Dive into the evolving landscape of unionization in the tech industry with our insightful episode featuring Ethan Marcotte who draws from extensive research he’s done for writing his book You Deserve a Tech Union.
Explore the transformative power of collective action, fueled by instances like Google employees uncovering their role in Defense Department contracts, and discover the various forms organizing takes in tech companies. Our guest emphasizes the vital role of unions in addressing pay disparities, benefits, and job security, especially in the face of AI’s impact on the industry. Join us as we dissect the changing dynamics of tech workers and the labor movement, shedding light on the essential role of social media platforms like Twitter in connecting people. Don’t miss this enlightening journey into the world of tech workers and the evolving landscape of labor rights.
About Ethan
Meet Ethan Marcotte, a web designer from Boston, Massachusetts, who came up with the term “responsive web design” a few years ago. Think of it like this: imagine designing a website that can easily adapt and look great whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or computer. Ethan wrote popular books explaining how designers and groups can use the web’s flexibility for this. He’s talked at conferences and worked with big names like New York Magazine and the Sundance Film Festival. Ethan’s not just a web designer; he also helped create a writing platform called Editorially.
https://ethanmarcotte.com/
https://twitter.com/beep
https://abookapart.com/products/you-deserve-a-tech-union
https://aneventapart.com/speakers/ethan-marcotte/
—- EPISODE CHAPTERS —-
(0:00:03) – Tech Workers and the Labor Movement (4 Minutes)
Tech workers are recognizing their role as workers and forming unions to fight for workplace and social issues. Google employees were shocked to realize they were creating contracts for the Defense Department, and historically the only option for tech workers to fight against an unjust workplace was to switch jobs. I wrote a book about tech workers and the unions they form, and interviewed over 50 people in the industry.
(0:04:25) – The Importance of Organizing and Unionizing (11 Minutes)
Tech workers have been shifting their attitudes towards their role as workers and the need to unionize to fight for workplace and social issues. The process of organizing looks different in every company and has taken many forms from online conversations to task groups to upvoting questions from company leadership. Organizing can help job security, and unionizing provides a path to a contract that can address issues like pay disparities, benefits, and working conditions.
(0:14:58) – Unions and Workplace Rights in Tech (5 Minutes)
We explore inspiring movements of tech workers taking collective action to fight for workplace and social issues. We discuss the difficulties of the process, the challenges companies can present, and the successes already achieved. We look at the potential of unions to provide a better environment for workers and the importance of understanding the risks and challenges that come with forming a union. Finally, we ask why tech workers are taking the initiative to unionize and how it can be a stepping stone for other workers.
(0:20:01) – AI’s Impact on Tech Workers and Unions (13 Minutes)
The importance of understanding the perspective of others when thinking about responsive web design is discussed, as well as how this concept can be applied to conversations tech workers are having with people who disagree with the idea of unionizing. The move towards unionizing is seen as leading towards a more equitable version of tech work, and the impact of AI on the industry is explored. The possibilities of regulating the use of AI and what it means to be a designer or a writer in a world with AI are also discussed.
(0:33:30) – Tech Unions (9 Minutes)
We examine the tech industry’s search for the next big thing, and how it’s important to be aware of the potential impacts of AI technology. We discuss the power of unions and how workers in the tech industry, and beyond, can benefit from collective action and resources to support them. We also consider the role of employers in data collection and privacy, and how tech workers can take action to fight for their rights.
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