[alphonsegaston]

You can create a union to reflect whatever values (e.g. negotiating compensation) you see fit. Don't believe the narratives proffered by anti-union forces for their own benefit. Actors are all in unions and employ an entire sub-class of workers (agents) to negotiate compensation for them.

[stale2002]

Cool. How about we base this union on the values of not forcing people to join it?

I'd be OK with that. Please keep these efforts focused on voluntary interactions.

[AndrewKemendo]

A union can't force you to join it so in that regard it's completely voluntary.

It does however pressure companies to only hire union workers, or pressure the government to give preference to union workers. That's the whole point of a union, to check and co-opt the monopoly/oligopolic power of corporations and the government and giving it to the collective workers.

You might philosophically disagree with that approach and think that a more anarchic market is better, but a union is not a violent coercive group.

[aanm1988]

because then it has no power.

That's the whole point. Individuals have no power. You can fool yourself into thinking that extra 20k a year you managed to get is power.

[stale2002]

You guys do your own thing and I'll do mine.

We'll see who comes out on top with the better job.

The power that I have is the ability to up and leave and go somewhere else that offers me a better deal.

And I will absolutely use my power of leaving if a group every tries to force me to join a union.

[aanm1988]

No you won't. You can get bored at lunch and just not come back if you want.

[stale2002]

Things have worked out quite well for me.

The same cannot be said for those trying to force everyone in tech to join a union. Every month I see some hacker new medium post about it, and they never go anywhere.