Major union launches campaign to organize video game and tech workers

Post by walshemj » Tue, Jan 07, 2020, 9:48 PM UTC

hpoe wrote: post #97

Tiktaalik wrote: post #54

I would strongly consider supporting a video game union, if only to help formalize the things that the good shops do and bring those practices industry wide. Personally I haven't done a day of overtime in seven years and I feel reasonably compensated but there are clearly other places out there that are still exploiting their workers. Improving worker input into production schedules and creating clear guidelines arou…

> creating more opportunities for young new grads to break in Just going to point out, everywhere, I have ever heard of a union it generally made it harder for new people to come in, not easier, by increasing the commitment an employer is expected to make to an employee, and by making it harder to remove employees that need to be removed but can't because of their seniority with the union.

Post by walshemj » Tue, Jan 07, 2020, 9:49 PM UTC

Tiktaalik wrote: post #115

hpoe wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> creating more opportunities for young new grads to break in Just going to point out, everywhere, I have ever heard of a union it generally made it harder for new people to come in, not easier, by increasing the commitment an employer is expected to make to an employee, and by making it harder to remove employees that need to be removed but can't because of their seniority with the union.

The screen writers guild has some systems in place to ensure that a certain amount of scripts from 'new writers' have to be taken in. Not sure how effective that is, but that's a thing. I was basically thinking about my present company that has done a great job of bringing in coops from local universities for work terms. We've had a great experience with this. However, this is one of the only games companies I've wor…

Post by AnimalMuppet » Tue, Jan 07, 2020, 9:51 PM UTC

SauciestGNU wrote: post #305

forrestthewoods wrote: post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Get rid of right to work statutes I would not call taking away a worker’s right to work a benefit for a skilled worker.

"Right to work" is one of those legal principles that follows a dystopian naming scheme. It was lobbied for by the owner class because it allows freeloaders to benefit from collective bargaining without paying membership dues in the union representing them. This weakens the union, with the eventual goal of eliminating the union (and the benefits it negotiated for workers) altogether.

Post by friendlybus » Tue, Jan 07, 2020, 9:53 PM UTC

unapologetic wrote: post #301

snarf21 wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I generally agree. What we do need is better worker protections and consumer protections. Get rid of no-competes. Get rid of right to work statutes. Add mandatory retirement contributions. Add mandatory and standard severance packages.

That will just drive more employers towards part time employees and outsourcing. The latter, I agree with the former reforms. You also aren't getting this sort of top down reform without obtaining more political power than the upper class. That's not going to happen without better organizing (Union, political movements, whatever).

Post by forrestthewoods » Tue, Jan 07, 2020, 9:54 PM UTC

SauciestGNU wrote: post #305

forrestthewoods wrote: post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Get rid of right to work statutes I would not call taking away a worker’s right to work a benefit for a skilled worker.

"Right to work" is one of those legal principles that follows a dystopian naming scheme. It was lobbied for by the owner class because it allows freeloaders to benefit from collective bargaining without paying membership dues in the union representing them. This weakens the union, with the eventual goal of eliminating the union (and the benefits it negotiated for workers) altogether.