The promise of a livable family wage in the future is the goal, as are job security provisions protecting union workers from arbitrary selective punishments and firings. If an ISP makes promises of future raises, or future benefits, or wage increases after a trial period, the unions are there to make sure the workers get what they are promised. As it stands now, an ISP can promise $35 six month period, and then claim it never happened, or that the driver hasn't 'earned' the raise based on standards the ISP can make up on the spot.