I think in theory people can band together and collectively negotiate without actually forming a legal union.
The framework to band together and collectively negotiate is literally called forming a union.
You don’t have to collect dues if you don’t want/need to, nor do you need a bureaucracy.
Eventually groups of collective negotiators (unions) end up in situations requiring resources, which require money. I’m talking about simple lawyer consults or if you wanted to buy research on current market pay.
This isn't some cooking eggs and not calling it frying. This is more you not understanding. Failure to comprehend and being mean is what's going on with you. The term is ass hole. Because let's face it, there's no failure to comprehend here, just deliberate pedantism and mischaracterization.
https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/em...
It is this legal definition of a union that has the ability to characterize your membership in the legal union as having paid union dues.
This legal formation of a union which is required to even sue the company isn't required for employees to act collectively.
But you know this. It's obvious. Stop being deliberately pedantic. Just move on man.