[D66] Coding and Coercion

[A.O.]

https://jacobinmag.com/2018/04/lanetix-tech-workers-unionization-campaign-firing/


Coding and Coercion

An interview with
     Björn Westergard
04.11.2018

Unions have been trying to organize software engineers for decades, with 
little success. Here's a look at the organizing campaign that might turn 
things around.


Earlier this year, a tech company named Lanetix fired its entire staff 
of software engineers for trying to unionize with 
NewsGuild–Communications Workers of America (CWA). While the outcome of 
the campaign is still unknown — NewsGuild–CWA has filed a complaint with 
the National Labor Relations Board alleging illegal retaliation — the 
Lanetix fight is potentially historic.

Unions have been trying to organize software engineers for decades, with 
little success. But this time might be different — and a victory for the 
Lanetix workers may inspire similar efforts elsewhere, especially with 
the help of leftist tech groups like the Tech Workers Coalition, which 
recently helped stage a well-attended picket outside of the Lanetix 
offices in San Francisco.

Ben Tarnoff recently spoke to two of the fired Lanetix engineers, Björn 
Westergard and an anonymous engineer called “Will” in this interview. 
They discussed why they organized, how they did it, and what lessons 
their experience might hold for the future of tech organizing.

...