Unions are trying to get rid of tiered wages. Doing the same job shouldn't result in different pay. So you keep working there and get extra vacation time for your years of service to the company.
By that point you're at the max pay so it should be feasible to go back to college to advance your career, start a side-business, or just enjoy your living wage and stay where you are.
Capping out pay on the factory floor still leaves a lot of options to grow.