Like manufacturing industries a decade ago, life for IT professionals is getting harder and the workplace more demanding. Indeed, some say “IT needs a voice to level the playing field.” Whereas most experts agree that an IT union is a long-shot, that’s not stopping a few geek groups from trying — such as the Washington Alliance of Tech Workers and Alliance@IBM. “How much do you think your employer really values your work when they think they can just ship it off to India or China?” asks WashTech director of communications Rennie Sawade. Read Should IT form a union? Careers