why we want You to join››

Unions build Your voice at work. They safeguard Your rights. They improve Your pay and conditions. They lobby for better employment laws, pay equity, leave entitlements, health and retirement benefits and workplace safety.

However... in order to do these things, they need You as much as You need them.

We strongly believe that You should join a union. In fact if you click here» we'll help You do it.

Having said that... we believe we can add to the union experience. New Unionism» is about free and open networking in a globalized age. Our facilities allow workers, their representatives and allies, to share experiences and ideas internationally. We offer a safe space to discuss workplace issues and problems, to seek (and offer) solidarity, and to come to terms with global trends. It is not enough that politics and solidarity happen on our behalf. We need to be involved in the process ourselves.

We also provide a bridge for those who feel they cannot join a union, for one reason or other. We offer informal economy workers, and/or part-timers, freelancers and temp workers, a chance to find out more about unionism. We want to bring people into the orbit of unionism; into a postion from which they can make an informed choice regarding participation and solidarity.

We stand for creative approaches; approaches which seek to combine organizing, workplace democracy and internationalism. But these things are just abstract principles unless they change social dynamics and power relationships at work. Change is not change until it happens.

"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 anti-bureaucratic
... is based on fact, not ideology
... puts change in the workplace first
... and seeks economic democracy from there

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 hoping You will join us.

Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s

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. Our accounts are open and transparent, and are regularly updated online (see here).

Click here for a copy of the Memorandum of Association or here for the Certificate of Incorporation.

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.

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 am not a union member, but would like to join one (information will be sent) I'd like to receive the network's bi-monthly email publication: work in progress» I'd like to receive the weekly Newswire. 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 membership is free, but will consider making a donation of money or voluntary work within six months* (you can donate 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.