Writer's Strike Thoughts

SF short fiction writers are probably some of the most underpaid writers out there, yeah? Should SFWA strike for better rates? (I'm asking this somewhat tongue-in-cheek) I've been around long enough to remember when the qualifying pro rate went from 3 cents to 5 cents. And the magazines followed. Should they have gone higher? Did they consider it? Just curious.

SFWA's not really a union, I understand, but I'm not sure why it isn't and what the difference is between SFWA and a union. Labor experts want to explain to me?

I've noticed, in reading around the web the reactions of commenters on blogs to the writer's strike--is that some people really don't like the idea of royalties, and think that writers demanding royalties (over, say, the grip or anyone else who helped produce the film) is asking too much. My understanding is that royalties are a form of deferred payment against the lifetime value of a piece. I don't know why writers get paid more than the sound guy, and earn royalties, but I imagine because without the initial intellectual property of the writer, the picture would never be made? Thoughts? Anyone reading this not in support of the writer's strike in Hollywood? If so, why? Most everything I read is in support, so I am wondering why and if anyone I know doesn't support the strike.