[jariel]

Unions are like corporations - there is good and bad, benefits and drawbacks.

One thing I've noticed, is that where 'new unions' are forming, there is' probably a good reason for it.

[SpicyLemonZest]

I tend to agree, but the flipside is that we need trust the workers' judgment when a new union doesn't form. I see a troubling tendency among union organizers to assume that anyone who's thinking clearly would want to be in a union - if a unionization vote fails, that can only mean the company must have tricked or bullied people into casting the wrong vote.

[wrsh07]

Please keep in mind that sometimes employees are punished for considering unionization, so it's possible that them not unionizing is a reaction to that.

Assuming no external pressure, though, I absolutely agree: if workers don't see the benefit in unionizing, they should not unionize.

(Of course, I would also like to see them able to unionize if they do see benefit from it)

[SpicyLemonZest]

True, and I definitely don't mean to deny the existence of illegitimate union-busting efforts.

[lawnchair_larry]

I used to think that, but then some new grads at Google decided to start one. I think the head of their union has only been in the workforce for about a year.

[underseacables]

There is no good reason for it. Employees at top companies are forming unions because they think that will allow them to say whatever they want on the job, and if Google says no don’t talk about politics at work it creates tension and conflict, they will say sorry where are union you have to listen to us now. It’s spoiled, overpaid techies upset they can’t use work time to preach political and social issues.

[jjulius]

>There is no good reason for it. Employees at top companies are forming unions because they think that will allow them to say whatever they want on the job... It’s spoiled, overpaid techies upset they can’t use work time to preach political and social issues.

... you do realize you're making those broad, blanket statements in the comment thread of an article that's about the unionization of Amazon's warehouse workers who aren't "spoiled, overpaid techies", yes?

[tyre]

Read anything about amazon working conditions.

[frakkingcylons]

There are many people working at Google that are not full time employees. They are treated completely differently when it comes to their pay, sick leave, vacation, or even just certainty that they will have a job when their contract expires. The benefits for them from being unionized are a lot more important than you’re making them out to be.