Fuck also to answer the point about "bad things happen when it isn't done": people absolutely are against striking due to ot disenfranchising our clients (we work with unhoused people). We really stressed that striking would be last resort and likely wouldn't happen. Crossing my fingers that's the case

This is a weak point in your setup then, it is the same exploitation of nurses and other care workers. The culprit is the boss and company that doesn't agree to the conditions or broke agreements. They are responsible for a strike.

Would your boss work without pay? That is what people demand when they are angry at people striking. The effects of collective bargaining are to the benefit of the group you are working with.