These days, critical mass means having the entire world on-board. I just don't see that happening.

Do you have an example of this happening in other industries? I am skeptical. That, and the dynamics of the market (more suppliers than demand, lots of kids who want in, easy outsourcing) make it hard to maintain a cartel.

It happens in the movie business! The screenwriters, the actors, all have their guilds. No studio would dare to take on Equity.

You're right! I'd totally forgotten about the screenwriters' successful strike.

Their situations are still pretty different though, and any new union action always has the looming hammer of the federal government threatening to shut it down.