Linking the Print and Virtual Worlds

Technological advancements have forever changed the manner in which we seek and exchange information. Declining prices and
increased portability of computers and mobile communication devices have altered the way many in our society go about their daily lives.

As we continue to mark the years off the 21st Century calendar, we are becoming less and less constrained by the hours in which the “Open” sign shines brightly in store windows or someone is available to answer the telephone. North America and many other parts of the developed world are rapidly shifting to a paradigm best summarized by the slogan, “find whatever you want, whenever you want to find it”.

In hindsight, the earliest stages of this transition first became evident
in the manner in which businesses tried to satisfy consumer demand.
Shopping malls began opening earlier and staying open later in an
attempt to give the consumer an increased opportunity to spend their
shopping dollars. The success of expanded shopping hours led other
businesses to explore the option of more flexible hours in order to gain
an advantage over their competition. The more popular this became, the
more we demanded.

The mainstream use of the Internet was the final component required
to allow for a 24/7 world. Businesses, governments and unions continue
to maintain brick and mortar operations, but having an address on the
World Wide Web is rapidly becoming a necessity.

For many of our members the option of a new way to access information
and shop for goods and services has been life altering. Many of you
travel or work long hours or work shifted schedules. Some of you have
jobs that include aspects of all of these. The Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
world was never a great fit for many IA members.

In recognition of our changing world you will find a new section in
this issue of the Official Bulletin entitled From The Desktop. The focus of
this new section will be to highlight Web sites that our members will find
interesting and/or informative. It is our attempt to provide a link between
the print and virtual worlds. In this issue we are profiling the Web sites of
the International, the I.A.T.S.E. National Benefit Funds, the Canadian
Retirement Plan and Union Plus.

Future issues will see us profile local union sites, industry-related sites
as well as general interest sites. If you know of a site that you believe
would be of interest to your brothers and sisters please email the link to
bulletin@iatse-intl.org and we will do our best to feature it in a future
issue of the Bulletin.