Sounds like the union fucked up their negotiations/were strong armed by the company. Hardly a common occurrence with good unions, and definitely not "working as intended" as you seem to be implying here.

Unionisation almost always results in higher pay and greater benefits and protections. They are, by definition, for labour. There are countless studies, cases, economists, etc. that back this up, and at this point it's common knowledge.

Unionise. If you don't, you lack the bargaining power as individuals, in a system where the owner-class already restricts that power.