I don't think gaming is taken seriously enough in the States to warrant any kind of "gaming rights" outside of what is already established within normal laws. I think the nation that takes it the most serious is definitely South Korea. How do they handle it? Even me being 30 and growing up on video games and PCs, I still have a hard time taking "gaming" seriously as a career choice, and I can't say it's something I'd encourage my future kids to do. But, it is certainly growing.
On the union note.... I am never a fan of unions this day and age. I think there used to be a time and place for them, but today I feel they largely do more harm than good.
These are just my general opinions with honestly knowing nothing deeper than surface-level knowledge on the subject (pro-gaming industry)... I guess those are my "default" feelings toward the matter but I'd have to do a lot more research to know anything on the topic. For example, you say, "I think the current conditions in this field are harsher than necessary..." I have never looked that far into that side of things to have an opinion one way or another.