Crossword Genius

Strive to command union action (4,2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

work to rule

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'action' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Industrial action ' mean 'work-to-rule' so perhaps 'action' could also mean 'work-to-rule')

'strive to command union' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'to' is present in the answer.
'command' could be 'rule' (ruling is a kind of commanding) and 'rule' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'work' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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