Showing posts with label IBM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IBM. Show all posts
Virtual strike blog
If you call by my blog on a fairly regular basis you'll know that I've put quite a bit on here about a virtual strike in Second Life by Italian IBM workers.If not, have a look here and here, for example.
For those who are interested in whether the protest had any effect on management strategy, it may be worthwhile visiting the IBM SL Protest Organization blog.
It makes interesting reading whichever perpective you take on this latest twist in industrial conflict.
Evaluating the virtual picket line
A few weeks ago I wrote about the possibilities of a new dimension to industrial action emerging via Second Life.
I didn't participate in the protest or have time to observe what actually happened during the cyber-picket.
However, a close observer of the cyber-picket arranged by Italian IBM worker was conducted by Derek Blackadder at Straight Goods.
For as a good assessment as you are likely to get on the protest see Evaluating the virtual picket line: Italian union's Second Life information picket tests worth of a potentially valuable tool for more details.
Virtual demonstrations
The other day I wrote about an interesting development in industrial conflict - IBM workers planning a virtual strike.
Since then more details have emerged, certainly in terms of being given more attention by labour writers.
For instance, Derek Blackadder, writing for Straight Goods, recently wrote an article on the matter called Avatars of the world, unite! Italian union's virtual demonstration against IBM launches new world of job actions.
Blackadder, in brief, examines the virtual strike/demonstration in the context of whether unions have been able to grasp the benefits of new web-based communication technology.
For more details of how to get involved in the demonstrations or just curious of second life see the following link created by Union-Network.org.
Since then more details have emerged, certainly in terms of being given more attention by labour writers.
For instance, Derek Blackadder, writing for Straight Goods, recently wrote an article on the matter called Avatars of the world, unite! Italian union's virtual demonstration against IBM launches new world of job actions.
Blackadder, in brief, examines the virtual strike/demonstration in the context of whether unions have been able to grasp the benefits of new web-based communication technology.
For more details of how to get involved in the demonstrations or just curious of second life see the following link created by Union-Network.org.
A new dimension to industrial action?
Browsing the UNI Communicators' Forum just today I came across a most curious story about Italian IBM workers planning a virtual strike!
The story, as far as I know, comes via Martin Banks at The Register.
The article - IBM faces Second Life strike - outlines (and ridicules) the proposed action as follows:
"Ever wanted to go on strike, be part of that feeling of solidarity on the picket line, but felt too cowardly to take the risk? September should see just the opportunity for you.
That is when Rappresentanza Sindacale Unitaria IBM Vimercate (RSU), the official trade union representing IBM's 9,000 workers in Italy, is planning a most novel form of industrial action – a strike on Second Life – and it wants as many avatars as possible manning the picket lines.
Details of what form the industrial action will take in this virtual world are scant at the moment, except that a Union spokesman has hinted that they are hoping Second Life avatars from around the world will participate."
I've no further news on the subject, but it is certainly adds a new dimension to the many forms industrial conflict can take.
Comments on the article vary somewhat from the supportive to those who liken such action to a "one-day bitch session".
One thing is for sure, new Web 2.0 communication is certainly creating new opportunities for working people to get back and bargain in some way with their employers.
The story, as far as I know, comes via Martin Banks at The Register.
The article - IBM faces Second Life strike - outlines (and ridicules) the proposed action as follows:
"Ever wanted to go on strike, be part of that feeling of solidarity on the picket line, but felt too cowardly to take the risk? September should see just the opportunity for you.
That is when Rappresentanza Sindacale Unitaria IBM Vimercate (RSU), the official trade union representing IBM's 9,000 workers in Italy, is planning a most novel form of industrial action – a strike on Second Life – and it wants as many avatars as possible manning the picket lines.
Details of what form the industrial action will take in this virtual world are scant at the moment, except that a Union spokesman has hinted that they are hoping Second Life avatars from around the world will participate."
I've no further news on the subject, but it is certainly adds a new dimension to the many forms industrial conflict can take.
Comments on the article vary somewhat from the supportive to those who liken such action to a "one-day bitch session".
One thing is for sure, new Web 2.0 communication is certainly creating new opportunities for working people to get back and bargain in some way with their employers.
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