Please sell me on the value of unionizing.
At the moment, I don't support engineers unionizing in tech. But my mind is open, and I'm ready to change my view on this.
Here's why this is where I stand:
System/software/hardware engineering is one of the most highly-compensated and least-regulated careers out there. It's the only career where an individual can make over $100,000/year without having to complete years of additional training or apprenticeship. Unlike consulting (also non-unionized), you don't even need to graduate from target schools to get paid in this industry! I'm not talking about pure cash comp, either. Tech and tech-adjacent companies typically offer very good insurance policies with low/no-cost, great long-term disability benefits, great vacation and time-off policies, and more.
Engineers have also been in a seller's market for a long time. "Recruiters fill my inbox so much, I have to ignore them" is a common trope in this industry. Engineers very much have the option of leaving a company if they disagree with work conditions.
All I see are companies spending more money on bolstering their legal and HR departments to implement union relations. Which means less money and benefits for us.
At the moment, I don't support engineers unionizing in tech. But my mind is open, and I'm ready to change my view on this.
Here's why this is where I stand:
System/software/hardware engineering is one of the most highly-compensated and least-regulated careers out there. It's the only career where an individual can make over $100,000/year without having to complete years of additional training or apprenticeship. Unlike consulting (also non-unionized), you don't even need to graduate from target schools to get paid in this industry! I'm not talking about pure cash comp, either. Tech and tech-adjacent companies typically offer very good insurance policies with low/no-cost, great long-term disability benefits, great vacation and time-off policies, and more.
Engineers have also been in a seller's market for a long time. "Recruiters fill my inbox so much, I have to ignore them" is a common trope in this industry. Engineers very much have the option of leaving a company if they disagree with work conditions.
All I see are companies spending more money on bolstering their legal and HR departments to implement union relations. Which means less money and benefits for us.