Question

What is the best explanation of why factory owners and management wanted to prevent unions from forming?

They feared workers would violently revolt.
They felt it was in the best interest of the workers to wait for gradual change.
Organized workers might demand changes that would increase profits.
Organized workers might demand changes that would decrease profits.

Answer 1

Organized workers might demand changes that would decrease profits.

Factory owners and managers opposed unions mainly for economic reasons: collective bargaining, strikes, demands for higher wages, shorter hours, and safer conditions would raise costs or reduce output and thus cut into profits.