4 ms·

Software engineers are shooting themselves in the foot. When you live in a society built around greed, it is imperative that you push to collect as much of the

Software engineers are shooting themselves in the foot. When you live in a society built around greed, it is imperative that you push to collect as much of the value you create. Unions can be extremely helpful. SWE would be the perfect people to build new custom solutions for unions to get around many of the negative externalities caused by unions. However, people don't want to unionize while they still have leverage. When software engineers are finally ready to unionize, they're going to have way less leverage and get much worse deals.

humanrebar 9y ago
I'd be more interested in a guild or craft association than a union. I don't find collective bargaining, closed shops, standardized pay schedules, and some other features of unions to be compelling.
- meddlepal 9y ago
  Agree. I'd much rather we organize the same way lawyers with their Bar Associations operate.
  - wils1245 9y ago
    Kind of an ironic example, lawyers have terrible working conditions. Pay is great, but the partner system of advancement is dehumanizing, and encourages cutthroat behavior and insane working hours.
    - voidfunc 9y ago
      I'm not looking to model the law firm model. That's a different system and much closer to a Consulting/Professional Services outfit. The bar is an accreditation and verification system as well as a means for upholding ethical standards across the membership.
    - favorited 9y ago
      Even lawyer pay isn't as great as it may appear. See: "Lawyer Salaries Are Weird" http://www.biglawinvestor.com/bimodal-salary-distribution-curve/ http://www.biglawinvestor.com/bimodal-salary-distribution-cu...
  - geebee 9y ago
    Bit of a nitpick, but I'd rather we organize like actuaries rather than lawyers. A rigorous exam is fine, but I think it's important to keep multiple educational paths open. I'd hate to see a single accredited degree path as the only option for licensing[1]. In short, a math major with a CS emphasis should be allowed to take the exam. Or, in my opinion, even someone who is just really great at self study. [1] I know, there are some alternative paths in law, but still very limited.
- lostboys67 9y ago
  Guilds are far more restrictive than unions an din the US "Guilds" have an unfortunate history in labour relations ie excluding minorities in favour of whites

humanrebar 9y ago

I'd be more interested in a guild or craft association than a union. I don't find collective bargaining, closed shops, standardized pay schedules, and some other features of unions to be compelling.

meddlepal 9y ago
Agree. I'd much rather we organize the same way lawyers with their Bar Associations operate.
- wils1245 9y ago
  Kind of an ironic example, lawyers have terrible working conditions. Pay is great, but the partner system of advancement is dehumanizing, and encourages cutthroat behavior and insane working hours.
  - voidfunc 9y ago
    I'm not looking to model the law firm model. That's a different system and much closer to a Consulting/Professional Services outfit. The bar is an accreditation and verification system as well as a means for upholding ethical standards across the membership.
  - favorited 9y ago
    Even lawyer pay isn't as great as it may appear. See: "Lawyer Salaries Are Weird" http://www.biglawinvestor.com/bimodal-salary-distribution-curve/ http://www.biglawinvestor.com/bimodal-salary-distribution-cu...
- geebee 9y ago
  Bit of a nitpick, but I'd rather we organize like actuaries rather than lawyers. A rigorous exam is fine, but I think it's important to keep multiple educational paths open. I'd hate to see a single accredited degree path as the only option for licensing[1]. In short, a math major with a CS emphasis should be allowed to take the exam. Or, in my opinion, even someone who is just really great at self study. [1] I know, there are some alternative paths in law, but still very limited.
lostboys67 9y ago
Guilds are far more restrictive than unions an din the US "Guilds" have an unfortunate history in labour relations ie excluding minorities in favour of whites