| I think this would be really useful. With those companies perpetually encroaching on our privacy and the freedom of the internet, such leverage would be really good to have. Just a few quick notes on unions in general: 1. Even though union membership and participation is covered under the NLRA, companies break the law all the time. Organizers are fired and retaliated against for union activity all the time. The fact is that the labor board (the government body that arbitrates labor disputes) is too weak and the penalties for breaking labor laws for companies too lax that it is often work the small amount of hassle for a company to break a union illegally. This has been shown in many, many union recognition struggles. Because of this, a unions power is not through the laws that "protect" it, but in the ability of its member to take action and force the company to meet demands, financially and socially. 2. Assuming the first point, we must have a discussion to determine where exactly our power can be exerted. Your idea of the "kill switch" is right on; essentially, if a company stiffs a developer, the internet as we all know it could shut down temporarily. 3. There are really bad ass unions out there that are in to organizing groups of workers that other unions deem "unorganizable". Developers, I would think, are one such group, considering our geographic and occupational spread. One such union is the IWW (iww.org). I'm a member, and would really strongly encourage affiliating with them. 4. Actually, I think solidarity with the Foxconn workers in China might be a good first campaign. So, yeah, I really love this idea and am willing to do the work to make it happen. IRC, anyone? |