Tech Worker Rights: Minor Edits

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abnercoimbre 2025-04-02 22:58:01 -07:00
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### Make it a Normal Discussion
Handmade Cities isnt the place to stage political revolution. However, by 2030, we will have become the best place in the tech industry for open discussions on labor rights and the balance between labor and capital. (Don't underestimate the power of public forums.)
Handmade Cities isnt the place to stage political revolution. However, by 2030, we will already be the best place in tech for open discussions on labor rights and the balance between labor and capital. (Don't underestimate the power of public forums.)
Let's recall programmers ARE part of the labor class and that fighting for worker rights is as American as apple pie: remember how we pulled off 40-hour work weeks or outlawed child labor? The tech industry needs to reckon with this reality.
The more skilled a programmer you are the more you might care about this topic—it directly impacts your economic future. That said, we welcome thoughtful disagreements as much as support. These debates must occur without resorting to thought-stopping clichés like calling one side “robber barons” and the other “communists.”
The more skilled a programmer you are the more you must care about this topic—it directly impacts your economic future. That said, we welcome thoughtful disagreements as much as support. These debates must occur without resorting to thought-stopping clichés like calling one side “robber barons” and the other “communists.”
If we can agree the status quo needs to change, youre in good company.
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Abner believes Andrews diagnosis of the industrys problems was largely accurate. However, unlike Andrew, Handmade Cities disagrees open-source software or non-profits will rescue us; read our other Key Objective: [Protect Small Software Shops](/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops). In addition, we're betting on a culture where social status is conferred to long-term business owners. Companies like [Sublime HQ](https://www.sublimehq.com) and the mighty [Valve](https://store.steampowered.com/) (no longer small!) are great examples of this approach. We require the presence of nimble competitors keeping Big Tech [on their toes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrmqC2A3QK8).
That said, Abner and Andrew are aligned on a crucial point: tech workers need collective bargaining power. Not everyone can start a business or join some benevolent employer. So whether it's through guilds, unions, or another form, workers (not management) need a seat at the table *pronto*: being well-paid will no longer cut it. Without negotiating power we bear witness to the continued rise of mediocre software. Workers are forced to endure hostile AI/LLM takeovers without a say. Mass layoffs march on.
That said, Abner and Andrew are aligned on a crucial point: tech workers need collective bargaining power. Not everyone can start a business or join some benevolent employer. So whether it's through guilds, unions, or another form, workers (not management) need a seat at the table *pronto*: being well-paid no longer cuts it. Without negotiating power we bear witness to the continued rise of mediocre software. Workers are forced to endure hostile AI/LLM takeovers without a proper say. Mass layoffs march on.
#### Handling Future Controversy
This is our most controversial Key Objective and it will turn some people off. Thats okay. This is part of the 20% of our [80-20](/operation2030/structure/80-20) content split, so its trivial for community members to skip if theyre not interested. Advisory board members, meetup hosts and paid staff are also not strictly required to promote this subject themselves if it conflicts with their own views.
This subject matter is part of the 20% of our [80-20](/operation2030/structure/80-20) content split, so its trivial for community members to skip if theyre not interested. Advisory board members, meetup hosts and paid staff are also not strictly required to promote this subject themselves if it conflicts with their own views.
This is in accordance with our philosophy [Zero Favoritism](/operation2030/philosophy/zero-favorites).