Why Don't Software Engineers Unionize?

It's been made pretty clear over the last few years that loyalty in tech is mostly one-sided.

Meta hires thousands of engineers, then lays off thousands.

Oracle announces layoffs while posting strong earnings.

Amazon cuts teams while reporting billions in profit.

Everyone talks about "culture" until headcount needs to be reduced.

So why don't engineers unionize?

I'm genuinely curious.

People always say software engineers are different because we're highly paid. But pilots are highly paid. Doctors have professional associations. Skilled trades organize. Samsung workers have organized.

What makes tech different?

Is it because engineers think they'll always be able to find another job?

Is it because everyone believes they're one promotion away from management?

Or is it because most engineers don't actually want collective bargaining?

The thing that surprises me most is morale.

If my company laid off 10% of the workforce after years of record profits, I don't know how excited I'd be to attend the next happy hour, hackathon, culture event, or all-hands meeting.

Maybe that's already happening behind the scenes.

Maybe people are checking out mentally while still collecting a paycheck.

Or maybe most engineers simply view layoffs as part of the industry now.

I'm not even arguing that unions are the answer.

I'm just surprised the conversation isn't bigger.

What do you think?

Why haven't software engineers organized the way workers in other industries have?