Chapter 1: The Current Landscape of Tech Employment

As wages stagnate across various professions in the face of escalating inflation, the call for tech workers to unionize grows louder.

I recall a time when some brilliant minds would argue that, due to their high salaries, tech workers had no need for unions. However, it appears they may not fully grasp the capitalist framework they operate within.

Do people genuinely believe that receiving more shares in a company constitutes a genuine wage increase? Such benefits can fluctuate wildly. This criticism particularly targets Amazon, which has withheld raises from long-serving employees despite rising stock values. It’s a frustrating situation that the company finds itself in, employing deceptive tactics to undermine its workforce.

What will it take to spur change? Are we waiting for poverty to strike? Workers in other sectors are lagging two decades behind inflation.

Consider Boeing, where aircraft are deteriorating mid-flight, jeopardizing passenger safety in the name of slashing costs. We have witnessed trains derail, leaking hazardous materials into communities. The rise of the "KIA Boys," a trend centered around car theft using a simple exploit, speaks volumes about the state of affairs. Even Elon Musk suggested laying off 20% of Tesla employees to align with declining sales—this is a reckless mindset.

Such absurdities are not mere coincidences. They all stem from a singular issue: unchecked greed.

How can we maximize profit while minimizing inputs? This principle drives countless corporations. They accelerate production, compromise safety standards, and funnel money to political figures for advantageous legislation—all while cutting employee pay.

Record profits often follow these decisions, but the negative repercussions never seem to reverse. The rise in individuals taking on second jobs is alarming, especially when considering the low unemployment rates.

This situation is straightforward. Both companies and individuals require oversight.

That’s all there is to it.

Despite the dysfunction, consider the trajectory we’re on. It’s not simply due to an elderly figurehead or the failings of diversity initiatives.

At the heart of this greed are those of us who are most affected—the so-called "losers" who complain yet struggle to succeed.

We are witnessing the same decline that has plagued construction, auto manufacturing, and other sectors over the decades now affecting our cherished tech industry—an evolution that previous generations had to fight, protest, and even endure imprisonment to amend. The circumstances will not differ simply because one is adept at reversing strings in Python in a single line.

Changes are inevitable in this sector once the initial frenzy subsides, yet the demand for skilled workers will persist in some form.

Unionization is essential; the time has come, and it will be overdue.

Thank you for your attention.

Chapter 2: The Call for Unionization

The first video titled "Union Protects Workers As Microsoft Cuts 1900 Nonunion Video Game Employees" explores the impact of unionization in the tech sector. It highlights how collective bargaining can safeguard workers against layoffs and wage stagnation.

The second video, "Lifting up Maryland's Union Workers," emphasizes the importance of supporting unionized labor. It showcases efforts to empower workers and improve their conditions through solidarity and collective action.