Couple of things here.
First, how many other issues on the table have 60% majority? Or 70% majority? What about 80% or higher? Because those issues take negotiating priority to an issue with only 49% support.
Second, the art of negotiation. If 80% of members want expanded healthcare benefits and 49% want higher pay, the vast majority of unions will put forth both for negotiation. But the priority goes to the issue with 80% support. So if cutting the 49% backed issue means passage of the 80% backed issue, you cut the 49% issue. You want both, but you focus on the higher supported issue in bargaining.
Third, why didn't your "family members" try to convince some of the holdouts if the margins were so close? Every union meeting I have been to has allowed for people to speak on Union issues as part of New Business. We have an issue in my Union that didn't have a lot of support when it was first suggested, but after a few years and some convincing arguments in meetings, we voted to make it part of our negotiating goals. Did your "family members" just give up?
Show me where I "screamed" at corporations for slave wages.
I dare you to link to my exact words.
Show me.