Unions that want to communicate with their members using the new technologies face a problem. And the problem is that we don’t actually know very much about how our members use the Internet.
Of course there are general surveys and studies which show that masses of people use Facebook and Twitter, that smartphones and tablets have come to replace desktop PCs as a way to access the Net – but is that the case for union members?
We tend to take the internet for granted as a tool for solidarity, not least when it comes to people seeking justice where union rights and other freedoms are repressed. In places where being seen to talk with a union organiser can cost your job, or worse, the net often provides a form of sanctuary where despite censorship and monitoring, people can still keep in touch and organise. Tens of thousands of unionists, through their own unions and as individuals engaged in campaigns, rely on the internet as a channel for global solidarity. Companies and governments alike know that abuses of labour rights are only a few keyboard clicks away from exposure and global pressure.
This is about to change for the worse if a group of countries, led by China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the like, get their way at an obscure but vitally important meeting in Dubai this December.
New digital technologies are opening up different ways for supporters to join and affiliate with parties and other political organizations. This is occurring in two main ways:
1) through ‘purpose built’ hub sites developed by organisations through which they can recruit volunteers and support and individuals sign up with an email address
2) through the use of third party software provided through platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Flickr in which the organisations and their supporters can create a new ‘space’ for sympathisers and interested individuals to find out more information and undertake certain actions on their behalf.
#spartacusreport campaigner Sue Marsh speaks at Netroots UK, with Sunny Hundal of blog Liberal Conspiracy and Netroots Nation Director Raven Brooks.
Last Saturday the TUC’s conference centre played host to Netroots UK 2012, a gathering of online activists from across the progressive movement. Hundreds of campaigners spent a whole day networking, training and debating strategy – a unique chance for trades unionists, political activists, local anti-cuts campaigns, environmentalists, direct action groups, equality organisations and many more to come together and collaborate.
It was the third British Netroots event (the second at TUC towers) and this time I was glad to see unions seemed to be playing a more central role than they have previously. This latest conference saw a number of union speakers, bringing the labour movement’s experience into sessions on austerity and women’s employment (Diana Holland of Unite), campaigning on the NHS (Sian Rabi-Laleh of UNISON), and defending abortion rights (Scarlet Harris of the TUC).
I was reflecting on this, when I came across a Daily Kos blog post by Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, on the changes he’s seen in seven years of Netroots Nation events.
Today’s Day of Action on public service pensions is the biggest strike in a generation, so it’s going to set a lot of firsts, but one I’ve noticed is how connected the day is going to be online. Many unions are going to be maintaining liveblogs to keep their members in the loop, and many more will be taking to Twitter to highlight what’s happening. Here’s a roundup of some good places to look for the latest news from unions:
#OccupyWallStreet design by Brian Tatosky
If I were to say the words ‘Occupy (insert location here)’ to you, what would first spring to mind? Is it the rows of tents in public places, the mini villages of protest or a hashtag?
I’ve been mulling over this question, especially in light of finishing teaching our Communications and Campaigns course where we’ve been exploring the use of communication in union campaign work.
To me, ‘Occupy’ is as just as much about the use of social media, using it to get out its messages and news (I knew about NYC through ReTweets on Twitter) as much as it is about the physical presence of the tents, kitchen, and libraries. But is it the social media that is changing the way we are talking about our economic struggle or is it that physical presence?
This isn’t the normal Stronger Unions post, but you’re all activists, and this is about the sort of economy we live in, so it’s important for union organising, honestly! On Monday, European finance ministers meet in Luxemburg, and the internet petition people Avaaz, who have 6 million supporters worldwide (a lot of them in the UK, interestingly) want our support to press finance ministers to act for the people – and the real economy – not big finance. Their petition says:
As citizens concerned about the economic crisis and massive austerity cuts, we urge you to take bold action to save our economies. Europe must face down the banking lobbies, stop the cuts and urgently introduce the people-centred spending and regulation policies that will secure our future.
Please sign it and encourage everyone you know to sign too.
Eric Lee
Sharan Burrow
Rachel Gibson
John Wood
Becky Wright
Owen Tudor
