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"Wrong. The way to fix the problem is to organize. Collective action works." Why would I want to do that? I already make many multiple times more than my peer

"Wrong. The way to fix the problem is to organize. Collective action works." Why would I want to do that? I already make many multiple times more than my peers due to my specialized skill set. I remember my first job out of college. Somehow, salaries got leaked and I was making 40% more than my colleague, in the same position (he sat right next to me). The difference was my experience and negotiating skills. 'Collective action' as you say just adds a middleman that won't do much for me..except prevent me from getting a raise on my own terms. Again, no thanks.

GenerocUsername 6y ago
Collectivism always helps those below the median and harms those above the median in whatever metric you are trying to mediate via collectivism. Collectivism is typically preferred by people below median in whatever metric you are considering.
- ticmasta 6y ago
  It's also often supported by those at the most extreme top end for whom it has very little positive or negative impact beyond signaling. See philanthropic billionaires and top-level athletes for examples.
- nfg 6y ago
  Historically this just isn’t correct - for example in accounts of labour agitation and union formation in the 19th century it’s noted time and again that the organisers and ringleaders were often the cream of the workers in each industry despite the attempts of capital to put forward the impression you have. The very best of humanity can see further than their own little bubble.
- int_19h 6y ago
  When the metric is income, pretty much everybody who works for wages or salary is below median. People who are above it are those who derive most of their income from investments. So, in that sense, OP is still correct - it's beneficial for workers to organize for collective action, so long as you draw the proper boundaries within which that collective action will operate.
- srtjstjsj 6y ago
  Mean, not median.
ticmasta 6y ago
I don't know why people always jump to "collective action" as the answer to anything related to compensation. Software engineers and program managers are not powerless, uniform skilled, replaceable cogs. You have unique & distinctive value. That we've just gone through the most ridiculous compensation inflation period of my entire career yet people still act like they're forced to put in 70+ hours a week in a coal mine boggles the mind.
- mschuster91 6y ago
  > Software engineers and program managers are not powerless, uniform skilled, replaceable cogs. You have unique & distinctive value. I beg to differ. Most companies treat their IT employees as exchangeable cogs. Hell, there's an entire offshoring and h1b industry built around that fact, not to mention local dumpsterfires like Accidenture. > yet people still act like they're forced to put in 70+ hours a week in a coal mine boggles the mind. Well, many of us work 80+ hours a week and are happy because they're allowed the honor to work for SpaceX/Facebook/Google/... so yeah.

GenerocUsername 6y ago

Collectivism always helps those below the median and harms those above the median in whatever metric you are trying to mediate via collectivism. Collectivism is typically preferred by people below median in whatever metric you are considering.

ticmasta 6y ago
It's also often supported by those at the most extreme top end for whom it has very little positive or negative impact beyond signaling. See philanthropic billionaires and top-level athletes for examples.
nfg 6y ago
Historically this just isn’t correct - for example in accounts of labour agitation and union formation in the 19th century it’s noted time and again that the organisers and ringleaders were often the cream of the workers in each industry despite the attempts of capital to put forward the impression you have. The very best of humanity can see further than their own little bubble.
int_19h 6y ago
When the metric is income, pretty much everybody who works for wages or salary is below median. People who are above it are those who derive most of their income from investments. So, in that sense, OP is still correct - it's beneficial for workers to organize for collective action, so long as you draw the proper boundaries within which that collective action will operate.
srtjstjsj 6y ago
Mean, not median.

ticmasta 6y ago

I don't know why people always jump to "collective action" as the answer to anything related to compensation. Software engineers and program managers are not powerless, uniform skilled, replaceable cogs. You have unique & distinctive value. That we've just gone through the most ridiculous compensation inflation period of my entire career yet people still act like they're forced to put in 70+ hours a week in a coal mine boggles the mind.

mschuster91 6y ago
> Software engineers and program managers are not powerless, uniform skilled, replaceable cogs. You have unique & distinctive value. I beg to differ. Most companies treat their IT employees as exchangeable cogs. Hell, there's an entire offshoring and h1b industry built around that fact, not to mention local dumpsterfires like Accidenture. > yet people still act like they're forced to put in 70+ hours a week in a coal mine boggles the mind. Well, many of us work 80+ hours a week and are happy because they're allowed the honor to work for SpaceX/Facebook/Google/... so yeah.