Archives-2012-2015

LaborTech 2015

The Gig Economy –  Labor Communication, Media and the Smart Phone  –  Stanford University July 26, 2015

The development of communications technology has led to major changes in the production chain. Today through the internet, hundreds of millions of workers are now linked together. Tech workers and millions of other workers are now tethered to the internet 24 hours a day and every keystroke can now be watched by their employers or used as a powerful organizing and communication tool.

Apps are also being use to put workers in a temporary part time economy and change their conditions of work. Many are affected,  from taxi workers to call centers as well as healthcare workers and workers in every industry. The gig economy is one where more and more workers have no security and benefits.

LaborTech 2015 will look at how this new technology is being used on and by workers and how workers are using communication technology to organize and strengthen democratic rights.
It will also provide instruction on how to build labor channels that can get the stories out to workers and the public locally and internationally.

The introduction of technology into the workplace, the labor and human rights of all workers including the large number of immigrant workers in the tech industry is a prime focus of this conference.
LaborTech 2015 will look at these issues and how labor can address these issues here and internationally.


Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, CUHK, Jack Linchuan Qiu, talks about International Communication and Building Alternatives. LaborTech 2015. Stanford University, July 26th, 2015



Namibian activist, Kavena Hambira, discusses his film work with the ILWU May Day March Against Police Brutality at LaborTech 2015, July 26trh, 2015 at Stanford University.



Attorney Ruth Silver-Taube gives a talk on legal efforts to address the “Share the Crumbs Economy” and worker rights. At the July 26th 2015 Labortech Conference at Stanford University.



Attorney Gail Glick talks about a case where an app is used against a worker. At LaborTech 2015 Stanford University July 26th 2015.



The “Uber” Share the Crumbs Economy. With Steve Hill from The New America Foundation at Labortech 2015, Stanford University, July 26th 2015



SF Cab driver and videographer, John Han, lays it out on Uber and Lyft and being a self employed “contractor” at the recent LaborTech conference at Stanford University, July 26th, 2015.



Live streaming in Turkey can get you killed. Follow the work of Sendika and Ali Ergin Demirhan at the recent LaborTech Conference.

Sponsored by LaborTech.net, LaborNet & KPFA WorkWeek Radio


LaborTech 2012

Technology and Workers Organizing In The Global Economy: What’s Really Happening? What’s Needed?

What are the technology issues workers and unions face in the global economy and how can they overcome these new challenges? The digital revolution is having profound affects on the global workforce. This panel will look at these issues and what new questions labor is confronted with.

Richard Stallman – Free Software Foundation (www.stallman.com)

Making Change at Wal-Mart Organizing Campaign (http://makingchangeatwalmart.org)

Steve Zeltzer – KPFA WorkWeek Radio & Labor Video Project, CWA Media Workers Freelance Unit

 


Tech Workers Organizing Globally – Dec. 1, 2012

Technology workers called Information Technology Workers Solidarity Network (ITWSN) are organizing in Turkey and have faced censorship by Facebook in an effort to prevent them linking up with other tech workers globally.

Presentation by ITWSN (www.itwsn.net)


Technology and Workers Organizing In The Global Economy: What’s Really Happening? What’s Needed?

What are the technology issues workers and unions face in the global economy and how can they overcome these new challenges? The digital revolution is having profound affects on the global workforce. This panel will look at these issues and what new questions labor is confronted with.

Richard Stallman – Free Software Foundation (www.stallman.com)

Making Change at Wal-Mart Organizing Campaign (http://makingchangeatwalmart.org)

Steve Zeltzer – KPFA WorkWeek Radio & Labor Video Project, CWA Media Workers Freelance Unit


An Internet of, by, and for The People: Struggles and Successes in an Emerging Global Movement infrastructure off the grid: Dec 1, 2012

What do trade unionists and labor have to do to defend democratic rights and communication rights on the Internet and what are some lessons in this struggle?

Chris Witteman – Staff Attorney at the California Public Utilities Commission, representing the public and member of CASE

Todd Davies – Lecturer, Stanford University, associate director of Symbolic Systems Program

Mazi Buko Jara – Marikana Miners Support Committee in South Africa


December 2, 2012

Building LaborFests in the US & Around the World –

Mehmet Bayron – LaborFest Turkey

Jimmy Kelley – ReelWorks, Coordinator of Labor Studies, San Jose City College

Kent Noel – LaborFest Hawaii

David Duckworth – LaborFest (San Francisco)


Protecting Media Workers And The Freedom Of Communication

Labor media workers are under threat throughout the world facing prison and even being targeted for assassination and bombings.

In this panel, journalists from Turkey and Palestine will discuss the issues facing them.

Rengin Arsian – Journalist with Turkish Journalist solidarity group “Press Out” (www.pressout.net/?lang=en)

Nabhan Khraishi – Communications Officer, Palestinian Journalists Syndicate


Building Interactive and Information Websites for union locals and labor – (Cowell 107)

Steve Dondley – Prometheous Labor Communications http://prometheuslabor.com/

Sharon Higgins – Parents Across America, chartershcoolscandals.blogspot.com


Labor Journalism, Journalists and The Internet

Journalists and writers face an attack on their conditions and lives. The Internet is now being used as a tool to make workers temporary and part time throughout the media industry and use the internet for free labor and interns without pay. At the same time labor and our unions are fighting to get coverage of our stories and break the media blockade by the corporations and their media monopolies.

This panel will look at the attack on media workers, how their unions are grappling with these issues and how labor should be covered both by the labor press and in the struggle to get our labor stories out.

Steve Early – Labor journalist CWA Media Workers

Tom Ladd – NWU-UAW 1981 Bay Area Chapter Chair

Paul Burton – Editor San Mateo Labor Journal, member CWA