At my new job I have to use AWS extensively. It is like a cult. They have cannibalized open-source projects and have vendor lock-in. Absolutely the case that management doesn't give a shit about running instances being billed passively, but if you ask for a pay increase or even hint at unionizing, you're informed that it's isn't possible or even fired. They pull these bullshit metrics about "generating value" using panopticon time tracking surveillance from scrum/Agile daily standups. Paying a team of parasitic micromanagers/project managers to bust the developers balls every morning to make sure they're getting their money's worth is unquestioned. The biggest salary bump comes from having another job lined up and using it as collateral. Like a hostage situation.