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I wish the US would adopt the German model where unions are for whole sectors. That way it's a level playing field for all companies.
If Kickstarter can do it, the game industry can do it! Come on, game industry, it's your time to unionize!
So if they succeed, does that mean nobody can work for Kickstarter unless they are part of the union?
I don't know how unions work in the US, but most unions in the UK fund a single political party, which means you could be forced to pay to support a party with views you find abhorrent in order to work, so I hope not.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
When I've described my experience with American unions it I hear a lot for Europeans who report their unions are far different than my experience. The American union tradition / behavior seems quite different than what I hear about elsewhere. I'm interested in the European systems, but very very wary of the US systems. Too many US unions are really just bureaucracies on their own, emphasize seniority for pay, advance…
From my experience the US workplace is much more hostile both ways. Either the employer will screw over the employees or the union will try screw the employer. At least in Germany it'a little more collaborative partially because of laws that give employees some say how the company is run.
I think the negative type stuff makes the news, but I don't think that reflects the system over all.
US unions in my experience don't so much give people say in my experience, they just make for a sort of formalize a system into an adversarial type one with union and company.
For the most part I've enjoyed working for my employers and would rather manage that relationship on my own and not have someone else run it for me.
There are situations where folks might not feel that way too I'm sure.
This is fantastic news. I'm one of the software engineers who was fired for organizing a union at a SF/DC based startup last year. The National Labor Relations Board found in our favor and we won a large cash settlement. But what we wanted was a union. Seeing others pick up the torch is extremely gratifying. Below are some links to news coverage of our case. https://gist.github.com/bwestergard/a77744dc6f3095fd3fb769d…
Has being in the news as an organizer significantly harmed your job search?
Software employers are not yet collaborating to avoid unions, as employers associations in other sectors have historically. There is not yet an organized blacklist for outspoken activists.
Unions are certified by card check or secret ballot. In either case, no future employer will ever know whether you supported unionization in a former job. You will always have plausible deniability, and its illegal to ask outright.
So if they succeed, does that mean nobody can work for Kickstarter unless they are part of the union?
They _could_ require that _after_ joining Kickstarter either join the union or pay equivalent dues.
Is anyone aware of an example where (a) a really small company unionized and/or (b) a workforce unionized without any real demands? I run a 17 person company and I've heard employees mention that they think all companies should be unionized even if there aren't currently any problems that the union would seek to address. I strongly support the big tech companies unionizing and so it would be hypocritical of me to be…
So if they succeed, does that mean nobody can work for Kickstarter unless they are part of the union?
Can someone explain what the Kickstarter employee's hope to gain? “promote our collective values: inclusion and solidarity, transparency and accountability; a seat at the table,” sounds very left wing in an already left wing company in a left wing area.
what are the pros/cons of unionizing? I dont know jack about this
Better pay and benefits - my maximum out of pocket was lower than most deductibles. Democratizes the workplace - really helps keep management in check. You get real job security - firing is much less arbitrary with a steward fighting for you.
However, if people aren't active in union elections, bargaining etc. it can get really stale really fast