Mass layoffs, AI anxiety, and corporate surveillance have heightened interest in unions among IT professionals. Organizers who've been through it explain how to get started — and what to expect.
Serious question from an idiot: I work in tech but I’m the only guy in the company doing so (solo IT) so there’s no chance of a Union, right, because I’m all alone and no one to unionize with? Or are unions able to cover multiple companies, like The IBEW or something?
I guess I’ve never really looked much into it. I do actually like my job and have successfully negotiated better pay on my own behalf, so maybe it’s not necessary? Minus I am in an at-will state so might be not worth it?
you can unionize with the rest of the workers. They are called “wall to wall unions” when you do not organize by department/profession but by company. In some countries they are the norm.
You need to have a bargaining group of >=2 in the US per the NLRA. But some unions may require more people in order to represent you. And not all businesses are subject to NLRB jusisdiction and some types of employees can’t unionize.
Nice! Looks like I’ve got some work to do to get people on board. So, it doesn’t seen to matter the position then, is not like a Union needs all 1 group, it could be anyone from that job it sounds like?
Edit: nvm, I just realize another comment answered this question.
Serious question from an idiot: I work in tech but I’m the only guy in the company doing so (solo IT) so there’s no chance of a Union, right, because I’m all alone and no one to unionize with? Or are unions able to cover multiple companies, like The IBEW or something? I guess I’ve never really looked much into it. I do actually like my job and have successfully negotiated better pay on my own behalf, so maybe it’s not necessary? Minus I am in an at-will state so might be not worth it?
you can unionize with the rest of the workers. They are called “wall to wall unions” when you do not organize by department/profession but by company. In some countries they are the norm.
OK than you, I just realize I responded to someone else asking this very same thing.
You can find unions that you can join as an individual in circumstances like yours. The one that comes to my mind is the IWW.
Ah, thank you! I’ll check that out!
You need to have a bargaining group of >=2 in the US per the NLRA. But some unions may require more people in order to represent you. And not all businesses are subject to NLRB jusisdiction and some types of employees can’t unionize.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bargaining_unit
https://beta.dol.gov/policy-regulations/unions-collective-bargaining/what-union/forming-union
https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/jurisdictional-standards
Nice! Looks like I’ve got some work to do to get people on board. So, it doesn’t seen to matter the position then, is not like a Union needs all 1 group, it could be anyone from that job it sounds like?
Edit: nvm, I just realize another comment answered this question.