I signed up to have a level of representative government intermediate between me and the employer. I didn't sign up because this was an adversarial intermediation. In fact I'm happier when it isn't. I'm more than okay working toward the common good, I just want this common good decided between the parties through negotiation, not handed down from on high. And I want this common good negotiation equally available to all employees, not just those with the most personal clout.
> I'm more than okay working toward the common good, I just want this common good decided between the parties through negotiation, not handed down from on high.
What you’ve just described is an inherently adversarial relationship with an employer by virtue of your desire to co-opt ownership and authority over their business.
When wife gets a job she signs up for an adverserial relationship with her husband
If you don't actively support your union by signing petitions, being a member (US unions can no longer collect funds from non-members, so membership rates matter), and voting to take action, there's not much the leaders can do. There's still some things the leadership can do, but it's typically not action that will get the company to do anything.
> you will only get what you bargain for
Negotiating in bad faith does happen. At my job management quickly agreed to, and paid out early, our bargaining. And then a month and a half after it was signed gave out out-of-cycle inflation raises to non-represented employees. The first time this has happened that I know of. And my union can't do anything about it for a few years because our contract is signed.
Management said that all raises, even this special out-of-cycle one, was subject to negotiation. Even though our bargained contract stated that out-of-cycle raises could happen without negotiation. Heads they win, tails we lose.