Here is a question for those who believe chess players are underpaid and generally not treated very well.  Should we unionize?  This could first be done with the top tier who would boycott tournaments that do not treat chess players with all due respect, or pay them competitive wages.  They refuse to play until their demands are met which would not be a very effective strategy unless the top players did this in consort. 

I don't think that would be very effective.  There are thousands of players that would be clamoring to take the place of any high level boycotters.  Conditions will have to get bad enough that a large majority of players at all levels stop playing.  That is the only way the system would change.

Look up the ACP.

If the US produces another world champ, chess would probably be given more attention here again, and with that, money!