Union Bulletin Board Systems in the U.S. and Canada
December 1, 1992
Below 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 unionist 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, DC. 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 a 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 Telenet, 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 any 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 Resources,
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 202/523-4784
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
and Chris Hanley
Another new BBS this year, the IUOE is making a concerted effort 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 his 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
Sysop - Wayne King
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 and
others who call him first at 800/762-3444. Brother King just
upgraded to a 386 with two 9600 baud modems.
*** New BBS's since last listing of May 1992.
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 Assoc. 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. For 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 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
NY Dept. 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.
In Solidarity,
Steve White, (Co-Sysop of Labor Line)
Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation
523 Central Avenue
Charleston, WV 25302
(304)345-7570 (Voice)
(301)431-0534 (Labor Line BBS)
ubc on PeaceNet
76004,3601 on Compuserve