Which negotiating strategy is commonly utilized by unions?

The choice of striking to leverage demands is a well-established negotiating strategy utilized by unions. Strikes serve as a powerful tool for workers to assert their rights and communicate their dissatisfaction with employment conditions, wages, or benefits. When workers collectively decide to stop working, it creates significant pressure on employers, as operations may be halted or disrupted. This not only highlights the importance of the workforce but also draws public attention to the workers' cause, thereby compelling employers to engage in negotiations to resolve the conflict.

Strikes can lead to improved terms through direct confrontation, highlighting the critical role that workers play in the company's success. Such actions often showcase unity amongst union members, signaling to employers that employees are ready to stand firm for their demands, which can include better pay, job security, and improved working conditions.

Other strategies mentioned in the options do not resonate as directly with the fundamental practices of union negotiations. For instance, merging companies to eliminate unions undermines workers’ rights, while reducing work hours does not typically serve as a method to achieve better conditions; it may even detract from the goal of increasingly favorable work terms. Similarly, while seeking tax breaks for employers could potentially benefit companies, it does not directly involve negotiating for worker rights or improvements, which are at the