Take advantage of the one proven means of normalizing the negotiation power between you and your employer: join a union, organize your shop, and take advantage of collective bargaining rights. This is obviously easier said than done, but at least it's not based on magical thinking.
Unionizing is definitely an option... but it's worth noting that the balance of power between programmers and employers isn't the same as factory workers. In particular the means of production are so cheap anyone can start a software company.
