They spend time squabbling about the worker that barely get by doing the bare minimum but knows the rules. Meanwhile the really hard workers get fired for one time mistakes

I don't believe you that this is a thing that you have personally experienced in a union.

Meanwhile the really hard workers get fired for one time mistakes

Usually literally contractually impossible based on the contract that was negotiated by the union's collective bargaining bloc.

Unions are ultimately groups of people. If you don't like the priorities and direction of the leadership, then you vote for new leadership.

Everyone gets paid more, including the ones who work really hard. They just don't get to steal their coworkers job because they had a rough month at home and didn't meet some bullshit made up quota. No, you support that coworker, because they deserve a living wage too, even if they're going through something.

Even if that thing is opaque and is appears to others as "laziness". Shit ain't your business beyond ”i hope things get better for them, and I am so glad that the leave they need to take will not permanently ruin them financially and force their family to move back with their inlaws in goddamn India" or wherever.

Like Jesus, have some common fucking decency for your coworkers.

News flash: working harder than you need to does not get your more money in non-union positions either. You just end up with more responsibility and less free time.