I agree, but so far that’s not been very possible…
The scenario I’m in is a relatively small organization, and if we tried to unionize, I’m certain the company would either replace all staff, or simply cease operating.
For large non-tech focused companies like fortune 500s or something, the IT staff is a very small percentage of workers, and even if there’s a union, often the language of the Union contact explicitly excludes IT from the unionized workers; putting them more on par with middle management, which, as IT support, we’re definitely not.
The only viable unionization IMO, is in tech-centric firms. Things like software shops, or large telecom operations.
The only viable alternatives I can think of, which would not happen, is to have an association which acts like a union. Something like the stonemasons but for IT. The other option here is to have everyone in IT basically work for a placement agency, which brokers all employment, so whether you’re working for a fortune 500, or a <100 employee office, you’re going to be paid the same for the same work. The employer would be forced into getting their IT support workers from this organisation which would act like a union (not for profit type deal).
The reason I believe neither would happen is because for either to have any real teeth, there would need to be significant buy in from all tech workers, making it difficult or impossible for organizations to get their IT staff from anywhere that isn’t associated with the union.
There’s pitfalls to an industry-wide union like this too, since if you want to depart from the Union, as a worker, for any reason (or the union refuses to have you as a member for some reason), then you’re basically screwed… if there’s enough buy in for the “Union” to work, then the vast majority of companies won’t bother soliciting work, except from the Union…
I could keep going, but I am in favor of unions. If I’m ever in a position to join one, I will. And if I find an IT job that has a union attached, I’ll apply.