From 'the good work' to 'the good life': A Perspective on Labor Union Visions Regarding Information Technology

Abstract

During several decades Participatory Design has been applied in Scandinavian labor union projects aimed at empowering workers and realizing 'the good work'. Recently, infonnation technology has made it necessary to pose new questions at the workplace, which has resulted in new union strategies. In this study, participatory methods involving union representatives are applied in a new generation project within the union movement itself. The visions and strategies of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (La) as regards infonnation technology have been studied and compared with needs that have been felt in union work. It has been found that La's information technology strategies have a hierarchic structure and that the organization has fewer incorporated inquiries about users' needs. It is concluded that Participatory Design is as relevant for the new generation of union information technology projects as it was in earlier projects involving unions, workers and technology.