Software developers are already highly paid with lots of perks. Do they need unions?
Yes. Our work shapes society. We need systems that allow us to have a say in the ethical and political implications of our labor.
It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
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Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#22If only we could figure out and implement some kind of system where every person had one equal say in choosing leaders, regardless of wealth or social position. Then those who were disadvantaged could outvote the privileged few and elect leaders who would set policies to make things more fair.
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the argument goes: We make table scraps compared to the amount that a corporation rakes in. Yet we're the sole reason they're able to rake in that amount of money. Not that I agree with it, but that's an argument.
I think we're fully in the "see what little you can pay someone to get them to do a job" optimization mode. The marginal cost=marginal benefit argument doesn't seem to apply anywhere. On the contrary, if you're actively making something (burgers, computers) then you're usually not paid enough to actually consume those things on a regular schedule. I think that's a symptom of an emergent caste system.
So each Boeing worker should be able to buy their own 787 Dreamliner in any fair society?
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#24Software developers are already highly paid with lots of perks. Do they need unions?
Yes, not for themselves but for society. If you like the way Germany, The Netherlands, and the Nordics do things, you should know that these countries have very high levels of union membership, up to 80%. Their broad labor movements created the societies they have today. Unions in America never had that much strength and never accomplished as much.
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#25Software developers are already highly paid with lots of perks. Do they need unions?
Yes.
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#26Software developers are already highly paid with lots of perks. Do they need unions?
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#27Software developers are already highly paid with lots of perks. Do they need unions?
Yes, we need better conditions in the workplace, do you know how many people in the HEALTHCARE industry of all places go to work every day and have to touch another person's MUMPS? Often times they take kids right out of college. Sickening.
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#28Richard Wolff has also been evangelizing co-ops and worker-owned businesses for some time.
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#29If only we could figure out and implement some kind of system where every person had one equal say in choosing leaders, regardless of wealth or social position. Then those who were disadvantaged could outvote the privileged few and elect leaders who would set policies to make things more fair.
Haha yes, things are good now.
Re: It’s time to balance the power between workers and employers
#30Things that could actually be done to make for a more level playing field:
* 'Single Payer' healthcare (tax everyone for basic healthcare)
* Allow all kinds of debt to be discharged via bankrupcy
* Have the government complete as (several) providers in all 'basics'.
* Water
* Sewer
* Power
* Transport (of all kinds, including last mile data)
* Housing / organizational locations
* Education
* Medicine