Ask the union worker on the car assembly lines how well the Union protects them in the face of industry shifts. The key is to enhance your skills so that regardless of the market you are a valuable resource to a company. In the global economy there is no such thing as 'large enough numbers' of workers to force industries hand.

At the grocery store apples are apples, but when they have been converted to apple pie there is the opportunity to command a high price if the recipe (skill mix) is more desirable then the other brand. Question - why should anyone pay more for apples when they can be found anywhere?