E-Voice, The Internet, And Life Within Unions: Riding The Learning Curve

Abstract

The effects of the Internet and e-mail on life within unions are examined as a follow-up to a study conducted four years earlier. The impact of these forms of information technology (IT) on union democracy and union institutional operations was assessed through an examination of 63 websites of national unions. In addition, speculations advanced in the original study about technology's future effects on union leadership, governance and structure, service to members, collective bargaining and political action are examined on the basis of interviews of a sample of 15 union technology and communications professionals. Major findings of the study are significant increases over time in Web page content devoted to members’ issues and in the use of members-only sections on Web pages. Additionally, interviewees indicated a strong belief in the efficacy of websites and e-mail in providing members with a voice and in disseminating information to members and the public.