In response to a U.K. government proposal to partially privatize a portion of the Royal Mail service, the Communication Workers' Union has hired Blue State Digital ? the U.S. firm that handled President Obama's email campaign. The company will provide guidance on online campaigning for the union. Incidentally, the move has spurred criticism that the union is using the very technology that is also making the Royal Mail service obsolete. The union responded that it represents workers in IT too, and that it understands the power of online communication in getting its message heard.
See "Union hires firm behind Obama's email campaign to fight Royal Mail sell-off", Stephen Bates, Guardian Unlimited (UK), March 1, 2009