Final answer:
Joining a union allows people to work together to influence laws and public policies, functioning as political participation, though it is not voting for laws directly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joining a union is one way in which people work together to bring attention to important public policy issues or workplace concerns. Unions, like other kinds of interest groups and organizations, lobby public officials and may engage in various activities such as civic writing, attending meetings, and soliciting contributions. This collective form of action within civic life is not directly related to voting for laws, but it is a means to influence them indirectly by putting political pressure on lawmakers. Through political participation, unions and their members work to advocate for better work environments, higher pay, or specific political causes that align with the needs and goals of their members.