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Labor BBS's
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Date: Mon, 8 Aug 1994 17:48:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: Vinuraj S Narayanan
I hope you find this list below useful. There is one bbs that is not on this list however, that merits attention. United is an unmoderated, uncensored e-mail discussion group intended for anyone with an interest in the labor movement. To join, simply send a one line message, which says SUBSCRIBE to this e-mail address:
UNITED-Request@cougar.com
Messages are will be sent to your e-mail account daily for you to comment on and respond to.
Once again, thank you for contacting me.
Vin Labor Notes
This list and its comments, compiled by Steve White (co-sysop of Labor Line), was found on SoliNet earlier this year.
This is a list of union sponsored and/or related computerized bulletin board systems. All phone numbers are for data communications and all settings are 8,N,1 unless otherwise noted.
A. Union Affiliated or Related Systems
1. Labor Line 301/431-0534 Sysops-John Griffin, Chuck Hodell, and Steve White
Carries AFL-CIO News and info from other AFL-CIO departments. Based at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, Silver Spring, Maryland. Labor Line is an outgrowth of the Union PC Users Group, a volunteer group in the Washington DC area interested in sharing information on how unionists use computers. They use PC Board software, with a 2400 baud line.
2. AFSCME 202/429-1118 Sysop-Don Holstrom
This BBS is based at AFSCME's headquarters in Washington DC and is part of AFSCME's service to local union news services. There are many good files and programs and it looks like this will become an excellent BBS.
3. AFSCME Council 24 608/274-8190 Sysop-Allen Highman
A well established BBS of the Wisconsin State Employees Association. One of the longest running union BBS's.
4. AFGE 202/639-6496 Sysop-John W. Mulholland
Another BBS run by a national union in Washington D.C. AFGE has made a very serious effort to build a BBS. There are many good files and a variety of areas of discussion. They use RBBS software with a 2400 baud line.
5. IBEW Local 1220 708/292-1223 Sysop-Bob Kastigar
A very active board run by IBEW Local 1220 in Chicago. Has been on line for over two years. Is a member and active supporter of the Solidarity Network.
6. LaborNet 312/567-5036 Sysop-Loren Jones Esq.
LaborNet is a sub-board of Juris/Net, a service of IIT Chicago- Kent College of Law. This BBS had some problems with software but now seems to be working fine, however, I have never seen much activity. It is supported by the Illinois State AFL-CIO's BBS.
7. NABET International 312/427-5454 Sysop-Bill Bryan
This is a very active BBS in Chicago that really has come to life since Bill Bryan came on board. Runs PC Board software and two 2400 baud lines. There is an 800 number for NABET members.
8. NABET Local 43 313/424-8585 Sysop-Brian Moore
Based in Detroit, Local 43 has the nicest logon screen I've ever seen. It appears that this BBS is aimed more at general PC users and acts as union BBS as a secondary function.
9. SoliNet
Initial Contact Voice Only 613/237-1590 Sysop-Marc Belanger
The largest of all the union systems, SoliNet is run by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. It has extensive conference areas and is used across Canada by CUPE members and other unionists. Access is through Datapac or Telnet, and permission must be set up before logging on.
10. San Diego Labor Council 619/283-6672 Sysop-Sue Schaffner
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Bulletin Board System runs on Wildcat software at 2400 baud. This is a very well stocked BBS and worth a call.
11. Utility Workers Union Sysop-Ron Vanick
This BBS is for members only, more information can be found at their office in Washington DC. The board has an active message system as well as software to track grievances, keep membership records, as well as an online arbitration and contract database.
12. The Labor Board 812/597-4091 Sysop-Mike Lostutter
Mike is a representative of the IUE and runs this BBS from his home in New Jersey. The board is open to all, but has a private union section. The Labor Board is by far one of the best union BBS's around and is the host for the Solidarity Network. Runs Wildcat software.
13. Labor Net
Initial Contact Voice Only 415/923-0900 Sysop-Hal Muskat
This BBS is a sub-board of PeaceNet, run by the Institute for Global Communications. This BBS is not affiliated with an union but attempts to bring unionists together with other activists. They do not have much activity on domestic union issues but have quite a bit of international solidarity information.
14. PUBBS 714/987-2619 Sysops-Dennis C. Binder, Mark Lesch
PUBBS stands for "Postal Users Bulletin Board Service" and is based in California. They run an open BBS with a private section for unionists, primarily members of the national Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
15. Progressive Resources 401/351-5997
Progressive Resources is a general purpose BBS that has a union section. Chuck Schwartz of the Institute for Labor Resource, Rhode Island, is the key union person. The board carries many interesting topics, however the labor section is not very active.
16. TradeZone BBS 513/367-1727 Sysop-Jerry Fray
Based in Connerville, Indiana, Jerry started this BBS last year. It was initially called the Union Label BBS.
17. U.S. Department of Labor
I debated whether or not to add this one as it is really a nice propaganda machine from our good friends at the Labor Department. But, it is a well maintained BBS, with some very useful information including speeches and press releases as well as info on the structure of the DOL.
18. Operating Engineers 202/833-8147 Sysops-Stratton Penberthy, Chris Hanley
Another new BBS this year, the IUOE is making a concerted effort t to have a well stocked and maintained BBS. This BBS is run out of their Washington DC headquarters. They use PC Board software.
19. Union Information Exchange 816/737-3406 (-5257 for 9600 baud) Sysop-Gary Goodman
Gary is a member of Pipe Fitters Local 533 out of Kansas City, MO. He runs this BBS out of is home and is just starting out, but is well versed in computers and a part of the Solidarity Network.
20. East Coast Labor Board 617/662-4214 Sysop-Leo MacGillivray
Based in Malden, MA, this BBS is part of the Solidarity Network. Leo is with the Utility Workers.
21. NCR-CWA Organizing Campaign 216/333-4580
A first for union organizing, the CWA has started this BBS in Ohio to help in their national organizing drive at NCR. Union visitors are welcome to look but please get permission from the sysop before becoming active.
22. APWU 616/784-4922 Sysop-Steven Pitsch
Steve is a member of the Postal Workers in Grand Rapids, MI. This BBS was just started early this year. It appears to be more of a general use BBS run by a union member.
23. American Federation of Musicians 212/302-8237
This is perhaps the oldest union BBS in existence, based in New York. This board started in 1986 and is primarily for members. However, sysop Wayne King will allow other union BBS sysops an others who call him first at 800/762-3444. Brother King just upgraded to a 386 with two 9600 baud modems.
24. Youngstown Labor BBS 216/788-1810 Sysops-George Lavogne, Rick Ramm, others
This is a BBS run by CWA Local 4300, Youngstown, Ohio. I believe it started as a private BBS of CWA District 4 but is now open to the public.
25. Metro Toronto Area Labor Council 416/469-0611 Sysop- Ken Patience
I haven't spent much time on this BBS yet, but it appears to be well run and just getting started. I believe Ken is the President of the Metro Toronto Area Council which is part of the Ontario Service Employees Union.
26. Edward R. Gehm Training Center BBS 908/469-6589 Sysops-Steven H. Allen & Rodrigo Jara
This BBS is operated by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Division of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters of New Jersey. The sysops are based at the UA's apprenticeship program.
27. Fireline 914/684-0027/0188 Sysop-Duncan Macrae
White Plains Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF, AFL- CIO Health & Safety Bulletin Board Service. This system is part of the Solidarity Network and is based in New York.
28. Big Bill's BBS 203/486-5362 Sysop-Michael Spellman
Based at the university of Connecticut's Labor Education Center. They are running Telegard BBS Software Version 2.7 and have a 2400 baud line.
29. Salt City Caverns 315/695-3077 Sysop-Steve Richmond
This system is listed as a participant in the Solidarity Network and affiliated with the Teamsters in New York. However, it appears to be more of an Adult BBS.
30. The Broun Board 703/979-1154 Sysops-Eric Geist, Jim Griffin
This BBS is run by the Newspaper Guild members. They are based in the Washington, DC area.
31. AFL-CIO through Compuserve. Sysop-Blair Calton
The AFL-CIO is testing the system now, but has yet to go public. There will be quite a bit of information from the AFL-CIO departments such as full text Executive Council statements, legislative testimony and more. fore more information contact Blair Calton at the AFL-CIO.
B. Rumored BBS's
1. IFPTE-Set up at International Headquarters
2. International Association of Machinists-"TechLine"-for members only, located at the training center.
3. Airline Pilots, through Compuserve.
C. Health & Safety/Environmental BBS's
1. Right to Know Network 202/234-8575 Sysop-Alair MacLean
OMB Watch/Unison Institute-Provides public access to U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory data. Logon as guest the first time. Registration is required. This is a good place to meet progressive environmentalists who want to work with labor.
2. Center for Safety in the Arts 212/385-2034
New York Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health BBS- Covers a variety of health and safety issues.
3. OSH Exchange 416/572-2307 Sysop-Chris Moore
Based in Toronto, Ontario, this is a new BBS put together by the Occupational Safety and Health Center. It is very well supplied and offers a number of CD ROM products. There is a charge for this BBS.
D. Conclusion
The above list is by no means complete, but is an attempt to start collecting information on union electronic bulletin boards. If you know of any systems not on this list, or find any errors with the information please let me know.
Steve White, (Co-Sysop of Labor Line) Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation ubc on PeaceNet 76004,3601 on Compuserve ```
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