4 ms·

Just because conditions are good, doesn't mean they couldn't be better, or that they will always remain good. Demands like unionization are made most effectivel

Just because conditions are good, doesn't mean they couldn't be better, or that they will always remain good. Demands like unionization are made most effectively when the demanding party has high leverage. Unionization is a preventative measure against a future potential backslide in conditions. Not every worker can or wants to work for a FAANG, whether because of skill, time available to study, logistics like location, moral reasons, or anything else. We all deserve good working conditions now and in the future. Tech workers are absolutely spoiled compared to most other laborers. We also have higher leverage and thus a better chance at unionization compared to many others. Others having it worse should not prevent us from raising our own conditions, and actually helps improve conditions of other classes of laborers by making it more likely they'll unionize themselves or causing employers to improve conditions as a preventative measure.

Xeoncross 4y ago
Removing my skills or value proposition from the equation sounds very dangerous. This sounds like giving power to bean counters and exalting mediocrity. When I want 'better', I work for it and get it myself, not by schmoozing the union bosses to get on their good side or paying union fees for 20 years to build up tenure.
- claytonjy 4y ago
  Unionization doesn't mean removing your value proposition from the equation. There are still different title tiers with different pay, and variance in pay within a given band. I would hope a tech worker union is less tenure-oriented than a union like the UAW but I acknowledge that is tricky to implement and not guaranteed. If you are vastly more productive than coworkers in the same title band and wish to capture more of that surplus value, you should look to change employers, found a company, or become an independent consultant. Those are the available options with or without unions.
  - cuteboy19 4y ago
    With most unions, pay is a function of seniority only. I think most of these tech-unions are ideologically motivated and have no interest in actually improving working conditions.

Xeoncross 4y ago

Removing my skills or value proposition from the equation sounds very dangerous. This sounds like giving power to bean counters and exalting mediocrity. When I want 'better', I work for it and get it myself, not by schmoozing the union bosses to get on their good side or paying union fees for 20 years to build up tenure.

claytonjy 4y ago
Unionization doesn't mean removing your value proposition from the equation. There are still different title tiers with different pay, and variance in pay within a given band. I would hope a tech worker union is less tenure-oriented than a union like the UAW but I acknowledge that is tricky to implement and not guaranteed. If you are vastly more productive than coworkers in the same title band and wish to capture more of that surplus value, you should look to change employers, found a company, or become an independent consultant. Those are the available options with or without unions.
- cuteboy19 4y ago
  With most unions, pay is a function of seniority only. I think most of these tech-unions are ideologically motivated and have no interest in actually improving working conditions.