Graduate students are paid half time but expected to work full time and have their entire career at the mercy of individual professors. If protections will not be given freely then collective bargaining can force the issue.

Except this is still true at US schools that have had a union for many years. The pay and benefits go up a little bit but the fundamental issues remain. I've never even heard of a grad union trying to bargain for true changes in funding structure or degree requirements.

can't wait for company unions, where they band together to achieve their objectives

This already exists, in the form of various think tanks and lobbying organisations.

Maybe that was the joke you were making though, I can't quite tell.

No I'm talking about things like Ford, GM, and Chrysler creating a group together to more effectively negotiate with the UAW. Together, they are strong!