Interesting Discussion on the Internet, Unions and Democracy at Union Review
Similar to a couple of my recent posts on unions, the Internet and democracy, our sibling site, Union Review, is having an extended discussion on the same themes.
Check it out at http://unionreview.com/help-brother-out%2C-will-ya. and feel free to jump right in ...
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- Jason Pramas's blog
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Is It Wrong?
Having an Independent Web-site with My Local's Name Attachted to It ?
I Hope to God Not, Because I'm Doing It Anywho !
As Always,
In Brotherhood and In Solidarity
Charles Lezette
Carpenters Local 370
Albany, NY
www.videovoice370.com
just be clear about who you are (and aren't)
What, do you think that the members are the union?
No problem using the local name/number/logo on your site (including in the title, meta tags, or url). But your title, meta tags, about page, contact page, etc. should make it clear that your site is an unofficial site. It's best to work that into the title -- "The Real Local 222 -- unofficial website for members of ABC Local 222" -- It is also good to post a link to the official site, if there is one.
If you run into a problem, give us a call or email at AUD. (http://uniondemocracy.org)
Hey, Thanks
Matt, Great Information,
I Will Contact You If Need Be !
all union members are not the same legally
Remember that AUD can only do something for unions covered under
the LMRDA and related regulations. Thus anyone who is a public sector employee is not covered by this.
. Frankly I wish AUD would be more up front about this. Yes I have contacted AUD
in the past and they told me, we can do nothing for public sector employees. So if you're say a plumber in the private sector then
maybe you have huge leeway on web sites. But if you're in the publc sector, don't bank on it.
Realize that large unions tend to have a load of lawyers on retainer and they
are accustomed to handling virtually any issue with a trip to their lawyers' offices,
whereas you probably don't have lawyers at your disposal nor the money to pay for them.
That's why I would still recommend that people not go overboard on web sites that
could get them sued. Secondly, bear in mind that a lot of union critical web sites are used by
anti-union organizations like union facts. Think about if your local-critical web site could be proudly featured on
an anti-union web site. This will not only make you a friend of anti-unionists but
put you on the s-list with onlooking progressives /unionists. This is pretty likely to happen because there's
such a long tradition of unions being seen as sort of a miltary model organization. It's not considered appropriate
to question the union's conduct. Many unionists see "solidarity" more like upholding the union's positions on
things, which things come from the top, than a concept of standing up for everyone in the union.
Something to consider in all this then is that while what you're trying to say may be true, and you may have
a legal right or at least you would if the world was fair, to say something, it's still a good idea to
consider if that venue is going to advance your cause. Things aren't necessarily as simple as the
emperor's new clothes kind of fable.
free speech: take it easy, but take it
A couple of points on democratic rights of unionists and the role of AUD.
1. A lot of AUD's work is with members of public employee unions. See the list of online articles from Union Democracy Review for examples of struggles by such unionists.
2. Helping unionists learn, defend, and use their legal rights is a big part of what AUD tries to do. But AUD also helps people by publicizing their efforts to democratize their unions, by providing links to help workers find allies, by advocating for union democracy in the union movement (for example on Benson's Union Democracy Blog). We also have an education project that focuses on legal rights and organizing. The key to success in most union democracy struggles is not legal expertise, but organizing with coworkers -- collective action. So, we also try to help people figure out how to do that.
AUD is a small organization and has to choose where and when we can be most effective. But we welcome contact from public sector workers and do our best to help.
3. While most public sector employee unionists are not covered by the Labor Management and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), there are important exceptions -- many unions in the public sector also represent private sector workers. The union body that represents even just one private sector employee is covered by the LMRDA, even if nearly all of its members are in the public sector. Some public sector unions, like AFSCME, have incorporated much of Title One of the LMRDA (the union members bill of rights) into their constitutions. Many states have laws patterned on the LMRDA, and/or court decisions that establish rights similar to those provided by the LMRDA. Finally, when it comes to internet speech, there are additional legal protections (Communications Decency Act) that provide some protection.
4. HC's point about the ready availability of lawyers for union officers and the burden that legal action places on rank-and-filers is well taken. Another reason why collective action -- the great potential resource of the ranks - -is so important. Also, legal battles often remove issues from the shop floor/union hall, leaving the members out of the process.
5. HC also makes a good point about the need to think strategically about what we do online. The fact that you may have good legal cover for your website is no guarantee that a vindictive officer won't try to sue you -- and end up costing you a lot of time and headache. It's also true that a site that criticizes the union leadership but fails to offer proposals for change will probably not lead to reform organizing. HC's two rules of thumb are good: tell the truth and ask yourself if what you say will advance your cause? (There are more rules of thumb to consider -- see the (outdated) 50 guidelines for a rank-and-file website.
6. I think transparency, open discussion and debate, free speech are all healthy for unions. We need to definitively reject the old idea that solidarity means uncritical loyalty to the administration. Criticism is healthy and often the first step people take in getting involved is to complain like hell. I think it is also important to know that the LMRDA and similar laws provide wide latitude for free speech.
Bottom line: take it easy, but take it. (- Pete Seeger)