TW Trade union pourpose

[Alessandro Bottoni <albo -at- CADLAB -dot- IT>]

Answering to Sarah:

I think the purposes of an Internet-based Technical Writer's Trade Union could be these:

1) Collect information regarding our professional world and brodcast it to us. For example: how much can I ask for my work in Canada? How good is that company?
2) Keep a contact with schools and universities. Do not you need any classrom, maybe regarding some new technology?
3) Organize on-line courses regarding new technologies.
4) Inform us regarding legal topics (trademarks, laws regarding job, etc..)
5) Watch the companies (the company XXX does not pay: do not work for it!).
6) Give us a place to meet each other and discuss about our problems. A place specifically devoted to this task.

I think the purposes of the trade union could NOT be these:
1) To bargain the salary of TWs (that is what the Italian "sindacati" do in other fields. This task cannot be accomplished via e-mail and I do not think it should be usefull in our field).
2) Organize a political force to face the companies (I just want to work and gain my money, I'm not intentioned in starting any war).

Have I been clear enough?
-----------------

Alessandro Bottoni
Technical writer
Cad.Lab SPA
Via Ronzani 7/29
40033 Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna)
Italy
Tel Int+ 51-597357
Fax Int+ 51-597120

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