EC Meeting Papers July 2018

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The Unions, Data Protection & Social Media Social media is here to stay Facebook, Twitter, Watsapp, Instagram, Linkedin and a host of other platforms profoundly influence our lives, our relationships, and the way in which trade unions communicate with their members and organise. Indeed, these particular social media websites have more than 100,000,000 registered users. Of course there are both opportunities and dangers in participating in social media, as something which was intended as personal relationship network, based around social sharing, has become a conduit for ideas, advertising, polemics and politics. Trade unionist need to be aware of the rise of cyberbullying, online harassment and ‘trolling’. Employers are also becoming increasingly adept at monitoring their employees’ social media accounts, often targeting union Reps and bringing disciplinary actions against them on the grounds that ‘private’ statements or posts have brought their organisation into disrepute. At the same time, Trade Unions can benefit greatly – in terms of organising campaigns and recruitment – from the interconnectedness of members, groups, NGOs, advocacy groups and political parties. Social media is another tool – and we all know how to use and wield it properly. These GFTU courses are there to show you how.

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