[lukesandberg]

Unions are typically only a good idea when an individual has no bargaining power in a negotiation with an employer, which is typically because it is an unskilled or low skilled job, so they are easily replaceable. Unions can benefit those kinds of employees via collective bargaining (you can't replace all of us, etc.).

This is not at all the case in our industry. I would bet if you want that ergonomic chair you could probably get it without a union to back you up.

[TheCoelacanth]

A union for software engineers wouldn't have to resemble the ones commonly associated with blue-collar workers. Something like the AMA would probably be more useful. It doesn't collectively bargain with employers but it does take actions that benefit its members, for instance, lobbying for laws that would benefit them.