Blogging Could Become The Newest Cottage Industry For Social In-Activists

I think we have enough examples of the democratic process in the labour movement to question whether "bloggers" need a union to protect them. It is an excepted fact that unions are there to protect the marginal worker; productive workers are professional enough that they can succeed on their own while the incompotent workers will eventually be terminated. It is not difficult to identify the blogger professionals...visit their sites and look at the advertising revenue they have gained because businesses feel they are an asset in increasing business. And then there are bloggers like me........

Solidarity in cyberspace? Bloggers eye labour union TheStar.com - News - Solidarity in cyberspace? Bloggers eye labour union

In such a diverse world, there's no consensus on type of organization and who should be included

August 06, 2007

Ashley M. Heher
ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO–Do bloggers need their own Norma Rae?

In a move that might make some people scratch their heads, a loosely formed coalition of left-leaning bloggers are trying to band together to form a labour union they hope will help them receive health insurance, conduct collective bargaining or even set professional standards.

The effort is an extension of the blogosphere's growing power and presence, especially within the political realm, and for many, evokes memories of the early labour organization of freelance writers in the early 1980s.

Organizers hope a bloggers' labour group will not only showcase the growing professionalism of the Web-based writers but also the importance of their roles in candidates' campaigns.

"I think people have just gotten to the point where people outside the blogosphere understand the value of what it is that we do on the progressive side," said Susie Madrak, the author of Suburban Guerilla blog, who is active in the union campaign. "And I think they feel a little more entitled to ask for something now.''

But just what that something is may be hard to say.