2. Unions don't have to fit the rigid model you have in your head of the UAW. They can still allow for inequality of pay negotiated on an individual level, but after an initial negotiation on a collective level. Basically you can design the union to still pay higher performers what they are worth and pay low performers a lot less - but with everyone's salaries being increased relative to management.
Maybe not, but let's see some examples that have been significantly better for over 10 years. (And no, teachers unions aren't better.)
I agree that it isn't obvious that unions must necessarily be a disaster in the US, but that's a theory argument and you know what they say about theory and practice....
In other countries there are successful unions in industries and contexts where the government plays little role.
Given that, would you recommend that programmers join unions in the US? If so, why?
The precise form of organization can be grown organically to fit the situation, whether you call it a "union" or just as "association"
The point is that programmers should organize so that they can improve the pay and general standard of life of every programmer and so they can increase the quality and value of every programmers output and the esteem of the profession in general.
Programmers should treat their profession with the same seriousness that Doctors, Lawyers, Psychologists, Actuaries, etc treat their professions. They create professional bodies that stand up for their interests whether it is by lobbying, marketing, bargaining, etc.
How is it that calling something an association will avoid the problems from being a union in the US?
> The point is that programmers should organize so that they can improve the pay
It's poor form to assume your conclusion.
You keep bringing up doctors and lawyers (and you misstate what their professional organizations actually do and overstate their influence), yet your goals for a "programmers association" are more akin to those of teachers unions.
I understand why you want to avoid the comparison with teachers unions, but the only legitmate way to do so is to stop pushing the same thing.
Saying "this will be different" isn't enough. Same means, same ends.
but for professions abused by the industry, they did set up a minimum wage they would agree to accept, raising the overall pay among the entire profession.
and i have no idea what charts 16 does to help you point.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=QpfonhAfJ6Q_2b96Izwz...
Chart 16 is a breakdown of salaries for StackOverflow users, nearly all of which are so low that a good developer should be insulted to be offered it. Where, on that chart, do you suppose the Union would decide to set my fair salary based on my experience in the trade? 60k? 80k? 100k?
No thanks. I'll stick to the free market.