The labor unions of the late 1800s were brought about to protect the rights of workers. Workers during this time were often treated horribly with poor working conditions. Also workers wages were very low. A major goal of the labor unions was to receive higher wages. Along with the poor conditions and low wages, men, women, and children worked days as long as 12 hours long. With many new technological advances during this time, the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. The majority of the population were the poor factory workers. They hoped to ban together in order to receive higher wages, better working conditions, and less hours.