Before one whines about a union, I think a person has to have a good and honest look in the mirror.
There's no question (in my mind at least) that the face of the union (and of the various TUs) represents the face and character of the membership as a whole collectively in that particular group. Now, this face might not be what you thought it to be (and/or YOUR face might not be what you thought it to be), but ask yourself how many fights have YOU been willing to take on at personal risk to yourself. How many talk big but are really unwilling to take action themselves when faced with confrontation or a difficult decision. Just because the union won't do it (perhaps representing the multitude of people who tend to hide under the bed and lay low) doesn't mean you can't do it yourself; it just means that you might have less resources than everyone together. Have you stepped up to the plate ? It's one thing if you've really tried when it counts--and perhaps had your ideas rejected by the membership. Quite another not to have tried at all or thought someone else would do it.
Now we get to the situation where we don't have anything left to lose. Yet how many will sign over (or trip over themselves to sign over). Ask yourself this--are you pay protected during the transitional period ? It would be quite easy (if the idea was simply to force a new contract and 'right size' things for a difficult time) to put in a pay protection clause during the transitional period (if the contract were indeed legitimate). Preventing subsequent termination (with no regard to seniority) on a whim. Allowing for job stability albeit at lesser conditions while things shake themselves out. If the intent were to do this, the contract would assure employment albeit at reduced pay until things got better. So are you pay protected ?
If not, why are you signing it ? What sense could that make ?
You sign (giving up any rights towards recourse) and potentially get terminated in the next cull.
You don't sign and potentially get terminated (but retain your legal rights of recourse).
Either one has the same level of risk in the longer term; if you don't sign you may or may not get terminated (remaining on the old contract for housing, allowance, etc). If you do sign, you may or may not get terminated (under the new conditions). One gives up any chance of recourse (and guarantees lesser conditions); one does not. Yet how many will sign out of fear or trying to grasp at something--anything at all. Do you really want to live like this ?