Which statement about the role of unions in workplace relations is correct?

Unions represent employee interests is the correct statement because unions are organized groups of workers that come together to advocate for their collective rights, benefits, and working conditions. They engage in negotiations with employers to secure better wages, job security, and improved workplace policies on behalf of their members. Through collective bargaining, unions empower employees by giving them a stronger voice in workplace relations, which can lead to more favorable outcomes than individuals negotiating or advocating for themselves alone.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary role of unions. Unions do not negotiate on behalf of employer associations; rather, they represent the workers’ needs and well-being in discussions with management. While unions may sometimes oppose certain employer practices that they believe are unfair, their primary focus is to promote and protect employee interests, not to lobby against employers in general. Lastly, unions do not enforce individual employee contracts; their role is more geared towards collective agreements that cover all or large groups of employees, rather than dealing with individual contracts.