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www.labortech.net
The Digital Revolution And A Labor Media Strategy
LaborTech 2006
November 17, 18, 19, 2006
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton St.
SF, CA 94118-1080
THE PURPOSE OF LaborTech is to bring together labor video, computer and media activists in the US and from around the world to build and develop labor communication technology and media. The first conference was held in 1990 and they have been held throughout the United States as well as Canada and Russia. Labor Media conferences are also held in Seoul. We believe that a critical task for labor is building a labor communication media movement that can tell our stories and break the corporate information blockade in every corner of the world.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
WELCOME to LaborTech 2006:
Threats and Opportunities, Digital Telecom and Working Class Struggles
Join trade unionists, educators and workers from the US and around the world as they debate, discuss and learn about new communication technology and the development of a labor media movement.
LaborTech.net which has had conferences since 1990 brings together labor video, computer, labor media activists and labor educators to advance knowledge and use of the the internet and multi-media by working people.
This year's conference also includes an international labor competition for the best labor animation and also will include an educational component of research and education papers about telecommunication and how technology is being used to further exploit and spy working people.
The following are a list of proposed workshops and plenums which we will be working to develop.
The ongoing battle of labor to survive against the onslaught and the current reorganizations within labor requires the development of a labor media strategy to defend working people and their struggles.
International Labor Animation Competition & Labor Video Screenings
Panels and Themes
The Bosses' Use of Technology and Worker's Resistance (Surveillance, Union
Busting, and Globalization)
Workers' Technology and Class Struggle Around the World (Labor Media and Internet Tools)
Democratic Communication Rights (Internet Access and Digital Divides)
Workshops
Community Internet, Wi-Fi and Net Neutrality
Labor Culture and Technology
Radio and Labor Media
Web Sites, Blogging and Using Technology to Build Organizing and Information Networks
Workplace Issues Internet Access and the use of the internet on the job
Labor Media, Education and Labor Culture
Globalization For Workers Using Communication Technology
Labor And Who Controls The Internet
Embedding Workers and Spying On The Job & Off The Job
How To Start A Labor TV Community Access Show
Micro Radio and The Labor Potential
Technology, Deregulation and Health and Safety
Labor Networking, Democracy and the Internet: Lessons For Today and The Future
Streaming Your Labor Rally Or Conference and How To Do It
WIN, Pacifica and Labor Radio
Development of regional labor portals and LaborNets Internationally
Defense of internet for high value content and for democratic control
International labor media network
Outsourcing, Technology and Labor & Organizing Tech Workers Here & Abroad
Building International Labor Film & Video Festivals-Lessons On How To Do It
Open Source, What It Is and how labor can use it
LaborTech 2006 comes on the heels of a massive growth of the use of communication technology to outsource jobs on a global level, and also to pit one group of workers against another. European, American, Japanese and workers from other advanced countries around the world face a new global order in which their rights and social and economic gains are being undone using the global economy and the telecom revolution.
Outsourcing now includes x-ray technicians, attorneys, architects and a host of other highly skilled job classifications. This is now combined with the outsourcing of tens of million of blue collar jobs in the US, Canada and Europe. This global re-division of labor for the purpose of increasing the profit rates of multi-nationals has made unionism based in one country not only impossible but also ludicrous.
Lessons of Oaxaca Struggle
The struggle of the Oaxaca Teachers Union Section 22 and the people of Oaxaca to take control of their media, and to develop new media for their battles provides an important lesson for workers here and around the world. When the corporate and government controlled media refused to tell their stories, the women seized the cityıs television station and the radio stations to get their voices out. They used the media to educate and mobilize not only against the corruption but also about the role of NAFTA and the IMF to destroy public education through Privatization, and to eliminate education of their cultural history. The teachers union has said that the use of media is critical for all working people, and we, at this conference, are absolutely in sync with this perspective. This corporate media blitz that we face here plays exactly the same role.
A key factor that LaborTech conferences have focused around is the need for labor and the world trade union movement to build global unionism based on direct telecommunication links with all workers. It also means the construction of a labor media movement that trains workers and unions in every community and every country to use these tools for organizing and solidarity.
New developments now make that even more feasible. The cell phone is becoming a major form of communication for working people worldwide. In Japan and Korea, the cell phone is used for music, to pay for tickets on the subway and to take video. The use of the cell phone now provides unions and workers the ability to reach tens of millions directly through text and audio messaging as well as labor videos streamed on these phones. While this is not yet feasible in most countries, this is on the agenda and labor media activists and supporters must develop a strategy and agenda now to use these new communication technologies to reach out to the working people.
Using YouTube
At the same time, unions now internationally are using new video media portals like YouTube and MySpace to broadcast labor struggles. When 5,300 Houston janitors went on strike this year, the SEIU began streaming their stories on YouTube (in Spanish and English). (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf_CJGWwHSc) The California Nurses Associationıs web master, Collete Washington, produced a rap song against corporate control of elections and that is up on YouTube as well. (http://www.cleanmoneyelections.org/rap/)
Labor and working people also need to protect democratic and public rights on the Internet and in the introduction of new technology. Community access stations are being corporatized, and there is a direct threat to limit and control the flow of information on the Internet to benefit the media and telecommunication robber barons. Their plan is to hold up the speed of our message unless we pay them exorbitant prices. Like cable when it was introduced in this country, concerted efforts by the corporate controlled politicians to limit the potential of these new technologies unless media/communication corporations can increase their profits.
A major task for LaborTech and the world labor movement is education about these issues and the political campaign to use these technologies to tell our stories. From the affect of privatization and deregulation on workers around the world to how the "war against terrorism" is being used to attack basic union rights and freedom of association.
The historic and massive mobilization of millions of immigrant workers in the United States on May Day 2006 is another indication that change is on the way. Using the Spanish media and other communication tools, millions of unorganized workers came into the streets to defend their democratic rights. This is an important lesson for all workers in the United States.
At previous LaborTech conferences, we helped launch the Workers Independent News WIN (www.laboradio.org) and have supported the development of a 24-hour labor radio and TV channel in multiple languages broadcast on the web, cable, satellite and broadcast television. We need to continue that effort here and globally. We also need to link up to build a strong national and international communication network that collaborates in expanding labor media in all forms. This conference is a step in this direction.
LaborTech 2006 Planning Committee
LaborTech 2006 Schedule - Please Register
THURSDAY, November 16
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Film Screening (University of San Francisco - Harney Science Center, Room 127) (No charge)
Transportation worker videos from Argentina, Japan, Korea, South Africa, UK and the US
FRIDAY, November 17
3:00 - 7:00 PM Registration - (University Center Faculty Lounge - Rm UC 222)
7:00 PM Reception - (University Center Faculty Lounge - Rm UC 222)
8:00 -10:00 PM
Screening of Films & Introductions - (Harney Science Center Room HR 127)
They have been Big Brother to us! (2006) (segment) by Labor News Production in Seoul, Korea.
Technology giant Samsung is using technology to spy on the workers and to prevent unionization.
By Jiyoung Lee and Jungmi Park. Videographers will be in attendance for discussion
Transnational Trades Women (segment) by labor videographer Vivian Price
Price went around the world to look at how women work in the construction industy. (Videographer will be in attendance)
The Taking Of The Media In Oaxaca (segment)- Women with the support of the Teachers Union Section 22 of Oaxaca occupied and ran the TV station and radio stations in this town. This documentary shows why they did this and how it was done.
Women and Technology: Investing In New Opportunities (segment) by Self Employed Women Association SEWA) in India. This work show how women workers have used video to organize and show their lives and struggle.
9:00 -10:30 PM
Community Access TV Production & TV Show (CTC Community Access TV station)
Location: 1720 Market St./Valencia St. San Francisco (Limited numbers - Contact LaborTech for reservation)
(Familiarize yourself with the equipment necessary to create your own Public Access TV show)
SATURDAY, November 18
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Registration - (University Center Faculty Lounge - UC 222)
(Morning refreshments - Coffee, tea with bagels, sweets)
9:00 AM
Opening of LaborTech Conference (Rm HR 127)
Welcome and Introduction:
Committee Members
Ross Mirkarimi - San Francisco Board of Supervisor
Tim Paulson - SF Labor Council Executive Director
Dorothy Kidd - Chair, USF Department of Media Studies
9:30 - 11:00 AM
Plenary & Discussion - (Harney Science Center Room HR127)
The Corporate Media Assault and Developing A Labor Media Strategy
Frank Emspak - Workers Independent News (WIN), UPPNET
Sid Shniad - Education Director Telecommunications Workers Union, BC
Dean Baker - Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington DC
Jiyoung Lee - Labor News Production, Korea
11:00 - 12:30 PM
Workshop I
Community Media, Public Television, Max-Fi and Internet Neutrality (UC 417)
Dorothy Kidd - Chair, USF Department of Media Studies
Chris Witteman - Telecommunications attorney focusing on the communication democracy
Radio and Labor Media (UC 222)
Frank Emspak - Workers Independent News, UPPNET
Maxine Doogan - KPFA Labor Collective
Louie Rocha - President CWA 9423, Host KKUP Radio
Martin Jansen - Director, Workers World MEDIA Production of South Africa
How To Start A Labor TV Community Access Show (UC 421)
Carl Bryant - NALC Local 214, Producer-TV214
Sam Gold - Producer-Injured on the Job
Wes Brain - Producer OPEU Production, SEIU 503
Setting Up Web Sites and evaluating software (UC 419)
Nancy Brigham - UAW Local 1981, Labor technology educator
Web Sites, and Using Technology to Build Organizing and Information Networks (UC 400)
Frederic Dubois - information coordinator at the APC
Steve Dondley - Prometheus Labor Communication
Mark Libkumen - Open source development architect
Collete Washington - Website Coordinator. California Nurses Association
12:30 - 1:00 PM
Lunch Break (Pick-up your lunch at UC 222)
1:00 - 2:15 PM Lunch Panel (HR 127)
The Bosses' Use of Technology, Outsourcing and Workerıs Resistance
(Surveillance, Union Busting, and Globalization)
Nancy Bupp - IAM Education Department
Michael Perelman - Economist, CFA California State University , Chico
Nancy Brigham - UAW Local 1981, Labor technology educator
Leroy Jackson Jr. - President, NABET-CWA Local 59053
2:15 -3:45 PM
Workshops II
Workplace Issues Internet Access and the use of the Internet on the job (UC 421)
Nancy Bupp - IAM Education Department
John Tait- SFSU, SEIU 2579
Labor Media, Education and Labor Culture (UC 417)
David Elsila - Former editor UAW Solidarity
Jack Trumpbour - Labor research director at Harvard Law School.
Bill Morgan - UESF Labor In The Schools Program
Arthur Shostak - Labor educator, author of Robust Unionism; Cyber Union; etc.
Globalization For Workers Using Communication Technology (UC 419)
Sid Shniad - Education Director Telecommunications Workers Union, BC
Myoung Joon Kim - MediAct, Korea
Ken Hamidi - Founder, faceintel.com SEIU 1000
Video/Audio Blogging, Social Networks and Labor (UC 400)
John Parulis - Media democracy activist, brightpathvideo.com
Jay Dedman - Educator web blogging and broadcasting
David Silver - Professor USF Media Studies
Colette Washington - Website Coordinator. California Nurses Association
Technology, Deregulation and Health and Safety (UC 222)
Carol Criss - SEIU UHW Shop steward, health & safety activist
Al Ainsworth - Author, Retired Officer NALC 82
Richard Fierro - IBT Local 70 Steward
Karin Hart - Laney College Labor Studies, CWA 9415
3:45 - 4:00 PM Break
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Workshop III
Labor Culture and Technology (UC 222)
Jack Chernos - Political singer, AFM Local 6
Karin Hart - Director Laney College Labor Studies CWA 9415
David Elsila - Former editor UAW "Solidarity"
Streaming Your Labor Rally or Conference and How To Do It (UC 400)
John Parulis - Media Democracy Activist brightpathvideo.com
Jay Dedman - Educator Web Blogging and broadcasting
Stephen Dunifer - Founder Radio Free Berkeley, International Radio Action Training and
Education (IRATE)
Labor Networking, Democracy and the Internet: Lessons for Today and The Future (UC 417)
Steve Ongerth - IBU-ILWU, IWW Bay Area
Jack Heyman - ILWU 10, Transport Workers Solidarity Committee
Greg Dropkin - Web Master, founder of LabourNet UK
Zev Kivitky - President, United Stanford Workers, SEIU 715
Making Labor Videos (UC 421)
Vivian Price - Assoc. Professor IDS/PACE, California State University, Dominguez Hills, CFA
Carl Bryant - NALC Local 214, Producer-TV214
Nick Yale - SEIU 1000, Labor Video Producer
Mary Ann Churchill - Director Media Studies Program New College of California
Outsourcing, Technology and Labor & Organizing Tech Workers Here & Abroad (UC 419)
Mary Ann Ring - Executive Board UC CUE
Pete Bennett - Organizer Tech Workers
Mfanafuthi Sitheve - Communication Workers Union Of South Africa (Media Officer)
Louie Rocha - President CWA 9423, Host KKUP Radio Cupertino
7:30 - 10:00 PM
Dinner Presentation (Please reserve for this dinner - $20/person)
Location: Lee Hou Restaurant - 332 Clement St, between 4th & 5th Ave. (15 min. walk from USF)
Working Class Media and Ideology in The Global Economy
Martin Jansen - Director, Workers World MEDIA Production of South Africa
Joe Chauke - President of Communication Workers Union of South Africa
Mfanafuthi Sithebe - Media officer of Communication Workers Union of South Africa
SUNDAY, November 19
9:00 - 10:15 AM
Plenary (McLaren Center 250) (Morning refreshments - Coffee, tea with bagels, sweets)
Workers' Technology and Class Struggle Around the World
(Labor Media and Internet Tools)
Myoung Joon Kim - MediAct, Korea
Pat Daley - CUPE Canada
Martin Jansen - Director, Workers World MEDIA Production of South Africa
10:15 - 11:45 AM
Workshops IV
Labor Journalists and Media Issues Within The Labor Movement (UC 222)
Dick Meister - Journalist, labor reporter of KQED Newsroom & SF Chronicle
David Elsila - Former editor UAW Solidarity
Paul Burton - Editor, San Mateo County Labor
Nancy Snyder-Labor writer SEIU 790
Labor Boycotts/Solidarity Campaigns Using the Internet (UC 419)
Greg Dropkin -Web Master, founder of LabourNet UK
Ken Hamidi - Founder, faceintel.com SEIU 1000
Pat Daley - CUPE Canada
WIN, Pacifica and Labor Radio Channels (UC 421)
Steve Zeltzer - LaborNet, Labor Video Project, UPPNET
Frank Emspak - Workers Independent News, UPPNET
Maxine Doogan - KPFA Labor Collective
Pod/Video Casting and Cell Casting (UC 400)
Donna Eyestone - Educator CCSF AFT 2121
Myoung Joon Kim - MediAct, Korea
Jay Dedman - Educator Web Blogging and broadcasting
Collete Washington - Website Coordinator. California Nurses Association
Micro Radio and The Labor Potential (UC 417)
Erv Knorzer - KRBS -Bird Street Media Project
Sakura Saunders - Promethius Radio Project, Corp Watch
Stephen Dunifer - Founder Radio Free Berkeley, IRATE
12:00 -1:00 PM
Lunch Panel (McLaren Center 250)
(Please pick-up your lunch at UC 222, and you can bring the food to this room)
Community Media, Public television, Wi-fi and International Neutrality
Todd Davies - Stanford University, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
Chris Whitteman - Telecommunications attorney focusing on the communication democracy
Myoung Joon Kim - MediAct, Korea
Seeta Gangadharan-Stanford University
1:15 -2:45 PM
Workshops V
Embedding Workers and Spying On The Job & Off The Job (UC 417)
Nancy Bupp - IAM Education Department
John Tait - CSUSF, SEIU 2579
Blogging, Wigis and Social Networking (UC 400)
Jay Dedman - Educator Web Blogging and broadcasting
Steve Dondley - Prometheus Labor Communication
Karin Hart - Director Laney College Labor Studies CWA 9415
Collete Washington, Web Coordinator California Nurses Association
Using Video as a tool for organizing (UC 421)
Vivian Price - Assoc. Professor, IDS/PACE, California State University, Dominguez Hills CFA
Sam Gold - Producer, Injured On The Job
West Brain - SEIU 503, Oregon Public Employeeıs Union
Nick Yale - SEIU 1000 Labor Video Producer
Setting Up Web Sites and evaluating software (UC 419)
John Parulis - Media Democracy Activist brightpathvideo.com
Doug McCabe - Union Web Services, Inc.
Mark Libkumen - Open source development architect
May Day, Lessons In The Struggle For Immigrant Workers & The Use Of Media (UC 222)
Olga Miranda - President SEIU 87, involved in May 1st movement & immigrant rights
Frank Martin Del Campo - president of SFLACLA and a staff member of SEIU 790
2:45 PM Break
3:00 -4:30 PM
Workshops VI
Defense of Internet and telecom for high value content and for democratic control (UC 400)
Todd Davies - Stanford University, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
Sakura Saunders - Media activist with Promethius Radio Project, Corp Watch
Building International Labor Film & Video Festivals-Lessons on How To Do It (UC 421)
Jimmy Kelly - Coordinator of Labor Studies at San Jose City College, reelwork.org
Steve Zeltzer - Labor Video Project, LaborNet, LaborFest
Jungmi Park - Labor News Production, Korea
Martin Jansen - Director, Workers World MEDIA Production of South Africa
Defending Community and Public Radio & Television (UC 417)
Henry Kroll - Media Democracy Activist & former member of KQED Board of Directors
Louie Rocha - President CWA 9423, Host KKUP Radio
Eric Shackelford - CWA-NABET 52 and is a shop steward at KQED in San Francisco
Sasha Futran - Former KQED Board of Directors, and KPFA activist
4:30 - 5:30 PM Proposals For Action & Organizing (UC 222)
Please check the conference documents on our web site: http://www.labortech.net/Papers.htm
In memory of murdered videographer Brad Will and the hundreds of journalists and videographers who died while getting and telling the stories.
To find out more information please go to our website at
www.labortech.net
Conference initial endorsers
OPEIU Local 3, California Faculty Association, Laney Labor Studies Program, San Francisco City College Labor Studies Program, San Jose Community College Labor Studies Program, SFSU Labor Studies Program, Union Producers and Programmers Network (UPPNET), Labor Video Project, TV 214, Computer Professionals For Social Responsiblity (CPSR), Symbolic Systems Program Stanford University. USF Faculty Association,
Partial List of Speakers/Participants:Professor Art Shostack, Eric Lee-Labourstart, Myoung Joon Kim-Labor News Production Seoul, Carl Bryant, NALC 214 and TV 214, Nancy Brigham, John Parulis, Professor Michael Perelman, Sid Shniad Canada CUP Communications, Nick Yale SEIU 1000, Martin Fishgold, AFSCME 371 Editor & past president of ILCA, Wes Brain, SEIU Local 503, Erica Zweig-Labornet, John Tate SFSU SEIU 1000, Todd Davies-Symbolic Systems Program Stanford, Joan Lockwood-SEIU 503 web master, Dick Meister-Labor Journalist, Jack Chernos AFM6 and Labor Musician, Professor Dorothy Kid-Chair Media Studies USF, Francisco Cendejas-Stanford University, Jim Kelley, Chair San Jose City College Labor Studies Program, Fred Glass-Communications Director CFT, Frank Emspach-Workers Independent New WIN, Karin Hart, Chair Laney College Labor Studies, Carl Bryant-Producer TV214 NALC214, John Tate San Francisco State University, Judy Miller, M.Ed Ph
LaborTech
P.O.Box 425584, San Francisco, CA 94142
labortech@labortech.net
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