[jones1618]

Developers like to think they are above blue collar concerns but I've witnessed or heard first-person accounts of workplace abuses for otherwise "privileged" developers. Although we have marketable skills and relative "career security", that doesn't make switching jobs any less disruptive for our career path, our families, health plans, stress levels, etc.

So, I like your idea of a developer's union with emphasis on professional standards, EFF principles, etc. It would also be a powerful ally for responding to workplace abuses I've seen such as: 1) excessive, mandatory work hours. I know game developers that are required to work 60-80 hour work weeks and sleep at their desks. 2) outsourcing abuse: Having to manage and train offshore "resources" who become your replacement. 3) Keep-a-good-engineer down syndrome. Organizationally suppressing engineers from advancing so they stay in essential, non-executive roles.

And, if you think that your cushy job is immune to these problems, consider that I've seen nearly every one of these conditions arise (usually after a management change) in otherwise humane companies with positive corporate cultures.

While a union might not prevent every individual abuse, it might provide a check on companies who essentially hold your "cushy job" for ransom while they take advantage of the fact that you are salaried (not paid hourly) and can work from home any day or night.