"Who AI benefits and who it immiserates often is based on who gets to decide how it’s used. We know how tech is used on the day to day. We should be at the table as well."
So how do I, a tech worker not at any of these institutions, support the general movement toward unionization? Due to me being outspoken in general, I can’t really vocally support unions in a way that companies might notice (cause they wouldn’t hesitate to fire me for some other reason). But I can send money or do other things. I just need to know whatever organization I am supporting is a real deal. Not just another power monger looking for a way to gain influence.
At a minimum, speak positively of unions to those around you and, if possible, educate those that don’t know. So many people think unions are a bad thing from the historical propaganda.
Oddly enough… I have noticed something. People in tech are sick a lot. Many tech places have unlimited sick and pto. People know the pto isn’t really unlimited. So they just are “sick” a lot. In the end, a lot of people take a lot more than 30 days. So that kind of argument won’t sway many of them. The layoffs though. And the way they are handled. That is what people really really don’t like. And the healthcare crap. Those are the things I mention if the subject of unions ever comes up.
I used to work in tech and I think it’s very draining these days, with AI and the constant pressure to deliver more and more. Could be why people are “sick”, they just can’t work on that level all the time, even being young.
fun thing, your workplace doesn’t have to be unionized for you to be part of a union, it just helps if most of it is. i know a dental office that is represented by the teamsters.
join tech workers coalition or no tech for apartheid. There’s a lot of behind the scene work they do at a global level that doesn’t require any exposure
Sneak a few fliers up around the office? Careful how you print them though, cause they’ll probably print with tiny yellow fingerprints hiding highly identifying information
So how do I, a tech worker not at any of these institutions, support the general movement toward unionization? Due to me being outspoken in general, I can’t really vocally support unions in a way that companies might notice (cause they wouldn’t hesitate to fire me for some other reason). But I can send money or do other things. I just need to know whatever organization I am supporting is a real deal. Not just another power monger looking for a way to gain influence.
At a minimum, speak positively of unions to those around you and, if possible, educate those that don’t know. So many people think unions are a bad thing from the historical propaganda.
Unions are why we have 30 days vacation every year in Europe. Its the entire reason why we are not completely exploited like in the US.
Many people fought very hard to make that happen.
Oddly enough… I have noticed something. People in tech are sick a lot. Many tech places have unlimited sick and pto. People know the pto isn’t really unlimited. So they just are “sick” a lot. In the end, a lot of people take a lot more than 30 days. So that kind of argument won’t sway many of them. The layoffs though. And the way they are handled. That is what people really really don’t like. And the healthcare crap. Those are the things I mention if the subject of unions ever comes up.
I used to work in tech and I think it’s very draining these days, with AI and the constant pressure to deliver more and more. Could be why people are “sick”, they just can’t work on that level all the time, even being young.
fun thing, your workplace doesn’t have to be unionized for you to be part of a union, it just helps if most of it is. i know a dental office that is represented by the teamsters.
join tech workers coalition or no tech for apartheid. There’s a lot of behind the scene work they do at a global level that doesn’t require any exposure
Union Now is worth supporting
Sneak a few fliers up around the office? Careful how you print them though, cause they’ll probably print with tiny yellow fingerprints hiding highly identifying information
Oh… I could put up tons of flyers with no issue. But noone will see them because I am a remote worker. :)
Wouldn’t you need to be law enforcement to even begin to follow that paper trail?
You think law enforcement wouldn’t run a few fliers as a favor to their buddies among our corporate overlords?
I’m not saying it’s a given, but it’s enough of a possibility that I’d still be careful.
Yep. Lots of cops moonlight as corporate security.
Depends on the company probably. Manybe a Fortune 500 or a town in a deep red state where your boss literally knows the sheriff.