Harrawaffa I think you’ve seen too many old shows from the 70’s and read to much of our anti worker media.
Do you really think by joining the union you’ll be sat outside on the picket line every week or stood in the company yard voting to go on strike?
However the success or otherwise of a union relys on its members taking an interest, so you should at least take an interest in the issues raised and those who put themselves forward to represent you, or you end up with the political fire brand or the management poodle, neither will benefit you as a worker who just wants to do a decent days work for decent pay and conditions.