[acon]

An alternative to government regulations is to organize in unions. Then you can have somewhat equal partners negotiating.

Of course there are disadvantages to unions, as there are to all large organizations. They tend to take on a life of their own, with its own agenda which may not represent the will of its members.

[evizaer]

I feel like if employees attempted to assemble into some kind of union, employers would immediately lay them off. There are thousands of other people waiting to get the jobs of the professionals who try to organize. It doesn't make sense to risk your job for a chance to have a little better pay, a few fewer hours, or another couple days of paid vacation.

[MoreMoschops]

And yet people did it before and won better lives for themselves and their families.

[natnat]

Yes, but that happened when the U.S. was going through tremendous economic growth and labor was in demand. These days, there are tens of millions of unemployed workers ready to take your place if you start doing things your employer doesn't like.