Bloggers Union...benefits & workers' rights for those who post!

As the threat of a strike by the Writer's Guild of America looms on the horizon, many bloggers are observing curiously from the sidelines.

Without doubt, the political influence of bloggers around the Nation has been making itself felt and those in the race for the Presidency have become increasingly aware of this.

In fact, in recent weeks, political candidates met with a group of Liberal Bloggers - Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards, among them.

"What you have here is a bunch of micro-media outlets that connect to thousands upon thousands of people - influential people," said Baratunde Thurston, who writes a political blog in Boston.

"The candidates would be foolish to miss out on an opportunity like this."

Micro-media outlets is putting it mildly.

During a couple of the conversations, high-profile bloggers - quick on the uptake - booed and hissed Mrs. Hinton quite vigorously.

They chastised her for allegedly changing her stance on the issue of the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, for instance.

In one unnerving conference, they pointedly questioned her ethics in respect to special interest groups and campaign contributions.

"A lot of those lobbyists, whether you like it or not, represent real Americans," Mrs. Clinton argued, raising her voice over the heated din of a raucous crowd. "They represent nurses. They represent, you know, social workers. They represent - yes - they represent Corporations."

In contrast, Mr. Obama and Mr. Edwards were quick to point out in one of the ninety-minute forums, that they do not take campaign donations from registered Federal lobbyists.

On the heels of this historical debate with online commentators, news reports from other media outlets noted, coincidentally, that a group of bloggers were seeking to form a UNION.

Allegedly, what was referred to as a "left-leaning" band of bloggers, has been enthusiastically linking together with the altruistic aim of forming a labor union so that members may receive benefits such as health insurance, collective bargaining rights, etc.

A code of ethical conduct (professional standards) may be in the offing, too.

Personally, I am a member of two powerful entertainment unions - "The Screen Actors Guild" (SAG) and "The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists" (AFTRA).

Yes, I am a union man. I not only fully comprehend the issues, but recognize the need for representation in the work environment, to ensure workers' rights are protected.

A case in point...

Years ago, I worked on a TV movie of the week to air on ABC, titled, "This Wife for Hire". When the comedy, starring Ann Gillian and Pam Dawber aired, none of the talent - including the Director - received their residual payments.

Here's why...

When the producers set up the project, they formed an Independent Production Company. After the TV movie was wrapped, the company - "Story Productions" - filed for bankruptcy in order to avoid paying a piece of the pie to the artists.

Clever!

Meanwhile, the Parent Company - the actual owner of the Independent film company - continued to thrive financially.

For this reason, representatives of the Screen Actors Guild went into Court seeking to pierce the "Corporate Veil".

Yes, thanks to SAG, all the talent eventually received residual payments.

In this instant case, I don't know that unionization of bloggers is entirely feasible or even a wise idea.

While companies like the LOS ANGELES TIMES, the NEW YORK TIMES, and various studios are viable public entities - with accountability - would enforcement be possible at some of these fly-by-night blogger sites?

In the final analysis, unionization may be possible with a handful of employers, but with others, the concept may remain an elusive and impractical pipe dream.

What may unfold is an environment populated by union and non-union workers.

On the other hand, unionization may pose the threat of "control", "censorship", and the potential for subsequent "blacklisting" against those resisting to "come into the fold".

An alarmist? Maybe...

Even still, bloggers are not posting without some outside scrutiny now.

Gerry Colby, President of the National Writers Union (a local of the United Auto workers) notes for the record,

"Bloggers are on our radar screen right now for approaching and recruiting in the Union. We're trying to develop a strategy to reach bloggers and encourage them to join."

Other less prone to activism take an opposite view.

An Editor at "Blogs for Bush" and a Senior writer at GOP Bloggers, emphasized that he is worried that a blogger union would undermine the freewheeling nature of the blogosphere, regardless of its political composition.

Say, that's the most encouraging consensus I've seen come down the pike from the Bush camp in many a day.