This is way more interesting because (if true at scale) it's an example of a union working to protect their members in real, practical, day to day ways.
Unions are normally really good at this.
One of the standard responses to managers asking for something stupid in a steel mill was "Get the book". "The book" defined the procedures, equipment, and training required for most tasks. This is fairly normal for most union shops.
It's a lot easier to tell a manager to pound sand when he asks you to do something stupid when you know the union will back you up.
It's also when you can retire, whether you get a pension.
In addition but very importantly how much effort does your employer need to put into keeping its employees safe.
These were work conditions that were first collectively bargained for before unions then lobbied governments to enact them into law
I just did a quick search on US workplace safety ( I assumed you were US sorry if I guessed wrong).
https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats
Worker deaths have halved since workplace safety came into play in 1970, this wouldn't have been enacted if left up to companies as it is much cheaper to find an uninjured worker than it is to implement safe working conditions (I'm generalising obviously but I think it holds). It would have been heavy collective bargaining from unions that made this happen.
Also thank you for sharing the original story it was a really interesting anecdote.