Let's start with the answer. The answer was union busting. As soon as men and women began to organize themselves into unions, the employers were quick and cruel to act against them. They did everything in their power to intimidate people not to join the union. If the people were strong willed, they persisted until the union was a fact.
Collective bargaining meant that management negotiated with all employees through their representatives no matter which union they belonged to. This action came much later.
Arbitration came later as well. It is quite a modern idea. It occurs when the union and management cannot come to an agreement. Arbitration usually is an imposed settlement the ruling is binding on both sides. A good arbitration is usually one that neither side likes much.
Boycotts are usually a union activity. The union urges all membership everywhere not to buy what ever the employer sells. It is a tactic used once the union has been established.
