First of all I know this doesn't fix the problems, but it might make the situation more livable. We are here and have to cope.
There are two basic possibilities; the system is changed or it is not. If it is changed than this is mote and im glad for that. If it doesn't, and there is a very good chance it won't then we need to understand how to try and win under the rules of engagement as they are. Even if we don't agree with them. My basic thoughts to restructure ourselves under these rules are something like what I have below. Open to thoughts and refinements, though remember it's not supposed to be the utopian solution.
You are a business.
You don't have a boss, you have a client.
You don't ask for raises, you inform your clients of cost increases.
You don't ask for time off, you inform your clients of unavailability.
Negotiate like that, do whatever is necessary to achieve leverage.
Refuse to work with any client who doesn't respect your business.
Just. Like. They. Do. To. You.
If these are the rules of the game fine, we can play too. The first thing to realize is it's going to hurt. A lot. Some more than others, but the majority of us do have some leverage, and we use it far to individually. Do not do business of any kind with a place who treats employees badly. Leave a complaint every time you consider it. If there are no good options, choose the least bad. Apply pressure the way they do to us. We all have capital, just little enough that we can't create change on our own, but we can play well enough to perhaps change the game.