Baldur Bjarnasonbaldur@toot.cafe
Oct 14, 2026, 2:44 PMIt’s not our job to fix our employers
This broken industry is too big of a problem for software developers to solve alone with unions
Replies
Lee Matthew Jacksonleematthewjackson@mastodon.socialOct 14, 2026, 2:47 PM@baldur Listening in and instantly subscribed the moment you turned the light on cos that was a classy touch, great way to start a video as instantly felt at ease.
- Baldur Bjarnasonbaldur@toot.cafeOct 14, 2026, 2:47 PM
lemgandilemgandi@mastodon.socialOct 14, 2026, 2:57 PMThe best time to start or join a union was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
And I disagree with the premise. I wrote code professionally for quite a while. Software engineers are creative workers, uniquely committed to their product. If your company does Bad Things with it and you have power, you can fight to stop it and sometimes win.
CF: https://opentools.ai/news/google-workers-take-a-stand-protesting-ai-military-collaborations
Alas, if you *don't* have power, you're Stuck.
Bradley Schaefersoulcutter@ruby.socialOct 14, 2026, 5:56 PM@baldur what provides companies with incentives to be less toxic? A few individuals quitting doesn’t make change, it has to be collective. Unions are one mechanism, and/or professional standards/certification (think: other engineering disciplines). Or government regulation (I’m not holding my breath)?
I’m not sure unions can ever prevent layoffs, which you reference as evidence of “unions in many countries not working”
Unions are one tool, not a perfect solution for the whole industry