As a farmer I usually felt unions were bad.  Not necessary to list the reasons now.  But I find myself supporting the railroad union, at least mentally.  There are only so many jobs available that pay what they are paid and in the area that they probably live.

If you live in places where you have few factories or corporations, you own (at least partially) your own home, have family and friends it's not going to be easy to give up a job that pays fairly good and find another to replace that income.  Particularly if your education was terminated at the high school level.

Quitting because of conditions and moving isn't that easy.  It could mean take kids out of their school, sell house, move possibly to a big city complete with its multitude of problems?  As I said there are only so many jobs,  jobs that pay enough to meet what Americans today consider middle class living.