I think that online organizing at both traditional and newer unions is not only possible, it is already starting to happen.
I believe that writers / bloggers should be part of the National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981. I believe that sellers on eBay and other auction sites would equally benefit from the NWU.
Sellers on eBay are constantly harassed because of DMCA laws that many don't even know about, or fully understand. The manufacturing companies go after the eBay seller for copyright infringement violations when in reality it is because many sellers are posting (and selling) new items below MAP (Manufacturers Advertised Prices). As a side note, MAP violations are only enforced if the seller is an authorized dealer, and even then, only the company it is authorized with can enforce by breaking their relationship (which many won't because these sellers are moving product ... so, this results, in many cases, to a simple formality understood to be useless).This is a huge issue in the electronics area, but all sectors are under the microscope.
The only way, in my opinion, that eBay sellers would want to organize is if there were ways to counter these violation letters. The current copyright laws, as far as I understand, have a three strikes and your out policy ... which means the ISP that is hosting the seller, by law, takes the eBay seller out of business by closing out their account. (I am not a JD and I am writing based on my own experiences, another side-note).
There are whole companies established to enforce this "seller abuse," in which the manufacturing companies State-side pay a monthly premium. One notable company is called Net Enforcers (netenforcers.com). That company has single-handedly took down thousands of eBay sellers because of supposed copyright violations.
If eBay (and other auction) sellers were in a union that protected their rights, they would be given the guidance in showing their goods for sale/auction. In addition, they could potentially have the legal counsel to counter the DMCA notices, if needed.
If writers joined our union they would have equal benefits. How many writers find their material stolen, used; copyrights taken advantage of? Writers, who are at their computers and isolated most of the day, would be willing to join a union knowing that their rights and interests were not only understood -- but fought for when needed. A perfect example is scale ... what the hell is scale today for a freelance writer? Many writers will work for what they can get -- and if they are stiffed by doing 12 re-writes, many probably say, "Well, it comes with the territory!"
I don't think any worker abuse, whether it is sellers or writers (or any other trade), is very cool or comes with the territory-- a union would be the answer.
Thanks for the excellent perspective on eBay sellers; I had no idea (but I'm not entirely surprised) that manufacturers are so abusive. Do you think NWU is really a good fit for them, or could there be another union (or possibly an entirely new one) which would be a better fit?
Hi, I don't believe that the eBay workers/sellers would be a good fit for the National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981. I took a few days to chat with some people about the idea before responding, and what we came up with was this: the NWU represents people who sell their writing, not goods sold by their writing.
I think that bloggers and people who write for the web, however, are perfect the NWU -- and should seek membership. Though I am not officially an organizer with the union, if someone needs assistance getting in touch with the right people at the union, feel free to email me: richard@unionreview.com.
Now, back to the eBay sellers. I want to think that one through a little more ... maybe there is an existing union that would work for them; maybe OPIEU? I know that reaching them with a message about organizing will be a long and tedious job, but one that would be well-worth it in the end.
