Holy Solidarity Batman!

Close to 200 (still counting) activists at LabourStart 2010. Report to come but suffice it to say: great!

Follow on Facebook or on Twitter (#lsconf2010).

2009 Labour Website of the Year Contest

The “Labour Website of the Year” contest, which LabourStart runs each year, draws everyone’s attention to particularly interesting uses of the web by unions. Global, national and local unions participate. Even some individual members and caucuses.

The number of votes each site receives determines the winner. This encourages unions to collect their members’ addresses and mobilize them in support of their website.

I almost hate to admit it, but it’s amazing what a little competition can do! I swear, some unions get into the online campaigning line only because of this contest.

Our hope is that the experience of organizing their members for our contest will encourage unions to think more about running online campaigns of their own. And the contest can also draw your attention to fine examples of union sites – imitation being the most productive form of flattery.

To nominate a site for this year's edition of the contest go to:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/lwsoty/2009/nominate.cgi?l=en

Dog Days of August? Apparently Not

While the rest of us, in the northern hemisphere anyway, are slacking-off, taking vacation or getting caught-up while those around us do, the Korean government seems committed to beheading the labour movement there.

The KCTU has asked for international assistance and LabourStart is running an e-mail campaign at its request at:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=402

Turkey isn't far behind and seems to have singled out one woman trade union leader for special attention. Meryem Özsögüt has not only been arrested but is being kept in one of the country's more unpleasant jails. Join the solidarity campaign at:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=394