Professor Arthur Shostak

I'm very passionate about this topic, and even recently completed a book on it. I find it very frustrating that many people whom I interact with, particularly those over 40, do not see the same world as I do.

Hi Art:

I'm hoping this connects with you. I'm writing about how the president's action to replace striking air traffic controllers in 1981 has brought us to where we are today in the labor movement. Starting from scratch was not unheard of since Frank Lorenzo dumped the contracts at Continental Airlines before this, but replacing people on the picket lines while they walked was something new, I think. Now it is an accepted practice.

Obviously the current controller's union - NATCA - got the message. They seem much more politically savvy than PATCO ever was.

Your thoughts?

Robert Mark
Contributing Editor
Aviation International News
rmark@ainonline.com

Interesting Art; Harry Kelber has come out and announced he is a candidate for a seat on the AFL-CIO executive committee. Better yet, he has just proposed an extensive and aggressive media strategy that has as a major component using the internet to reach workers.

What do you think his chances are and how do you feel about Harry and his ideas?

Sorry Professor, but i have to set this question up with some historical support; besides you know brevity has never been my long suit:

If you read my interview, you saw the references to our Youareworthmore site. I would argue there has been nothing comparable to it to date by another union (local or international) and frankly, it was a mere shadow of what it could have been.

The sad fact was we never had the budget nor the time to devote to it as we should have/could have. With the Dakota Premium battle, the Long Term care workers legislative struggles and growth of non-union retailers in the Twin Cities, we were always fighting just to stay even. The only thing that saved us was the dedication of the staff and the time commitment we made to keep it going.

Even with the shortfall, we grew an online community of workers and provided help much needed by people who had no one else to turn to. The potential was staggering. It was one of the reasons i felt comfortable drafting this proposal to change the AFL-CIO http://groceryworkers.org/groups/administrators/News_Item.2005-03-20.896....

While you have added much to the plight of organized labor, i have always been more impressed by your work with the World Future Society. As one of the founders, you were always ahead of your time. Most of your proposals came from your ability to "see" the future and understanding nothing stays the same.

That said, here are the questions: Most would argue the internet alone won't save organized labor, but, can organized labor be "saved" without using the net?

It would seem to me with the changing workforce and dependence on new technologies there is NO hope if labor doesn't adapt and make it an absolute component in their recovery. Virtually everyone and anyone who wants to succeed has come to understand the net as a key ingredient to survive over the next twenty years.

Before i retired, we looked at software from an old friend of yours. I think it was Terry (Daniels?) who was marketing an interactive educational tool that was spectacular. Can you see the day where State central bodies became worker empowerment centers and labor threw open its doors (both legal and technical) to all workers in an effort to bring about social and economic justice?

It's been 6 years since the publication of your book, CyberUnions. Have you been satisfied with unions' adoption rate of Internet technology to further their mission or are you disappointed they haven't been quicker to take your advice?