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You as an individual have no bargaining power when "signing" Apple's or Twitters's developer agreement - it is take what they offer or leave it. If we banded t

You as an individual have no bargaining power when "signing" Apple's or Twitters's developer agreement - it is take what they offer or leave it. If we banded together it might be possible to negotiate with big companies. Every engineer thinks they are better off without a union because they are above average and would be pulled down by joining a group of average workers.

derleth 14y ago
> Every engineer thinks they are better off without a union because they are above average and would be pulled down by joining a group of average workers. Or by being told what they can do and how much they can make based on seniority, not skillset and talent.
- asmithmd1 14y ago
  Steelworkers and teachers unions negotiated agreements that based pay on seniority - I can't imagine developers would do anything like that. Wouldn't you like to have some kind of transparent review process for iPhone apps? Or an agreement that the Twitter API will be available for 5 years? Good luck negotiating that on your own.
  - anamax 14y ago
    > Steelworkers and teachers unions negotiated agreements that based pay on seniority - I can't imagine developers would do anything like that. Why not? Unions and union members are extremely rational. Are you suggesting that developers would be less rational? I'm reasonably anti-union but I'd vote for seniority as a union member. It elevates my salary at the expense of people who don't get a vote (new people). It lets me slack off. And, for folks in the bottom half, it's a salary increase. > Wouldn't you like to have some kind of transparent review process for iPhone apps? That doesn't have anything to do with unions.
  - justin66 14y ago
    > Steelworkers and teachers unions negotiated agreements that based pay on seniority - I can't imagine developers would do anything like that. In other words, a developer's union would want to be a lot less like the United Auto Workers and a lot more like the Screen Actor's Guild.
mey 14y ago
I think you wildly missed my point, there is no requirement for me to develop for Apple or Twitter's platform. That right there is my mobility. I vote with my feet.

derleth 14y ago

> Every engineer thinks they are better off without a union because they are above average and would be pulled down by joining a group of average workers. Or by being told what they can do and how much they can make based on seniority, not skillset and talent.

asmithmd1 14y ago
Steelworkers and teachers unions negotiated agreements that based pay on seniority - I can't imagine developers would do anything like that. Wouldn't you like to have some kind of transparent review process for iPhone apps? Or an agreement that the Twitter API will be available for 5 years? Good luck negotiating that on your own.
- anamax 14y ago
  > Steelworkers and teachers unions negotiated agreements that based pay on seniority - I can't imagine developers would do anything like that. Why not? Unions and union members are extremely rational. Are you suggesting that developers would be less rational? I'm reasonably anti-union but I'd vote for seniority as a union member. It elevates my salary at the expense of people who don't get a vote (new people). It lets me slack off. And, for folks in the bottom half, it's a salary increase. > Wouldn't you like to have some kind of transparent review process for iPhone apps? That doesn't have anything to do with unions.
- justin66 14y ago
  > Steelworkers and teachers unions negotiated agreements that based pay on seniority - I can't imagine developers would do anything like that. In other words, a developer's union would want to be a lot less like the United Auto Workers and a lot more like the Screen Actor's Guild.

mey 14y ago

I think you wildly missed my point, there is no requirement for me to develop for Apple or Twitter's platform. That right there is my mobility. I vote with my feet.