It's a global recession not just the uk , as we are in the eu we are tied into them for better or worse. The unions would not make things better, in fact they consistently make things worse, I have yet to see one thing that the unions do that is positive.
I know one thing I would never join another union as they don't do anything I couldn't do myself. I have worked for a company with no union involved, we have have just had a 8% pay rise, there has been no strikes, we sort out any issues directly with the employer, and I am happy.
If a union agreement was in place I suspect that the first thing they would do is try to expand their membership, then try to drive a wedge between employer and employee, then demand double digit wage increases, and finally try and get people to threaten strike action.
Yes I'm proud that no sycophant union are in my work place !