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Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

latimes.com

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Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#121

Post by Supermancho »

sassyonsunday wrote: post #107
Phlarp wrote: post #20

Guess tech workers should have unionized when they had the chance. As if capital was going to let the most powerful group of workers that's ever existed continue to slip their noose

Nobody saw an end to the good times in sight. I've hopped jobs about 5 times in my career and saw a 20-30% pay raise each time. What incentive existed to unionize in that environment? Unionization only makes sense if you think the good times won't last.

> I've hopped jobs about 5 times in my career and saw a 20-30% pay raise each time

> What incentive existed to unionize in that environment?

These situations are not incompatible.

> Unionization only makes sense if you think the good times won't last.

"Good times" is a soft term that translates to "when the employer's short term goals line up with your specific employee goals"...ostensibly to keep getting paid those big numbers.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#122

Post by area51org »

JackFr wrote: post #86

So big tech has 220,000 layoffs and there is not the merest hint of a blip in the unemployment rate. This is not a tragedy - these people are going to find jobs, good jobs. In fact it's quite likely that they will go into roles which might do something other than online advertising. You know, something useful.

I very much want you to be correct, but having been around for a good amount of time, it's not always as straightforward as you suggest. In many instances, companies are reluctant to hire people who have been laid off, because they imagine that if company A laid the person off, obviously something's wrong with the person. In some cases, someone can take a couple of years or so to finally find a job, and that's enough time to create financial devastation.

(I am not talking about myself, full disclosure, but I know people.)

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#123

Post by jimmyjazz14 »

I think this article ignores a lot of realities of the market to reach its conclusion. Many of these companies did record hiring during the pandemic while there stock values have plummeted and while we may not yet be in a recession its pretty clear one is coming. All these factors have investors worried and the reality is that public companies need to placate investors and layoffs are one tool in that toolbox. Do these companies want to "crush worker power"? Maybe but I don't think these layoffs are due that.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#124

Post by paulcole »

kilgnad wrote: post #47
Phlarp wrote: post #20

Guess tech workers should have unionized when they had the chance. As if capital was going to let the most powerful group of workers that's ever existed continue to slip their noose

In the last decade or so, there were several times I brought this up on HN (anonymously), and each time my opinion was attacked as not making any sense. Times change.

Many people on HN think of themselves as "top talent" (a barf phrase if there ever was one) and convinced themselves that they would be the ones held back by a union.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#125

Post by AndrewUnmuted »

JackFr wrote: post #86

So big tech has 220,000 layoffs and there is not the merest hint of a blip in the unemployment rate. This is not a tragedy - these people are going to find jobs, good jobs. In fact it's quite likely that they will go into roles which might do something other than online advertising. You know, something useful.

[dead]

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#126

Post by Apocryphon »

JackFr wrote: post #86

So big tech has 220,000 layoffs and there is not the merest hint of a blip in the unemployment rate. This is not a tragedy - these people are going to find jobs, good jobs. In fact it's quite likely that they will go into roles which might do something other than online advertising. You know, something useful.

Doesn’t that ignore 1) the layoffs keep coming and we don’t know what the final amount will be? And 2) much more difficult to find jobs when companies are also on hiring freezes?

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#127

Post by pwthornton »

JackFr wrote: post #86

So big tech has 220,000 layoffs and there is not the merest hint of a blip in the unemployment rate. This is not a tragedy - these people are going to find jobs, good jobs. In fact it's quite likely that they will go into roles which might do something other than online advertising. You know, something useful.

Big tech layoffs should work differently than most industries and may not impact unemployment as much. Big tech employees a lot of H1B visas holders. If they cannot quickly find a new job, they will have to leave the country.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#128

Post by kilgnad »

msmenardi wrote: post #102
kilgnad wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On a side note I feel we can take Unionization into the tech world as a start up or an App. Imagine a blind-esque App that just allows everyone participating to vote anonymously for a union. Then AFTER a union is official then leaders and instigators could reveal themselves or maybe there were no leaders or instigators the whole thing was p2p. I feel something as easy and convenient as blind can allow "unions in limb…

There should be forums or something where people can contribute to discussions and create a community. How are they supposed to vote for representatives if there's no way to know who other people are?

The app itself coordinates this. It guarantees only people with company emails can join and these people can only join with a single accocunt.

Blind already does this and is quite popular among tech workers. I'm just extending the concept with Unions.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#130

Post by giantg2 »

s1artibartfast wrote: post #108
arcticbull wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing to do with cheap money, tech companies are some of the most profitable and revenue efficient companies in history.

I don't think unions bring anything to the table for Tech workers that can't be done without one. Us workers already have Universal protections and job security while striking even if they're not in a union.

Those worker protections are good, but could be better or modernized.

The part that kills me is how differently people get treated. Employees of similar skills/output/etc can be treated entirely differently. There's no transparency in ratings and performance reviews. I've seen my company violate its policies multiple times to screw people over, including myself. A real contract, with or without a union, would be a huge step.

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