Question

companies hired pinkertons to
move employees to company towns
negotiate with unions in the workplace.
force scabs to cross picket lines
report on and bust unions.

Explanation:

During the industrial era, Pinkertons were private security agents often hired by companies. Their role was to monitor and disrupt union activities. Let's analyze each option:

• "move employees to company towns" is not a typical Pinkerton role. Company towns' employee movement was more about company policies or housing arrangements, not Pinkertons' work.
• "negotiate with unions in the workplace" is incorrect. Pinkertons were not hired for negotiation; they were more about suppressing unions.
• "force scabs to cross picket lines" is not their main task. Scabs crossing picket lines was more about replacement workers, and Pinkertons' focus was on union busting.
• "report on and bust unions" matches their historical role. They spied on unions, reported on their activities, and took actions to break up union organizing efforts.

Answer:

D. report on and bust unions