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.

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.

Sabotage: Italian style

Media reports of workers sabotaging their work are rare, but this does not necessarily mean that such acts are rare.

This may be because the act was not sufficiently newsworthy or that management did not want the outside world to know about it.

It could also be the case that the act was not detected or interpreted to be something else, e.g. human error, an accident, no obvious explanation could be found.

A case of worker sabotage that clearly breached all of the above was reported in today's Guardian.

In Bag handlers in Rome accused of sabotage Tom Kington reports on so-called "lazy handling staff" who have been accused of "sabotaging the belts up to 10 times a day to ease the fast pace of their working day and to win some valuable overtime".

What is more, video evidence is said to be available that shows chewing gum stuck on luggage bar code readers and conveyor belts deliberately immobilised with suitcases, nails or plastic bags.

However, how sabotage is interpreted is problematic and is often dependent on who is committing the act and who is affected by the act.

Is it purely mischief, or is it a less recognised part or form of the bargaining process between employees and employer?

The media report portrays the acts as the former, while I would opt for the latter.

Having said that, more information of what goes on in this particular workplace is needed and unless the sabotage continues to get media coverage such acts are likely to rest in many people's minds as the work of irrational employees.