I’ve been reading an interesting book that looks at some of the ways that we can better build software in enterprises. One of the side notes in the book is that the tech companies have the funding and the ability to disrupt many other types of businesses, not just technology. Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others have delved into other types of industries, potentially pushing others out.

We see Amazon becoming as much a shipping and logistics company as they are a retailer. There was a unionization vote, which passed in 2022. Recently, another one failed. Amazon continues to fight these efforts, trying to prevent workers from collectively negotiating the terms of their employment.

I’ve wondered in the past if tech workers would ever unionize. In general, we are paid well and have lots of options for work. There has often been no shortage of opportunities for talented workers, though this year is proving tough for our industry. There are lots of people out of work and struggling to find new jobs. While I’m sure some would prefer a union that might better protect them from layoffs, many tech workers are against the idea.

There is a growing number of tech workers looking to unionize. Inside Google, there is a union for some workers, but not all. That’s unusual, as often all workers in a category are part of a union at a company. To gain employment, you need to join the union.

I don’t know if I’d want to join a union. I’ve had lots of success and haven’t seen the need, but I do know that I’ve also seen lots of other tech workers pressured and pushed to work long hours, to skip vacations, and other practices that are good for the employer, but not so good for the employee. I’ve seen many people not know how to negotiate with employers, and perhaps a union would benefit most people.

Would you want to be part of a data professionals’ union? It might give some security and more benefits for many, though not quite as much pay as you might otherwise receive. Maybe more than you get now, as it depends on where you sit in the salary scale at your company. Let me know what you think about unions today.

Steve Jones

Listen to the podcast at Libsyn, Spotify, or iTunes.

Note, podcasts are only available for a limited time online.