off the wall question: how do I join a union?

[Ex Lurker]

I'm self employed, a one person operation. What if I wanted to join a union as a show of solidarity with the labor movement. How much would it cost? Is it even possible? Is there a union out there that would take me? Please go easy if this is a ridiculous question, the idea just came to me. I don't know anyone in a union and I decided to ask DU and see what they think.

[Ozymanithrax]

1. What do you do? n/t

[Ex Lurker]

4. freelance IT jack of all trades

web design, programming, system installation, troubleshooting, whatever anyone will pay me for.

[Ozymanithrax]

7. There is no IT union, so you might consider starting one.

Check this out.
Many Ways to Join the AFL-CIO

[geardaddy]

2. What do you do?

If you're a writer (even non-published) you can join the National Writers Union www.nwu.org

[doc03]

3. If you have money I am sure someone will take it. n/t

[Taverner]

5. Work in a place that is a 'closed shop'

Then you HAVE to join the union.

But it won't be bad - collective bargaining, health care, life support if you strike.

Somehow the idea of Unions has become poison pen in the US - god knows why.

I think its all part of our Alpha Male culture.

[Starry Messenger]

6. You might be eligible for the IWW

http://www.iww.org/en/join

(4) I am self-employed; can I still I join the IWW?

Theoretically Yes. According to the IWW Constitution, under Article II (Membership), Section 1(b):

Members who become temporarily self- employed may retain their membership or apply for withdrawal cards, which are issuable also to those who must withdraw when they become employers.

There is no provision prohibiting self-employed workers from joining. Certainly, membership in the IWW is open to what are known as "independent contractors". If you are self-employed, you should contact us and be prepared to describe your situation before you join.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

8. Try PurpleOcean, an outreach arm of Service Employees International, at LINK

http://seiufpu.org/politics/Join_Purple_Ocean_.aspx .

"Join Purple Ocean

PurpleOcean.org, a membership organization of SEIU, brings together people from all walks of life willing to fight for social and economic justice through online campaigns that make real change on the ground.

We talk directly to thousands of people across the U.S. who are working to improve the lives of everyday Americans. And we can deliver real success because our campaigns are focused and targeted.

By joining PurpleOcean.org, you'll stand with over 1.8 million working families in the fight for a world in which global corporations treat their employees with respect and dignity."

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This is NOT a union per se, but it is part of the labor movement, and an arm of one of the most progressive unions you can find. At the least, you'll learn more about the union movement.

[Ex Lurker]

9. thanks for the helpful ideas, everyone. n/t

[Ken Burch]

10. You could join the IWW(Industrial Workers of the World)

I believed they have a self-employed section.

[Jamastiene]

11. Great question.

I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you. I've always been curious about this, myself.

I live in an area where unions are few and far between, depending on what line of work a person does. I've always wanted to join one, but the chance has never come up.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. You don't need a union. Unions are there to mediate between

labor and management, and since you are labor and management both, there is no purpose.

What you can do if you want to show solidarity is be picky about who you have do work for you. Make sure that as many products and services as you can find done in union shops are the ones you do business with or buy.

[Gman]

13. That is NOT what unions are for

unions are there to represent it's members in negotiations with management. They do NOT mediate between workers and management. They are the legal representative of workers when dealing with pay, benefits and conditions of work.

[Curmudgeoness]

14. My apologies for using the wrong language. But my opinon stands.

He does not have a need for a union. He is management and he is worker. He shouldn't have to negotiate with himself.

[Gman]

15. For that many, he couldn't legally "organize" even if it was just him

working for someone else. I believe the minimum legal number of people needed is 3. If he wants to just show solidarity, several unions have some sort of associate program.