They abhor it but they may never have tried it. A lot of other workers have collectively bargained and received higher pay and other non-pay benefits.

Also, it's not like you have to form a union or anything. Just collectively bargain for a raise or whatever this one time.

Has there ever been a controlled study about whether collective bargaining leads to higher wages in the long run? (Excluding effects like lobbying for restrictions on entering the market.)

From what I know, I can't rule out that collective bargaining for higher wage is like advancing the tide with a bucket.

in my experience they abhor what you get when you start handing money and power to the collective, and stop paying attention to what it's doing to you.