[negamax]

I will share my thoughts. Happy to be challenged and discuss more.

I think instead of looking for a past era solution we should look for a completely new solution set. Why not work on creating open systems. May be instead of getting a leverage over employers, tech people should contribute and create parallel systems. Which instead of creating monopolies help anyone challenge the status quo easily. I think it already happens to a great degree with many engineers and even companies contributing their tooling, research and solutions to open source.

May be we just need to accelerate that trend?

We totally should walk away from zero sum view. So not employer vs us. But how do we make sure that engine for innovation and opportunities keeps on running and keep on creating new companies

[ahelwer]

The idea that unions exist only to get a larger slice of the static profits pie is, itself, a zero-sum view :)

When employees feel represented and empowered, when we have real ownership in the company - not just a few thousand $ in stock grants while billions are spent on dividends/stock buybacks, but an actual seat at the table where decision are made - then we want the company to succeed. We will work harder and become more invested in our product than any corporate morale-raising initiative could ever hope to achieve. This grows the pie.

[crimsonalucard]

I agree with you 100%. But to be unbiased I must also mention that it does leave room for some slackers who can take advantage of the system.

[saltminer]

Slackers exist whether there is a union or not. Whether it's an overburdened manager ignoring an employee, a nepotism hire, or an employee who gets lost in the payroll system and becomes their own manager, corporate waste is a very real thing.

[dlkf]

Do you have any supporting examples?

[ericd]

IIRC many (most? all?) German companies have labor representation on the board of directors.