zlacker

>>blago+(OP)
Tech companies in general and Amazon specifically seem scared to death of unionization. I think Amazon's actions in this matter are going to backfire tremendously.

>>ipsoca+qv
...and anyone who's had to work with a union can understand why.

>>koheri+mJ
Having worked with unions, is it because they tend to have better benefits and support for their employees? Having a union rep in their disciplinary activities?

I assume your comment is that Amazon would lose money if a union happened?

>>Pfhrea+EM
Having worked with unions, it is because they introduce and entirely new and superfluous bureaucratic hierarchy to a company.

I have had situations where it was not allowed to move a computer monitor from one cube to another - that had to be done by a union employee. Literally taking a unused spare monitor from one desk, and putting it on another employees desk where it was need. ...and there was a formal requisition process to get that done which took two weeks to get through approvals, assignment, and finally have it done.

I have had union workers walk off the job during a major system outage because their facility managers forced them to take their break time. The whole company was down - it was all-hands-on-deck outage due to Hurricane Sandy. The actual union workers wanted to help us get the systems back online for the company, but the union rep wouldn't let them work.

I have had great workers quit or refuse jobs with our company because they knew and loathed the union - not the company, but the UNION.

I don't have any problem with unions at companies that protect the SAFETY of workers, as they are needed in various industrial jobs. ...but at a TECH companies where workers are making six figures, have matched 401k plans, and safe and comfortable desk jobs? ...it just screams "ridiculous" to me.

>>koheri+mo1
We could change our labor law to organize new unions on the Japanese or German models where nobody questions their legitimacy but instead we have this late 19th century model and the corporations act the part. Well I suppose they can’t call in mercenaries in a strike.