Is an adult industry union a possibility?

[Chilihost]

Its been mentioned that there are a lot of aspects of adult that are not nearly as profitable as mainstream...like design. Do you think an adult industry union is a possibility? It could improve profits and offer protection for both the buyers and sellers of services.

[Bec]

I'm not sure if it could come to pass, there is a lot of behind the scenes divisions, even amongst the gay sector. But something that could get a representative on the hill here in the States 24/7, or provide insurance options for the self employed and so on would be wonderful.

[Bec]

Would love to hear some other opinions on this. :french:

[LavenderLounge]

Not sure "union" is the right word. Unions are generally for the benefit and protection of employees, and most of us are employERS or sole proprieters.

Perhaps you're proposing a "trade association" or "guild".

There is an interesting documentary about the strippers from the Lusty Lady in San Francisco joining a union.

[Bec]

Yes, Trade Association would be the better term.

[Shima]

One guild is already invented. Its called "Free Speech Coalition".
Most of the adult business webmasters support it because it fights for their rights. So I really don't see the point for forming the Guild or Union of some sort.

[Bec]

The FFC is NOT an Adult industry trade association. There's a big difference in having them battle for us because of free speech infringements and having an association that can also support its membership in a lot of other ways.

Having lobyists available, self employment insurance benefits through a group rate, and an additional source for legal support are just a few of the things that come to mind.

[Lee]

Webmasters cant even agree what 'right and wrong' is in the industry, does anyone really think a trade association would actually get anything done?

Regards,

Lee

[basschick]

over the years i've been involved with 3 attempts to create an adult webmaster association. lawyers were spoken to - as were health insurance providers and webmasters. plans were made, but in the end, none of the webmasters who seemed to be for it were willing to contribute any time or money. most were shocked if we suggested that a $25 a month membership would even be suggested - or even as little as $200 a year plus paying for insurance under a group plan. without any funding except from a few people, it died each time.

not surprising that most people didn't bother to join the fsc till they thought it would protect them. most webmasters are people without a business background who don't seem to understand that if we all pay for things that we all have a voice in, that it can improve everything about the industry. we can hire lawyers to answer our questions, get bulk discounts for a lot of things, even grow big enough to afford a press agent or lobbyist or whatever it is we feel would help. getting group insurance rates alone would have been helpful.

the sad part is last time everyone was asked for a whopping $25 per person to help get the ball rolling. my $25 was returned after several months when less than 20 of the hundreds of webmasters who said they were for it contributed that $25