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Security. Unions (and lobbies) aren't just about tangible and immediate benefits, they're a form of insurance against changing job markets and work forces. Agai

Security. Unions (and lobbies) aren't just about tangible and immediate benefits, they're a form of insurance against changing job markets and work forces. Again, not sure why you're so against it.

refurb 6y ago
Do you have a good example of where a union was able to protect against major changes in the job market? Steel is out. So are auto workers.
- bazooka_penguin 6y ago
  Why are auto workers considered out? The UAW still has hundreds of thousands of members. I would consider it relatively successful, for its members anyway.
  - refurb 6y ago
    They have lots of members but it’s way down from say 30 years ago. And benefits have been pulled way back. The union agreed that existing GM employees can keep their packages ($50+ per hour) while new union members start at $18. Basically 2 tiers of union members.
sokoloff 6y ago
Job security comes in many forms. Working in a field where engineers can create huge returns for their company and where resulting demand far outstrips supply is a far better form of security than any union could ever provide. Unions can’t realistically protect against changing work forces. Software engineering is globalizing. Unstoppably. I’m not opposed to people organizing for whatever purpose they think is best. I am opposed to people being forced to pay a tithe to unions in order to work in their field. I don’t see unions as making my life in software engineering better at all and, given that, I’m naturally opposed to paying 1% of my earnings to a group that I don’t think will help. If others see it differently, they’re welcome to form one; I’m not “so opposed” that I’ll picket outside their workplace to interfere with them. Most engineers seeking security for their future would be much better off increasing their 401(k) deferral (or other savings) rate by 1% rather than sending that money to a union.

Security. Unions (and lobbies) aren't just about tangible and immediate benefits, they're a form of insurance against changing job markets and work forces. Again, not sure why you're so against it.

refurb 6y ago

Do you have a good example of where a union was able to protect against major changes in the job market? Steel is out. So are auto workers.

bazooka_penguin 6y ago
Why are auto workers considered out? The UAW still has hundreds of thousands of members. I would consider it relatively successful, for its members anyway.
- refurb 6y ago
  They have lots of members but it’s way down from say 30 years ago. And benefits have been pulled way back. The union agreed that existing GM employees can keep their packages ($50+ per hour) while new union members start at $18. Basically 2 tiers of union members.

sokoloff 6y ago

Job security comes in many forms. Working in a field where engineers can create huge returns for their company and where resulting demand far outstrips supply is a far better form of security than any union could ever provide. Unions can’t realistically protect against changing work forces. Software engineering is globalizing. Unstoppably. I’m not opposed to people organizing for whatever purpose they think is best. I am opposed to people being forced to pay a tithe to unions in order to work in their field. I don’t see unions as making my life in software engineering better at all and, given that, I’m naturally opposed to paying 1% of my earnings to a group that I don’t think will help. If others see it differently, they’re welcome to form one; I’m not “so opposed” that I’ll picket outside their workplace to interfere with them. Most engineers seeking security for their future would be much better off increasing their 401(k) deferral (or other savings) rate by 1% rather than sending that money to a union.