conditions for all. No matter what you do for a living, there's a union with members who do the same thing. Unions represent:
mechanics,
teachers,
factory workers,
office workers,
actors,
musicians,
police officers,
construction workers,
airline pilots,
janitors,
plumbers,
doctors,
pharmacists,
IT/computer professionals,
government workers at all levels,
engineers,
writers,
nurses,
and many more types of workers.