THE ORGANIZER December 2008 / January 2009 • Issue #14 . Franklin and Nicollet Goes Union! Baristas from the Starbucks Coffee located at the in- Minneapolis specifically to visit the reports filed for the immediate tersection of Nicollet and Franklin Avenues in Minnea- Franklin and Nicollet Starbucks area surrounding Starbucks. On polis walked off the floor Wednesday morning to pre- daily because of the strong sense August 3, the McDonald's restau- sent a petition to management, signed by more than of community in the store. Still, rant located two blocks south of 500 concerned customers and community members, she, like the workers, is well aware Starbucks was held up at gun demanding Starbucks hire a security guard to ensure of the security problems, and was point. On November 3, the the safety of its patrons and partners. The workers in gratified to see someone finally Money Xchange less than one turn declared their affilia- block from Starbucks tion with the Starbucks was robbed at knife- Workers Union, becom- point at 8:30 in the ing the first Starbucks in morning. Minneapolis, and the sec- ond in Minnesota, to go After the press confer- union. ence, the response by management against the A press conference was workers was swift. The then held on Thursday in following day, the Dis- front of the store to trict manager for Frank- celebrate the solidarity of lin and Nicollet, and 12 the workers and demand other Minneapolis and that Starbucks hire a se- Edina stores, informed curity guard. The work- the store manager that ers were supported by she would transfered to several friends and fellow a store in Hopkins - by workers from the IWW the very next monday. who were in attendance. Such a sudden transfer is almost unheard of. She Initially, the workers circulated an internal petition, doing something about the was replaced by the openly anti- compiling signatures from most of the store's employ- problem. "The baristas are very union manager from City Center, ees, requesting a meeting to discuss the security situa- busy running the store. It who thinks he, as a manager, rep- tion. For weeks, they were told that regional manage- shouldn't be up to them to take resents most workers in saying ment was "discussing" the problem, and "taking it very care of security problems, but that "we don't need a union." seriously." Still management refused to arrange a store is what ends up happening. If meeting to even discuss the possibility of a security Starbucks is not going to look at The next anti-worker action came guard, or any other solutions. After receiving no pro- the human aspect, they should at on Sunday and Monday, when fel- ductive response from either the store or district man- least look at how much time they low worker Bliss Benson was the ager, the employees turned to the customers for more spend dealing with security," she only of many workers who were support. said. written up for being late to a store meeting, and for being "un- Nancy Athanasselis is a regular customer known to Since the beginning of 2008, there professional" at the meeting, everyone at the store. She comes from Northeast have been more than 500 police continued on page 5

Editorial Why ‘Abolish the Republic Window Direct Action Gets Editor Ericco Hedake on Wage System’? What constitutes a union and Door Occupied! the Goods the Republic Window and An examination of the and what makes the A recap and analysis of The infamous “Direct Door workers’ occupation age-old Wobbly slogan by IWW different. the factory occupation by Action Roundup” section and broader issues of a dual-card union Pages 4 & 6 UE workers. makes its return. Find out direct action. member. Pages 7 & 8 what Wobblies are doing Page 2 Page 3 & 5 in their workplaces! Page 8 THE ORGANIZER 2

net), Argentinians from all classes THE ORGANIZER Editorial began to withdraw their money from the banks, which responded A monthly publication of the Another Starbucks in Minnesota by refusing to let the citizens have Twin Cities General went union this month, with their money. The consequent po- Membership Branch of the workers pairing their announce- litical crisis toppled multiple gov- Industrial Workers of the World. ment with an action to improve ernments in a matter of months; Argentinian workers, many of The IWW is a union for all security at their store. In , as I write this, workers at Repub- whom were not particularly radi- workers, dedicated to organizing cal before the crisis, occupied on the job for better conditions lic Windows and Doors just won a labor dispute by engaging in a factories and continued to pro- today, and a world without duce after owners abandoned bosses tomorrow. factory occupation. Greek anar- chists are in full-scale revolt both factories and payrolls. Some You are invited to contact the against the police, who murdered of those projects succeeded and Branch Secretary-Treasurer or a teenager in the streets a few continue, in spite of repression any Delegate listed below for days ago. Canadians are attempt- and legal shenanigans from the no-pressure conversations about ing to defeat a neo-fascist gov- former owners, who, like the your issues on the job. ernment (go ahead, google Ste- owners of Republic, closed down phen Harper) by rallying in the in order to preserve their own Branch Contacts streets of major cities, including wealth by impoverishing their Twin Cities IWW Montreal. Those are just some of employees. P.O Box 14111 the movements that are under- Minneapolis, MN 55414 foot and crossing my mind at the We cannot rely on the boss, the moment. It's on, people. politicians, or the lawyers, to save Tel. (612) 336-1266 us. The workers at Republic know email. [email protected] Yes, Obama won. And immediately this - without their severance, web. twincities.iww.org started appointing Clinton-era they might not feed their families neoliberals to his bloated cabinet. or keep the heat on in Chicago's Branch Secretary- brutal winter. They didn't wait for Treasurers Some are spinning this as a Lin- colnesque "team of rivals" cabinet, others, but took the initiative, Steve Holm forcing the bosses and the politi- [email protected] while others see it as a relatively straightforward expression of the cians to respond to them. We Kieran Knutson new American empire, in smarter need to support their brave stand, [email protected] dress and politer speech. Obama and we need to replicate it. Or- made one good move this week, ganization, like that taking place in Editors when he announced his support the IWW/SWU campaigns in Errico Hedake for the workers at the Republic Starbucks all over the world, must Alexander Graham Windows factory. take priority. Direct action, like that taking place so dramatically Policy But what are the politicians really and effectively in Republic Win- Stories, letters to the editors, saying? Obama and the politicians dows and Doors' Factory right and belly-aching can be are not making the proper claims: now, must be the tactic of organ- addressed to that Republic and the banks are ized workers. And revolt, like that [email protected] parasitic criminal enterprises, im- taken by Greek anarchists and Unless otherwise stated, the poverishing their workers and the communities in Athens and else- opinions expressed are not citizens of the United States. In- where in Greece, must follow necessarily the official position stead of identifying the precise every assault on our lives and of the local branch or the union mechanisms through which liberties. as a whole. bosses suck the wealth out of their employees, or by describing -FW Ericco Hedake Many of our members are the bailouts the government engi- engaged in active organizing neers for the banking sectors campaigns, and some use an while denying to productive sec- alias, occasionally their union tors, like Detroit, these politicians card number, or ‘x’ number. We are reacting to worker initiatives prefer transparency over and expressing their support in secrecy whenever possible, but fuzzy terms. will always honor requests for anonymity . When Argentina's economy began its rapid fall in 2001 (a conse- quence the neo-liberal economic regimes perpetuated by many members of Obama's new cabi- THE ORGANIZER 3 What ‘Abolishing the Wage System’ Means As a Wobbly, I often hear and use the term “abolition to the system put in place by poli- negotiate contracts. of the wage system” . For those of us in the IWW; ticians and their corporate over- that concept is fairly easy to grasp, and is the ultimate seers; trade unions have, ulti- All of which brings us back to the goal towards which we all work. mately, sold out the very workers idea of wages. When trade unions they represent. This is the union negotiate a contract, the first pri- As a dual-card member, I also have regular contact with environment recognized by mem- ority is typically the setting of staff and with the workers represented by bers of trade unions. wage structures. The biggest prob- those trade unionists. For these people, “abolition of lem with the wage system is that the wage system” is often perceived as being either Trade union members are delib- wages are completely arbitrary. gibberish or sedition . There is an obvious clash be- erately kept in the dark about The wage any of us receives is tween the goals of trade unions and those of solidarity everything from contract negotia- dependent upon a number of fac- unions such as the IWW. Few things exemplify those tions to union budgets. The idea is tors including; what we do, where differences more clearly than how we look at the idea to create a group of workers who we live, when we work, and how of the wage system. Yet, trade unions are filled with simply follow the direction of un- the employer/union have classified workers just like us...workers who have a right to be ion staffers, refrain from asking our position. recognized and compensated for the real value of the questions, and fall in line with the work they do. If we want to reach the critical mass obligations defined in their con- For example, under my trade un- necessary to abolish the wage ion contract, a “full-time” em- system, we need to bring these ployee at top scale and working workers with us. And to do that 32 hours a week, earns about we need to recognize how they $22.00 an hour...with relatively interact with their trade unions generous benefits. A “part-time” and how these workers differ employee working 32 hours a from Wobblies in the way they week and doing exactly the same view themselves as union mem- job, may earn as little as $7.00 an bers. hour...with considerably reduced benefits. The only difference be- To understand those differences, tween the two workers is how we need to start with under- the employer and the union have standing how trade unions work. agreed to categorize these em- Modern trade unions in the ployees during contract negotia- United States are empowered by tions. Along with the basic ine- the federal government primarily quality of this structure to the via the National Labor Relations individual workers involved, there Act (Wagner Act) of 1935 and a is a more expansive type of dam- group of amendments known as age that is occurring: the death of the Labor-Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley Act) tracts. They are encouraged to worker solidarity. How likely is it which passed congress in 1947. Proponents of the view the trade union as a means that someone making $22.00 an Wagner Act argued that this was a pro-labor act which of fighting for their piece of the hour would risk striking over a 50 solidified the right of workers to organize unions. In corporate pie. What those work- cent raise for those making 7.00 reality, the Wagner Act was an act of desperation by ers seldom recognize, is that the an hour? And would that part- the capitalist system which served to drain the mili- interests of trade union officers time worker be inclined to forgo tancy from worker-driven unions. and staff are usually at odds with their meager income in order to the interests of the workers act in solidarity with a full-timer The Wagner Act was passed the year after a series of themselves. who wants more money added to bitter direct-action strikes in Minneapolis, Toledo, San their pension fund? The wage sys- Francisco, and elsewhere had threatened to undo the However we view trade unions as tem creates a class structure whole system. With the Wagner Act, the bosses and a concept, the reality is that they within the workplace, a division politicians could see to it that unions would now be are, by design, anti-democratic. which is intentionally designed to run by a group of professional union employees. These Trade unions vary in the amount prevent workers from acting in union employees were given the sole authority to act of control passed down to their common interest. on behalf of the workers they represent. This means workers, but all of them are hier- that they negotiate contracts, agree to wage structures, archically structured to concen- We all know that the wage sys- file grievances, etc. Many of these “professional” union- trate power in the hands of a few tem is in place to benefit corpo- ists are corrupt, others are sincere but caught-up in a officers who often achieve their rate and political interests. It's system far beyond their control. It is a legitimate argu- positions non-democratically. there to insure that the relation- ment as to whether trade unions have done more Many of these union officers and ship between employers and em- harm than good to workers; and undoubtedly, some staff members receive pay which ployees runs smoothly for the trade unions have worked for, and continue to fight for is comparable to that of the cor- continued on page 5 the basic interests of their members. Yet, by acquiescing porate officers with whom they together. As in Staughton Lynd’s Support the RNC8 Solidarity metaphor of the family, you do not expect my help to advance your career because one day I and the Other RNC Unionism may be in need of your help to advance my career; I help you Arrestees These are hard times so let us be because we are part of the com- bold and to the point. The finan- mon ontology of labor. Again, to I’m writing as a member of the Twin Cities General cial crisis of 2008 is a symptom of paraphrase Lynd, if you lay down Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the a deeper crisis driven by the at- your tools I lay down mine be- World to encourage my fellow workers to support the tempt of capital to free itself from cause your injury is my injury too. eight local activists charged with “Conspiracy to Riot in the class struggle. Recall Marx’s Furtherance of Terrorism” for organizing infrastructure metaphor of the Wizard who This vision of solidarity is also a for protestors during the 2008 Republican National summoned powers beyond means to win; not to beg for con- Convention and the others who are still fighting RNC- control. From its inception, capital cessions from the enemy in de- related charges. Let me first say that my primary rea- has unleashed the creative forces feat—but rather, to realize the son for supporting the RNC8 and the other RNC ar- of global labor power even as it bold vision of an equally bold restees is a matter of principle. But beyond the obvi- sought to escape the resistance of statement taken from the pream- ous reason that it’s the right thing to do, I want to take actual working bodies. When the ble to the Industrial Workers of the opportunity to encourage my fellow workers to exploitation of labor power re- the World: “The working class and think about the strategic importance of supporting the quires too much time for capital- the employing class have nothing arrestees as well. ism to make a buck, the drive for in common.” If we wish to win we profit detaches must make the The Industrial Workers of the World is a union -not a itself from produc- most difficult re- solidarity club- and the organizing that we do directly tive labor to gen- alization that our in our workplaces and communities is our raison erate profit by power is in our d’être. I’m very proud of the work we’ve been able to betting on risk so capacity to work accomplish since I’ve been a member of the branch for that money may and to withhold about one and a half years. Nonetheless, the organiz- beget money. Today our work as often ing that I’ve been a part of has also taught me that soli- we witness how as necessary when darity is our only weapon and our defense. We too the drive for profit and where it is have faced ugly state repression in collusion with the through the circu- demanded of us. bosses and there is no reason to think that the state lation of finance We do not do this won’t come down even harder on us in the future if capital generates primarily by politi- the charges against other organizers and protestors an overproduction cal activism—that stick. of debt that re- is, unwaged labor quires capitalism on behalf of the The right to organize and the right to free speech are to suck up to the struggles of oth- both in peril and that will affect our ability to organize. State. Under the ers. We do this by These are rights that the IWW has always fought for auspices of free creating unions. (with a great deal of success) even under the most market discourse, We must immedi- repressive circumstances. Many of you are probably federal and state governments roll ately qualify what we mean: we do aware that the IWW was nearly crushed during a simi- back progressive labor legislation, not mean join the dominant trade lar wave of vicious repression against radicals around union membership is at an all time and business unions in the US— World War I, including the complete destruction of the low, and to paraphrase Naomi they have done more to manage IWW up in northern Minnesota. Hundreds of wob- Klein, governments everywhere and regulate industrial struggle blies faced vigilante violence and serious prison sen- “privatize the public good and than to build working class power. tences for speaking out against the war, for “conspiring” make public private debt” which, They may be reformed but they to use direct action on the job (i.e. for advocating to paraphrase Cesare Casarino, is may have to be left behind to “criminal syndicalism”), and generally for being a threat simply another way of saying that make way for a more powerful to the rule of the bosses and the politicians. It is criti- if you believe in capital you believe force: the force of the direct ac- cal that we continue to fight for the right to organize in nothing. tion of the working class. Let us and the right to free speech in the neoliberal, post-9/11 be more specific with what we era when these rights are brazenly being violated by We believe in something. We mean by union. corporations and the state. believe in the solidarity of all waged and unwaged members of As Fellow Worker Nate Holdren Supporting the RNC arrestees is an important occa- the working class that have to has explained before, a union is a sion to stand up for those rights again in our own rent their labor power in order to group of workers seeking to per- community as we continue to fight for the right to or- gain access to a means of manently alter the balance of ganize on the job. The repression faced by the anti- subsistence. For us, the principle power between workers and capitalist bloc and individual wobblies during the RNC of solidarity is based on the nec- bosses. A union does not need a was part of a larger government initiative to squash essary being-togetherness implied contract. A union does not need dissent and the right to organize. We need to stand in the concept of labor power, to have recognition. A union does with the other groups and individuals who were also that is to say, we are one flesh not require affiliation with one of continued on page 8 because we work in the world continued on page 6 THE ORGANIZER 5

‘Wage System’, continued from page 3 employer—as opposed to fairly for the employee. Yet, trade union members have been indoctrinated with the Second Annual Red notion that the process of wage negotiation is worker empowerment. It is such an entrenched part of our November/Black No- economy that few people can even imagine another way. Each of us; whether IWW, trade union member, or non-organized worker needs to deal with the realities vember Fall Festival A of the system until we can overthrow it. Among other things, that often means working in some kind of loose Success! alliance with trade unions in an effort to get the best conditions we can for workers. We need to bear in On November 22nd, the Twin brance and reflection in the labor mind that members of trade unions are often exploited Cities Branch of the Industrial movement. It is a time for us to by their own unions in addition to the abuses they re- Workers of the World held our learn from the history of the ceive from their employers. As Wobblies, we can still second annual Red November/ struggles we carry on in the pre- form solidarity with those workers. When we do ac- Black November Fall Feast at the sent, to draw strength from their tions which may involve trade unions, we do it for the Walker church in Minneapolis. It legacies, and to appreciate the workers...all workers. We need to maintain close con- was a fun, educational, and sacrifices we have all made to nections with trade union members, even as we main- community-building event for make the world a better place for tain our wariness of the trade unions themselves. The wobblies and our families, friends, working people. worst that can happen is that we instill those workers and supporters. We began the with a dose of militancy that will allow them to force evening with some delicious food November is a month to cele- change within their trade unions. We might even be followed by a program of songs, brate the innumerable gains we able to “Wobblify” some of them! organizing report-backs, stand-up have won through struggle but –FW Bob Adams comedy, an anti-capitalist bloc kids also to heal and support one an- skit, and a round of toasts. At other as we move forward. Faced least 25 people participated in the with the increased repression of SBUX Workers, continued from page 1 program out of the 60 in atten- the Twin Cities radical community which, according to the new store manager, was dance, which demonstrates the during and after the RNC, this charged simply because the district manager participatory character of the November was a particularly im- does not "like" Bliss. These disciplinary actions IWW. portant time to come together in were thinly veiled acts of retaliation against the the face of repression, to support union and all store workers for the concerted We had three longer presenta- one another, and to learn from activities going on at the store. Unfortunately tions on some of the key projects our legacy of struggle. for management, they backfired badly, as Bliss of the branch over the last year – Benson was scared enough to immediately join a campaign against D’Amicos and We had a great turnout so thanks the union for increased protection. Sons restaurant chain for racist to everyone who came, especially firings of immigrant workers who those who helped with set-up and Additionally, the management finally did agree to had received no-match letters, the clean-up, food prep, and those set up a store meeting to discuss—with one anti-capitalist bloc at the Republi- brave enough to participate in the week's notice and only five minutes on the can National Convention, and the program. While Red November/ agenda devoted to hearing out workers' Starbucks Workers Union which Black November was not in- concerns. At the meeting, management contin- now has two public union shops tended as a fundraiser, we were ued their strategy of making excuses, shifting in the Twin Cities! We also heard able to net a small profit for the blame, feigning concern, and outright lying about numerous shorter reports from branch and to sell some of the action taken. other members of the branch great new stuff from the Lit about the great work we have all department. Most importantly, we Even so, the workers remain hopeful that they been doing both in our work- were able to learn from one an- will win this fight. "We joined the union because places and in our communities. other, to come together as a un- we have to work together continuously to im- We used the toasts as an oppor- ion to celebrate what we have prove our working conditions," said worker tunity to affirm one another and accomplished, and to foster the Aaron Kocher. "We have not given up on this the great organizing we have been culture of solidarity that makes issue and we will not." able to accomplish together. We the IWW the best damn union in ended the evening with a rousing the world. The workers are excited to be joining the Star- rendition of Solidarity Forever in bucks Workers Union, with members from true wobbly fashion. – FW Kirsten Kohlhase stores all over the country, and the Industrial Workers of the World, with 2000 members The purpose of the event was to worldwide. They know they are joining some- build community, to reflect on thing much bigger than themselves, empowering what the branch has accomplished workers to stop merely settling for whatever over the last year and where we they can get. are headed, and of course to have – FWs Aaron Kocher and Brendan O’Donnell fun! November has long been observed as a month of remem- THE ORGANIZER 6

Solidarity Unionism, continued from page 4 the business or trade unions. A union is not segre- A Marxist Take on the gated by labor markets, crafts, or employment status. A union can happen anytime people who work get Current Implosion of together to take direct action on behalf of their own interests. This type of unionism is called solidarity unionism. Capitalism To more fully understand the work - wives, children, retirees. Resistance in the age of globalization means building a world-wide financial crisis, one But with this added income have series of autonomous unions not only in non-union could do well to view the very the added price of expenses asso- shops, but within union shops, as parallel labor organi- informative video presentation ciated with work - transportation, zations, as informal working groups, as radical office online by Rick Wolff entitled clothing, daycare, not to mention cliques, as any imaginable form of organization in which "Capitalism Hits the Fan: A time. So, families began falling those who are forced to commit some labor, use that Marxian View. This is available on- apart. labor as a leverage to dismantle hierarchy and line at http://tinyurl.com/5ohhsq exploitation. The key point of these unions will be autonomous, and self managed, organized to take direct According to Wolff, from 1820 action where change counts.. We may organize to to 1970, increasing wages of show support for others and we should. But we will American Worker relative to not win unless we take the initiative of self- productivity. This ended around management and direct action into our own sites of 1970 - 1975. Thereafter, workers' labor. Let us conclude with a few details of what soli- productivity has increased, but darity unionism would entail for organizing a union: workers' wages have remained stagnant. In real purchasing No dues check-off. Dues check-off is a system power, wages currently are that allows a union to subtract dues from a below that of workers in 1970. 2. Since finding more work did worker’s paycheck, often eliminating personal con- not sustainably solve the problem tact between the worker and the union. Solidarity So, the last 30 to 40 years has of finding a way to increase con- unions will be based entirely on the relationships been the leveling out of a 150 sumption, the working class went built between workers. Delegates would also be year increase in wages. As Wolff on a borrowing spree, finally rack- workers, ideally granting all decision making power so eloquently puts it, "The con- ing up the highest amount of debt to the workers themselves. sumption joy is finished." The dif- of any class during any portion of Contracts are tactical. A contract gives up ference between flat wages and history. management decisions to the boss and may elimi- massively increased productivity is nate the possibility for a legal strike during the what the employing class realizes, So, what we have essentially is the duration of the contract. Both prevent the the stolen profit. Employers and owner class collecting double on autonomous initiative of working class struggle in all those with their fingers on the you and on me. The owners have the form of the wildcat. The desire for recognition profits - professionals, sharehold- realized fantastic profit on the and a contract are not ends-in-themselves, but ers, financiers, banks, etc. have increased production over the moments for reflexivity to expand our power reaped a fantastic bonanza of in- stagnant wages, then they turn Universal Transfer. This means one union one come from money stolen from around and lend money to us and card. Membership in the union should be good no those who actually do the work. earn even *more profit on the matter where you work. The card should also be consumption good for unwaged workers who should also or- Since our "worth" as defined by which we are told is intrinsic to ganize around the reproduction of social relations capitalist culture in what we "con- our "worth" as human beings. and affects which sustain the activity of living labor. sume," workers have tried to find ways out of the dilemma. There This was a system built to fail. The We may then turn our gaze to communication, not are two ways that workers have sub-prime mortgage crisis is only as a tactic of representation that gains value as a tried to go about this— founded on a population of peo- practice of mediation, but as an optic for understanding ple who are exhausted because the compositional processes of direct action and as a 1. Find more work - second jobs, they cannot work any more and site of struggle for which we grow in common to abol- longer work hours, etc. The num- are emotionally unable to con- ish the wage. ber of hours worked by American tinue under the current system of – FW Matt May & Ron Greene workers per year has risen about supporting their debt. These peo- Delivered at the 2008 National Communication 20% per worker since the 1970s. ple are by the millions walking Association Conference in San Diego Interestingly, European and other away from their obligations and populations have during the same the house of cards is coming period reduced number of hours down. worked by about about the same – FW Michelle Rockne percentage. So, American workers have basically been worked to exhaustion. Also, families start sending other members out to The Sit-Down Strike and Victory at Republic Windows and Doors Historically, one of the most potent forms of direct All of which brings us to the elimination of the company’s labor action is the sit-down strike. In his book, Bread workers at Republic Windows and credit line. and Roses: Mills, Migrants, and the Struggle for the Doors. They were members of American Dream, Bruce Watson credits the IWW with local 110 of the United Electrical, Initially, Bank of America balked at being the first union to use this tactic. A sit-down strike Radio and Machine Workers of providing any credit for the pur- is the literal taking over and occupying of the work- America (UE). About seventy-five pose of paying workers. But, in an place by employees. Probably the most famous sit- percent of them are Latin Ameri- economic crisis in which the bank down strike in history occurred at the General Motors can immigrants. The remainder of had received a twenty-five billion Fisher #1 plant in Flint, Michigan in 1936. The United the workforce is primarily African- dollar welfare check from the US Auto Workers was attempting to organize the entire American. Many of these workers government, it finally decided that auto industry, and the Flint strike was for union had been there for two or three providing the loan to Republic recognition. This sit-down strike lasted for about six decades, and this had become a would be prudent damage con- weeks. During that time, strikers maintained the plant decent middle-class job for those trol. The deal nearly fell through while other workers on the outside maintained a workers. when Republic CEO and majority supply-line of food for those on the inside. The strike owner, Richard Gillman demanded began on December 30th, 1936. On January 11, 1937, On December 2nd, workers were that the loan cover the lease pay- the police assaulted the plant in an effort to enforce a given a three day notice that the ments on his fleet of luxury cars, court order for the workers’ removal from the prem- plant was closing for good. They as well as eight weeks of his salary ises. The strik- had suspected ($225,000.00 a year). For pur- ers used fire that something poses of media consumption, hoses and was about to Gillman talked of how troubling hurled auto happen because this closure was to him: “This has parts at the machinery from been the worst week of my life. I police. After six the production know many of those workers at hours the po- lines had been Republic personally, and I put 34 lice retreated. slowly disappear- years of my life into that business, The strike ing. The workers and all my money, too. No stone ended on Feb- talked about the was left unturned in our effort to ruary 11th possibility of be- save Republic”. when the ing arrested if workers fight they took over Yet, while Republic Windows and for union rec- the plant. After all, Doors was preparing to file for ognition suc- they would be bankruptcy and leave their work- ceeded. It should be noted that “progressive” president trespassing on private property. ers with nothing; Gillman did have Franklin D. Roosevelt gave no support to the striking a contingency plan—for himself, at workers. This country doesn’t provide least. According to the Illinois Sec- much in the way of legal rights for retary of State’s office, Gillman This is the kind of worker-driven action that used to the working class; but, under fed- and friends filed papers to incor- take place routinely in this country. In Fact, there were eral law, workers are entitled to a porate a new company on No- over six hundred sit-down strikes of at least one day’s sixty day notice of closure. These vember 18th. That company is length in the United States between 1936 and 1939. In workers had mortgages and rent called Echo Windows LLC. Echo 1939, The United States Supreme Court was asked to to pay, they had food and gas to Windows also purchased a win- interpret the legality of the sit-down strike under The buy, and they had family medical dow and door manufacturing National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). In NLRB [Na- bills. It would have been easy for plant in Red Oak, Iowa. Not sur- tional Labor Relations Board] v. Fansteel Metallurgical them to just cut their losses and prisingly, the new plant is entirely Corporation; the court ruled that workers who “ille- start over, but somehow these non-union. gally occupy” their workplaces are not only criminally workers were able to reach inside liable under state trespass laws, but they are also sub- and find the courage and the dig- We shouldn’t waste our time sin- ject to unconditional termination by their employers. nity that lies buried in the soul of gling out either Republic or Bank The court also ruled that the employer’s right to fire every worker. They decided to of America. They are siblings in a any worker who participated in a sit-down strike re- fight back…they decided to physi- system of mutual greed which mained intact even if the workers were reacting to an cally take possession of their thrives on the blood and sweat of unfair labor practice as defined under the NLRA. workplace. They had only one the working class. The workers at demand, and it was a simple one: Republic Windows and Doors In the last seventy years, we haven’t seen very many sit- “pay us what you owe us”. Repub- found that out, and they engaged down strikes in The United States. Through a combina- lic Windows decided it would be in the kind of direct action that tion of anti-worker labor laws and ineffective or even convenient to blame the current was once the heart of the labor corrupt business union practices; the militancy has economic crisis, so they pointed movement. Like many of the most been sapped from the American worker. Self-respect to Bank of America and the bank’s activist workers throughout la has been replaced by fear. continued on page 8 RNC Support, from page 4 Republic, from page 7 targeted in this fierce wave of bor’s noble history, these workers Direct repression. were by and large immigrants… people who had to fight for re- While some wobblies may have spect in virtually every aspect of Action ideological and/or personal differ- their daily lives. ences with some of the RNC ar- Roundup restees just as we do with each When the Republic workers sat other, an injury to one truly is an down in the company cafeteria to injury to all. It will benefit every- discuss plans for the workplace University of Minnesota: Organizing continues in two campaigns around one in the Twin Cities community occupation; the union’s president the University of Minnesota. Both student and if we carry on the spirit of the St. (who is a maintenance worker at non-student workers are organizing for better Paul Principles by continuing to the plant), Armando Robles, asked conditions on the job. Members are teaching support one another and work for a show of hands of those will- organizing skills over lunch and preparing public- together across our differences ing to participate. All hands went ity campaigns to draw attention to issues of when possible. This is an oppor- up as the workers shouted “Sí, se workers on the job. tunity for all of us to rally to- puede!” or “Yes, we can!” After gether and have each others’ their victory, as they left the plant, backs, which will make us all they shouted “Yes, we did!” Sandwich Shop: Workers at a sandwhich chain are picking up stronger. While we may have le- – FW Bob Adams steam in their campaign for better wages, condi- gitimate gripes and important tions and union recognition. Shops around the differences, we can choose to be Twin Cities are coordinating on social events and part of building a broader cul- job actions, building support and solidarity across ture of solidarity both within the chain. and beyond the union. Actively creating such a culture of soli- darity is imperative to the suc- Upcoming Starbucks Workers Union: After gathering hundreds of signatures from cess of our organizing. Events. Starbucks workers, customers, and community Stand up for justice, the right members, SWU organizers presented a petition IWW New Member asking for a security guard to be hired at a store to organize, and the right to free speech! Orientations in Minneapolis. Crime is a serious problem for December 26, 4-5:30 PM workers, and calling the police every time there's In our workplaces and our communities, January 10, 1-2:30 PM an issue is neither safe for workers nor safe for Hennepin County East Lake offenders. In the jails and in the streets, Solidarity can’t be beat! Library at 2727 E Lake Street In mid-October at another Starbucks location a Support the RNC Arrestees! General Membership "ten minute strike" shop floor action occurred. Branch Meeting Workers stopped work in solidarity with a co- Here are some things you can January 6 at 7:00 PM 6- worker who had not received her paycheck. Af- do to support the RNC8 and Monthly business meeting for the ter just a few hours, regional manager showed up other RNC arrestees: IWW Twin Cities General to sign the check and problem was solved. Union Sign the petition urging membership Branch. Come vote pins continue to be sported by workers on the prosecutor (and now guber- on where your dues are spent! All floor. natorial candidate) Susan members have a vote. Mayday Gaertner to drop the Books, 301 Cedar Ave charges. Communications Company: IWW membership has seen tremendous growth http://tinyurl.com/65l68l Organizer Training in this dual-card shop. Conversation with fellow Talk to your coworkers, January 31 and February 1 workers continue to bring in membership and friends, families, and neigh- A two-day organizing workshop. shop floor actions are in gear. bors so they know about the Come learn and receive pointers case and encourage them to on how to build a union at your support the RNC8. Solidarity with Republic UE Workers workplace. Times and location On Wednesday, December 10th, Wobblies Sign up for the Friends of TBD. For more information call handed out leaflets to workers and passersby in the RNC8 email list to get (612) 339-1266 or email front of the US Trust Building in Minneapolis. updates on fundraisers, court [email protected] appearances, and other ways They got positive reactions from every single General Membership person who took a leaflet. you can help like call-in days and protests. Visit Branch Meeting December 2 at 7:00 PM After about 20 minutes of leafletting, they took http://rnc8.org/ – FW 361162 Monthly business meeting for the our message straight to the top, riding the eleva- IWW Twin Cities General tor to the 14th Floor and demanded a meeting membership Branch. Come vote with the President of the company. The President on where your dues are spent! All declined. members have a vote. Mayday – FW Andy Breton Books, 301 Cedar Ave