Why do you think athletes in other sports have taken to strikes or lockouts? Athletes are truly the most powerful weapons within our sport. Your unified action is stronger than any sponsor, event, or federation.
Know Your Rights
This sounds a bit cliche but I'm blown away each year with how few athletes actually know their rights. If you worked in any other profession I'm sure you'd learn the ins and outs of that professional world. This is no different.
You don't have to go read each guideline in the IAAF/USATF rule books but you should understand anything that you might deal with in this Olympic year.
For example, did you know that at the Trials when you make the team you aren't required to wear the team USA jacket on the awards podium or until you board that flight for Rio? Same goes for the World Indoor Trials. This may seem like a small deal but I've seen countless athletes adorn this jacket and miss a huge opportunity to promote the sponsor that helped create this moment. It's not usually something an athlete does on purpose but usually something an athlete isn't aware of when they are told they "have to" wear the team USA jacket on the awards podium. WRONG. You don't. So unless your sponsor's logo is on that jacket DON'T WEAR IT. If it is your sponsor, wear it proudly.
This is just an example but now you are one step closer to learning a few small things of contest. Still confused? Your best bet maybe be to watch our sport's leaders as I promise they know the rules. Goucher, Symmonds, Richards-Ross, Leer, Fleshman, Flanagan, Linden are all great examples of athletes that have navigated this sport brilliantly and are some of the most informed athletes you'll encounter. Learn from their example.
Also, Rule 40. Learn it and fight it. This rule hurts all athletes as your rights were sold for likely one of the most marketable moments of your careers.
Demand More
This is tricky but also very simple. You are a professional athlete and govern yourself within a set of standards each day. It's important to ask the same from all of those around you as well. Demand it!