
Issue No 44		03 March 2000

Unions

An Interactive Resource

By David Whitely - ACTU Organising Centre

The priority for unions in the 21st century is organising and growth. Greg Combet's unions @work report identified the direction unions should be moving.

The ACTU Organising Centre, with the support of the NSW Labor Council, has developed the web based resource to assist unions implement the unions @work report.

Chris Walton, co-Director of the ACTU Organising Centre comments : "The unions @work report identified how successful overseas unions were changing, and achieving growth. The unions @work interactive resource builds on the report, and provides case studies of what Australian unions are achieving by effective organising and campaigning"

What is the interactive resource?

The objective of the web page is to inform and engage union organisers and officials about the issues facing the union movement in the 21st century.

The resource is structured into the four sections of the unions @work report:

- strength in the workplace;

- growth in new areas;

- technology for the times; and

- a strong union voice.

There are over 50 cases studies of how Australian unions are beginning to turn the tide and organise successfully.

The case studies are used to promote the new direction of the ACTU leadership, one towards organising and union expansion in growing employment sectors. The case studies include :

- A profile of how activists in one Sydney call centre organised themselves with the help of their ASU union organiser;

- Details of how the SDA have been building activist networks in an up-market Melbourne department store;

- An assessment of the LHMU Chef's campaign in Melbourne's finest hotels;

- A detailed review of the organisational changes made by the LHMU in South Australia, and the Transport Workers Union in NSW;

- A number of examples of workplace mapping techniques; and

- How unions across Australia are implementing call centre techniques to service members.

More case studies needed!

Michael Crosby, co-Director of the Organising Centre comments: "We have a huge number of case studies, but they have tended to be from the same unions. To build the resource up further we want to hear from every union, we want to know what strategies and tactics unions have been trying. We want to know what has worked, and what has not worked."

"Sharing ideas and strategies is the best way for the union movement to continue developing, the web page offers a forum to do this. Union organisers and officials are encouraged to submit case studies, either by emailing the Organising Centre, or contacting the Centre by phone."

Unions are adopting the web

Michael Crosby : "Lets face it, quite a few of us are reluctant to embrace computers and the internet. But the unions @work resource is easy to use. The resource is indicative of how unions are embracing technology"

Further technological development of the web page is the next step. The ACTU Organising Centre is setting up discussion groups and identifying ways to make the site more interactive.

Use of the page continues to increase, with over 200 Australian users The web page has been adopted by unions in the US, UK and New Zealand.

The web site is password protected. To obtain a password simply email the Organising Centre on mailto:[email protected].

If you would like further information or have any comments about the web page, contact David Whiteley on 03 9206 6065.

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 44 contents

Interview: The Big Fella
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley speaks about Laborďż˝s evolving relationship with the trade union movement in the post-Accord era.

Unions: An Interactive Resource
The priority for unions in the 21st century is organising and growth. Greg Combetďż˝s unions @work report identified the direction unions should be moving.

Media: Public Hearings
As the big media players look increasingly tarnished, the broadcasting minnows like FBi are seeking their share of the airwaves.

History: Labour History Under Siege
In good labour tradition, the history section of Workers Online begins the year with a call to arms.

Olympics: Games Greed Boosts Homeless Numbers
'Homeless in Sydney' is shaping up to be the theme of the Olympics with many property owners evicting tenants and pushing up rents.

Women: No Time To Be Casual
International Womenďż˝s Day is a day to take action. As a shop steward or union delegate why not use IWD as an opportunity to encourage the women in your workplace to join the union?

International: Serbian And Kosovo Unions Meet
The Italian metalworkers has hosted meetings on how to build a different future for the workers in the Balkans.

Labour Review: What's New
Read the latest issue of Labour Review our resource for students, activists and officials.

Review: Rock and a Hard Place
A hippie festival? Alternative? No way...the music festival know as the Big Day Out (BDO) is fast becoming a mainstream youth cultural event, a snapshot of the broader society that unions are struggling to engage.

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» LaborNet A Step Forward in Democracy

» From the Lorry to the Creche, We're Watching

» Penal Provisions Against Teachers Condemned

» Auditor General Moves on TAFE

» Yahoo! Under Fire for Union Censorship

» Unrest Bubbles Over Coke Sackings

» Jennie To Sign Off Online

» Basic Goods Sought for East Timorese

» Western Sydney Added to Campus Tour

» Pay Equity Update

» STOP PRESS: Mac Attack Tuesday