[thelist] Re: Design/Development Goes Third World?

>So, when it is the workers themselves who are the capitalists and hold the
>key to production - often in microeconomic organisational structures - who
>do you plan to 'unionise' against, comrade?
>
>Just thought I'd point that out, as a fellow information revolutionary :-)
>
>Tim Stewart
>tstewart@gisca.adelaide.edu.au


Even if we were picking grapes, we'd be the ones holding the key to 
production. But it's all worthless if there's only one squeaky wheel 
when the rest toil on in quiet discontent.

Maybe everyone in the tech industry labors under what they feel are 
ideal conditions, but I don't get that impression.  I'm not close 
enough to the hub of activity to see it all firsthand; but I 
hear/read gripes about overwork, long hours.  I personally would like 
my employer to pay attention to ergonomics.  It seems a small price 
to pay for a "valued employee's" long-term health.

Work/family balance is another big one for me.  Sorry, but I can't do 
60 hrs a week.

Whether unionizing is the correct response, I don't know.  But 
without any organization amongst workers, employers (and I'm thinking 
bigger companies, not wee startups) are free to pit worker against 
worker to the detriment of all.

They have built a lobby and managed to convince the US government 
that there is a major shortage of tech workers.  What they mean is 
that they don't want to pay the salaries & benefits required to 
attract and retain qualified workers.  Because the corporations are 
the only ones organized, they are the only ones who get heard.  We 
shall see what comes about.

The web standards project is one example of web developers getting 
organized under a common cause.  And dang if it hasn't made an 
impact.  And every time I build a web site I thank goodness for it.


Erika



erika@seastorm.com
http://www.seastorm.com