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Italy: Collective action on Second Life
The first ever virtual strike took place on Second Life: nearly 2000 people from 30 different countries picked up their virtual pickets to protest against IBM
The first ever virtual strike took place on Second Life ? the 3D online world that is home to nearly 10 million people (avatars) who live, work, have fun and, now, go on strike in this parallel universe. Yesterday, 27th September, Italian IBM staff together with members and supporters from across the world ? in total nearly 2000 people from 30 different countries ? picked up their virtual pickets to protest against IBM?s reaction to worker?s pay rise claims. The computer technology giant, that employs over 350,000 people and has a revenue of 91$ billion, recently cancelled a performance bonus worth 1000 euros a year after unions and work councils asked for a small pay rise.
The strike took place as any ?first life? strike would ? in the early hours of the day hundred?s of avatars swarmed to UNI to organise their day?s activities and collect their striker?s kit. They then made their way to IBM?s 7 virtual locations where, like in all everyday strikes, they shouted their slogans, distributed t-shirts and waved their pickets. Traffic wardens kept the peace, that only once was broken when second life strikers managed to break into a second life IBM managers meeting. Despite the chorus that threateningly chanted ?this is only the beginning? out side no blood was shed (how could it in the virtual world?) but the meeting was blocked by the protesters refusal to leave. In the background helicopter noises indicated that the strike was being monitored from above.
?This is the first ever union action in the virtual world? said UNI Global Union?s General Secretary Philip Jennings in New York. ?It opens new avenues for industrial pressure in the future and brings greater involvement in trade union activities for younger, computer-savvy members?, he added. Peter Skyte, national officer for the IT sector at UK union Unite was also impressed by the initiative and hopeful that similar actions would be developed in the UK, adding that ?it strengthens international communication, cooperation and collective action across unions worldwide?.
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