Final answer:
Workers likely elected to unionize to have a stronger collective voice and more negotiation power with management for improved wages and conditions, despite the existence of labor laws and company unions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most likely reason that workers elected to unionize is to gain collective bargaining power, which allows them to negotiate with management as a united front for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. Unlike company unions, which had little power and were controlled by management, independent unions can negotiate on behalf of the employees more effectively. Moreover, despite the enactment of labor laws due to political support from unions, which might reduce the perceived need for unions, there are still significant benefits to being a union member. These include the ability for workers to stay longer in their jobs, reducing training costs for employers, resulting in more experienced workers, and the provision of job training and apprenticeship programs which could enhance worker productivity.