I disagree that it was needless due to how many people don't understand that they have a right to join or form a union. The fact that it can be read as either providing an opportunity or as the company granting permission seemed like the perfect opportunity to reinforce the importance of seeing unions as a right.
Not disagreeing with you, unionization is a right and needs to be treated as such, including in the language we use around it. But don't some unions not allow you to join immediately? Like you have to work there 30 days or something first? That's how I read this