Unionize IT now!

[Dubh Aingeal]

There is currently a discussion going on over at TechRepublic about whether to unionize the IT industry as a whole. While I think it might help in some ways (ie stop the offshoring of our jobs) I do think it would also be a large hurt to the industry as well. I personally would actually end up leaving the industry if this were to happen. I worked for a union once before and hated having my pay manditoraly deducted for union dues that did nothing for me, constant claims of wanting to strike (not that I would have needed the job more than the union), and of course there is the only ones making money from a union are the top execs making way more than they deserve at our cost (but then what organization isn't these days).

Was just curious what some of the other techies out there thought about this?

[pharoh]

Personally I don't aggree with unions for IT personal. I see no benefits in having one, and when people that need to be weeded out for whatever reason, it just makes it that much harder. I believe in unions for Construction and Autoworkers, but thats about it. I also like to speak for myself. and strikes mean no pay, and I don't make alot as it is and I have been in the field for 6 years. If someone could point out any benefits, then please be my guest

[Dubh Aingeal]

and I don't make alot as it is and I have been in the field for 6 years.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Doesn't get much better pay wise when you hit 10 years in the field either. All though I have noticed that in the case of IT it seems job hoping (which is normally quite frowned on) is looked at as a good thing. Personally I feel that the longer you have been with a place the more it shows you are willing to be in the long haul. Not jumping ship the first sign of trouble. But then maybe thats why I am not getting the big bucks. Stayed where I am for the last 10 years.

[The_Dark]

I've been doing this for 15 years.. at variuos places and various pay rates. unions have come up before... it's not workable and will cost many a good tech thier job trying to get unionized.

[Msterbeau]

I'd just like to point out something. (Mainly to Pharoh.... since you seem to think auto unions are less deserving of contempt then others...) The auto industry unions do the same thing to people as any other. I've seen it turn some incredibly bright and hard working people into lazy, overpaid whiners who think the world owes them everything. A janitor making $70,000??? WTF? The rules stifle creativity and productivity and as someone pointed out, you can't fire anyone because the unions back them up no matter what. Unions, in theory, are a great idea. Companies WILL take advantage of people if they can. But as implemented... they suck.

[pharoh]

I'd just like to point out something.  (Mainly to Pharoh.... since you seem to think auto unions are less deserving of contempt then others...)  The auto industry unions do the same thing to people as any other.  I've seen it turn some incredibly bright and hard working people into lazy, overpaid whiners who think the world owes them everything.  A janitor making $70,000???  WTF?  The rules stifle creativity and productivity and as someone pointed out, you can't fire anyone because the unions back them up no matter what.  Unions, in theory, are a great idea.  Companies WILL take advantage of people if they can.  But as implemented... they suck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for singling me out.......

Didn't say less deserving, but being that I worked for Ford and my Grandfather did, and with that industry being as volitile as it is, it's at least better to have some kind of protection from the fat cats in the company who main purpose is to cut corners so they can make thier bonuses. I've seen that shit with my own eyes. Remember when FORD spent 200 million on greenfield village to update it? Ya will the next week we were told to cut 38 heads. That bullshit doesn't sit well with me at all. I know why unions were created originally.....and thier main purpose is not bad, but it's the people that run them and pull the bullshit they do and let the employees get away with murder that give them a bad name. This is my opinion, I maybee wrong, I maybee right....honestly I don't care, but i am speaking from my own experiences.

[Msterbeau]

Thanks for singling me out.......

You know I love you...

[pharoh]

Sometimes I really worry about you bro, but it's all good

[ZhukovCodeslinger]

It is sure working well for the UAW and car companies in general....

(that was sarcasim)

[Hellion]

the unions started the "i feel sorry that you don't know anything law,but will still pay you 30.00 an hour to clean bathrooms"LOL

[the eternal]

I'm not going to argue with you since you all are apparently experts on the labor movement.

I'll say this much.

1. Non-union companies are more likely to close than unionized companies. That's fact, not conjecture.

WHY?

Because with unions you have the strength of every worker and the influence of the union AND the influence of union-friendly politicians AND the media who aren't pro-union BUT are more likely to hear about a proposed closing if the union is making hue and cry about it.

2. The auto industry is failing NOT because of the UAW.

It's because the big 3 brass are behind the times with their heads up their asses and put all their stock behind SUVs and were SHOCKED SHOCKED when Nissan kicked their sorry asses.

Hey! newsflash Detroit- Noone in the rest of the country gets a GM discount- They're not going to buy a crappy new Cavalier just because you're calling it a Cobalt now.

They're just bloated morons, I'm sorry.

3. A union job is as good as the union rep, your elected stewart (co-worker representative) and the solidarity of the workers there.

If you have a crappy rep, a crappy stewart, and a weak workplace, you'll have a useless union and you can decertify and get rid of it

It happens every day.

I honestly don't know why Meijer's is unionized. Their workers make next to nothing and don't seem to negotiate for anything better.

BUT, when your co-workers are strong, they CAN negotiate for better pay, better benefits, and more job security.

Walk into your bosses office, sit down, and say, "hey boss let's negotiate"

YOU'D GET FIRED.

With a union it's not only possible, it's mandatory.

The best part of being unionized is, you're not an at-will worker. If they fire you, there better be a reason for it. You ever been fired just because the boss was a prick?

Tnat doesn't happen at a unionized workplace. That's a benefit that no amount of dues could dissuade me from.

FLIP SIDE--got a lazy coworker? doesn't do his job?

That IS just grounds for termination. And with the sad, shabby state the labor movement is in now, they're not going to want to fight for a worker that'll make them look bad.

4. 98% of unionized workplaces don't have a strike. In some cases like public employees, it's ILLEGAL to strike.

But again, simply as someone who's worked for both sides of the auto industry

and

has worked in and out of the labor movement, these are my little meanderings.

and my .02

[The_Dark]

2. The auto industry is failing NOT because of the UAW.

As long as you ignore the fact that GM and Ford have to pay full salary and benefits to more people that don't work for them than do.

um... People negotiate raises and added benifits all the time without being in a Union. Surprise, very few of them walk out without a job.

I have been in the UAW and the UOACW. I have also worked in non-union manufacturing jobs... by far.... the two UAW shops I worked in were the most corrupt anti-worker jobs I have had.