Programs
Resources for labor editors

Programs

On campus:

Labor Communications:  Connecting with union members on labor’s key issues

A yearly two-day conference for union members who currently have or want to start a local union newsletters, websites, or email lists.

Off-campus

Union Newsletters

• How to start a newsletter
• Easy tips for design and layout
• What must go in?
• What should go in?

Resources for labor editors

• Iowa AFL-CIO http://www.iowaaflcio.org/
  For the political action update: http://www.iowaaflcio.org/updates.htm
  The Iowa Federation of Labor is the key resource for Iowa political news of interest to unions.    The federation urges editors to use the material on this website in their local newsletters.
• Iowa Policy Project    http://www.iowapolicyproject.org/
  The Iowa Policy Project was created in 2000 to be a reliable, scientific source of information and data for Iowa policymakers. Their goal is to be the state's premier think tank anticipating and responding to the needs and questions of Iowa policymakers. They plan on focusing specifically in the areas of environment and economics. A major study done by the Iowa Policy Project is The State of Working Iowa. This study provides charts and summaries of economic data that shows the effects of Iowa's business incentives, training and education and minimum wage policies on Iowans.
• National AFL-CIO http://www.aflcio.org/
  The site of the national AFL-CIO contains, news, information and links to a wide variety of union related information and sites.
  > Fact sheets on labor issues: http://www.aflcio.org/mediacenter/resources/facts.cfm

Alternative periodicals for labor editors

• The American Prospect http://www.prospect.org/
  " The aim of The American Prospect is to contribute to a renewal of America's democratic traditions by presenting a practical and convincing vision of liberal philosophy, politics, and public life."
• Labor Notes http://www.labornotes.org/
  "Since 1979, Labor Notes has been the voice of union activists who want to "put the movement back in the labor movement" through rank and file democracy". Labor Notes 7435 Michigan Ave Detroit, MI 48210
• Workers Independent News Service (WINS) http://www.laborradio.org/
  WINS gathers news by and about working people and creates programs and feature stories for commercial, public, community and college radio stations throughout the United States. (must subscribe for regular news, but offers some free items.)
• The Nation Magazine http://thenation.com/
  "The Nation will not be the organ of any party, sect, or body. It will, on the contrary, make an earnest effort to bring to the discussion of political and social questions a really critical spirit, and to wage war upon the vices of violence, exaggeration, and misrepresentation by which so much of the political writing of the day is marred." -- from The Nation's founding prospectus, 1865
• In These Times http://www.inthesetimes.com/
  "In These Times is a national, biweekly magazine of news and opinion published in Chicago. For 27 years, In These Times has provided groundbreaking coverage of the labor movement, environment, feminism, grassroots politics, minority communities and the media. In These Times features award-winning investigative reporting about corporate malfeasance and government wrongdoing, insightful analysis of national and international affairs, and sharp cultural criticism about events and ideas that matter."
• The Progressive http://www.progressive.org/default.htm
  " The mission of The Progressive is to be a journalistic voice for peace and social justice at home and abroad. The magazine, its affiliates, and its staff steadfastly oppose militarism, the concentration of power in corporate hands, the disenfranchisement of the citizenry, poverty, and prejudice in all its guises. We champion peace, social and economic justice, civil rights, civil liberties, human rights, a preserved environment, and a reinvigorated democracy."
• Z Magazine http://www.zmag.org/
  "…an independent monthly of critical thinking on political, cultural, social, and economic life in the U.S. Z Magazine is available in print and online."
• Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting - Extra   http://www.fair.org/system-bias/anti-laborbias.html
  FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. FAIR believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information.
  

Cartoons on line

• Huck/Konopacki labor cartoons
  http://www.solidarity.com/hkcartoons/
  "If you want to buy a cartoon Simply send us an e-mail with the following information: - Specify the subject of the cartoon, - Tell us if it is one of Gary Huck's or one of Mike Konopacki's, - Tell us which Month and Year it appeared, - We will send a 300 dpi PC.tif file (good for both PC and MAC). - Tell us the circulation size of your publication to determine fee. - Include your billing address and we will bill you."

Carol Simpson cartoons
http://www.cartoonwork.com/cartoonwork.htm
"Fees are negotiable depending on the size and purpose of your publication. If you are a small union newsletter or a perpetually broke crusading alternative publication, we pledge mercy on your art budget.

Creating a local union website

Your national or international union may be a source of great advice.  Here are two examples:
 
>CWA's Guide to Establishing and Maintaining Local Web Sites
cwa-union.org/about/local_web_manual/overview/intro.asp
 
>AFSCME Webmaster Corner
Putting your union on the web:
http://afscme.org/publications/puttc.htm
 
A generic union website help is:
>Union Web Services­“Web Steward” newsletter
http://www.unionwebservices.com/mws/0310.html
Has two useful resources for ideas:
-“Website of the month” reviews point out interesting features of other local union websites
-“Resource of the Month” section suggests useful resources for union webmasters

Print "how to" resources

• How to Do Leaflets, Newsletters & Newspapers
  Nancy Brigham, Maria Cataifio (Contributor), Maria Catalfio Paperback: 176 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 11.00 x 8.50 Publisher: Writers Digest Books; (September 1991) ASIN: 096290676X
• Your Local Union Newsletter: Key to a revitalized Local. Why it's important, how to get started, what to include. (pdf version available for download)
  Labor Center,Roberta Till-Retz, 2002
  Brief guide to help new editors get started with tips on getting content and basics of layout.
  $3.00 from Labor Center, Oakdale Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000

Educational and networking opportunities

• The Iowa State Labor Press Association (ISLPA) was created in the 1980's to bring together union newsletter editors from across the state, promote the craft of newsletter editing, and provide opportunities for sharing, networking and conferencing. The ISLPA is supported by the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and other unions in Iowa. It co-sponsors regular conferences with the help of the University of Iowa Labor Center. For more information, contact the Labor Center

The University of Iowa Labor Center
100 Oakdale Campus Room M210OH
Iowa City IA 52242-5000
319-335-4144 • fax 319-335-4464
labor-center@uiowa.edu
Last updated 04/27/2005