Open-source unionism is a term coined by academics Richard B. Freeman

Richard B. Freeman

Richard B. Freeman is one of the leading labor economists in North America. The Herbert Ascherman Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and Co-Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School, Freeman is also Senior Research Fellow on Labour Markets at the Centre for...

 and Joel Rogers

Joel Rogers

Joel Rogers is an American academic and political activist. Currently a professor of law, political science, public affairs and sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he also directs the Center on Wisconsin Strategy and its projects, including the Center for State Innovation, Mayors...

 to explain a possible new model for organizing workers that depended on the labor movement"taking its own historical lessons with diversified membership seriously and relying more heavily on the Internet in membership communication and servicing."

The idea was popularized in a June 2004 article for The Nation and more completely elaborated on in an earlier piece in the Spring 2002 issue of the academic journal WorkingUSA.

See also

• Freelancers Union
  Freelancers Union
  Freelancers Union is a non-profit organization in the United States that provides health insurance to its members through its for-profit Freelancers Insurance Company as well as service information through monthly meetings and information on its website....
  
  - A non-profit organization in the United States that represents the needs and concerns of the independent workforce through advocacy, information, and service.