Here we have an example of what collective bargaining is all about. Your skills are irrelevant, what matters is being in a union and sticking together. You'll probably also find that no wannabe train driver will pay for their training, will pay for their uniform or pass, accept they have to pay to use their company's service etc. They'll near enough be union members to a man/woman. I'm also sure if you asked them whether they agreed with they thought their union was worthwhile, like the BALPA denigrators on this site, many would say they didn't but they'll still vote for and go on strike if asked to do so. Finally, you have to get the most unpleasant, greedy, vicious, unreasonable ugly pub fighter to negotiate on your behalf - someone who is quite prepared to hold an entire nation to ransom.
Skills - who needs them, you just need to learn from the charvers, "Get a big nasty dorg to do ya tawkin' - innit!"
PM