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Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

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Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#51

Post by kevindqc »

bwestergard wrote: post #42
ckdarby wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the gist found the article: http://www.newsguild.org/mediaguild3/software-company-learns... $775k for 15 people especially SF based I wouldn't exactly call that a large cash settlement considering what happened, rep damage, time to find new work, etc. Just had expectations of at least a year salary per person.

It was approximately $20k per person and the difference between the wages they earned after being fired and the wages they would have earned had they not been fired. Some of my coworkers did end up getting substantial amounts of backpay. But your point stands: this is a weak remedy, and completely out of line with international norms.

So that means people who had more trouble getting a new job get paid more? Nice :)

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#52

Post by stevehawk »

chrisseaton wrote: post #21
baby_wipe wrote: post #14

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.

In the US it depends on what state the union is in.

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#53

Post by lazyasciiart »

the_bear wrote: post #28

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…

What is the overhead?

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#54

Post by DoofusOfDeath »

bwestergard wrote: post #35
sf_rob wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Has being in the news as an organizer significantly harmed your job search?

We were all fired in late January. I was the only worker to go on record with my real name before finding another job. I had several offers in February an was sitting at a new desk for a job that paid about $10k more by mid-March. Those who had had less experience prior to the job we were fired from had a harder time getting re-employed. Software employers are not yet collaborating to avoid unions, as employers assoc…

> There is not yet an organized blacklist for outspoken activists.

I hope you're right, but it's probably hard to know for sure.

My skepticism stems from the no-poach cartel discovered a few years ago.

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#55

Post by diminoten »

ForHackernews wrote: post #50
diminoten wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It'll never happen so long as there are "gamers" who want to work in the industry they "love", unfortunately.

Why not? The US film industry is mostly unionized, and there's tons of people who love movies, too.

The supply of jobs is much lower in the games industry relative to the demand.

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#56

Post by chrisseaton »

alasdairnicol wrote: post #44
chrisseaton wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

You aren’t forced to pay the political levy in the UK, you can opt in/out.

It's not just the levy - the paid officers of the union could still be working to support Labour Party activities, speaking in your name and spending your dues, couldn't they?

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#57

Post by justaman »

freshcatch_ wrote: post #40
apl002 wrote: post #19

what are the pros/cons of unionizing? I dont know jack about this

The way I heard it best explained is no one would try to start a union if it made them less money. 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 ge…

Software developers are so "in demand" right now, it seems like it would be better to not become a union worker and instead just shop around. It's really a sellers market for talent.

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#58

Post by kevindqc »

maxxxxx wrote: post #20
Animats wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Came up at GDC last year.[1] There's Game Workers Unite, but they haven't accomplished much.[2] The biggest success remains The Animation Guild, IATSE local 839.[3] They represent most of the Hollywood studio animators. Much of what their members do is very similar to what game industry employees do. But they get overtime. From the IATSE contract with Disney: "... all time worked in excess of eight (8) hours per day…

Paid overtime is an excellent tool to get some time management discipline into an organization.

Yeah.. Who needs time management when you have crunch time!

Re: Kickstarter’s staff is unionizing

#60

Post by ceejayoz »

msghacq wrote: post #48

"America’s political climate is changing; among other things, the 2016 presidential election brought up the issue of wealth inequality in this country and made people consider more closely the structural forces that define class here." What on earth does the 2016 election have to do with wealth inequality (or unions for that matter)? Inequality has been on the rise for decades and Clinton was also a member of the 1%.…

The 2016 election had very clear wealth inequality consequences where tax policy is concerned.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/12/2/16720952/s...

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