> Know how the 40 hour work week became a thing, paid time off, etc.? Collective action by workers.

In the US? Armed revolt by unionized workers. Blood baths on both sides (labor and hired scabs/private police/paramilitary). Forced bargaining from state and federal governments. If you know where to look, there are little "union" cemeteries dotted across the Eastern and Midwestern US where union folk are buried due to company town cemeteries banning strikers and their families from being buried "in town".

Workers' rights were bought and paid for in blood.