Just because two parties are legally at the same position doesn't mean there isn't a power imbalance. Without collective bargaining, any employment negotiation is going to be lopsided, since not having a job hurts a worker a lot more than having one employee fewer hurts an employer.
I think I am pretty good at my job. I get great feedback from all sides and complete my work on time and with high quality. We are also looking hard for more people because we have too much work. Getting people up to speed also is a big issue, so my employer invested a decent amount in me. In all, I have a dang good bargaining position.
And yet if I were to quit my job, that would hurt me a lot more than it would hurt my employer. I would lose 100% of my income, which is essentially catastrophic. I would run massive risk in needing to find another decent job, would probably have to move, and wouldn't know whether I would like my new job.
Meanwhile, for my employer, a few projects would be slightly delayed, and we'd have to be more held-back in accepting new work. Nothing really impactful. Hence my employer holds a lot more bargaining power than I do.
I think I am pretty good at my job. I get great feedback from all sides and complete my work on time and with high quality. We are also looking hard for more people because we have too much work. Getting people up to speed also is a big issue, so my employer invested a decent amount in me. In all, I have a dang good bargaining position.
And yet if I were to quit my job, that would hurt me a lot more than it would hurt my employer. I would lose 100% of my income, which is essentially catastrophic. I would run massive risk in needing to find another decent job, would probably have to move, and wouldn't know whether I would like my new job.
Meanwhile, for my employer, a few projects would be slightly delayed, and we'd have to be more held-back in accepting new work. Nothing really impactful. Hence my employer holds a lot more bargaining power than I do.