The New Information Proletariat and its Platform (page 2 of 2)

A Class Study Project by Devry University Students

Computer and Network Access: A Vital Step to Getting Equal Education for All
By Anthony Graff
DeVry NIP Project

The United States education system, as it currently exists, needs to be restructured so that the imbalances that are in place can be righted. Many inner city and rural education systems do not prepare their students to break the poverty cycle. School districts in wealthy areas do a much better job of preparing their students for the changing world

Although education is primarily a local issue, the New Information-age Proletariat (NIP) believes that more Federal Government resources should be committed to the nation's education system because a better educated nation is a safer, more productive, and equitable one. Better education, especially in less-advantaged areas, could lead to less crime, a better trained work force, and could prevent the social inequities that exist in this nation today by giving all Americans a fair chance at a decent life. The NIP would like to use Information Technology to address this issue.

The NIP believes that more Federal resources could be given to economically disadvantaged school districts. More tax dollars could be spent in areas that have trouble supporting a good school district, such as the inner city and rural areas. This would give everyone a chance to prosper in the changing world. Also, more resources could be devoted to programs such as Head Start, which prepare preschoolers to do better in school.

The NIP also feels that the Federal Government could introduce Information Technology into the classroom. One way to do this is to set up a national network similar to Internet, to which all schools would have access. This educational network (EDUNET) would be similar to CPSNET (Chicago Public School Network).

This network would be able to teach students new skills that would be marketable in the new work world. Students could learn how to program a computer and how to set up a computer network. Students could also learn business applications such as just -in-time inventory control, total quality management, word processing, spreadsheet setup, database applications, and the like. Students would have access to an enormous database of information. Special presentations would also be available to all schools. Students could also participate in interactive projects such as electronic "town meetings" with government officials and science projects such as deep sea exploration with unmanned submarines, or the space shuttle.

Operating a computer can be an educational tool in itself. Students must learn communication skills such as paragraph composition, grammar, and punctuation when they send electronic mail. Programming or troubleshooting a computer system also teaches students research skills because they must consult a reference manual.

The government must be careful not to impose too many regulations when setting up EDUNET. There should be no undue bureaucratic regulations, such as too much paperwork. The laws of the land should place the only restrictions on what students can and cannot do on the network. The most effective way for students to learn is if access to the network is readily available and regular.

Perhaps one of the most important attributes of electronic education aids is that they are great equalizers. For one, setting up a system would not be cost prohibitive, because older computers could be used. The EDUNET would be in place. Volunteers could work with paid information managers to staff the system at a local and network level. Secondly, school computers would be the only ones available to students who come from economically disadvantaged homes. Thirdly, computers would allow communication between persons of different socio-economic backgrounds.

To conclude, the NIP believes that Information Technology can help improve the inequities that are currently present in the nation's education system. Proposals such as EDUNET would allow students from all different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds a chance to get ahead in the new Information Age. This, in turn, would make the country a safer, better, and more prosperous place to live for all.

Getting Better Wages, Benefits and Working Conditions for Cyberwork
Upgrading the New `Temp Workers'

By Robert Thomas
DeVry NIP Project

The Information Age has driven labor into a more service-oriented economy. Within this service oriented economy there is a great deal of temporary or part-time employment. Temporary work agencies have been providing companies with temporary or part-time employees as needed.

Temporary employees are a financial dream for companies. Although wages and health benefits are within the bounds of the current law, they cannot keep pace with the constantly increasing standard of living. Most temporary workers are not paid by the quantity or quality of intellectual involvement that was dedicated to the service, but simply on an hourly basis.

Solution:

The NIP would promote and implement a Dynamic Temporary Services Organization to allocate temporary employees to temporary services. The Dynamic Temporary Services Organization (DTSO) would provide a network in which employees would have access to multiple sources of job opportunities, by working though various temp agencies. This organization would be responsible for rewarding the employees with payment for the service.

Temporary employees would be provided with the option of forming a union. New information jobs are being created every day, so new classifications of the new service jobs need to be developed. Then collective bargaining would be held between the temporary employees union, the DTSO, and the companies who use temporary employment on a regular basis. Those companies who do not participate in this bargaining process must adhere to any agreements made when using temporary employment in the future.

Probably the most important issue to be focused on in the agreements should be fair wages. Reward of service should be paid in relation to the new job classification and the new types of service. Because these new jobs are more knowledge based, income is needed to compensate for the time spent acquiring that knowledge, as well as the temporary job itself.

Another problem with temporary wages is the opportunity for wage advancement or raises. A new way of raising employees’ salaries in a shorter time span is required. Evaluation should be based on all of the work they have participated through all the work agencies. The total amount of yearly work should be the basis for higher wage rates based on their total experience.

Right-to-Work Laws would not include temporary or part-time employment. Any temporary or part-time employment must participate in the dynamic allocation of temporary work thus granting guaranteed health benefits and fair wages to all.

The New Information Age is changing technology faster than our social and political institutions can provide the proper organization. Service-producing industries were 76% of individual employment in 1990. We need to adapt to the new service labor force being conquered by the old labor problems.