How to Make a Good Thing Better

“UNION CITY is terrific! … the best source for labor news in DC…offer ways to get involved…more job postings… cartoons would rock… more bios of local labor activists.” Our latest UNION CITY Reader Survey drew hundreds of responses, once again confirming UNION CITY’s enthusiastic readership and providing some very specific directions for us on how to expand and improve in 2008. An amazing 70% of UNION CITY readers now say they always read UNION CITY (up from 67% in May), while 54% say the information is “very useful” (up from 50%) and 45% say it’s “somewhat useful.” Local labor news was once again rated the most popular content (69%, up from 68%), with labor history a strong second (52%), bumping jobs postings, which dropped into 4th place with 37%, after national labor news (41%). Although the inclusion of jobs listings in the daily UNION CITY may have contributed to the ranking drop of the Wednesday Hiring Hall edition, we’ll be looking to boost the jobs postings in 2008 through outreach to locals and personnel directors. While it’s clear that UNION CITY continues to be a valued resource for area activists, readers were not shy about suggesting ways we can improve, including “More advance notice on demos,” “Make the Calendar easier to read,” “Provide hotlinks on first reference,” “More about elections and politics,” “Ways for individuals/groups to get involved/take direct action,” “More union profiles,” “Welcome other writers,” “Include cartoons” and “Bring back the Quote Contest!” We appreciate all the comments and suggestions and will keep you posted on new features to look for in UNION CITY in 2008. Last but not least, congrats to survey winners Gene Tenner, Rita Addessa and Simin Royanian, selected at random from those responding to the Reader Survey; they’ll be receiving some very cool labor DVDs to enjoy in the year ahead.