The new unionism»> team has begun combing the web looking for newsletters and resources which may help you in developing new unionism in the workplace. This means both organizing and partnership tools, as well as all those international overviews which help achieve an understanding of the context we are all working in. If you know of any tools we should list, please email us at librarian@newunionism.net.
1. newsletters
Work in Progress "Work in Progress" is the New Unionism» network's bi-monthly newsletter. It takes a wide-angle view of the world of unionism, and everything which overlaps with it. We keep it short, aiming for a maximum of two minutes reading, but with lots of links for deeper information if you want to find out more. There's humour wherever we can find it, and you're VERY welcome to send stories of your own. Subscribe via the form to the right or email wip@newunionism.net. Oh, and you don't have to be a member, and it's free.
New Unionism NewsWire Our newswire comes out weekly, give or take, and is intended to help network members, union organizers, union members and labour movement supporters stay up-to-date with regards to changes that are occuring in the global union movement. It typically contains 7 to 10 very short stories, with links for further information.
World of Work Although a fairly beefy number to receive by email (about 2.5mb), the ILO's World of Work is a well-produced and authoratative magazine well worth your bandwidth! It comes out three times per year, and can be viewed in pieces hereor ordered by email through the form to the right.
IPA Bulletin The IPA (Involvement and Participation Association) is a UK-based organisation which helps companies set up or re-establish relationships built on mutually beneficial partnership arrangements. They produce some interesting material, including a monthly bulletin which you can preview here and/or subscribe to from the form to the right.
NCPP Update This bulletin comes out about three times a year and can be downloaded here or requested by email on the form to the right.
ETUI Health and Safety The European Trade Union Institute publishes an excellent health and safety at work newsletter. It only comes out twice a year, but its packed with authorative information and beautifully produced. It can be downloaded here or requested by email on the form to the right.
2. handy tools
Wage Indicator This database provides comparative pay data for 17 countries, and the ILO has recently agreed to fund a project which will extend the service to all countries. To find out more click here.
IPA: Industrial Case Studies The Involvement and Participation Association (mentioned above) also has a fantastic database of industrial case studies from the UK. It is available here.
New Unionism online library Far be it from us to pat ourselves on the back, but this library really does contain some important resources. We can take almost no credit for this, other than the job of hunting them out, but we are also hoping to build the library with contributions from members. Feel free to make submissions to librarian@newunionism.net.
International Labor Comparisons
This excellent book of charts provides simple comparisons of labor statistics from Asia, Europe and the Americas. It's published by the US Department of Labor.
International Labour Statistics
This spreadsheet, compiled by the New Unionism network, includes country data on trade union membership density, the UNHCR's "Human Development Index"; the "Satisfaction With Life" index, average hours worked, gender gap rankings, labour productivity by country, global competitiveness and "ease of doing business" rankings, and corruption perceptions. It's a vital tool for unionists who want to know how their country relates to others from a work-centred perspective.
Country profiles
This BBC resource is very handy starting place for those needing a quick overview of a country, along with a few facts about the leadership and the media.
UNISON: Negotiating on Pay
Another well-written guide. This one is written for a UK context, so the same caution applies as above. Your own union may well have a guide of its own, but if not, check this out. This local bargaining guide is good as well.
Interest-Based Problem Solving
A simple and effective guide to the IBPS technique, which helps resolve workplace problems before they become issues. It has been developed and published jointly by a coalition of US unions and Kaiser-Permanente. They've also developed a handy sheet on consensus-based decision making which you can find here.
Younionize This international service, being developed by the New Unionism network, seeks to match workers with their most appropriate local union. As so many of you have told us, it's not always easy finding how and where to sign up! You're identity will be kept confidential, except of course from the union(s) who need to contact you.
Global framework agreements
We are working on a collection of global framework agreements and union / government agreements here» We'd be glad to receive any updates. Below are some links to other listings, some of which require password access. Union Network International (UNI) has also put together a short, clear introduction to global framework agreements, which is available here.
• International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM»)
• International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF»)
• Union Network International (UNI»)
Is your boss a psychopath?
The standard clinical test for psychopathy, Robert Hare's PCL-R, evaluates 20 personality traits overall, but a subset of eight traits defines what he calls the "corporate psychopath": the nonviolent person prone to the "selfish, callous, and remorseless use of others." Does your boss fit the profile? Find out here»
Economic, social and cultural rights
The Center for Economic and Social Rights has put together this great resource for those who want to know more about the legal background and framework for their rights.
Transnational profiles
Transnationale.org provides information (not all of which is free) on more than 11,000 companies around the world. They report on social and environmental behaviour, financial data, list of brands, lobby membership, public relations and "opinion making", manager's name and position, shareholders and subsidiaries, plant locations and offshore centres, brand and corporate image management.
Model mode of conduct
The Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) has developed this mode of conduct for schools and universities (although it could easily be adapted for unions and other organisations) as the standard they require of licensees.
Global Workplace This War on Want - sponsored website is one of a kind. Savvy, sassy: it's a prime resource for people wanting to learn more about the process and the effects of globalisation without getting bored!. In particular, check out their training course.
Working for America Institute This union-sponsored organization has become a national leader in the US arguing for "the high road option": partnerships in which workers obtain higher skills and better pay, employers become more successful, and communities become better places in which to live and work.
The Union Ideas Network
Although participants and subjects are largely confined to the UK, this is a great place to initiate a discussion and get solid responses from experienced unionists. It's an under-utilised resource... join in!
OECD Observer: Labour
It's hard to know how to categorise this in relation to the union movement, but there is all sorts of data passing through here which are worth knowing about.
Gender equity index
How does your country fare in the gender equity index? A country’s level of wealth does not automatically determine its degree of equity. Rwanda, for instance, comes third after Sweden and Finland, thanks to intensive affirmative action efforts.
Union Song
This website is the best we've come across as a reference source for union and workers' songs.
An Activists Guide to the Media
Written by the Guardian's incomparable George Monbiot ("it's time to put the demo back in democracy"), this guide is a brilliant reference for those who find themselves frustrated by the clang of silence that surrounds their work.
Global research contacts The Global Union Research Network has put together this list of list of research contacts, institutes and organizations, related to the trade union movement.
4. self development
Global Respect
Global Respect, run by the Olof Palme Institute, is a fantastic, free and open Internet study circle which helps you learn about globalisation and its effects, human rights, and places a particular emphasis on workplace rights.
The Political Compass Don't miss this chance to analyse your political type on a scale more advanced than the traditional left wing / right wing model. This one's a must!
Union work search Looking for work in the union movement or with a labour-friendly NGO? New Unionism can help. Sign up here.
SEIU: Stewards Manual
This manual is written for stewards (aka delagates/workplace reps) in the context of USA law. Remember that! But with that in mind, it is an excellent resource for those who are dealing with problems in the workplace.
Public speaking
It's part of every unionist's job, whether they like it or not, and it's often critical to doing the job well. This BBC guide to public speaking is a great place to start if this is an area where you are a bit under-confident. In fact the over-confident would do well to read it too!
RHETI Enneagram Type Indicator Do you have problems with a colleague at work? It's very difficult not to regard conflicts as personal attacks, but there are some types of personality which will always clash with others. Often a bit of basic understanding about yourself and the other person will suggest a course of action which can minimise the problem. This well-respected test indicates your personality type; getting the other person to complete it as well may suggest where the clashes are centred, and what you can both do to keep each other happy. Enneagram test» Practical interpretations»
Jung Typology Test Thinking of a change of career? Where to next? Another free test - the Jung-Myers-Briggs typology test, is based on the hypothesis that people can be classified using four criteria:
• Extroversion - Introversion
• Sensing - Intuition
• Thinking - Feeling
• Judging - Perceiving
Different combinations of the criteria determine a type.
For example: ISTJ = Introvert Sensing Thinking Judging
This test will tell you your type, strength of the preferences, and description. It may help you to identify strengths and areas that need developing, as well as preparing for similar tests during interviews.
Stress Test There's a lot of people out there making the best of a bad job. How stressed are you? Can you honestly assess the situation, or are you locked into a series of coping strategies which are slowly letting the job wear you down? Take this test.
Job Satisfaction Test This free test is pretty simplistic, but in a way the questions are as interesting as the final diagnosis, and might help you to frankly rethink your current position.
We are only just beginning the process of building this page. If you have any useful tools you would like to recommend to unionists and others working in the labour field, please email librarian@newunionism.net
I would like to subscribe to the following (see descriptions in left hand column):
5. news
There are literally thousands of sites we could include in this list. We are restricting ourselves to those that concentrate on labour and unions, cover stories internationally or at least regionally, tick over regularly (at east 3 or 4 stories per week), and/or carry a high proportion of original, relevant content. Recommendations and requests for linking can be sent to links@newunionism.net.
Labourstart
This is the classic — the prime site for labour-on-the web news. The fact that you have almost certainly heard of it already speaks for itself.
Union Renewal This is a much more recent site, but is perhaps just as good as Labourstart for active unionists.
ITUC The International Trade Union Confederation is the world's largest umbrella group for national union centres. Until fairly recently it was known as the ICFTU.
Dissident Voice: Labor section Although rather centred on U.S. experience, these pages offer a good outside-looking-in view of labour struggle, seeing it as part of the wider struggle for social justice.
AllAfrica labour news A great page for those wanting to tabs on labour struggle throughout Africa.
EIRO The European Industrial Relations Observatory carries in-depth studies on working conditions throughout Europe. It's a great resource. Latest findings are generally reported on this page.
"Work in Progress" is the New Unionism» network's bi-monthly newsletter. It takes a wide-angle view of the world of unionism, and everything which overlaps with it. We keep it short, aiming for a maximum of two minutes reading, but with lots of links for deeper information if you want to find out more. There's humour wherever we can find it, and you're VERY welcome to send stories of your own. Subscribe via the form to the right or email 
Our newswire comes out weekly, give or take, and is intended to help network members, union organizers, union members and labour movement supporters stay up-to-date with regards to changes that are occuring in the global union movement. It typically contains 7 to 10 very short stories, with links for further information.
Although a fairly beefy number to receive by email (about 2.5mb), the ILO's World of Work is a well-produced and authoratative magazine well worth your bandwidth! It comes out three times per year, and can be viewed in pieces 
The 
This bulletin comes out about three times a year and can be downloaded 
The European Trade Union Institute publishes an excellent health and safety at work newsletter. It only comes out twice a year, but its packed with authorative information and beautifully produced. It can be downloaded 
Far be it from us to pat ourselves on the back, but this library really does contain some important resources. We can take almost no credit for this, other than the job of hunting them out, but we are also hoping to build the library with contributions from members. Feel free to make submissions to