Bloggers Pushing For A Labor Union

August 6th, 2007 @ 12:59 am | David Krug | Comments

Agh, I hate to be quoting Fox News but it’s one of the few places that seems to be talking about this issue. Bloggers are fed up with payrates, we want insurance, and we want to be able to set standards on how this industry — online publishing is run.

One of the issues that particularly has troubled me in the last few years is how blog networks pay their bloggers. Most of them offer a percentage of profits that a blog makes rather than paying by the post, or one of many what I consider more ethical alternatives.

While some bloggers in networks are making pennies per the hour the network CEO’s and support staff are raking in huge salaries and getting VC Money to help furnish their homes. I don’t like it. It smells funny.

While this Fox News’ story is talking about political bloggers. It’s applicable industry wide.

In a move that might make some people scratch their heads, a loosely formed coalition of left-leaning bloggers are trying to band together to form a labor union they hope will help them receive health insurance, conduct collective bargaining or even set professional standards.

The effort is an extension of the blogosphere’s growing power and presence, especially within the political realm, and for many, evokes memories of the early labor organization of freelance writers in the early 1980s.

Organizers hope a bloggers’ labor group will not only showcase the growing professionalism of the Web-based writers, but also the importance of their roles in candidates’ campaigns.

Source: Fox News

  • David, as you rightly imply, take away the VC money and there's little left for anyone in most blog networks to make massive money. The idea that it can be unionized and put on the same footing as other industries is crazy. There simply isn't enough money in original content creation to sustain it -- with some rare exceptions, of course.

    As a network owner myself, I've learnt to cut costs and work on low margins. This gives me a decent income. But I work a lot harder than our writers, who just put in an hour a day. What's there to unionize?
  • John,
    I really wasn't attempting to point out those media groups who hire folks who are working an hour or two a day. I'm mostly pointing out groups who use bloggers across many sites and who work 8-10 hours a day and make peanuts.

    Guys like you and me who do work our tails off and take care of our people don't really have to worry about unions IMO.
  • Where are these networks who pay bloggers "pennies" while raking in massive luxury lifestyle salaries?

    Any proof at all of this claim?
  • I've responded, in depth, on my blog, just to put this silly, silly angle of network bloggers being paid pennies while the owners become fat cats, to bed.

    I've also tackled the real costs of moving to this model - just so folk can see how it would fundamentally change the industry in ways people do NOT want:

    My response.
  • Jeremy,
    I've left the point and make accusations of specific networks games and returned to my private albeit smokey days. I can say from experience that some networks do take care of bloggers better than others.

    Here's one for you. How much does INSERT NETWORK pay? If you feel guilty after asking that question then do something about it. Otherwise I wouldn't stress it.
  • This is stupid. No one 'forcing' anyone to work for a blog network or site. Anyone who feels oppressed can very easily start a blog, then it is up to the community to decide it's value. If the writing is worth anything, your audience will grow, you can sell ads etc... It is hard work, however and one needs to do more than write. It also takes some coding, design etc..

    All this whining is from writers who want to take no risk, spend nothing on design, tech, marketing, equipment etc..., and just want to be paid.

    Get real
  • Hmm. I'm not whining just reporting the news. :)
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