The average workplace is already full of politicians and fiefdoms. Many are actively working against you behind the scenes. Entire departments are devoted to it

The average workplace is already full of politicians and fiefdoms. Many are actively working against you behind the scenes. Entire departments are devoted to it (HR). If they choose to have a small world view, they can never be helped. As someone living in Los Angeles at the time, many union jobs are well respected (e.g. studio, trade, etc).