Labor organizers claim that unions benefit both their

Labor organizers claim that unions benefit both their members and society by negotiating better wages, reasonable working conditions, and job security for their members. When workers are satisfied with their wages and working conditions, the organizers argue, they are more productive employees, thereby benefiting their employers and society in general. Although unions improve the welfare of their employees, they do not provide benefits to society. The higher wages of union members increase the costs of operating a business, and the firms must then charge higher prices to consumers damaging the welfare of society. Additionally, when union members receive higher wages, non-union employees feel cheated in comparison. This perception lowers the morale of those employees and reduces their productivity.

The bolded phrases in the argument above serve which of the following functions?

(A) The first phrase makes an assertion to support a claim, and the second undermines that assumption
(B) The first phrase supports the organizers’ position, and the second summarizes a position in opposition to the organizers’
(C) The first phrase describes a claim disputed by the author, and the second provides support for the author’s position
(D) The first phrase supports the position of the labor organizers, and the second weakens the claim of the author
(E) The first phrase supports a position in opposition of that of the author, and the second undermines the opposing position