Maybe people just try to do things they are interested in or care about and aren’t trying to scheme or gang up on others? I think if I were in such a position, I might see the process as too unegalitarian and want to change it. I wonder how one would get involved with changing such a thing.

You’re obviously able to organise in the workplace for basically whatever goals you want if you like (though in the US this organisation is only protected if more than one person is involved.)