LABOR AND THE INFORMATION-SOCIETY - TRADES UNION POLICIES FOR TELEWORKING

The current interest in teleworking is seen as the focal point of a wi der debate relating to the diffusion of flexible work patterns facilit ated by the networking of information communication technology and the development of the Information Society. The development of telework a s a means of organising work is mapped and the trades union response o utlined. An historical perspective to trades unions attitudes is provi ded by comparison with the Micro-Electronics Revolution debate of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which focused on new technology agreements . The paper concludes by promoting a legislative framework to ensure b est employment practices, and by urging trades unions to develop polic ies that meet both the challenges and opportunities of the Information Society.