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Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

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Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#132
post #19

I like the idea and encourage software workers unions. Is there an umbrella union that they can belong to? How effective are these new unions? I imagine these new tech unions don't have the same "shop floor" power as in industry. Why is this? Perhaps generally the ideals the new unions are advocating for are different than traditional ones?

While things can be bad in software in general, game developers need a union more than anyone. Conditions in that industry are horrendous. The entire period of a game's development is "crunch time". Everyone is exempt, so no overtime of course. And it is standard practice to downsize studios and have mass layoffs right after big launches. It's a shame that so many are drawn to this just because of a passion for gamin…

i have a passion for eating, i dont have a passion for dentistry

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The devs probably looked at what happened to the music dept at Id as a cautionary tale.

What happened to it? Last time I heard only good things about those guys, but that was around the release of DOOM in 2016.

It was a mess behind the scenes for the music contractor. Seemed badly planned and kinda scummy.

The blog: (a long rant)

https://medium.com/@mickgordon/my-full-statement-regarding-d...

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#135

>RTO policies should not be handed down from executives with no consideration for accessibility or our well-being. If you don't like it, then quit. No one is forcing you to work for Id Software.

Or form a union and push back - why are you defending ID software executives?

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#136
post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you think all developers are interchangeable you're the reason they're forming a union.

Being interchangeable is literally why unions are formed. If you have some unique skill set that is valued, a union is unnecessary and would hold you back. If you’re happy being slotted in to whatever the next available position is based on your seniority with no regard to you as an individual, unions are great. That’s why they’re mostly autoworkers or longshoremen and whatnot an not professionals, outside a few nich…

NFL players have unique skills, are highly valued, and are represented by a union. Same with most other major sports.

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Software engineers don't even need to be around for the programs to keep running." Can you tell me where you work, and are you hiring???

I've taken money to create software for most of three decades and I don't think I've ever actually worked on software that needed the people who created it to be near it while it was running, once it was working. I think the record single instance uptime on a customer site was most of a decade, running a TV station.

yeah, the work I'm proudest of are the projects I've been able to walk away from that still function

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#138

Good for them. During economic downturns, when fewer resources are available for redistribution, collective action across population groups can help address worsening power imbalances.

interesting to see in the replies such incredible pearl clutching on behalf of the poor, poor businesses whenever unionization gets brought up. brain folds lighting up like a fireworks show just to combat the idea of [checks scroll] uhh not exploiting workers.

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#139
post #100

FWIW, the union (CWA) via its Seattle affiliate tried to get OPT banned, a visa status that many readers of HN benefited from - https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/cadc/2... . I encourage HN readers to better understand the relationship between unions and immigration before deciding whether they are in favor of joining/supporting unions.

Let's try to be honest when we discuss this kind of thing; Unions are like people. They have unique agendas, unique executive decisionmaking trends, and affect their members differently.

No single union is 1:1 alike.

When I had a family member get a job as a local grocery store bagger, then job stipulated he HAD to join the union and give his dues out of paycheck within 1 month or he would be fired from his job.

He quit. He was a 15yrold teenager just trying ro have an after school job and he got squeezed.

Unions are not good. Unions are not bad. Unions are.

I am eager to see how this specific union engages with the game development industry.

Re: Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union

#140

>RTO policies should not be handed down from executives with no consideration for accessibility or our well-being. If you don't like it, then quit. No one is forcing you to work for Id Software.

Or form a union and push back - why are you defending ID software executives?

You are imputing motives that are not in evidence.
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