Bloggers Consider Forming Labor Union - New York Times

News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon Aug 6, 2007 3:53 PM EDT

Article Source: The New York Times

technology, bloggers, blogosphere, labor-union

CHICAGO (AP) -- 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 labor 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 labor organization of freelance writers in the early 1980s.

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

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luckydog's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Activism, Left of Center, rationalists, Science And Technology
Regions: New York

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This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

2.5

{"commentId":926527,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

Hmmm, I wonder if the right wing bloggers want to join?

{"commentId":926527,"threadId":"134504","contentId":"881114","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

1 vote

#1 - Mon Aug 6, 2007 3:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":927370,"authorDomain":"kylew"}

kylew

I always thought the idea of creating a blog was to share some of your ideas with the world. I don't see blogging as a way to generate income, nor do I see it as a means to establish health care and other benefits that a union would bring. People should create blogs because they have an earnest interest in an area. They are driven to create change and want their idea's known.

{"commentId":927370,"threadId":"134504","contentId":"881114","authorDomain":"kylew"}

1 vote

#2 - Mon Aug 6, 2007 9:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":927399,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

Yours is one point of view Kylew. Others see it as a way to make a living while doing what they love.

{"commentId":927399,"threadId":"134504","contentId":"881114","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

#3 - Mon Aug 6, 2007 9:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":927692,"authorDomain":"kylew"}

kylew

I can understand that point of view.

{"commentId":927692,"threadId":"134504","contentId":"881114","authorDomain":"kylew"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Tue Aug 7, 2007 12:09 AM EDT

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LUCKYDOG

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Bloggers Consider Forming Labor Union - New York Times

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Bloggers Consider Forming Labor Union	The Washington Post	Mon Aug 6	0
Bloggers Consider Forming Labor Union	Wired News	Tue Aug 7	1
Bloggers Consider Forming Labor Union	Associated Press	Sun Aug 5	2