I'm tired of reading comparisons of IT workers to steel workers, auto workers and pipe fitters.
The arguments I read here go like this:
"Blue collar workers belong to unions. IT workers aren't blue collar workers, therefore IT workers don't belong to Unions".
I'd like to compare IT workers with film industry workers. Production designers, casting directors, location managers, writers and directors.
Are you aware that those actors, directors, writers who get paid millions of dollars are also union members? So much for the "you can't advance to your full potential if you are in a union" argument.
But I wanted to talk more about the average film industry worker who makes $70,000-$150,000 working 100-200 days a year.
I'm one of these people. I've worked for a total of 20 years. 15 years non union and five years union after we organized our sector.
We are still freelancers. We may work for 5-20 different employers every year. There is no seniority. Each party chooses to work with whoever they want for whatever amount they want. There is a "minimum" pay scale but 90% earn above the minimum.
Except on shooting days when we have to be on set a certain time we choose how we spend the day, how many hours and what type of work. Sure we have to complete a given task but it's up to us how we go about it. If it takes too long or we don't do it right we get laid off or we don't get hired again.
This is how it was before we became union and this is how it continues to be after we became union. Nothing has changed.
The only thing that changed is now we have health and pension benefits with one of the best health plans in the country.
Couldn't I afford to buy my own health insurance? Yes, I could but with insurance companies repeatedly wiggling out of their obligations when you need them the most I wouldn't want to.
One person vs Huge Insurance company = FAIL
BTW when we were collecting cards to unionize the only people that refused to sign where those who were already receiving union health benefits through a spouse or a second job.