What action did businesses often attempt regarding union power?

Businesses often attempted to break union power to maintain control over their operations and to avoid negotiations that would elevate workers' rights or address their demands for better working conditions, wages, and benefits. Unions typically advocate for the collective interests of workers, which can challenge business owners' authority and profit margins. When unions grow strong, they can secure better terms for workers, leading employers to take measures — including promoting anti-union sentiment, employing legal strategies, or using direct confrontations — to undermine the influence of these unions. This historical context is critical in understanding labor relations, as businesses often viewed union strength as a threat to their autonomy and decision-making power.