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by commandlinefan 1245 days ago
> Unionization is the correct response here

That makes sense on the face of it, but if you look back over the other professions that have unionized (steel workers, auto workers, truck drivers), the lives of the actual workers always seems to have suffered post-unionization.

4 comments

Really, do you have some studies on that? I'm pretty sure it was unionization that got us the 40 hour work week.
Amazon could start a 'jobs bank'!

The Jobs Bank was set up by mutual agreement between U.S. automakers and the United Auto Workers union to protect workers from layoffs. Begun in the mid-1980s, the program is being tapped by thousands of workers. Many of those receiving checks do community service work or take courses. Others sit around, watching movies or doing crossword puzzles -- all while making $26 an hour or more.

The Big Three automakers agreed to the system to protect union workers from outsourcing and technology. But with Ford and General Motors losing money in North America -- and contract negotiations due in 2007 -- the future of the unique program is uncertain.

https://www.npr.org/2006/02/02/5185887/idled-auto-workers-ta...

I need a citation for this. IATSE has some of the best benefits (pension and healthcare) for their members in media/entertainment, as I understand it entirely funded by cuts from residuals.

And their take is, directly from their site, "$95.00 per quarter and 1% of gross earnings under the contract."

Not directly related to Unions... but look at salaries for SDEs in Europe compared to the US. You can almost 2x-3x a salary for the same job. A large factor is that European companies don't take risks. At least, compared to the US.

https://www.levels.fyi/companies/amazon/salaries/software-en...

https://www.levels.fyi/companies/amazon/salaries/software-en...

In fact, almost any innovative/high-skilled job pays a fraction compared to the US. It is much harder to innovate in Europe.