ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Tech workers were taught to see themselves as individual innovators—not as workers with shared interests and collective power.
In Part 1 of this conversation, Jess speaks with former programmer and Tech Workers Coalition organizer Simone Robutti about why that distinction matters. They explore how layoffs, ethical concerns, and the harmful uses of technology are driving more tech workers to organize. Simone explains what a union actually is, how worker-led organizing differs from treating a union as a service, and why collective action does not have to begin with a formal institution.
This episode is about moving beyond individual solutions to systemic problems, and recognizing that workers can have a voice not only in how they are treated, but also in what they are asked to build.
Episode Resources:
https://techworkerscoalition.org
https://architecturesofchange.xyz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Blair_Mountain
Socialist cowboys in the Texas ‘Fence Cutting Wars’
https://www.notechforapartheid.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Professionals%27_Union
https://www.cwu.org/press_release/google-ai-workers-to-enter-union-recognition-talks/
Podcast Guest: Simone Robutti
Simone worked as a software engineer for several years before quitting the industry and becoming engaged in political and labor organizing full-time. He is an active organizer in Tech Workers Coalition and Cables of Resistance. Professionally, he performs digital investigations against workplace surveillance in Reversing.works, teaches political practices under the name Architectures of Change, and consults democratic workplaces on organization development and process design. He is also part of the artistic collective Reincantamento, writing about techno-magic, political activation, and political mysticism.
Connect with Simone Robutti on LinkedIn
Simone’s website: https://robutti.me
Reversing Works: https://reversing.works
Podcast Host: Jess Lowry
Jessica Lowry is the Founder and Socio-technical Systems Designer at ENID Studio, a collective of practitioners that enable organizations to redesign work, services, and governance for an AI-enabled future through participatory design and human-centered digital transformation.
She is also a member of Effective Immediately, a community for people leaving corporate life to build something of their own. Members get honest feedback, business fundamentals, and access to people a few steps ahead while they validate their idea, land first customers, and build the foundation.
Connect with Jess: Jess Lowry LinkedIn
Join Jess at Effective Immediately
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