When I started work I could not take the job I applied for without joining the union, the AUEW. I argued that it was the firm employing me, not the union, so refused. In the end I compromised and joined, but on the proviso I would not take part in industrial action of any kind, unless it concerned safety issues.
My 3rd year there, after a protracted issue over a wage rise, the union members agreed, across the board, to a 2.5% increase and a change to the piecework scheme, and in my role that meant I could triple my wage. Two weeks into the new wage the toolroom walked out, because the disparity in wages between them (skilled) and us (semi/unskilled) had closed too much, so we all suffered because they threw their toys out the pram
They ended up with a rise, cos we could not function without the toolroom, but 6 months later the firm started laying off staff cos they could not afford the wage bill and increasing prices signed the death knell for us so everyone lost their job