 di@log
Studies have shown that there is an art to making a discussion forum work, and that this involves two essential elements:
• having someone play the role of "animateur"
• having a strong, clear sense of purpose
Consequently we aim to have two people take responsibility for the dynanmism of each of our forums. One will be the "animateur" -- having the role of ensuring that the discussion is productive and lively (like a mixture between a facilitator and a compere), and the other will work with the first to develop direction, bring in guest speakers, introduce new items for comment, and suggest projects etc. Guest speakers; an appearance by Zutalors as devil's advocate; or the the introduction of real, practical problems... all of these help stimulate dialogue. But the reason most forums fizzle out is that there is simply no need for them. More than anything else, then, we need to stay in touch with your needs. Tell us what you want. Click here for more about the forums.
new solidarity
In the past unions often appointed an "almoner", a person whose job it was to monitor the membership and help with gifts (donated by the members) in times of hardship. We believe this is a fine old tradition, and we intend to continue it. Workers' responses to recent disasters such as the tsunami, hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Pakistan have made it clear that there is a generosity of spirit which can be difficult to coordinate. We will be building a solidarity fund so that we can make donations as soon as the need arrives, and we will also be collecting a database of people who might consider offering their services in times of crisis. All donations to the Solidarity Fund will be recorded publicly (unless you request confidentiality) and the accounts will be audited annually. Decisions on spending will be made via the new solidarity forum, with a vote taken as soon as possible if consensus looks elusive. Reports on practical results will also be presented to members.
From time to time the new solidarity forum may also consider supporting development projects or strike funds, although these will need to be vetted and vouched for by local members.
new networks
From time to time a member may wish to establish a network of their own to deal with a particular issue or campaign. Assuming it fits with network principles we can help by setting up a discussion forum. You could also use our voting facilities (see below), and we could advertise your project through our monthly email magazine.
voting
There are times when consensus is elusive and hard decisions need to be made. It is proposed that after a suitable period of discussion the forum "animateur" will call people to cast their vote by way of a secure form set up for this purpose. Confirmation of your vote will be sent by email. Please note that we aim to use this facility as seldom as possible; we would far rather reach consensus through discussion and compromise than have a decision imposed by numbers.
joining a union
There is little point in trying to rebuild the union movement if everybody just talks about what to do but nobody actually joins! For this reason we are setting up an international service to link potential union members with the most appropriate union in their area. To sign up for this process, click here.
sharing successes
One of the great tragedies of the union movement is that so often victories become milestones on the way to a larger goal. This means that we seldom stop and celebrate, and end up with an uneasy feeling of beginningless and endless struggle. This network will be actively seeking stories of union victories, and trying to understand WHY they worked, and what lessons others can take from the experience. It is said that union history is comprised of glorious defeats. Let's try and change this! Wherever possible the stories will be written by the participants themselves, and content will be subject to verification by the union(s) concerned.
learning lessons
On the flip side of the coin, there are those experiences which confuse the picture, or even divide unionists. What can we learn from these? How much union history is quietly swept under the carpet, where it can teach us nothing? In looking at outstanding challenges and missed opportunities we will take a positive approach, looking for what the alternatives were, and whether different decisions might possibly have led to different outcomes. Good old hindsight! If possible these stories will be written by the participants themselves, and the content will be subject to verification by the union(s) concerned.
resources
There are so many useful tools on the web, and they are so poorly promoted. Our voluntary researchers will be engaging in a hunt for the best in tools and web resources to help make your role easier, and trying to keep you on an equal footing with management with regards to understanding international trends and developments. There will also be tests to assess your stress levels, and other personal diagnostic tools which can help you and your colleagues take more control of your own life's work.
online library
This is a collection of documents to help you come to terms with some of the practical and theoretical issues surrounding the future of unionism, work, and industrial relations. We might not agree with everything that's in there, but it is material we have found thought-provoking. You are MOST WELCOME to suggest additions to the library, although please check that copyright conditions do not apply. Members' own contributions are also sought. All new contributions by members will be published alongside a table in which other network member can add comments (subject to the etiquette outlined to the right).
inspirations
Don't miss this page! You know that feeling when you walk out of a room and suddenly realise what the perfect response might have been, if only you'd had your wits about you? The inspirations page is a collection of quotes and one-liners which will help you put your case with authority and wit as well as conviction. Network member's words often make their way in there as well, and we're hoping to immortalise as many of you as we can! If nothing else, this is a great page to browse during your coffee break, while everybody else is bitching about how bad work is, and how powerless they are to change it.
mentoring
Many of us were lucky to have had wise and patient advisors during our early days in the union movement. This culture has been severely damaged by the decline in union influence since the 1980s. The new unionism» mentoring programme seeks to bring together young and/or inexperienced activists with well-seasoned and experienced people, many of whom have retired but would be happy to share their knowledge. The choice of mentor is up to you - if you are interested we will send you a list of CVs of people who are prepared to help, along with any conditions they may have applied (eg time limits). The programme is free, but is only open to network members.
jobs
In what looks to be a complex and developing project over 2007, the network will be setting up a subscriber service for members who are looking for work in unions and/or labour-friendly NGOs. We will keep you advised as this project takes form. If you feel like becoming more deeply involved in building New Unionism, you might also like to consider doing some voluntary work? Click here for more on the latter.
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results and outcomes
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 How do we measure the success and failure of our work? The primary indicator of the success of this network
will
be
the effect we have on building new unionism. To measure this we are going to have to assess this network's performance against the overall state of the union movement itself. Will we make any difference? Working this out will be a difficult task, and it is unclear whether we will be able to achieve it in our first year of operation. In many cases national union membership data simply does not exist, however we are beginning to work with a group of professionals who have offered to see what they can come up with. Initially we are proposing an annual survey of network members, followed by a survey of union leaders, and a broader study of the available union membership numbers. This will be complemented by case studies, guest commentaries, and a qualitative analysis of strategic directions in the union movement.
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procedures & guidelines
membership
We are aiming to go live in mid February '07 with about 50 members: including a strong cohort of experienced and visionary workers in the field (the founding members) and a group (the network members) who are keen to help discuss, develop and apply new unionism principles at workplace level. There is no hierarchical distinction between the two groups. Membership is by donation. We suggest you equate this to one hour of your pay, because it takes us at least this amount of time to deal with each member per annum, and we reckon out time is worth no more and no less than yours. You can join the network here. You can also volunteer for deeper involvement here.
etiquette for dialogue
This network seeks to encourage open dialogue (and/or "hololog") whenever and wherever it can. However from time to time differences will arise, and at times deliberations may become heated. We do not intend to act as censors, but these fights can discourage others from participating. If any member of the network finds a comment offensive in any way we reserve the right to delete it without notice. Such actions may result from obscene or threatening language, abusive or libellous allegations, and/or unreasonably hostile reactions to a genuinely-held point of view. It should be remembered that the Internet is not some magical anarchic kingdom; libel and defamation laws are as valid here as they are anywhere else, and this network can also be held responsible.
If repeated complaints are received we reserve the right to suspend membership and/or deny network access for an indefinite period, effective immediately. This right is also extended to those in charge of di@log forums on the network.
If you think you have been treated unfairly, please write to complaints@newunionism.net. We reserve the right to keep a complainant's name confidential if requested to do so, and to discontinue any discussion, and/or to refuse to enter into further discussion, at any point.
petitions and online campaigns
The network does not intend to act as an advertising mechanism for every petition, online campaign or conference that comes along. This would be impractical, politically naive, and ultimately rather boring for all concerned. The secret to promoting your campaign is targeting. It is up to you to find the best way to use the network tools to achieve this, but again, we would refer you to your local union for the best chance of developing an organised campaign. It may take time, and you will certainly need to be a member, but unions have a political reach which goes far beyond anything this network would ever try to achieve. That said, if you write to us at enquiries@newunionism.net we may be able to help with some ideas.
and????
What we have done above is to set out some initial rules and guidelines. We think these are necessary to get the thing off the ground. However below we seek your thoughts. Is there something we should change? Add? Remove? We await your advice.
what do you think?
(Click the words "add a comment" below to post a response. All comments are subject to the etiquette for dialogue outlined above)
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