Are you a member of a trade union? Why? Why not? If you are, and don't mind mentioning it, which one?Do you know of any programmers who were helped by being in a union, or would have been helped by being in a union? Do you know of any programmers who were hindered or would have been hindered by being in a union?
Are you a member of a trade union?
unions
I'm not a member of any union because I don't see the need for it in my particular situation.  I have good working conditions and I'm making more than I'm spending by a comfortable margin, and that's good enough for me.  Paying dues to a union for representation that I have no need of would not be a rational decision.If conditions were different, though, I would be amenable to joining one, because I'm aware of the good that they do in situations where they are necessary.However, I believe that such membership needs to be voluntary.  If you believe that the benefits of union membership make the cost worthwhile, then you join, otherwise you don't, and you don't get the same benefits that the union members get.  The concept of a union shop, where all workers are required to join the union and pay dues as a condition of employment, is simply a protection racket by a different name, and needs to be recognized as such and made illegal.