What was the main goal of the labor unions of the late 19th century?

Higher wage and better working condition

Most employers of the late nineteenth century distrusted attempts by workers to organize and took active measures to hinder them. Among their tactics were:

★ the "yellow-dog" contract (a worker's agreement not to join a union during the period of his employment);

★ the blacklist (a list circulated among employers of workers reputed to hold opinions or engage in actions contrary to the employers' interests);

★ the injunction (an order issued by a court whereby one is required to do or refrain from doing a specified act) to restrain unions from actions harmful to employers;

★ the open shop (an establishment in which non-union members may work);

★ company police and company spies;

★ use of strikebreakers (called "scabs" by workers) to fill the jobs of strikers.