Alternatives to Facebook
Unions are increasingly turning to tools like Facebook. But there is also a growing awareness of the problems with such social networks. Groups and causes one sets up on Facebook do not belong to you….
Obama, the unions and labour law reform: Ensuring the future of the new Democratic majority
President-Elect Barack Obama has a formidable to-do list. Those who voted for him, and people all over the world as well, expect him to tackle the global economic crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,…
Obama’s victory, the Internet and learning the wrong lessons
One of the stranger things being said about Barack Obama’s election victory is that part of the reason for his success was his use of the Internet. Obama, we are told, ‘got it’. John McCain…
Roosevelt or Clinton? Obama must choose
After the cheering has died down, the empty champagne bottles recycled and we awaken to a new day in America, many of us are asking the question: what next? One doesn’t need a crystal ball…
LabourStart’s UK edition improved
For more than a decade, LabourStart has provided online news for trade unionists. This summer the website underwent a major overhaul most of which was not visible to the casual visitor. But the changes have…
Remember Twitter
There is an increasing tendency among trade unions to “outsource” certain parts of our websites — and this is going to cause problems for us even in the short run. More and more unions are…
The secret to a successful union website
Ask people what they think makes for a great union website. Some will say – keep it fresh with loads of new content. Others will add – make it interactive. Add a mailing list. Make…
Russia invades – and the labour movement is silent
This article appears in Democratiya (number 14). Russia, it was said, was still reeling from the loss of its empire. It had formally accepted the right of countries like Ukraine to self-determination. But among its…
Should socialists back Obama?
This article was published in the most recent issue of Solidarity. The latest issue of Solidarity contains two articles about the American presidential elections, offering two different perspectives with the aim of stimulating debate. That’s…
Where is Harry’s Place?
Apparently, another cowardly British ISP has shut down a political website for fear that it might be sued for libel. Harry’s Place – formerly here — made the mistake of writing about a Sheffield based…