In NYC you expected to be at work at most companies for 9-10 hours a day, you are expected to go to all their social events, and you are expected to act like a logic lording startup bro (even when the company is far past the startup stage). Sure, they give you free treats, sure it's not hard to come by a job, but you are still ultimately expected to give up your autonomy to become a startup stooge.
That would give a hiring advantage to companies that don't demand that.
Not everywhere, in most countries it is an employeers market that get to vet who they are willing to take, regardless how much in need they might be.
At least in Europe most countries do have support for developers on their unions. It is up to each one to decide which one they want to join.
Only until the next recession, which will come.
Yeah, seems like agencies or a guilds make more sense.