1 Who are you people?
We are these people. New Unionism is the collective name for an approach which is being developed by unionists who want to make change and set agendas, rather than just reacting. This website was launched in March 2007 to help new unionists share ideas and experience. Those who join the network subscribe to four key principles: organizing, workplace democracy, internationalism and creativity (details). Beyond these principles we have no formal structure, although in law we are registered as a non-profit company in the UK (details). Nor do we have officers, affiliations, a vision statement, policies, goals or links with any other group or organisation.
2 Where does the money come from?
We're trying to figure that out as well. We seem to fall between every crack in the non-profit world. There is a voluntary membership fee, based on the equivalent of an hour's pay, which makes membership financial and entitles the member to vote. Other than a loan at start up, we have not received money from any other source.
3 How do you make decisions?
A network seldom needs to make decisions. However sometimes questions of direction come up. When this happens we meet online and discuss, with all proceedings recorded in full (ie no minutes!) and available to all members. Any member is entitled to call for a vote, although only financial members can vote.
4 Why are you doing this?
Our sense is that working people and union activists have all kinds of ideas and insights which they do not have any opportunity to develop collectively. At global level, union democracy is (of necessity) representative. People speak for us. This website is an addition to the process, flattening the structure by bringing working people and activists together onto the global stage in their own right. This participative democracy is a complement to the more traditional representative forms.
5 Do you think any of this will make a difference?
For many members it already has. The network is a vehicle where people meet, discuss, plan, inspire, joke, advise, pass on contacts, and do all those things which normally happen between sessions at union meetings. Except that t happens internationally. New Unionism is unique in the labour movement (to our knowledge) in that it is a global principles-based membership network. As to the rest, ask us again in six months. Better still, we'll ask you.
6 How do I find out more?
Use the box at the top right to ask us any question you like, or contact us in other ways by way of the information on this page.
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To join us click here. To support our work, click here.
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