You Deserve a Tech Union by Ethan Marcotte

Ethan’s book came out in August 2023, and I’ve been eager to read it since he announced it. Unionization has been a hot topic in the US over the last several years. I’ve rooted for workers at Amazon, Google, Starbucks, and Apple to form unions and advocate for their rights vis á vis their employers. I think that work is so important.

This book provides an overview of the history of unions in the US, and in the US tech industry, plus some helpful thoughts on how to form unions in your workplace.

I found his arguments about why unions are important, even in an industrial sector considered to be rather plush compared to many others. Many people think of unions as organizations that advocate for more privileges and protections for workers. However, at least as important as that work, they also ensure that workers retain the privileges they already have.

Get it from A Book Apart.