Web logs, or “blogs,” are a new and rapidly growing form of electronic communication. Blog are Internet web pages whose authors generate new content on a frequent basis. Blog posts scroll down the page as new content is added. Political blogs became most well known during the 2004 elections, when liberal “bloggers” strongly supported—and raised considerable sums of money for—presidential candidate Howard Dean. Many observers think political blogs are becoming for the left what talk radio was for the right. Labor unions are also starting to create blogs. This article examines the goals, target audience, and accomplishments of union-related bloggers. It also considers some of the medium’s strengths and weaknesses: a blog provides the opportunity for more open communication than e-mail, but that feature can also present a challenge for union officials used to strict message control.
