Why we want you to join››

This is about social networking for working people in a globalized age. It's about getting organized to share your experiences and ideas across borders. It's about finding people employed by the same multinational overseas, or identifying like-minded colleagues in sister unions. It's about making links between activists around the world, and fostering real discussions between labor academics.

It's not about labor politics and solidarity happening on our behalf.

As well as networking unionists, we also provide a bridge for those who cannot join a union, for whatever reason. We help informal economy workers, part-timers, temp workers, freelancers, the unemployed, students and retirees, to enter into the general orbit of unionism. They can then make an informed choice about further participation and/or solidarity.

"This is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor, in a sort of life, rather than a Monday-through-Friday sort of dying."    Studs Terkel

New Unionism is:
... working people democratizing their workplaces
... activists globalising unionism 'from below'
... organizers turning practice into theory
... labor academics


This kind of change cannot be made for us, it has to be made by us.That is what lies at the heart of New Unionism. And that is why we are inviting you to join.

Okay, I can accept the general principles of new unionism: organizing, workplace democracy, creativity and internationalism (more) - and I'd like to take part in the network. First name: Surname: Email: (will not be used for any other purpose!) Country: Occupation: I am a member or staff of the following union: I'd like to receive the network's email bi-monthly newsletter work in progress»   I would consider becoming a Founding Member. Please send details of what is involved. Here are a few words about myself, my work, campaigns, politics, goals, interests...      I understand that financial membership is gained by making a donation of money or voluntary work of some kind* (you can get financial membership online in a new window here»). I understand and accept the key principles of New Unionism and agree to take part in the network in a friendly and constructive manner. I also understand that in the event of complaints, the site administrator has the right to suspend or cancel my membership.

* We suggest that a fair amount would be an hour's pay, as there is at least one hours work per member per year, and the general idea is that our time is worth no more or no less than yours.

Legal structure

(1) Although we are a network, please note that New Unionism is also registered as a non-profit company. This step was necessary for administrative purposes... ie we had to do it in order to open a bank account and to collect and process donations etc. By law and by preference any money received, over and above tagged network and tagged project costs, stays within the system. It is then used for further development and/or solidarity work.

For the record, the legally-defined aims of the company are:
     A. To assist in rebuilding the union movement by promoting the principles of organizing, workplace democracy and internationalism;
      B. To provide international solidarity for working people, their families and trade unions in the form of donations and other assistance.