Official newspaper oF The Industrial Workers of the World

INDUSTRIALDecember 2014 #1770 Vol. 111 No. 10 $2/ £2/ €2 WORKER

Farewell, Fellow Oregon Canvassers Understanding Solidarity In Hong Worker Fred Lee Continue Push For Co-ops And The IWW Kong, Brazil And 5 Unionization 6 11 Spain 12 Whole Foods Workers Demand Higher Wages And A Union By Tim Maher needed to rent an apartment. On the afternoon of Nov. 6, a delega- Over 50 workers from the 4th Street tion of 20 cashiers, stockers, and cooks store signed the petition. In addition at Whole Foods Market in San Francisco to demanding the $5 per hour wage initiated a temporary work stoppage to increase, the petition raises issues about deliver a petition to Whole Foods manage- paid time off, hours and scheduling, ment demanding a $5 per hour wage in- safety and health, and a retirement plan. crease for all employees and no retaliation Whole Foods is a multinational against workers for organizing a union. chain with over 400 stores in the United After the delegation presented the petition States, Canada and Great Britain, with to management, workers and supporters $13 billion in annual sales, and 80,000 held a rally outside the store, located at 4th employees. Prices are high, which is why and Harrison Streets in San Francisco’s Whole Foods is colloquially known as South-of-Market district. “Whole Paycheck.” A worker must earn $29.83 per hour Beneath Whole Foods’ glossy image to afford a market-rate one-bedroom of social responsibility, working condi- apartment in San Francisco, according to a tions at Whole Foods reflect the low 2014 report from the National Low Income industry standards that dominate all food Housing Coalition. Workers at the store and retail industries. Despite the com- currently earn from $11.25 to $19.25 per pany’s claims to the contrary, low wages, hour. The new minimum wage ordinance constant understaffing, and inconsistent just approved by San Francisco voters will schedules are rampant company-wide. raise the city’s minimum to $12.25 per Just recently CEO John Mackey Whole Foods workers picket after going public with the IWW in Photo: Zoe Meyers hour next year—less than half of what is Continued on 6 San Francisco on Nov. 6. Toronto Harm Reduction Workers Organize With The IWW This time, the theme was different—the to discuss important issues of workplace workers. “Along with the direct unionism topic of discussion was work. equity. The union also announced its in- approach, the THRWU campaign is also Workers shared stories of union- tention to forgo the highly legalistic and based on a multiple workplace organiz- ized workplaces with trade unions that bureaucratized Ontario Labour Relations ing model that allows for organizing wouldn’t have them as members; others Board certification process, electing for a committees at multiple sites to pool their spoke about the fact that management strategy of solidarity unionism that allows resources and experiences as they organize depends on workers being on social as- workers full control over decision making. together. This solidarity is a precursor to sistance to offset their low wages and lack The THRWU is a city-wide organization, expanding workers’ struggle to the broader of benefits. Workers doing the same jobs representing over 50 employed, unem- industry,” explained THRWU worker- at two different sites realized that while ployed, and student workers. It currently organizer Sarah Ovens. one group was making $10 for three hours has members at over a dozen agencies, and Harm reduction work began with the of work, the other was being paid $15 per is continuing to organize with the goal of implementation and provision of needle IWW harm reduction Photo: THRWU hour. Some workers explained that they unionizing all of the city’s harm reduction Continued on 7 workers in Toronto. were paid with transit tokens and pizza. By the THRWU Some workers demanded a union. On Friday, April 4, 2014, over 100 On Nov. 11, after months of intensive IWW Resurgence In Bellingham, Washington harm reduction workers from across To- organizing, the Toronto Harm Reduction By x331980 ronto came together in a historic gather- Workers Union (THRWU), an affiliate of IWW membership around Belling- ing. Although industry-wide meetings are the Toronto General Membership Branch ham, Wash. surged this fall. In the past common, conversation usually centers of the IWW, announced its existence to four months the group grew from one on the latest news and policies affecting management at South Riverdale Com- lonely delegate to 12 members. In early services; people share information about munity Health Centre and Central To- August, a recently-transplanted Wob toxic heroin on the streets, increased po- ronto Community Health Centres. The from Phoenix contacted the delegate lice carding in a certain area, or new laws union demanded employer recognition, via the general administration. They around HIV and their impact on how we a promise of non-retaliation for union joined a picket line on behalf of the advise our service users and our friends. activity, and a meeting with management local farm workers union, Familias Wobs protest the Sakuma Photo: Bellingham IWW Unidas por la Justicia, and found yet Brothers farm stand. Industrial Worker Periodicals Postage another Wobbly on the line. “I thought directory for contact information. PO Box 180195 PAID I was the only IWW in Bellingham,” he Members live in Bellingham and in Chicago, IL 60618, USA Chicago, IL said. Then, an “old hand” from the defunct Skagit County to the south. Bellingham and additional Bellingham General Membership Branch IWW members participated in solidar- ISSN 0019-8870 mailing offices (GMB) of the 1980s returned to the fold. ity work for the farm workers and their ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Before long, new members were coming boycott of Sakuma Brothers Farms ber- out of the woodwork by word of mouth. ries (see “Union Harvests Major Victories There are now enough Wobblies to apply For Farmworkers In Washington,” page for a GMB charter. 7), as well as the OUR Walmart events on Local Wobs work in distribution cen- Black Friday. Leafleting and face-to-face ters, the city fire department, legal ser- outreach with workers at the local Jimmy vices, roof maintenance and telecommu- John’s and the several Starbucks shops has nications. Two are students and a couple been sporadic. The Vancouver and Seattle others are unemployed. There is one sole branches are within an hour or so of travel proprietor IWW job shop. The first general and the Vancouver Island GMB is just on membership meeting was held on Oct. 26. the other side of the San Juan Islands. Members who had not previously met got Vancouver and Bellingham Wobblies met to know each other a bit. An election was up at the Peace Arch climate rally and held for a secretary and a bylaws review gathered around Bellingham’s banner (see committee, which has completed a draft “Climate Change Knows No set of bylaws. Meetings are scheduled for Borders” on page 5 of the November IW). the last Sunday of the month. See the IW Continued on 7 Page 2 • Industrial Worker • December 2014 Evolving Into A Union Of Equality And Inclusion Fellow Workers, under the boot of the beast. As the In the November issue of the Indus- working class our body is literally trial Worker (IW), our editor did well to made up of countless voices and publish both a letter in support and one perspectives, countless avenues in critique of Fellow Worker (FW) Maria of power, and countless oppor- Parrotta’s report from the 2014 IWW Gen- tunities for abuse, oppression, Letters Welcome! eral Convention (“The 2014 IWW General and, ultimately, failure. It is our Send your letters to: [email protected] with Convention: Learning From Our Mistakes, responsibility to ourselves—as a “Letter” in the subject. Moving Forward,” October 2014 IW, page body of workers united in the face Mailing Address: 1 & 6). However the critique, instead of of capital—to accept internal criti- Industrial Worker, P.O. Box 180195, making the (valid) point of separating cism and take it a step further, to Chicago, IL 60618, United States. news and opinion, only served to reinforce welcome it and see it precisely as it FW Parrotta’s original point; that sexism is: the evolution of our class. Get the Word Out! is alive in our union. The critique served In essence, we must become as a real attempt to silence the bringing comfortable evolving into exactly IWW members, branches, job shops and forth of an important opinion regarding what we are. I encourage my male other affiliated bodies can get the word events that I, as a union member unable fellow workers to take a moment out about their project, event, campaign to attend the convention, was not privy to and see this as it is, for only as a or protest each month in the Industrial until reading that issue. By this I mean that class undivided that we will ever Worker. Send announcements to iw@ the critique sidestepped all of the original have the strength to overcome the iww.org. Much appreciated donations for points regarding sexism and instead levied contradiction. Graphic: iww.org the following sizes should be sent to: a response based upon loose comparisons Milo Unti of union membership and meeting atten- I am writing to express my strong Moving Forward,” October IW, pages 1 & IWW GHQ, Post Office Box 180195, dance; points which are irrelevant to the support for Fellow Worker (FW) Maria 6). I am proud to call these two women Chicago, IL 60618, United States. original piece and the message thereof. Parrotta's piece on the 2014 IWW General my fellow workers and to have them in $12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide We are workers of the world. We are Convention and FW Diane Krauthamer’s my General Membership Branch (GMB), $40 for 4” by 2 columns not just men, not just white, and not just very correct decision to publish it on the because it is people like them who will $90 for a quarter page of one perspective regarding our relations front page (see “The 2014 IWW General actually work to make this union what it to one another and our working conditions Convention: Learning From Our Mistakes, Continued on next page Industrial Worker IWW directory The Voice of Revolutionary Asia Bradford GMB: [email protected] Florida New Mexico Taiwan Leeds GMB: [email protected] Gainesville GMB: c/o Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St., Albuquerque GMB: 505-569-0168, [email protected] Industrial Unionism 32601. Robbie Czopek, del., 904-315-5292, gainesvil- Taiwan IWW: c/o David Temple, 4 Floor, No. 3, Ln. 67, Manchester GMB: [email protected] [email protected], www.gainesvilleiww.org New York Shujing St., Beitun Dist., Taichung City 40641 Taiwan. Sheffield GMB: IWW Office, SYAC, 120 Wicker, Sheffield New York City GMB: 45-02 23rd Street, Suite #2, Long Organization 098-937-7029. [email protected] S3 8JD. [email protected] South Florida GMB: P.O. Box 370457, 33137. 305-894- Island City,11101. [email protected]. www.wobblycity. 6515. [email protected], http://iwwmiami.wordpress. org Education Australia Nottingham GMB: [email protected] com. Facebook: Miami IWW New South Wales West Midlands GMB: [email protected] Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455-6608. Starbucks Campaign: [email protected], Emancipation Sydney GMB: [email protected]. Laura, del., Bristol GMB: [email protected] 772-545-9591, [email protected] www.starbucksunion.org [email protected] Reading GMB: [email protected] Georgia Syracuse IWW: [email protected] Newcastle: [email protected] Atlanta GMB: P.O. Box 5390, 31107. 678-964-5169, Upstate NY GMB: P.O. Box 77, Altamont, 12009. 518- Official newspaper of the London GMB: [email protected] 861-5627. [email protected] Woolongong: [email protected] Belgium [email protected], www.atliww.org Industrial Workers Lismore: [email protected] Idaho Utica IWW: Brendan Maslauskas Dunn, del., 315-240- Belgium IWW: IWW België/Belgique, Sint-Bavoplein 7, 3149. of the World Queensland 2530 Boechout, Belgium. [email protected] Boise: Ritchie Eppink, del., P.O. Box 453, 83701. 208-371- Brisbane: P.O. Box 5842, West End, Qld 4101. Asger, del., 9752, [email protected] North Carolina Post Office Box 180195 German Language Area Greensboro: 336-279-9334. [email protected]. [email protected] IWW German Language Area Regional Organizing Illinois Chicago, IL 60618 USA South Australia Committee (GLAMROC): IWW, Haberweg 19, 61352 Bad Chicago GMB: P.O. Box 15384, 60615. 312-638-9155, North Dakota [email protected] 773.728.0996 • [email protected] Adelaide: [email protected], www.wobbliesSA. Homburg, Germany. www.wobblies.de Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. org. Jesse, del., 0432 130 082 Austria: [email protected], [email protected]. Indiana com www.iwwaustria.wordpress.com. http://wobblies.at www.iww.org Victoria Indiana GMB: [email protected]. Facebook: Ohio Melbourne: P.O. Box 145, Moreland, VIC 3058. mel- Berlin: Offenes Treffen jeden 2.Montag im Monat im Cafe Indiana IWW Mid-Ohio GMB: c/o Riffe, 4071 Indianola Ave., Columbus [email protected], www.iwwmelbourne. Commune, Reichenberger Str.157, 10999 Berlin, 18 Uhr. 43214. [email protected] wordpress.com. Loki, del., lachlan.campbell.type@ (U-Bahnhof Kottbusser Tor). Postadresse: IWW Berlin, c/o Iowa General Secretary-Treasurer: Rotes Antiquariat, Rungestr. 20, 10179 Berlin, Germany. Eastern Iowa IWW: 319-333-2476. EasternIowaIWW@ Northeast Ohio GMB: P.O. Box 141072, Cleveland 44114. gmail.com gmail.com 440-941-0999 Monika Vykoukal Geelong: [email protected] [email protected]. Bremen: [email protected]. iwwbremen. Kansas Ohio Valley GMB: P.O. Box 6042, Cincinnati 45206, 513- Canada blogsport.de Lawrence GMB: P.O. Box 1462, 66044. 816-875-6060 510-1486, [email protected] IWW Canadian Regional Organizing Committee (CAN- Sweet Patches Screenprinting: [email protected] General Executive Board: ROC): c/o Toronto GMB, P.O. Box 45 Toronto P, Toronto ON, Cologne/Koeln GMB: c/o Allerweltshaus, Koernerstr. Wichita: Richard Stephenson, del., 620-481-1442. M5S 2S6. [email protected] 77-79, 50823 Koeln, Germany. [email protected]. [email protected] Oklahoma Ryan G., Yvonne Yen Liu, www.iwwcologne.wordpress.com Kentucky Oklahoma IWW: 539-664-6769. iwwoklahoma@gmail. DJ Alperovitz, Michael White, Alberta Frankfurt - Eurest: IWW Betriebsgruppe Eurest com Edmonton GMB: P.O. Box 4197, T6E 4T2. edmontongmb@ Haberweg 19 D- 61352 Bad Homburg. harald.stubbe@ Kentucky GMB: Mick Parsons, Secretary Treasurer, Jim Del Duca, iww.org, edmonton.iww.ca. yahoo.de. [email protected]. 502-658-0299 Oregon British Columbia Hamburg-Waterkant: [email protected] Louisiana Lane GMB: Ed Gunderson, del., 541-743-5681. x355153@ Montigue Magruder Louisiana IWW: John Mark Crowder, del, wogodm1@ iww.org, www.iwwlane.org Red Lion Press: [email protected] Kassel: [email protected]. www.wobblies-kassel. yahoo.com. https://www.facebook.com/groups/iw- Portland GMB: 2249 E Burnside St., 97214, 503-231- Vancouver GMB: 204-2274 York Ave., V6K 1C6. de wofnwlouisiana/ 5488. [email protected], portlandiww.org Editor & Graphic Designer: 604-732-9613. [email protected]. www. Munich: [email protected] vancouveriww.com Maine Red and Black Cafe: 400 SE 12th Ave, Portland, 97214. Diane Krauthamer Rostock: [email protected]. iww-rostock.net Maine IWW: 207-619-0842. [email protected], www. 503-231-3899. [email protected]. www. Vancouver Island GMB: Box 297 St. A, Nanaimo BC, V9R redandblackcafe.com 5K9. [email protected]. http://vanislewobs.wordpress. Switzerland: [email protected] southernmaineiww.org [email protected] Greece Primal Screens Screen Printing: 1127 SE 10th Ave. com Maryland #160 Portland, 97214. 503-267-1372. primalscreens@ Manitoba Greece IWW: [email protected], [email protected] Baltimore GMB: P.O. Box 33350, 21218. baltimoreiww@ gmail.com gmail.com Proofreaders: Winnipeg GMB: IWW, c/o WORC, P.O. Box 1, R3C 2G1. Athens: Mental Health Services – IU610 Union Clinic: Dr. Pennsylvania 204-299-5042, [email protected] Argyris Argyriadis, del., [email protected], anarpsy@ Massachusetts espiv.net Maria Rodriguez Gil, New Brunswick Boston Area GMB: P.O. Box 391724, Cambridge, 02139. Lancaster IWW: P.O. Box 352, 17608. 717-559-0797. Fredericton: frederictoniww.wordpress.com Iceland: Heimssamband Verkafólks / IWW Iceland, 617-863-7920, [email protected], www.IW- [email protected] Joel Gosse, Nicki Meier Reykjavíkurakademíunni 516, Hringbraut 121,107 Ontario WBoston.org Lehigh Valley GMB: P.O. Box 1477, Allentown, 18105- Jonathan D. Beasley, Jacob Brent, Reykjavík Western Mass. Public Service IU 650 Branch: IWW, P.O. 1477. 484-275-0873. [email protected]. Ottawa-Outaouais GMB & GDC Local 6: 1106 Wellington Lithuania: [email protected] www. facebook.com/lehighvalleyiww Don Sawyer, Neil Parthun, St., P.O. Box 36042, Ottawa, K1Y 4V3. [email protected], Box 1581, Northampton, 01061 Netherlands: [email protected] Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: 610-358-9496. pa- Skylaar Amann, David Patrick, [email protected] Michigan [email protected], www.papercranepress.com Ottawa Panhandlers Union: Raymond Loomer, interim Norway IWW: 004793656014. post@iwwnorge. Detroit GMB: 4210 Trumbull Blvd., 48208. detroit@ delegate, [email protected] org. http://www.iwwnorge.org, www.facebook.com/ iww.org. Pittsburgh GMB: P.O. Box 5912,15210. 412-894-0558. Chris Heffner, Billy O’Connor, iwwnorge. Twitter: @IWWnorge [email protected] Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 3L7, Grand Rapids GMB: P.O. Box 6629, 49516. 616-881-5263. 705-749-9694. Sean Carleton, del., 705-775-0663, United States [email protected] Rhode Island Printer: [email protected] Alabama Grand Rapids Bartertown Diner and Roc’s Cakes: 6 Providence GMB: P.O. Box 23067, 02903. 401-484-8523. Toronto GMB: P.O. Box 45, Toronto P, M5S 2S6. 647-741- Mobile: Jimmy Broadhead, del., P.O. Box 160073, 36616. Jefferson St., 49503. [email protected], www. [email protected] Globe Direct/Boston Globe Media 4998. [email protected]. www.torontoiww.org [email protected] bartertowngr.com Tennessee Millbury, MA Windsor GMB: c/o WWAC, 328 Pelissier St., N9A 4K7. Tuscaloosa: Gerald Lunn. 205-245-4622. geraldlunn@ Central Michigan: 5007 W. Columbia Rd., Mason 48854. Mid-Tennessee IWW: Jonathan Beasley, del., 218 S 3rd 519-564-8036. [email protected]. http://wind- gmail.com 517-676-9446, [email protected] St. Apt. 7-6, Clarksville, 37040. [email protected] soriww.wordpress.com Alaska Minnesota Texas Next deadline is Québec Fairbanks GMB: P. O. Box 80101, 99708. Chris White, del., Duluth IWW: P.O. Box 3232, 55803. iwwduluth@riseup. Houston: Gus Breslauer, del., [email protected]. Montreal GMB: cp 60124, Montréal, QC, H2J 4E1. 514- 907-457-2543, [email protected]. Facebook: IWW net Facebook: Houston IWW December 5, 2014 268-3394. [email protected] Fairbanks North Country Food Alliance: 2104 Stevens Ave S, Min- Rio Grande Valley, South Texas IWW: P.O. Box 5456 Europe Arizona neapolis, 55404. 612-568-4585. www.northcountry- McAllen, Texas 78502. Greg, del., 956-278-5235 or European Regional Administration (ERA): P.O. Box 7593 Phoenix GMB: P.O. Box 7126, 85011-7126. 623-336- foodalliance.org Marco, del., 979-436-3719. [email protected]. www. U.S. IW mailing address: Glasgow, G42 2EX. www.iww.org.uk 1062. [email protected] Pedal Power Press: P.O. Box 3232 Duluth 55803.www. facebook.com/IWWRGV IW, Post Office Box 180195, ERA Organisation Contacts Flagstaff IWW: 206-327-4158, [email protected] pedalpowerpress.com Utah Phoenix Mental Health, P.L.C.: FW Jeffrey Shea Jones, Chicago, IL 60618, Central England Organiser: Russ Spring, central@iww. Four Corners (AZ, CO, NM, UT): 970-903-8721, 4corners@ 3137 Hennepin Ave. S., #102, Minneapolis, 55408. Salt Lake City GMB: P.O. Box 1227, 84110. 801-871- United States org.uk iww.org 612-501-6807 9057. [email protected] Communications Department: communications@iww. Arkansas Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. Vermont org.uk Fayetteville: P.O. Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859. com Burlington: John MacLean, del., 802-540-2561 ISSN 0019-8870 Cymru/Wales Organiser: Peter Davies [email protected] [email protected] Twin Cities GMB: 3019 Minnehaha Ave. South, Suite 50, Virginia Periodicals postage East of Scotland Organiser: Dek Keenan, eastscotland@ California Minneapolis, 55406. [email protected] Richmond IWW: P.O. Box 7055, 23221. 804-496-1568. iww.org.uk Los Angeles GMB: (323) 374-3499. iwwgmbla@gmail. Missouri [email protected], www.richmondiww.org paid Chicago, IL. Legal Officer: Tawanda Nyabango com Greater Kansas City IWW: P.O. Box 414304, Kansas City, Washington London Regional Organiser: Tawanda Nyabango Sacramento IWW: 916-825-0873, iwwsacramento@ 64141. 816-875-6060. 816-866-3808. greaterkciww@ Bremerton: Gordon Glick, del., [email protected] Membership Administrator: Rob Stirling, membership@ gmail.com gmail.com Postmaster: Send address iww.org.uk San Diego IWW: 619-630-5537, [email protected] St. Louis IWW: P.O. Box 63142, 63163. Secretary: stl. Whatcom-Skagit IWW: [email protected]. changes to IW, Post Office Box [email protected]. Treasurer stl.iww.treasurer@ www.bellinghamiww.com. Facebook: Bellingham IWW Merchandise Committee: [email protected] San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Buyback IU gmail.com Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934. 206-429- 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 USA Northern Regional Organiser: Northern Regional Organ- 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Fabrics Job Shop 5285. [email protected]. www.seattleiww.org, ising Committee, [email protected] and IU 410 Garment and Textile Worker’s Industrial Montana www.seattle.net Organizing Committee; Shattuck Cinemas; Embarcadero Construction Workers IU 330: Dennis Georg, del., 406- Norwich Bar and Hospitality Workers IUB 640: norwich- Spokane: P.O. Box 30222, 99223. spokaneiww@gmail. [email protected] Cinemas) P.O. Box 11412, Berkeley, 94712. 510-845- 490-3869, [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS 0540. [email protected] Missoula IWW: Diane Keefauver, 1250 34th Street #D202, com Organising and Bargaining Support Department: Wisconsin Individual Subscriptions: $18 [email protected] San Francisco IUB 660: 2940 16th Street, Suite 216, San 59801. 406-531-0601 Francisco, 94103. [email protected]. 415-985-4499 Two Rivers IWW: Jim Del Duca, del., 106 Paisley Court, Madison GMB: P.O. Box 2442, 53701-2442. www. International Subscriptions: $30 Research and Survey Department: [email protected] IU 520 Marine Transport Workers: Steve Ongerth, del., Apt. I, Bozeman 59715. 406-599-2463. delducja@ madison.iww.org Library/Institution Subs: $30/year Secretary: Frank Syratt, [email protected] [email protected] gmail.com IUB 560 - Communications and Computer Workers: P.O. Union dues includes subscription. Southern England Organiser: Nick Ballard, south@iww. Evergreen Printing: 2412 Palmetto Street, Oakland Nebraska Box 259279, Madison 53725. 608-620-IWW1. Madiso- org.uk 94602. 510-482-4547. [email protected] Nebraska GMB: P.O. Box 27811, Ralston, 68127. nebras- [email protected]. www.Madisoniub560.iww.org Tech Committee: [email protected] San Jose: [email protected], www.facebook. [email protected]. www.nebraskaiww.org Lakeside Press IU 450 Job Shop: 1334 Williamson, Published monthly with the excep- Training Department: [email protected] com/SJSV.IWW 53703. 608-255-1800. Jerry Chernow, del., jerry@ Nevada lakesidepress.org. www.lakesidepress.org tion of February and August. Treasurer: Matt Tucker, [email protected] Colorado Reno GMB: P.O. Box 12173, 89510. Paul Lenart, del., West of Scotland Organiser: Keith Millar, westscotland@ Denver GMB: c/o Hughes, 7700 E. 29th Avenue, Unit 107, 775-513-7523, [email protected] Madison Infoshop Job Shop:1019 Williamson St. #B, iww.org.uk 80238. 303-355-2032. [email protected] IU 520 Railroad Workers: Ron Kaminkow, del., P.O. Box 53703. 608-262-9036 Articles not so designated do Women’s Officer: Marion Hersh, [email protected] Connecticut 2131, Reno, 89505. 608-358-5771. ronkaminkow@ Just Coffee Job Shop IU 460: 1129 E. Wilson, Madison, yahoo.com 53703. 608-204-9011, justcoffee.coop not reflect the IWW’s ERA Branches Connecticut: John W., del., 914-258-0941. Johnw7813@ yahoo.com New Jersey Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. railfalcon@ Clydeside GMB: [email protected] official position. DC Central New Jersey GMB: P.O. Box 10021, New Brunswick, yahoo.com Cymru/Wales GMB: [email protected] Washington DC GMB: P.O. Box 1303, 20013. 202-630- 08906. 732-692-3491. [email protected]. Bob Milwaukee GMB: P.O. Box 342294, 53234. iww.milwau- Edinburgh GMB: [email protected] 9620. [email protected]. www.dciww.org, www. Ratynski, del., 908-285-5426. www.newjerseyiww.org [email protected]. 630-415-7315 Press Date: November 26, 2014 Tyne & Wear GMB: [email protected] facebook.com/dciww Northern New Jersey: 201-800-2471. [email protected] Northwoods IWW: P.O. Box 452, Stevens Point, 54481 December 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 3 Evolving Into A We Need To Focus On Our Common Goals, Objectives Union Of Equality “Cause the factories are in ruins, decent tolerate disruptive, hateful comments or jobs are hard to find actions. They do not care if their union And Inclusion And you can't get ahead no matter how brothers and sisters are black, Chicano, Continued from previous page hard you try white or Asian. claims to be—about equality and inclusion. Cause the Big Boys make the rules, tough That is because these differences are I am a dual carder who works for the luck for everyone else insignificant when compared to what they mainstream labor movement in the United And out on the streets, brother, it's every share—a fierce dedication to the com- States, and it never ceases to amaze me man for himself mon good of their fellow workers and to that members of the IWW can talk about But I still remember when we marched their own well-being, which can only be Obviously, in the world of the early how the labor movement in the United side by side achieved through collective action. That’s 20th century we were that broad-based States is a white man’s club, and yet not Back in Gary, Indiana in 1959.” what happens in a union that works. fighting union, and hopefully we will be examine our own union. I was the only A quick scan of the October Industrial again. But in the meantime, I think the woman in my GMB until these two joined These are some of the lyrics to Dave Worker, however, seems to tell another IWW needs to acknowledge it will always me. Is this the “One Big Union” we want?! Alvins’ song “Gary Indiana 1959” from story. It is the story of a labor organiza- have an element of members—like me— To those of you involved in the walkout his new album “Eleven-Eleven.” Alvin tion looking for an identity and rife with who are not front-line workers, but who at the convention and those of you criticiz- recalls marching side-by-side with his discontent, frustration and unhappiness have a lot of background, are profoundly ing the IW’s coverage of the convention— fellow workers as their unions fought to (see “The 2014 IWW General Convention: committed to radical social change, and realize that YOU are what alienates women preserve their jobs, communities and Learning From Our Mistakes, Moving who are willing to support the efforts of from this union. families. Today, these very issues are Forward,” pages 1 & 6). I have been in- the organization and promote its ideology. FW Diane explained very well that still a reality for Americans battling for volved in the Left for a long time, and the What strikes me as far more damaging is opinions are published throughout the decent pay and working conditions.This tone of several of the articles, including the corrosive tone of the current discourse. paper in every issue and only get called is also a fresh memory to the millions the disturbing account of the last annual Any good organization revolves around out when it is a woman’s opinion. Instead who heroically fought back against plant meeting, sadly reminds me of the last days trust, cooperation, commitment to a com- of trying to make excuses to hide behind closures, outsourcing of jobs, relocation of of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) mon goal and mutual respect. Perhaps we your prejudices (claiming it is an issue of factories to union-busting states and cheap in 1969 when that organization tore itself need to focus on defining who we are in where the piece was published), maybe you offshore labor sites, and the endless race apart over identity politics, ideological terms of our common goals and objectives, should try to listen to what other fellow to the bottom. schisms and personalities. Perhaps the not in terms of our differences. workers might be experiencing that you When these workers marched—then confused identity of the IWW is best il- Don Sawyer yourself never will understand as a man. and now—side-by-side into the ranks of lustrated by the piece lashing out at the Personal safety and harassment are not corporate goons, hostile negotiators and predominance of college-educated white everyday concerns in your life as they are government agencies only interested in male membership followed by the article Working Writers for so many of your women fellow work- protecting the profits of the wealthy, they on Marx that would require a degree in ers. Without recognizing our own privilege did not—and do not—concern themselves political science to fully comprehend, but Contest! Which working writers have in- and listening to others who are experts on with their brothers’ and sisters’ position it’s more than that. It seems to be there spired you? Here is your chance to get their own experiences, we will not develop on abortion rights or gay marriage. They is a malaise rooted in the fundamental their name out! The IWW Literature into the union we are all supposed to be do not quiz their fellow workers on their contradictions of the organization: are we Committee is starting an annual work- working toward. FW Maria was very can- attitudes toward patriarchy. They do not a real union committed to organizing real ing writers contest, and is looking for did about the Washington D.C. branch’s concern themselves with the religious workplaces where the most marginalized suggestions for a name. This could shortcomings. She is one of the branch beliefs, or lack of them, of their comrades and oppressed workers are located (in be the name of a working writer, or it members actively working to overcome marching beside them. They do not care if which case you better prepare yourself for could be another inspiring name for these problems. But getting defensive of the people they’ve linked arms with have views on gender, gay rights, religion and so a writing contest. All suggestions are your own branch, and using the fact that a university degree or never finished high on that may make your hair curl), or are we welcome. Please send your suggestion, the D.C. branch might be more screwed up school. They do not wrangle at their union a bunch of disenchanted privileged white and explanation, to iwwliteraturecom- as an excuse to avoid working to address meetings over minor matters and harshly folks attracted to the romance and vision [email protected] with the subject legitimate criticisms of your own branch criticize those who disagree with them. of the IWW who are more interested in “WORKING WRITERS CONTEST.” more generally, is standing in the way of They do not care about the criminal record arguing over social issues and—the eternal In Solidarity, the IWW becoming the inclusive and equal of their colleagues. Though arguments, curse of the left—more interested in as- The IWW Literature union we claim we are. often heated, on strategy and position are serting the “correct” position than being Committee Erin Radford common, these union members do not successful?

IWW Constitution Preamble The working class and the employing Join the IWW Today class have nothing in common. There can he IWW is a union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the Industrial Worker be no peace so long as hunger and want job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and Subscriptions are found among millions of working T Reminder! people and the few, who make up the em- distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire ploying class, have all the good things of population, not merely a handful of exploiters. As per life. Between these two classes a struggle We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially ­– GEB mo- must go on until the workers of the world that is to say, we organize all workers on the job into one union, rather than dividing tion JWS- organize as a class, take possession of the workers by trade, so that we can pool our strength to fight the bosses together. means of production, abolish the wage Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have recognized the need to build a 09, the system, and live in harmony with the truly international union movement in order to confront the global power of the pricing earth. bosses and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fel- for IW We find that the centering of the low workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. bundles management of industries into fewer and We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have is $0.50/copy. Yearly bundle fewer hands makes the trade unions un- representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- able to cope with the ever-growing power nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition subscriptions (10 issues) are as of the employing class. The trade unions but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes followed: foster a state of affairs which allows one this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry, an unsafe machine or following the bosses’ orders so literally that nothing gets done. Monthly Bundle of 5: $25 thereby helping defeat one another in Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific Monthly Bundle of 10: $50 workplace, or across an industry. wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions Monthly Bundle of 25: $125 aid the employing class to mislead the Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what is- workers into the belief that the working sues to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. Monthly Bundle of 50: $250 class have interests in common with their Monthly Bundle of 100: $500 employers. TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation These conditions can be changed and and your first month’s dues to: IWW, Post Office Box 180195, Chicago, IL the interest of the working class upheld 60618, USA. Pricing has already taken effect only by an organization formed in such Initiation is the same as one month’s dues. Our dues are calculated as reflected on the store website a way that all its members in any one according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues and delegate forms. Members and industry, or all industries if necessary, are $9 a month. If your monthly income is between $2000 and $3500, Branches seeking to renew their cease work whenever a strike or lockout is dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues on in any department thereof, thus mak- are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional subscriptions, but concerned about ing an injury to one an injury to all. Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). payment, are offered until Decem- Instead of the conservative motto, “A ber 31, 2014, to be grandfathered __I affirm that I am a worker, and that I am not an employer. fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” we into the old pricing rate. Starting must inscribe on our banner the revolu- __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution. tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage January 1, 2015, any incoming __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. system.” renewal requests will be at the Name:______It is the historic mission of the work- above rate. ing class to do away with capitalism. The Address:______army of production must be organized, City, State, Post Code, Country:______not only for the everyday struggle with To request a renewal or inquire on capitalists, but also to carry on produc- Occupation:______your subscription expiration date tion when capitalism shall have been Phone:______Email:______email [email protected]. Please title overthrown. By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new Amount Enclosed:______your email “Subscription Inquiry.” society within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker. Page 4 • Industrial Worker • December 2014 Answer Two Strategy Questions To Win By Daniel Gross farming companies. The how-to-win Winning a worker justice struggle has choice was strikes, marches through the got to be one of the greatest things that community, and similar local initiatives. life offers. Winning means a better future This strategy didn’t work, and that’s hard, for a family, for a community, and even but not fatal. What matters is staying for a society. alive until you find a strategy that works— Winning a worker justice struggle which is exactly what the CIW did. has also got to be one of life’s most After 10 years of valiant but unsuc- difficult endeavors. Forces with great cessful struggle, the CIW’s where-to- power, wealth, and privilege resist posi- struggle choice pivoted dramatically tive change with a mighty determination. to the fast food companies and grocery Winning doesn’t happen by accident. stores who purchase from the tomato It takes a complete organizational model farms, with farmworkers and local sup- to build an enduring industrial union. porters coordinating a national move- Strategy is an essential element of a ment of students, people of faith, activ- model, and effective strategy-making in ists, and prominent opinion-leaders. The the IWW is one of the keys to getting how-to-win choice became farmworkers the union to the next level. Our moving these national allies strategies must assert sufficient to challenge the retail brands power to win demands and over- around their tomato supply come resistance to change. chain in the news media, in the Last month, I introduced the two key streets around the country, and more. questions to formulate strategy: where This new strategy successfully moved to struggle and how to win. We modified the big brands into a code of conduct and adapted these questions from the with the CIW and the farm corporations, work of Professor Roger Martin for use with groundbreaking improvements for in worker organizations. farmworkers. Like all successful strategy I suggested that an excellent way to formulations, the CIW’s strategy is rooted learn how to use the two questions is to in research and understanding of how an apply them to existing worker organiza- industry works, the key relationships, tions. I’d like to help you get started with and the key opportunities for influence. a case study. Understanding secondary stakeholders, Let me say first that I’m sharing a in this case the retail buyers, is always strategy-making framework rather than critical. Without insight into the industry, proposing a particular strategy for the I don’t think the organization would have IWW. Strategy is not copy and paste. ever figured out a way forward. Each industrial union-building effort The CIW and IWW are obviously will have to do its own strategic thinking different organizations. The CIW built based on its vision, values, opportunities, their winning strategy within their vision, and capabilities. That said, I think the and you’ll build your strategy within the following case study offers a rich oppor- IWW’s unique vision. Other successful tunity for learning strategy. worker organizations, including in agri- The Coalition of Immokalee Workers culture, have made very different where- (CIW) is a Florida-based organization of to-struggle and how-to-win choices. farmworkers in the tomato industry. Now There’s no one right answer. The idea is to well-known, the CIW spent 10 years op- apply the questions and get your own an- posing egregious abuses without gaining swers, not copy another group’s choices. significant traction. One thing is certain: winning is as In my estimation, the organization’s hard as it is essential. You and your fel- initial where-to-struggle choice was the low workers will have to make focused tomato fields and surrounding commu- choices and assert big power to taste the nity of Immokalee, with farmworkers fruits of justice. The two strategy ques- and local supporters directly targeting tions will help you get there. The Importance Of Being [Pronoun] By x371688 “any pronouns are fine,” etc. Form C: For me, being trans in the IWW is an someone offers a binary pronoun option interesting exercise in combined accep- and accompanies it with the non-binary tance and growing pains. I’ve largely met singular “they” as an alternative. Most of fellow workers (FWs) who respect how my the time, I witness this from men whom I Graphic: Mike Konopacki pronouns are he/him, who haven’t batted perceive as cis since they never assert any the same. Yes, I can sometimes be called binary cis choice—these ought to suggest an eye at how those pronouns are binary sort of gender (in)difference outside of he/him by making a major personal effort some kind of solidarity, but the statements while my presentation and identification this interaction. to dress and present masculine/butch/ sound hollow if everything else about are not. In many meetings I attend, during Now, let me establish that I’ve wit- other variants of things that many people the speaker’s presentation consistently introductions there is often a cis FW who nessed this from FWs with whom I have assume means I’m inherently someone suggests cis-ness, if they don’t otherwise remembers to ask that we state our pro- equally strong or weak relationships, and who uses he/him, (i.e. what they’d call a experiment with asking for a pronoun nouns after giving names or other infor- I’d love to take the matter up individually male). But this strategy caters to people’s besides what default cis choice most mation. I’ve served as Branch Secretary- with each of them, but there expectations, relying on the people assume, if nobody feels comfort- Treasurer (BST) for almost 18 months. I are frankly too many for me premise that whether or not able randomly assigning them a pronoun feel like my voice is usually acknowledged. to do so without exhausting an individual is trans-ac- besides the default cis choice. If, in brief, Now, I was assigned female at birth, and myself. Also, I’d never expect cepting, if I can competently this person behaves no differently from the typically, trans people in that position have anyone to out themselves play the gender game then I person who shrugged things off in form A; an easier time with cis acceptance because as trans when they weren’t can “win.” I’d rather operate for them, “achieving” a desired pronoun is in dominant (frequently accurate) narra- comfortable doing so. I don’t in a manner where I’m not not any form of struggle. As long as I and tives we’re the ones with an aversion to mean, “Your behavior sug- obligated to dress and pres- others have to genuinely fight for he/him, binary femininity/femaleness; everyone’s gests that you are inherently ent any one way—where if I she/her, xe/hir, they/them, and numerous internalized misogyny makes this a more cis, or insufficiently trans!” say I’m he/him, then that’s additional possibilities, I don’t find it reas- socially-acceptable gender experience Rather, my concern centers it, people will just call me suring for someone to treat pronouns as a Graphic: Earth First! Newswire than alternatives. It could be that I’ve upon the message that the that. I greatly prefer this to foregone conclusion or a cavalier affair. missed overtly oppressive actions against pronoun shrug can unwittingly send, an environment where I get nervous about But I think there’s luckily a simple me, because I’m not in the main category regardless of who does it or witnesses it. saying I’m he/him because it means that solution for anyone with the impulse to of trans people who contend with bullshit I only even raise demographics to note suddenly I can’t wear makeup anymore pronoun shrug. Basically, when “what’s on a more constant basis. But whether that if you are a cis man, particularly one lest it cause confusion. your preferred pronoun?” is asked, always or not that’s true, I can’t help feeling a with other privileges, you may want to pay Unfortunately, that’s where I’m usual- answer with the pronoun(s) you really do growing discontent with some attitudes I closer attention here. ly stuck. Trans-ness is still widely regarded prefer; if there’s more than one, briefly hear expressed by other FWs, along with Anyway, here’s my worry: my gen- as a deviation from the norm. Just as man explain the contexts in which you’d prefer subtle behavioral trends that may have to der identity isn’t just something I have is considered some universal default with each. Other trans people may not feel the do with my gender being other than cis to fight to establish. I also struggle with woman being the binary aberration, so same as I do about this, but I personally male. Chiefest among these is something making the actual fact of my trans-ness too is cis the forced default and trans the prefer to hear someone give an honest, that happens when introductions involve accepted. Even though it happens less to thing that’s Other. I don’t want to be Other. straightforward answer instead of a non- giving pronouns: what I call “the pronoun me in radical spaces than outside of them, The pronoun shrug, however, covertly answer or an answer that feels misguidedly shrug.” throughout my daily life I have to contend maintains this. Form A, declining to even tailored to express “gender blindness.” If The pronoun shrug has a few permu- with my right to be called he/him getting comment upon pronouns, implies that the everyone did just answer honestly, we’d tations. Form A: someone doesn’t even questioned, alongside the mere idea that speaker’s gender is apparent, rubbing my still need to work on how we all respond address the topic of pronouns when it’s anybody can self-select pronouns. These nose in the fact that my gender is unusual. to that honesty—but I’d already feel like I their turn. Form B: someone says some problems are two sides of the same coin— Forms B and C, saying that any pronoun stood on vastly more equal ground with variant of “you can call me whatever,” transphobia—but they’re not absolutely is fine or that they can be used alongside a cis comrades. December 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 5 Wobbly & North American News We Are All Ayotzinapa A Sea Of Black Flags By FW Martin Zehr By Max Perkins So many people were Every day there are casualties of Truly the most asking, “Who are you?” the class war in America’s cities. People amazing thing I have and the reply was “We are shot by cops, imprisoned for small ever been a part of, the are anarchists!” “Oh we crimes, beaten and tear-gassed at Peoples’ Climate March need more of you! Yes demonstrations and subjected to street on Sept. 21 in New York we do!” The march was violence in their neighborhoods. The City, was beyond the amazing and peaceful names of Oscar Grant, James Boyd biggest mass of activists with much support for and Mike Brown become part of weekly I have ever seen. Have us, many people taking lists of victimized brothers and sisters you ever seen 200 to pictures and cheering around the nation. Suppressed news 300 anarchists, from us on. At one point a coverage avoids the mention of children every part of the coun- Graphic: eagnews.org huge group of young from Central America imprisoned in Pittsburgh rally on Oct. 22. Photo: Ray Gerard try and from all over the world? WOW! people of color on bikes saw us and there Artesia, N.M., and 43 normalistas (stu- officially sanctioned murder. The city of The day started meeting up with our was a massive show of anti-police solidar- dent teachers) are burned alive in Ayotzi- Kobani stands in its own power against wonderful comrades from New York ity. Wonderful! napa, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, by genocidal assaults on Kurdish cantons City Black Rose / Rosa Negra Anarchist The march continued to Times narco-traffickers with collaboration from in Syria. Autodefensas (popular militias) Federation, who did an amazing job or- Square, with wave upon wave of dedicated police and public officials. Elections come organize residents to defend their com- ganizing our anti-capitalist contingent. activists and no loss of energy. The chants and go, but police repression remains. munities in the state of Michoacán from At 11:30 a.m. we started masking up, never stopped, and my voice was really On Oct. 22, Pittsburgh residents official repression and narco-traffickers. assembling our banners, unraveling our gone. The follow-up to this was that, while raised their voices and took steps to bring Residents in Albuquerque take over the flags and meeting each other. We then we made a huge statement, we received people of all colors together to fight police City Council meeting and issue a people’s marched to meet a few other groups that no press (not that we were seeking it, but brutality. At the Pittsburgh City-County warrant for the arrest of Chief of Police had been assembling between 90th Street to have so many anarchists together, you Building, Wobblies joined 50 other work- Gordon Eden. On Nov. 11, people in cities and 87th Street by Central Park West. A would think that maybe someone would ers to demand an end to police brutality around the nation marched against capi- beautiful day was in store. Never have I say something!). Coverage seemed, as is as part of a national day of action in cities talism. An injury to one is an injury to all. seen so many diverse groups: 350.org, In- common, to focus on the “big” groups. throughout the country. Names of our People who cannot feel safe in their digenous Rights activists, Vets for Peace, Even “Democracy Now!” did not mention neighbors listed under “STOLEN LIVES” communities because of police violence; just to name a few. We assembled near the anarchist involvement in the march. on a banner brought out the reality of people saying in public what is covered the contingent from the Revolutionary I think it means we have to work harder Pittsburgh’s Iron Heel: Damian Jordan, up in the media; determination to change Communist Party (Bob Avakian’s follow- to bring the message to the people; that Charles Dixon, Kenneth Walker, Dion drives peoples’ resistance; empty promises ers). This was at first very tense. A fight this should not be a one-time thing but a Hall, Michael Ellerbee, Bernard Rogers— replace justice for the criminals among almost started when one of our comrades regular occurrence, for people forget all Stolen Lives. us: we will not accept this future for our was explaining that a cult of personality is too quickly, and carry on with their lives Resistance grows in Ferguson, Mo., children and their children. End officially counter-revolutionary. However the issue as if nothing happened. I have been corre- as demonstrators continue to protest sanctioned violence. ¡No pasarán! was resolved peacefully. sponding with Fellow Workers (FWs), in- Looking around me was stunning: a cluding FW Maria from the IWW’s Wash- Obituaries sea of black flags, red and black flags, and ington D.C. branch, who, like me, wants to hundreds of folks of all ages and back- see better communication and solidarity Farewell, Fellow Worker Frederic S. Lee grounds—this was simply the most com- actions that include many branches. Our By Jon Bekken rades I have ever seen in the United States struggle continues, and until we reach our Former IWW General or in once place. Chanting, and singing a goal of a world free from the shackles of Executive Board chair Fred- beautiful version of “Solidarity Forever,” capitalist oppression, we must carry on. eric Lee died on Oct. 23. the march began around 1 p.m. It took For an injury to one is truly an injury to A member of the IWW for hours for the first contingents to reach all! Solidarity forever, and special thanks 29 years, Fellow Worker the end of the march, and even longer for to Maria, the D.C. IWW, New York City (FW) Lee was also a lead- us. The highlights included screaming up Black Rose and Polish Anarchists, and ing economist, founder of at the banks, and especially at Fox News. any others who helped make this happen. the Heterodox Economics Newsletter, and at the time of his death, president-elect ¡Presente! FW Eugene Jack of the Association for Evo- By Harry Siitonen, San Francisco upon his retirement. With the proceeds lutionary Economics. His Bay Area GMB he purchased a ranch house in Cascade, rigorous scholarship, in- IWW member Eugene (Gene) Jack Mont., on a hillside overlooking the Mis- ternational reputation, and Signing ceremony for Joe Hill’s Photo: reuther.wayne.edu died in his late 80s in the latter part of souri River to which he brought his second commitment to organizing ashes: Trudy Peterson, Utah Phillips & Fred Lee, 1988. September in Cascade, Mont. wife Patty. networks of solidarity helped open a to take on the drudge work of stuffing Gene was a late recruit to the One Big Gene was born in Colorado on a small space for alternative approaches in a envelopes and hauling mail to the post Union in his early 1980s, living in retire- family cattle ranch. He helped his dad field long dominated by worshippers of office, realizing that there is little point ment with his wife Patty at their ranch punch cattle during his growing years. markets and wealth. to producing Wobbly literature without house in Cascade. I had known Gene During the Korean War he served in the I first met Fred in 1985, when I was making sure it gets into workers’ hands. since the 1960s when we worked together U.S. Army, in Germany as I remember. General Secretary-Treasurer of the In- In 2005, as we were celebrating the as printers in the composing room of the Somewhere along the line he apprenticed dustrial Workers of the World. He was 100th anniversary of the founding of the San Francisco Chronicle as members of to the printing trade and became a master teaching at Roosevelt University at the IWW, Fred suggested a conference of San Francisco Typographical Union Local craftsman in the typographical arts during time and came by the office one day to radical economists and labor activists No. 21. Gene also worked as a typesetter in its hot metal days. discuss Wobbly activities and our ap- interested in economics to explore the in- several commercial printing plants while We kept in touch during all these years proach to building a new society based tersection of Wobbly ideas and economic living in San Francisco. Among them was through our retirements. Gene was active upon real democracy on the job, meeting theory, and he made it happen. The paper Charles Faulk Typographers in downtown in the Veterans for Peace in Montana and everyone’s material needs, and creating he presented at that conference was a San Francisco where he served as “Chapel at least once he and Patty joined in the the possibilities for all to live satisfying, concrete example of how rigorous eco- Chairman” (chief steward) for the union. annual demonstrations at Fort Benning, fulfilling lives. I knew Fred was a Wob- nomic theory and workplace strategies We were all excited by the Delano Ga. to protest the Army’s training of death bly at heart the first time we met, but we derived from on-the-job struggles lead Grape Strike of the farmworkers in the squads for South and Central American talked several times over the next few to a common emphasis on job control 1960s in the Central Valley in efforts to dictators. months before he accepted his red card. and struggles over the conditions of our successfully organize California agricul- One year after wintering in Ensenada, Over the decades that followed, Fred labor (it appears in the book we co-edited, tural workers. Gene and I collected about Baja California to fish, the Jacks stopped kept up his IWW membership. More im- “Radical Economics and Labor”). Such $300 in donations from our fellow Chron- to see me in San Francisco on their way portantly, he stayed true to those Wobbly struggles are fundamentally battles to icle printers, and one Saturday afternoon back to Montana. As luck would have it, ideals. He played the key role in reviving assert our human dignity against an following work we took off for Delano to there was a march up Market Street from a moribund IWW organization in the economic system determined to treat us deliver this modest packet to the farm the Embarcadero to San Francisco Civic British Isles while teaching there, served as a cogs in the capitalist apparatus, as workers. We got there late at night and met Center in which the IWW had a contingent, as chair of the IWW’s General Executive agents of profit-making, as subjects. It is a contingent of strikers in an empty pack- the purpose of which I don’t remember. Board, and spearheaded the successful in refusing subjugation and exploitation, ing shed, maintaining watch on any scab I invited the Jacks to join us and Gene effort to liberate Joe Hill’s ashes from the Fred knew, that we discover our capacity attempts to load grapes onto freight cars. responded: “It’ll be an honor.” U.S. National Archives, where the federal and realize our humanity. We were well-received by these mostly During our email correspondence over government was quietly holding them Fred was a Wobbly through and Mexican-American and Filipino strikers. the years I’d often bring him up to date captive, and to scatter them around the through; a rebel worker who never aban- This led to a well-organized campaign by about IWW activity. One time he informed world in accordance with Joe Hill’s last doned the cause. He knew the struggle Bay Area International Telecommunica- me he had sent in his initial dues into IWW wishes (see photo above). was often difficult, but also that it was tion Union (ITU) printers to assist farm General Headquarters (GHQ), expressing He joined the IWW Hungarian Lit- well worth fighting. Our power, he knew, worker organizing and boycott support pride in becoming a Wobbly, no matter erature Fund as veteran Wobblies were lies in organization and in action. He will for several years, led by the newly-minted how late in life. Last year he joined his handing off this legacy to a younger be missed. United Farm Workers union. Montana fellow workers for the first time generation, helping to support the pub- FW Lee’s ashes will be distributed at After several years in printing, Gene in their commemoration of Frank Little lication of new IWW and labor literature. the Haymarket Monument in Waldheim left the trade and worked for a time as in Butte and thoroughly appreciated the This included the annual labor history Cemetery; more information on his work a cable TV installer in the early years of occasion. calendar he and I worked on together and on the scholarship fund that contin- cable in Sonoma County, Calif. He later Besides his wife Patty, Gene is survived for so many years. In this work, as in all ues his legacy can be found at http:// moved to Denver and owned and oper- by a son and daughter from an earlier mar- his work for the IWW, he did not hesitate heterodoxnews.com/leefs. ated an electrical repair shop that he sold riage and some grandchildren. Page 6 • Industrial Worker • December 2014 Feature Oregon Canvassers Continue Push For Unionization By Shane Burley Employees International Union (SEIU) dependent. Though the stereotype Seven workers and union activists 503, American Federation of State, County of canvass workers is often one of headed toward the office on Sept. 17, just and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the students without many expenses, before the morning shift began, debating Oregon Education Association, and the workers say that many are parents how to enter. Should they all parade in Oregon American Federation of Labor trying to support families on this together? What if lower management is and Congress of Industrial Organizations income. out front smoking before the shift begins? (AFL-CIO). After announcing the union Should they go in early, or wait until the The group’s mission is to pass legisla- campaign at the Fieldworks office day’s canvassers are already inside? tion such as marriage equality, increasing on Sept. 17, workers stated their de- They agreed to head in together in a taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and mands. First, they asked Fieldworks show of solidarity, a few minutes before defeating anti-union right-to-work laws. to comply with all labor laws, espe- the bell rang. As the workers filed in the To this end, they hope to increase voter cially the paid sick leave ordinance front door, with their union representa- turnout in progressive and working-class of the City of Portland. tives in tow, management declared that areas of Portland. The most recent tax fil- They also demanded an end to outside people were not allowed to enter ings available for Our Oregon lists them retaliation against unionizing work- Fieldworks canvassers join the IWW. Photo: UCW during business hours. as having spent around $1.4 million on ers—UCW has filed unfair labor practice the $15 per hour base pay, incentive pay, “Don’t worry, we won’t be long,” said their various projects in 2012, which shows complaints with the NLRB against Field- and some sort of protection for canvass- Jonathan Steiner, a representative for their relative size and the investment that works over the firings of several workers ers from assault or harassment when in the United Campaign Workers (UCW), Oregon’s public sector unions have made who had stable voter registration numbers the field. a project of the IWW. The workers and in joint legislative lobbying. and were involved in the union campaign. When management did return with their union representatives entered and Many of the canvassers say they were Last, they asked for a negotiating meeting their formal responses to the rest of the declared there was announcement to be drawn to this work because they share with the union after 72 hours. union’s demands, they did not even ac- made: they have joined a union and invited these progressive values and saw it as a In response, one of the owners, Lewis knowledge these demands as being pos- other workers to join them. way to make a difference. Granofsky, said that he had not heard sible, according to workers present. Man- They work at Fieldworks, a get-out- “Voting on local initiatives does any of these complaints before, but was agement did not budge on pay and would the-vote shop that, with 30 to 40 canvass- change things,” said Fieldworks canvasser willing to hear the workers and set up a not acknowledge the alleged violations of ers at a time, is one of the largest political Elliot Cheifetz. “Having people out there meeting within three days. He noted that wage and labor laws. UCW members also canvassing businesses in Portland, Ore., talking to strangers on these issues builds he had already been in talks with unions, say that management additionally refused and the nation as a whole. They are the lat- civil society, and it does educate people.” including AFSCME, about organizing the to recognize a union representative on-site est in a slew of Portland campaign workers Yet Fieldworks’ get-out-the-vote work- field canvassers in Fieldworks nationally, for any worker disciplinary process or for to organize with UCW in recent months, ers report some of the same workplace though he said that any more in-depth morning announcements, citing that it is from canvassers for marijuana legalization issues that plague street canvassers. Turn- information about this effort was “con- a “moot point” until the union is certified. to fundraisers for organizations like the over is a primary complaint. Fieldworks fidential.” This would require the union to go Planned Parenthood Action Fund and The does not have a formal quota system like Workers immediately reflected on this through a regular NLRB election process, Nature Conservancy. many of its fundraising counterparts, but possible “partnership” between AFSCME which would not allow for even enough The complaints of canvassers at Field- many of its workers report an “unofficial and Fieldworks as a problem, both because time for certification before workers are works sound familiar: a lack of transpar- quota” of 21 voter registrations per day. of its lack of transparency and because laid off at the end of the election season. ency when it comes to decisions about Those who fall short are typically fired with of AFSCME’s business relationship with Their position as a minority union does not canvassing locations and the organizations no explanation. Fieldworks. guarantee them the right to negotiate as they are funded by, minimal say in work- “The fact that there are no official As a major funder of the Our Oregon the exclusive bargaining unit of the busi- place decisions, reports of wage theft and standards, or you are not told what the project, which in turn hires Fieldworks to ness, which means that management is labor law non-compliance, and a lack of a standards are going to be each individual register people to vote in key areas that under less legal requirement to negotiate. living wage. day means you can always imagine your- are likely to vote for their important ini- The decision to do so is instead instigated Workers have come out publicly as a self as behind regardless of your numbers,” tiatives, AFSCME could have a conflict of by the amount of action and pressure the minority union, meaning that the union said Cheifetz. “So it's always in the back interest. AFSCME is also listed as a regular workers organizing on the job can push, is holding membership of less than half on your mind. There are people who don’t client on Fieldworks’ website, along with which can often force management into of the workplace and are not currently even take their lunch break, because they dozens of major unions and progressive negotiations without any legal mandate. attempting an election through the Na- are worried about meeting this undefined non-profits. The canvassing jobs were only avail- tional Labor Relations Board (NLRB). quota.” “We’re the workers here,” said recent- able up until the mid-term elections. As is the case with other recent UCW In addition, several workers have also ly-fired Fieldworks canvasser Joseph Kee- Workers hoped to see some of their de- canvassing shops, the high turnover rate alleged that their wages were stolen or that sler. “Who’s talked to us from AFSCME? mands met before the end of this term, and temporary nature of the work means legally-required sick pay was withheld. Who’s talked to us from anywhere else? I but management may hold off on these that conventional union elections may Cheifetz said his paycheck for a pay period haven’t seen these people. Who said you until layoffs become mandatory. This not be viable. Instead, they chose to come was short. could represent me?” makes long-term organizing at Fieldworks out publicly and begin putting pressure “I was just shocked when I realized I The same workers and union repre- difficult, but it may lend to the long-term on management with the hope that new was being underpaid,” he said. When he sentatives allege that in another conver- vision of UCW in general that sees cam- recruits would see the power that this complained about the pay discrepancy sation with Granofsky later that day, he paign workers as a sector worth targeting organization has in their workplace and he said, “their response was basically to noted that he wanted to keep the labor- broadly. would join the fight. condescend to me and to tell me I must management relationship smooth since As workers got out the final push to- But the minority union stands out in be confused. That I just didn’t know how the election was only six weeks away. UCW wards Election Day, many were informed one important respect: their workplace is taxes work.” He persisted, showing proof identified this as an important pressure of a possible continued employment op- funded by unions. of hours, and eventually had his wages point for the organization, since it ties di- portunity with Fieldworks. These workers One of Fieldworks’ major funders is returned, but he said his trust in his em- rectly to ability for workers to continuing were to be bussed to Reno, Nev. to work Our Oregon, a progressive 501(c)(4) that ployer had been damaged. to “get out the vote” in key areas that are towards criminal background checks for receives its funding from local unions and Low pay is another complaint. The important for Our Oregon. gun sales. When the workers arrived after progressive non-profits, such as the LGBT $10.50 per hour wage Fieldworks canvass- Fieldworks marks the third business their long shifts the night before most of lobbying organization Basic Rights Or- ers receive—plus a $10 gas card and a $10 to go public with the United Campaign the people who were promised a seat on egon. The state’s public employee unions bonus for those who drive—is above the Workers since its founding in June. Many the bus were denied, with management are the main force behind Our Oregon. $9.42 per hour that the Massachusetts In- of the workers that were involved with allegedly performing elaborate selection They do not publicly disclose their donors, stitute of Technology (MIT)’s Living Wage the organizing effort at the two previous games to narrow the crowd down. yet the participation of certain unions and Calculator estimates to be the living wage locations have continued to stay active in According to Deshawn Blakey, a Field- non-profits are no secret. Their board in Portland for a single adult, but below union affairs, and several workers joined works employee who had been hired in the of directors includes staff from Services the $19.57 per hour for an adult with one the staff of Fieldworks with the goal of few days prior to the final voter push, the unionizing. scene was one of outright chaos as workers Whole Foods Workers Demand Higher Wages And A Union As promised, management met with lined up outside the bus and were chosen. Continued from 1 Azalia Martinez, a cashier workers within 72 hours at the Laborers’ “It felt like they had a cage full of new announced that the company at the store, relates that in ad- Union Hall. They pledged to both provide puppies and they were picking them out would be phasing out full- dition to working full time for correct and clear information to individual straight from the pen,” described Blakey. time positions for new hires. Whole Foods, going to school workers about the sick pay ordinance and “It was not how an organization should Meanwhile, workers say the and fulfilling family obliga- to ban any retaliation against the workers be run.” Workers allege that a few of the company has forced them to tions, she must take additional for union activity. Granofsky also publicly last people crowded were offered $50 shoulder more and more of side jobs to make ends meet. declared that no worker would be fired for losing their jobs, though this was not the costs of their limited health “It’s extremely hard,” she said. for not meeting a quota. This tangible distributed to the entire group of workers benefits. Despite the hardships, commitment caused a stir among workers who were denied. Whole Foods currently Graphic: wfmunite.com workers at the store know previously unaffiliated with the organiz- Our Oregon has a strong reputation in has over 100 stores in development. Case that we can win better wages by standing ing effort, who began to speak out about Oregon’s progressive community and has a Garver, a buyer in the San Francisco together. History proves that workers have their situation and sign union cards, noted series of important battles ahead to main- store’s Prepared Foods department, has the power to make change when we come Steiner. tain pay equity and collective bargaining seen enough of the doublespeak. “It seems together to fight for our interests. We are “A ball of excitement came over the in the state. The workers at Fieldworks say like every six months they open up a brand re-igniting a workers’ movement where room,” said Steiner. “These were really they want to support that effort, and the new store,” he stated, “while at the same we have power: on the job. This is our big gains that the union was able to get efforts of the public sector unions funding time my manager turns around and says movement, we are capable of victory, and at the table.” it, as much as they can. the company doesn’t have enough money we are worth it. The owners also agreed to return to the This piece originally appeared on to give us 40 hours a week. We’re tired of For more information, visit: http:// negotiating table with counter-proposals Nov. 4, 2014 in In These Times. It was re- doing more with less.” www.wfmunite.com. to other demands from the union, namely printed with permission from the author. December 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 7 Feature Union Harvests Major Victories For Farmworkers In Washington By Tomás Alberto Madrigal guest workers. Familias Unidas por la Jus- in 2012 during a strike; Familias Unidas por la Justicia, an ticia looked to its rank and file to submit Hermelindo Escobedo—a independent farm labor union based in letters of their intent to work at the farm local labor contractor who Burlington, Wash., has taken their labor if provided cabins, as was the prevailing was quickly removed due struggle with employer Sakuma Brothers practice, to prove that there was not a labor to community pressure; Farms, Inc. (Sakuma) to Skagit County shortage for the harvest. Raul Calvo—a safety con- Superior Court on six separate occasions Two lawsuits sought to protect the sultant who worked with to defend their labor rights. In all but one farmworkers’ rights as tenants of the Mario Vargas, a human criminal case against their employer, the grower’s labor camps. The Skagit County relations consultant for farmworkers have emerged victorious. Superior Court granted the injunctions, closed audience and one- Photo: Familias Unidas por la Justicia Since their formation in July 2013, the requiring the firm to follow all State on-one meetings with union leadership instance, were blank cardboard boxes with community of migrant berry pickers have regulations governing tenancy. The law- and represented the firm during commu- no label whatsoever. The firm worked done eight work stoppages in the Sakuma suits came about because the grower had nity appearances at public forums put on with Driscoll’s and distributors to re- berry fields and launched a boycott of the sent letters to the unionized farm work- by the local Latino Civic Alliance; and John label the fresh market berries multiple berry products. ers informing them that they were not Segale—of Precision Public Relations, a PR times throughout the season, which led The union’s triple-pronged campaign eligible for rehire because they had been firm that served Sakuma. the union to call for a boycott of Driscoll’s has cost the recalcitrant grower financially absent and that the firm planned to no From the beginning Sakuma Brothers berries in order to discourage the power- and has put to rest any claim to reason for longer provide family units for the 2014 Farms received considerable support from ful client from backing the recalcitrant Sakuma’s adamant refusal to negotiate harvest season. This change in housing Dan Fazio, head of the Washington Farm Sakuma Brothers Farms. a union contract with the workers. The rules would have excluded the majority Labor Association, in their application The 2014 boycott campaign was suc- extent of Sakuma’s continued retaliation of the unionized farmworkers, and Judge for and defense of importing H-2A guest cessful in securing the AFL-CIO Washing- has left a trail of litigation found in favor Susan Cook was of the opinion that it was workers during an ongoing labor dispute. ton State Labor Council’s endorsement, of the farmworkers. a clear case of retaliation for having gone The firm also received financial support which also officially recognized Familias on strike in 2013. from the Washington Farm Bureau, who Unidas por la Justicia as a member union. Litigation helped to fund a counter-boycott initiative The farmworker union was then able to Early in the year the farmworkers set- Work Stoppages under the slogan “I <3 Berries” led by a secure the cooperation of two local grocers tled a wage and hour class action lawsuit Familias Unidas por la Justicia en- farm bureau member who was a teacher in publicly observing the berry boycott. for a record $850,000 to compensate the gaged in seven work stoppages during within a local school district. Sakuma’s The farmworkers union continued to meet workers for missed lunch and rest breaks. the 2013 harvest season and one more main fresh market client, Driscoll’s, also with grocers in hopes they would follow Though the farmworkers settled with the during the 2014 harvest season. Three provided resources for the firm to battle suite in order to build public and economic grower, the Skagit County Superior Court of those were strikes over the firing of the boycott. pressure for the grower to negotiate a fair has yet to make a decision about whether union members Federico Lopez during the union contract with the union. or not farmworkers who work for piece- strawberry harvest, Ramon Torres dur- Boycott Familias Unidas por la Justicia has rates are entitled to rest breaks. A ruling ing the blackberry harvest, and Cornelio The farmworker boycott campaign in accomplished all of these labor victories on this matter will affect hundreds of Ramirez during the blueberry harvest in 2013 was extremely successful in getting on a shoestring budget heavily dependent thousands of farmworkers in Washington. 2014. Two work stoppages were due to grocers in Bellingham and Seattle to pull upon the donations of their public sup- Two of the lawsuits have sought in- broken agreements that the farmworkers the fruit from produce displays and store porters and the solidarity of multiple labor junctions against Sakuma’s continued had negotiated with their employer: the shelves. Many grocers and kitchens were unions and social justice organizations, interference and retaliation of the farm- union had proposed a piece-rate process completely unaware of the emerging labor such as Frente Indigena de Organizaciones workers protected concerted activity. that involved members of the union in struggle and boycott during the first stage Binacionales (FIOB) and Community to Though agricultural labor is exempt from price setting and the agreement was bro- of the boycott and were cooperative in re- Community Development. Student-led the National Labor Relations Act, Wash- ken by company president Ryan Sakuma. moving Sakuma label fresh market berries. boycott committees have emerged on ington State’s Little Norris-La Guardia The rest of the work stoppages were due Even a Häagen-Dazs Market in Seattle’s multiple campuses, the strongest being the Act protects the concerted activity of any to unfair and onerous piece-rates during university district observed the boycott in Western Washington University Students employee from their employer’s interfer- the late blueberry and blackberry harvests. 2013. Only those grocers with strong ties for Farm Worker Justice, with the growth ence and retaliation. Upon being sued for to the farm and one distributer refused of independent boycott committees in contempt of one of these injunctions for Union Busting to observe the boycott. The first boycott Seattle, Olympia, and in California. refusing to rehire and house the unionized From the very beginning of the labor campaign gained publicity throughout the Union leadership has maintained a farmworkers during this year’s strawberry dispute, Sakuma elected to hire union- country when supporters took the issue to public presence throughout the country, harvest, the grower quickly hired a handful busting consultants, including Rhett their grocers. speaking at labor councils as far away as of families the weekend before trial, mak- Searce—security consultant that was The second stage of the boycott cam- San Francisco, at the Food Sovereignty ing the criminal charges null. the subject of a California Labor Review paign beginning in 2014 faced a more Prize ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, and Due to the litigation, Sakuma chose Board violation where he had tasered a aggressive relabeling campaign on behalf even securing the endorsement of the to withdraw an application for 438 H-2A farmworker organizer in Ventura County of the grower. Initial strawberry flats, for FIOB congress in Oaxaca, Mexico. Toronto Harm Reduction Workers Organize With The IWW IWW Resurgence In Bellingham, Washington Continued from 1 many workers didn’t see themselves as real Continued from 1 of industries. The largest employer is the distribution for safer use of injection workers. Many workers were reluctant Members are planning to host an IWW regional hospital run by the “non-profit” drugs. Before policy makers were ready to advocate for improvements in their Organizer Training 101 workshop in 2015, healthcare giant Peace Health, the scene to put aside stigma and ideology to adopt working conditions; instead, they were and helping plan a centennial commemo- of successful unionization this year. With evidence-based practices proven to save made to feel lucky to “have a job,” they ration of the 1916 Everett Massacre, 60 the demise of the pulp mill, retail is the lives and improve health and wellness, said. This, despite the fact that front line miles down the highway toward Seattle. biggest industry. Low-wage food service drug users were organizing themselves. workers are the experts that make harm The Bellingham IWW was invited to makes up a large portion of the job market. They knew what needed to be done in reduction work. send a delegate to the Northwest Wash- Until recently Bellingham has been a quiet order to protect themselves and their Neoliberalism in the form of health- ington Central Labor Council (NWWCLC) place with relatively few labor struggles communities by sharing supplies and care spending cuts and the implementa- monthly meetings. Three members attend- or campaigns. That has changed since information about safer use. They formed tion of corporate management structures ed the October meeting and were warmly the hospital workers have organized into formal and informal organizations to have has created new challenges for workers received. Council President Mark Lowry Service Employees International Union each other’s backs and protect each other and service users. An increasing demand opened the meeting by introducing the (SEIU) 99NW. To the dismay of hospital against the HIV epidemic that was devas- for post-secondary education, where IWWs. He told the assembled delegates administrators, yard signs supporting the tating their communities. These strategies previously lived experience was the only from 14 unions that he didn’t care if the union have popped up all over town. The are second nature to people who live under job requirement, has led to a shift in IWW was “red, orange, green, or purple. struggle of the underdog farmworkers in the weight of poverty, criminalization and workplace culture. New pressures for the We should welcome every union that has the independent Familias Unidas por la the war on drugs, which is a war on drug intensification of invasive data collection the working peoples’ backs. [The] IWW is Justicia union at Sakuma Brothers Farms users and working-class people. and reporting have taken workers away a great addition to the Bellingham labor south of town is another focus. Following the implementation of from necessary frontline work. This pro- movement.” After the Wobs gave a brief A vibrant IWW branch was chartered the first needle exchange programs in fessionalization has watered down harm description of the IWW, a delegate from in Bellingham in the 1980s. Two worker the 1980s, these efforts led to the more reduction work and has created a class of another union said “Why in hell isn’t our cooperatives, the Fairhaven Cooperative wide-scale adoption and funding of harm workers who are not seen as “actual work- union like that?” When one fellow worker Flour Mill and Blackberry Press, carried reduction programs. As these programs ers” by their colleagues in the workplace. said that the IWW has neither paid of- shop cards. Bellingham Wobs walked a few became larger and more established, new The THRWU is organizing to address this ficers, other than the General Secretary- picket lines and attempted to organize the struggles emerged around the need for inequality and to improve services. Treasurer (GST), nor a president who sets mostly-Vietnamese workers at the Mount these services to use the knowledge and In the context of the “War on Drugs,” policy but instead has a volunteer General Baker Mushroom Farm. One member expertise of those with lived experience of in which our fellow workers are the ca- Executive Board that is elected annually went to Chicago to serve as GST. Some drug use, homelessness and incarceration. sualties, an organizing campaign of this and has total rank-and-file control, there members migrated to eastern Washing- The City of Toronto now has over 45 agen- nature is exciting. The THRWU is setting were nods and smiles among the other ton’s apple orchards during fall harvest cies distributing needle exchange supplies, itself up to be a powerful voice for harm delegates. and agitated for the Agricultural Workers all of which rely on the participation and reduction workers in workplaces as well Bellingham is a coastal town of nearly Industrial Union 110 there, gaining some labour of people who use drugs. But the as in broader political struggles. THRWU 80,000 located 20 miles south of the small victories and publishing a mimeo- struggle continues. While trying to keep worker-organizer Zoë Dodd summed up international border between Seattle in graphed newsletter. The GMB petered ahead of a never-ending barrage of cuts, the general feeling of the union: “This is the United States and the Vancouver, out as members moved, got involved in clawbacks, and conservative attacks, front a very exciting moment for us as workers, Canada metro area. The Cascade Moun- political movements, focused on families, line workers’ focus has primarily been and for harm reduction programs world- tains rise just to the east. The area is or grew disenchanted with sectarian in- on the provision of services, and not on wide. We are ready and excited to join home to Western Washington University, fighting that roiled IWW then. Bellingham their own working conditions. Before the the fight to reduce the harms associated two petroleum refineries, an aluminum IWW is sure to enliven the union scene as THRWU initiated its organizing campaign, with work.” smelter, boatbuilding, and a wide variety the branch grows and gets busy organizing. Page 8 • Industrial Worker • December 2014 In December We Remember Anniversary Of The First Earth First!-IWW Local #1 Meeting By Steve Ongerth tee. Membership on the for clean-up, and OSHA newspaper by and for timber workers, Below are the minutes of the initial Entertainment Com- (Occupational Safety to be distributed area-wide. Mike volun- IWW Local #1 meeting, called by Judi Bari mittee is voluntary, and and Health Administra- teered to be coordinator and Pete, Judi, 25 years ago on Nov. 19, 1989. They clearly the people who volun- tion) fined G-P $14,000 Kay (Rudin) and Darryl volunteered to show that Local #1 was intended to be a teered were Mike Koepf, for willful exposure of work on it. serious and genuine workers organization. Treva VandenBosch, workers to PCBs. G-P We also decided to work on a sea Workers from Georgia Pacific and Pacific Judi Bari, Anna Marie is appealing that deci- blockade of Louisiana Pacific (L-P) when Lumber attended, and activity was primar- Stenberg, Pete Kayes, sion, and the hearing they begin shipping North Coast redwoods ily focused on point-of-production issues, and Bob Cooper. will be on Feb. 1, 1990 to Mexico in January. such as the Polychlorinated Biphenyl in San Francisco. You (PCB) spill in the Georgia Pacific mill in Work So Far must sign up in advance Miscellaneous Fort Bragg, Calif. (which is the campaign The work of Our to be allowed to attend Judi announced that the Michigan that inspired the official chartering of Branch was described: the hearing. We are ask- Wobs had voted to donate $500 to our Local #1 in the first place), the export of We are a General Mem- ing all Wobs to sign up, organizing drive. We are impressed and Louisiana-Pacific cut logs to Mexico, or bership Branch (GMB) even if you don’t expect appreciative of this show of solidarity. We the hostile takeover of the Pacific Lumber and will take on what- to come, to demonstrate voted to reimburse Judi and Anna Marie Company (PALCO) by Maxxam Inc. Al- ever issues the mem- public interest. See en- for phone and travel expenses incurred ready, Local #1 planned solidarity union- bers want, especially closed forms. organizing the union so far. ism strategies, such as providing services issues related to our Anna Marie told We discussed the question of publicity for International Woodworkers of America workplaces. But so far about Fort Bragg mill- for our activities, since several newspapers (IWA) Local #3-469 members affected our activities have been Judi Bari’s Graphic: ecology.iww.org worker Julie Wiles being and magazines have already expressed hand-drawn meeting leaflet. by cutbacks in services by their local. The centered around provid- arrested and led away in interest in writing about us. We decided IWW had returned (officially) to timber ing support for timber workers who are handcuffs for distributing a leaflet calling there was a danger of the press doing country! Grammatical corrections have fighting their employers’ destruction of for fellow IWA Local #3-469 members cutesy articles before we even had a chance been made, as well as a few clarifications, forests, jobs, and working conditions. We to vote “no” on a proposed union dues to do the groundwork for organizing. We but otherwise these minutes are published hope to be a bridge between environmen- increase. IWA shop stewards distribut- decided that we would not give in-depth as originally typed. talists and timber workers and help bring ing pro-dues increase leaflets were not interviews to the press about our IWW about community understanding of the interfered with by the company. The IWA activities until we decide collectively that Minutes of the founding meeting of workers’ problems. has not provided Julie with any support we are ready. IWW Local #1 Pete Kayes, employee of Pacific Lum- on her arrest and charges. We are asking The business meeting then adjourned, The Mendocino-Humboldt General ber Company (PALCO), in Scotia, talked all Wobs to come to Julie’s trial, and we and we sang Wobbly and Earth First! Membership Branch of the IWW held our about the failed attempt by workers to have been helping her with her defense. songs, accompanied by guitars, fiddles, first meeting on Sunday, Nov. 19, 1989. form an Employee Stock Ownership Plan Ten people showed up to support Julie at and banjos. We then went to Mendocino to Fourteen (out of 24) members came. (ESOP) and buy the company back from her arraignment. see the documentary film, “The Wobblies.” corporate raider Charles Hurwitz. Pete Structure also gave out copies of the rank-and-file Future Projects Dues We set up our basic structure as fol- newsletter Timberlyin’ that he and others IWA Local #3-469 Business Rep. Union dues are $3 (low income) or $5 lows: Judi Bari was elected Corresponding produce and distribute at the Scotia mill. Don Nelson has threatened to cut union (regular). If you did not pay your Novem- Secretary and Anna Marie Stenberg was Treva VandenBosch, recently retired services such as help with unemployment ber dues at the meeting, please see Judi elected Financial Secretary. They were employee of Georgia Pacific (G-P) Cor- and workers comp, because the members or mail them to the (local IWW branch). instructed to open a bank account and poration in Fort Bragg, told about being voted down his dues increase. We decided keep track of dues and other paperwork. doused with PCBs in the G-P mill and that if he does this, the Wobs will provide Next Meeting Other than these utilitarian positions, we receiving no help from the company or for free any service he eliminates for G-P The next meeting will be Sunday, Dec. will have no officers. Decisions will be union (IWA Local #3-469, AFL-CIO). She millworkers. Mike (Koepf), Treva, Anna 17, 1989 at 4 p.m. Bring your red member- made by the members at the meetings. If walked off the job and single-handedly Marie, Judi, Page (Prescott), Pete (Kayes), ship book and December dues money. We events occur between meetings that re- picketed the plant, eventually hooking up and Darryl (Cherney) volunteered for this hope to have more time for singing this quire action, temporary decisions (subject with Anna Marie and Mike (now also IWW project. time, so bring instruments and songs. to ratification at the next meeting) will members), who helped get the story out. We also decided that, sometime after Judi Bari, be made by the Entertainment Commit- The plant was finally closed for three days the holidays, our Branch will publish a Corresponding Secretary Review The Wild Wisdom Of Weeds Blair, Katrina. The Wild Wisdom of brilliant ecological tactics to sion.” These “wild weeds” you could add to this that it all begins Weeds: 13 Essential Plants for Human insure the continuation of are expert at “refertilizing with a healthy ecosystem. A human body Survival. White River Jct., VT: Chelsea life.” These “weeds bring to and remineralizing the soil,” is comprised of 22 essential amino acids, Green Publishing, 2014. Paperback, 384 light the basic concept that and if allowed they can do the 14 of these are produced internally, eight pages, $29.95. the whole world is a place same for our bodies. Nothing must be consumed as food, and they are where we can be nourished, living is furthered through referred to as a complete protein. The By John MacLean embody health, know se- the continued application of seeds of amaranth, whole dandelion, from “All nature’s plants are wild and free curity, and be free to live a toxic herbicides, Blair writes flower to root, young grasses, lamb’s- and remind us that we have everything quality of life.” that when “we embody the quarter, and clover, when combined with we need.” - Katrina Blair Blair has spent much emotional frequencies of grains, contain all eight amino acids. Katrina Blair, in her book “The Wild time in recent years trying anger, hatred, or irritations According to Blair, mallow and plantain Wisdom of Weeds,” writes that humans to change the land manage- of an intruder in the garden, are a food and medicine in one; the latter have had most of the “wildness” in them- ment and “weed policies” it is not good for personal she describes as “perfect.” Purslane and selves “refined out.” She adds that we have of her hometown, Durango, health.” She calls for a col- knotweed keep water local, and prevent become “enslaved” to a “Big System” and Colo. She sees this activity as Graphic: amazon.com lective “release” of “outdated erosion; the maligned thistle excels at have come to accept our “domestication guided by an experience of “total eupho- practices,” and collaboration “toward the breaking up and aerating compacted as being normal and civilized.” For Blair, ria” she had as a youngster on Haviland common good for all.” soil, and balancing acidic states, which in what has been done can be dumped off of Lake, in the southwestern part of the state, When we eat “wild foods” directly the human body can cause disease. Blair all of our backs, and “wild weeds [have among wild flowers. She writes the “gift- from the land “we gain superior nourish- recommends a simple taste test when for- been] sent as messengers of help.” She ing economy is the economy of nature” ment and energy with the least amount of aging: start with small amounts, always writes: “The wild weed-eating humans and that it seems astounding a human effort,” but when we consume processed consider where you are harvesting, and became revolutionaries and little by little economy based on extraction, inequality, and packaged food our “senses” and dry fresh plants “thoroughly” and store started unwinding the BS. The Big System and wage slavery should develop given the “brilliance” are numbed and dulled. Blair so as to avoid mold. was never born with a heart of its own, so daily appearance of the sun. Our bodies recommends the “lost art” of eating as wild In closing, Blair writes about recon- it quickly collapsed and composted into require “a rainbow of trace minerals,” our animals do from the Earth. She writes: necting with our “core survival instincts” the bosom of the Earth where we can now “physical beauty” is held up by them, and “The wild weed medicine helps us let go with the land and its plants. Also, she see the smiling flowers of dandelion, mal- all around us “wild supplements are free of fear, fear of not having enough money, wishes to reintroduce us to our wild- low, plantain, purslane, lamb’s-quarters, and available to anyone who is interested.” fear of survival, fear of scarcity, fear of not ness and to a capacity to trust the gifting mustard, thistle, knotweed, amaranth, Blair gives us much advice on how to har- being free, fear of not having enough time, economy. Unlike most of our experiences grass, dock, clover, and chickweed.” vest and keep weeds, as green powders, fear of not belonging, fear of change, fear with the “Big System,” the common act These 13 “global plants” Blair fo- over winter, and also on how to use the 13 of letting go, fear of being in control, fear of foraging can give us “peace and confi- cuses on are freely available, even in global plants in sprouting and growing of of allowing, fear of forgiveness, and fear dence,” and can “help us feel at home on most places changed by human activity, microgreens. She states plainly: “Health of unworthiness.” In becoming wilder “we planet Earth.” Blair’s belief that the wild and can be used as “food and medicine.” is our given right, but we have to choose begin to care more deeply” and participate 13 can help us adapt to global warming Many of these plants are wrongly seen it very specifically and consciously in our in “a revolution of quality of life for all is a reach, but there is no doubt as to the as noxious and invasive, or non-native modern times.” beings.” value of these incredible plants. In read- aliens, fit solely for “eradication.” Blair The 13 global plants Blair looks into The final section of the book is called ing this book it reminded the reviewer of classes them as primary and secondary are some of the “best teachers in how to “The Wild Thirteen,” and contains chap- how the North County Food Alliance, a succession plants, as “nature’s first line heal people, heal the Earth, and share their ters on each plant, complete with histories, worker-directed IWW shop in the Twin of action for recreating stabilized fertility abundance.” Only good things can come remedies, and recipes. Blair writes that it Cities of Minnesota, can serve as a model in areas of disturbed ground.” She writes from listening to the land and allowing “is good to remember that when food is for us in terms of its ability to orient that succession plants “are one of nature’s it to “be our primary guide in every deci- our medicine, we avoid getting sick,” and people toward natural economy. December 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 9 Wobbly Arts What Normal People Buy (Consumer Picking Warehouse Blues) ByA FWWhole JP Wright Paycheck By Walter Beck Kentucky GMB 11/14 They buy Eddie Bauer diaper bags for their babies Listen online: https://soundcloud.com/john-paul-wright/a-whole-paycheck And porcelain pagoda water fountains for their dogs, They get masks for their kids Fellow Workers! Made out of 100% cardboard.

Well this Whole Foods business, you might think it mighty fine! They exercise on Indian made yoga mats but there's somethin' I bet you didn't know! And wrap themselves in 500 thread count Egyptian sheets. We workers get paid less than a living wage, and the bosses think our union needs to go. They buy Paula Deen pots A whole paycheck! A whole paycheck! And Rachel Ray skillets That's what it would cost for me! Wrapped in black plastic, A whole paycheck, a whole paycheck Like they were dirty magazines if were to buy groceries! Instead of celebrity-endorsed cookware.

Well let me tell you something that you outta know, They defend themselves while i'm icin' up your wild caught Icelandic fish. While fighting breast cancer I can't afford half the stuff you got in cart, With their pink painted pepper spray guns; A living wage and a union is my wish! If your coming here to buy some ethical food, Nothing says find a cure or your a supporter of this 365 brand, Like a face full of Oleoresin Capsicum.

or maybe your town doesn't have a co-op anymore, They fall asleep on iPod pillows because these big stores are spreading cross the land! Photo: Zoe Meyers Softly pumping out adult alternative, If you think your hands are clean, because your buyin' green, They claim it keeps them young. we whole foods workers have news for you! We can't afford the products that we sell, All of it picked and packed by people a week of labor for me is a full cart for you! They’d never give the time of day to. Commentary On Women Workers’ History, Chapter 77 By Jerzy Smokey Dymny, enway’s “American Folksongs of Protest”: born and bred, that the Reese sisters never wrote a song Vancouver Island Branch “I remember it was the 16th morning When I joined the N.M.U. well, they called again that I can find; while Jackson, While it’s nice to see Molly Jackson of October, nineteen hundred and thirty. me a Roosian Red. Gunning and Garland have left their in- acknowledged alongside Florence Reese My sister’s little girl Flossie Doolin was Join the N.M.U. oh-oh... delible imprint all over folk history. It’s in the comic “Women Workers’ History,” goin’ around the field to a soup kitchen too bad that the radicals get sideswiped titled “Which Side Are You On?” which where that we had emptied in the spring, My husband asked the boss for a job & by middle-of-the-roaders who write most appeared on page 4 of the November in April, all our canned stuff that we had these is the words he said, of the histories. Jackson died in poverty Industrial Worker (IW), it was in fact canned up and every bit of food we had, Bill Jackson, I can’t work you, sir, cause in California in 1960. Jackson’s composition “I Am a Union we throwed it all together to make soup & your wife’s a Roosian Red. Woman,” written in 1930, that led to try to save the lives of the children, when Join the N.M.U... Which Side Are You On? the creation of Reese’s “Which Side Are the miners was blacklisted, 1100 of them, Tune: “I Am a Union Woman” Aunt Molly You On?” for joining the United Mine Workers of These is the worst times that I have ever Jackson. It’s sad to see the radicals in history America & John L. Lewis had promised saw, Verses 1 to 3 are Reese’s originals from being sidelined, while the middle-of-the- that he would see to us if the miners You get shot down by gun thugs, you get 1931, UMWA Kentucky miners’ strike. roaders get famous. was blacklisted. Because the framed up by the law. Later verses by folk process. Last three What many people fail to connect coal miners [the owners] verses ©Scottish singer Dick Gaughan. in this history is that Jackson was the had made a pledge with each Join the N.M.U... sister of Jim Garland and half-sister of other they’d never work an- Come all of you good workers, good news Sara Ogan Gunning; together they were other union man. And John L. Our bosses ride fine horses to you I’ll tell a powerhouse folk-singing family who Lewis sold us out in nineteen and we walk in the mud. Of how the good old union has come in sang the local traditional ballads and & twenty-five and the union Their banner is a dollar here to dwell then composed songs of their own. Their was broken. So these children sign and ours is striped with Which side are you on? Which side are labor-related songs are well documented was going to the soup kitchen. blood. you on? (x2) (v.1) Graphic: Mike Konopacki in U.S. political folk history. They sang And all the tops of their little Join the N.M.U... and wrote songs for decades. feet was busted open from the cold wind My daddy was a miner he’s now in the The comic in the IW states that and you could track’em from the blood If you want to join a union, as strong as air and sun “Which Side Are You On?” is Reese’s runnin’ down their toes. They’s barefooted it can be. He’ll be with you fellow workers until the “best known song.” This is incorrect. It & wearin’ little thin cotton shirts and them Join the dear old N.M.U. then come and battle’s won. (original v.7) is her ONLY song. She was not from a all ragged and tore. And so they waked fight with me folk-singing family, and this song was me and I went to the door and I asked my Join the N.M.U, right now, If you go up to Harlan County, there is copied from Jackson, which was writ- sister’s little girl, Flossie, I said, ‘What’re Join the N.M.U. no neutral there. ten the previous year, 1930. In Harlan you doin’ with these children out here in You’ll either be a union man or a thug for County it would have been well-known the cold rain and them all naked and bare- Now Reece and her sister were defi- J.H. Blair. (original v.5) since the Jackson/Gunning/Garland trio footed?’ And she said, ‘Aunt Molly, some nitely upset when their home was raided was organizing all out with the National of these children have not had a bite to eat by company thugs. She and her sister O workers can you stand it? O tell me Miners’ Union (NMU). Reese assuredly since day before yesterday and I’m going made up their own words to a song they how you can? had heard the song. to try to get’em a warm bowl of soup at already knew as a miner’s protest song Will you be a crummy scab or lend us all In “Leadybelly is a Hard Name” the soup kitchen.’ And my own little son, (why the sister’s name was left off the a hand? (used to be “will you be a man”) (American Folksong, New York, NY, 1961 Henry Jackson, he said, ‘They won’t have credits is anyone’s guess). But what they [reprint of 1947 edition], p. 10.), Woody anything this morning, only gravy and mostly did was change “join the N.M.U.” Don’t scab for the bosses, don’t listen to Guthrie said: corn bread,’ he said. ‘Can’t you fix me a bite to “Which Side Are You On.” their lies, “Aunt Molly Jackson, [and] her rela- o’ somethin’, ma?’ ‘N’ I said, ‘Henry, you Since the more radical union (NMU) Us working folks don’t have a chance tives from the fascist country of Harlan know there’s not a teaspoon of salt.’ I said, was sold out by Lewis, it only makes unless we organize, County, Kentucky, all come to Leadbelly’s ‘According to my leadership, we all put the sense that the song the surviving union- house almost every day...Aunt Molly last tea-spoonful of salt & sody even, it’s all ists (United Mine Workers of America, My mother was a miner and I’m a Jackson would sing us an hour or two of out there. You go and fare with the others. or UMWA) would sing did NOT mention miner’s daughter, bloody Harlan County songs of organiz- If they have anything in that soup kitchen, the NMU. I’ll stand with this old union come hell or ing the coal miners to beat the thugs of it’s for everybody,’ I said. So, he went on, Here’s how Woody Guthrie tells the come high water, old Sheriff Blair. Molly told tales from and I sat down at the dining room table tale of the Reese’s song in “Hard Hitting her life as a mountaineer midwife, sung and with the pains in my heart from the Songs for Hard-Hit People,” compiled So, shoulder to shoulder in Union we us the songs that she used to make the condition, as I often do, I composed a song by Alan Lomax (University of Nebraska shall stand, sweethearts lose their bashfulness, the of the condition of the people, which is the Press, 1967): We’ll beat the bosses and the scabs, so husband and the wife go back to their only kind of a song that is a folk song, is “This song was composed in 19 and come and lend a hand, bed, the lonesome ones take up a new what the folks composes out of their own 31 by the two children of Sam Reece, two heart, and the older ones to be in body really lives. Out of their sorrow, ‘n’ out of little girls. They’ve grown up now but one Come all of you good people, you women and action as quick, as funny, as limber their happiness & all.” was nine and the other eleven then. It was and you men, and as wise as the young’uns coming up.” made up from the condition of their father, Once more our backs are to the wall, When Jackson wrote “I am a Union I Am A Union Woman who was an organizer in Harlan County under attack again. Woman,” the NMU was being red-baited ©Aunt Molly Jackson, 1930 for the U.M.W.A. One night during the by the authorities because someone on I am union woman, as brave as I can big Harlan strike their home was raided We’ve fought a million battles to defend the national executive was a communist. be. Em Am Em by company thugs and after that they our hard won rights, The words to her song make this clear. In I do not like the bosses & the bosses don’t composed this song.” We’re going to have to fight again and I her own introduction to her song, Jackson like me. Am Em B7 Em Most of Reese’s words have been ask you here tonight: also describes her union being “sold out” Join the N.M.U. Join the N.M.U. dropped over the years. What we have by John L. Lewis. Em B7 Em // currently is a composite song developed It’s time for a decision and you really She talked about the writing of her Join the N.M.U. Join the N.M.U. by the “folk process,” which means that have to choose, song on tape for the Library of Congress, lots of folks have messed with the verses Support the One Big Union or the next and it was later reprinted in John Gre- I was raised in old Kentucky, Kentucky over the decades. But, please remember, in line is you. Page 10 • Industrial Worker • December 2014 December 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 11 Analysis “What Then Are We To Do?”: Understanding Co-ops And The IWW By x363930 Questioning the system consumer co-op members, his views Could cooperatives usher in the Alperovitz’s talk highlighted a change are quite divergent from the Wobbly next American Revolution? Historian, in awareness that has occurred on two perspective on the question of labor. political economist, activist, and writer levels. On the first level is a loss of faith in Citing the drop in organized labor Gar Alperovitz argues that they could. I the economic and political systems at an rates from a high point in the 1950s heard Alperovitz speak this past October unprecedented scale. Citing public opinion of 34 percent down to 11 percent at the Annual Membership Meeting of the polls, he noted that in the six years since presently (6 percent for the private natural and organic grocer, La Montañita the Great Recession, there is a general sector), the speaker concluded that Co-op (LMC) in Albuquerque, N.M. I was sense that things are really wrong on a “the labor movement is dead.” He interested to learn if Alperovitz could offer systemic level. “As a historian, never in my added, “There needs to be a new some insight that would aid the IWW in life has this occurred,” Alperovitz claimed. institutional base for progressive its efforts to promulgate worker-owned He also pointed to worsening socioeco- politics or nothing.” This New cooperatives under the 2014 revision of co- nomic trends over the last 30 to 40 years Economy Movement is the base op rules in our Constitution. I also wanted (the neoliberal era) that indicate social he sees for democratizing wealth La Montañita’ s Photo: cooperativegrocer.coop to observe the reaction that this speaker decline. Readers will be familiar with the although he admits it will require a Co-op Distribution Center. would receive from a consumer co-op, as trends of growing income inequality and sophisticated development to take it to a op has a history of union busting. In 2004- not all co-ops are created equal. poverty. He stated that if the United States new scale. Alperovitz did not indicate how 2005, workers faced retaliation when they La Montañita Co-op General Manager were to utilize the global standard to mea- cooperatives could compete with or gain reached out to area unions about wages, Terry Bowling prefaced Alperovitz’s talk by sure poverty as one-half the median wage, control of capitalist resources, nor what benefits and a hard-handed manage- stressing the need to see the cooperative then 70 million people would be under the would happen to workers employed within ment style. In response, LMC hired the movement within a larger context. “We poverty line in the United States, with a capitalist enterprises and how they could area’s leading union-busting attorney. are not the same co-op that we were 10 higher percentage of poverty in commu- contest ownership of the products of their Labor activists then formed Cooperative to 30 years ago,” Bowling said. LMC has nities of color. Arriving to Albuquerque own labor and the means of production. Members for Cooperative Principles. grown to six locations in three cities across from Praxis Peace Institute’s Economics He also did not elaborate on the extent This group sought to elect pro-worker northern New Mexico. Still this operation of Sustainability Conference in San Fran- to which hostile takeovers or eminent candidates to the co-op’s board who could is small potatoes compared with the fierce cisco, Alperovitz pointed out that the dra- domain strategies could be effective in ex- attempt to make internal policy changes. competition swooping in from the likes of matic climate change trends correlate with propriating energy and financial holdings This group was short-lived and could Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, etc. The economic trends. The trends also apply to to a larger scale without organizing and not identify enough candidates to run. National Cooperative Grocers Association, the decline in civil liberties. Alperovitz also direct action at the point of production. A 2005-2006 union drive built a strong representing 143 co-ops with 190 stores, mused on the expansion of war in Syria. He organizing committee within LMC’s flag- made $1.6 billion in 2013. However, co- explained that in many senses, people have Fun Times in Cleveland Again! ship Nob Hill store. While the committee op sales growth is on the decline while the sense that things are out of control or Gar Alperovitz elaborated on the never broke into the other locations, it had competition has increased. Painting the that they are being controlled by people model of the Evergreen Cooperatives in strong participation from workers in most landscape within which co-ops operate, who are doing things we don’t want to be Cleveland, inspired by the Mondragon Co- departments at the store. Management Bowling went on to explain that the retail done. In short, “there is a lot of pain” and operatives in the Basque region of Spain. targeted a lead organizer and the effort food industry grosses $600 billion a year. not a lot of answers as to why or what to Evergreen was founded in a very poor, fell apart shortly thereafter. While LMC Natural and organic foods grossed $100 do. Alperovitz said that the problem he black neighborhood of 40,000 people. now offers benefits, even to part-timers, billion, eclipsing $70 billion in soft drink was describing is “capitalism or corporate Unemployment there is 40 percent, child- wages remain low and one co-op worker sales. Corporations have taken note and capitalism,” but that the power of the state hood poverty is over 50 percent and the reported that a blame culture exists among are competing. Whole Foods alone grossed to regulate it does not exist. median family income is $20,000. The management at her store. The IWW has $10 billion last year. Sprouts, a California- nearby Cleveland Clinic and Case Western witnessed its fair share of hypocrisy by based chain, has 167 stores and is planning New Economy Movement Reserve University made $3 billion in an- co-ops elsewhere in the United States. to leverage capital to open 55 more in the A second level of change in aware- nual purchases but bought nothing from Consider the response to the active cam- next two years. Could Alperovitz offer ness that Alperovitz described was what the neighborhood. Evergreen seized on paign at Citizen’s Co-op in Gainesville, Fla. some historical insight from his 50 years he calls the “New Economy Movement.” this and identified the hospital and uni- or the 2012 firing of Fellow Worker Ryan of activism and scholarship that could pro- Composed of all ages but especially versity as anchor institutions. These non- Gaughan by New Seasons Co-op in Port- vide LMC and co-ops like it with a winning young people, this movement is working profit institutions are not going to leave land, Ore. Another odd note was that LMC strategy taking things “to the next level” of to change the economic system from the and they require goods and services that has entered into a partnership with Whole development? grassroots up. He pointed to a variety of can be directly anchored to local co-ops in Foods to market chile ristras in stores out- Gar Alperovitz opened his meeting by models. One was the recent municipaliza- the surrounding low-income communities. side New Mexico. Why not coordinate to praising the co-op. “I come not to speak tion of the Boulder, Colo. energy supply Currently, Evergreen provides laundry instead corner the market and distribute but to learn what the hell is going on,” he in a forced buyout from Xcel Energy services, solar energy and hydroponic exclusively to allied co-ops? Another issue said. “I don’t know if you know how good Inc. (although this bucks a 20-plus year vegetables. A secondary stage allowed was timing. Alperovitz has over 50 years you are.” He was referring to LMC’s com- trend of deregulation and corporate mo- anchorage of co-ops by other co-ops. of experience in social change movements. munity-building initiatives that include a nopolization of energy, this strikes me as He alluded to a 30-year time frame for the Veterans’ Farmer Project, an annual giv- socialized energy rather than cooperativ- Power and responsibility New Economy Movement to blossom. A ing tree and the La Montañita (LAM) loan ized). Another example was a campaign in Alperovitz rounded out the night by member of the crowd urgently commented program available to farmers, ranchers Richmond, Calif. to use eminent domain putting a challenge to his audience. “You that the window for addressing climate and acequia associations (acequias are to buy up and then forgive mortgage debt. actually have power and responsibility [to] change is closing much sooner. community-managed irrigation ditches Having visited Mondragon Cooperatives lay the basis for real politics with the pos- first built by the Spanish during the co- in Spain, Richmond’s Green Party Mayor sibility to transform systems.” He shared Conclusions lonial period). The LAM fund has helped Gayle McLaughlin has also publicly stated a series of reflections related to this chal- Gar Alperovitz’s work on the New to seed the Sweetgrass Beef Cooperative. support for worker co-ops as a path out lenge. First, that it is imperative to come to Economy Movement presents some excit- LMC also worked to connect growers with of poverty and unemployment. The Ev- the conclusion that is emerging among the ing models of how to democratize wealth excess produce to the regional food bank. ergreen Cooperatives in Cleveland, Ohio poor, working-class and climate activists and move “Beyond Corporate Capitalism Notably, the co-op also provides an 18 are democratizing wealth in a low income about the need for system change. Second, & State Socialism.” The capacity of models percent discount to members who volun- African-American neighborhood and have that it is important to take inspiration from like Evergreen to build and democratize teer at the co-op or in other community been the inspiration for Cooperation Jack- the struggles of the past. Alperovitz told wealth offers something not covered in organizations and non-profits. Alperovitz son in Mississippi. Alperovitz mentioned the crowd that he is inspired by the civil the IWW Organizer Training 101. It also took interest in learning about practical, the growing public banking movement rights workers of the 1930s and 1940s. offers a model for organizing among the grassroots work rather than theoretical or and the fact that credit unions are a one While acknowledging that no one is getting unemployed and underemployed. Like- ideological projects. person-one vote bank model capitalized lynched over co-ops, he pointed out that wise, community land trusts are a model at $1 trillion in the United States. Alp- in those decades it was harder to do the outside the traditional IWW focus on the erovitz illustrated the case of how cities work than in subsequent decades. Third, workplace. Perhaps these could serve as Subscribe to the like Atlanta, Denver and the Twin Cities the direction that he outlined suggests a a model for Wobbly-style, neighborhood- have implemented community land trusts more sophisticated, advanced and political based housing syndicalism. I encourage Industrial Worker (CLTs) to recapture increases in land approach to building cooperatives. Co-ops IWW members to study and analyze these Educate yourself and your value around newly-built transit stations. of the 1960s and 1970s were very political models further, perhaps in conjunction fellow workers with the official Transit Oriented Development (TOD) can but failed at business. Then in the 1980s with the IWW Survey and Research Com- newspaper of the IWW. be a code word for gentrification but CLTs and 1990s, they became all about business mittee (SRC). The website http://www. have the potential to socialize urban land and no politics. There is now the prospect community-wealth.org is a good starting Just mail in this form, and prevent gentrification. The common of a new integration. point. An assessment of whether or not or visit us online at: thread of all these models, according to and how to partner with truly worker self- http://store.iww.org/industrial-worker.html Alperovitz, is that they change who gets Unanswered questions managed co-ops and activists within the to subscribe today! to own wealth in a way that is not state Despite a thorough question and New Economy Movement should also be 10 issues for: socialism. These are experiments in de- answer period with the audience, a few considered. However, this does not strike • US $18 for individuals. mocratizing ownership—“small scale and questions did not get answered and con- me as “The Next American Revolution” on • US $30 for institutions. community based, at least at the outset.” tradictions remain. The biggest questions its own. It does not invalidate the need for • US $30 for internationals. These projects are the outgrowth of a related to labor and unions. Alperovitz’s One Big Union to abolish the wage system Name: ______lack of answers from those in power in presence was a sign that LMC is open to and democratize capital currently under Address:______response to increasing pain levels that they hearing about worker co-ops but start- corporate and state control. Nor should State/Province:______are responsible for creating. ing wages at the co-op are lower than at Wobblies stray away from strategizing on Zip/PC______Whole Foods. A traditional management how to confront exploitation and abuses Send to: PO Box 180195, that occur within consumer cooperatives Chicago IL 60618 USA “The labor movement is dead” structure exists as opposed to shop-floor Subscribe Today! While Alperovitz was unashamed to democracy. According to an anonymous and all workplaces that are not worker- champion worker co-ops to the audience of source in the local labor movement, the co- controlled. Page 12 • Industrial Worker • December 2014 IWW Greece Solidarity With Anarchist Prisoners On Hunger Strike On Nov. 10, 2014, anarchist prisoner Nikos Romanos began a hun- ger strike laying claim to educational passes The IWW formed the International Solidarity Commission to help the union build from prison so he could the worker-to-worker solidarity that can lead to effective action against the bosses take classes in the uni- of the world. To contact the ISC, email [email protected]. versity in which he had enrolled. Solidarity In Hong Kong, Brazil And Spain His application By Florian H., William B., J. Pierce, to the Prison Council, and Anders M. of the International formed by attorney gen- Solidarity Commission (ISC) eral Nikolaos Poimeni- dis, headmistress Chara- To support the protests in Hong Kong Graphic: IWW Greece the ISC signed the petition of the Hong lambia Koutsomichali Kong Confederation of Trade Unions as well as a social worker, still remain solidarity we ask the council to give all (HKCTU) demanding an end to the vio- unanswered. The appealing interroga- educational passes from prison to Nikos lence against the protesters. The struggle tor Eftichis Nikolopoulos, who has been Romanos and Iraklis Kwstaris immedi- continues in the financial district of Hong claiming not to be tasked with this mat- ately. Kong. ter, has sent a document to the council We hold the Prison Council respon- On the other side of the world we reporting that Romanos’ application for sible for every day of the hunger strike grieve for Didi together with our dear fel- educational passes from prison has been and for whatever happens from now on. low workers in Brazil: denied. Support Nikos Romanos by signing The Industrial Workers of the World Iraklis Kwstaris began his own the petition: https://secure.avaaz.org/ wish to express our solidarity with Cen- Graphic: pstugaucho.blogspot.com hunger strike on Oct. 29 for educational el/petition/Symvoylio_Fylakon_Koryd- tral Sindical e Popular (CSP Conlutas- to dispossess them of their land and their passes from prison to take classes at the alloy_Amesi_horigisi_ekpaideytikon_ Brasil) in sorrow at the death of Dirceu nationalized industries. university TEI of Piraeus. He is receiv- adeion_toy_apergoy_peinas_Nikoy_ “Didi” Travesso. He was a labor leader Apart from government, they’re fo- ing the same denying documents from Romanoy/?ajcVHib. of international renown and was espe- cused on increasing consumer debt and the council. IWW Greece cially known for his labor activities in Sao raising prices while lowering expecta- IWW Greece completely supports IU 620 Educational Workers Paulo. He will be sorely missed. tions and living standards to the absolute the hunger strikers and denounces the IU 610 Health Workers In Madrid several unions within the minimum. The slave masters have been infringement of their legal rights. In [email protected] Red & Black Coordination met recently so busy, so focused on their financial and the ISC sent a warm “Hello” to the schemes, that they have not noticed the syndicalists: new society being built around them. Cambodian Guest Workers Organize The International Solidarity Commis- When they finally look up and see By John Kalwaic workers, electronic sion (ISC) sends to all our comrades and this new world, they will not be able to On Oct. 27, Cam- factory workers and fellow workers here a warm greeting on comprehend it. Their slaves will have bodian guest workers the most exploited behalf of the Industrial Workers of the combined and pushed them aside (if they in Malaysia organized workers of all—do- World (IWW). The IWW is proud to be are lucky). Their money changing and the Cambodian Mi- mestic workers—who a close friend and supporter of the Red numbers games will have collapsed. Their grant Workers’ Soli- work as maids, house & Black Coordination and our hopes are control over armies, industries, and insti- darity Network at a cleaners or childcare that this body will grow powerful and tutions will have faded. And everywhere— Workers Congress in providers. Cambodian Kuala Lumpur. The workers come to Ma- ambitious. in the streets, in town squares, from the Auto factory Photo: phnompenhpost.com At the present moment, the criminals tops of tall buildings, in front yards and workers’ congress workers in Malaysia. laysia seeking better in many of our countries are focused on aloft on balconies, plastered to factory, was organized by local unions, the Inde- jobs and wages, but often they meet with stealing their lucre from the budgets of facility, and university gates—they will pendent Democracy of Informal Economy the same low wages and jobs they left in public services. They re-write the laws behold the Red and Black banner… Association, the Cambodia Domestic Cambodia. Guest workers often come from to swindle the sanitation workers, util- The IWW wishes you all a productive Worker Network and the Cambodian poor countries with a high population and ity workers, and office employees out of and fun conference and looks forward to Youth Network, in cooperation with non- go to a relatively wealthier country for their wages, benefits, and pensions. They gluing ourselves tighter to the Red & Black governmental organization Dignity Inter- slightly better wages that they send home cripple the public schools and government Coordination and all of our revolutionary national. The idea was to have these guest to their families. Guest workers are prime hospitals in order to create customers for sister unions for the many battles ahead. workers organized and empowered despite targets for abuse and often are not allowed private, for-profit schools and hospitals. Solidarity Forever! not being able to form an actual union. The to organize into unions. They “reform” the patrimony of a people Email the ISC at [email protected]. solidarity network is made up of garment With files fromThe Phnom Penh Post. NGWF Leader Wins Human Rights Award Construction Workers Riot In Istanbul By Greg Giorgio tween the government By John Kalwaic known as the jobs act, which the Renzi Amirul Haque and factory owners was In October 2014, hundreds of thou- is proposing, is supposedly meant to Amin, president of rampant. Building code sands of workers and students marched curb Italy’s 12 percent unemployment. the National Garment and safety violations in Italy to protest the anti-worker laws Renziand the Confindustria business Workers Federation were always a problem, of Premier Matteo Renzi, who has pro- interests claim that by making it easier (NGWF) in Bangla- but have increased un- posed making it easier for employers for businesses to fire workers, it will also desh, was the recipient der the expansion of to fire workers. Renzi is supposedly a make it easier for them to be hired. Union of the 2014 Nuremberg neoliberal trade poli- center-left prime minister, although activists have rejected this claim. Italy has International Human cies of the last decade. he often caters to business interests. an age gap between older workers whose Rights Award. Amin Factories often close or Italy’s largest union, the Confederazione jobs are protected and younger workers Amirul Haque Photo: waronwant.org was recognized for his Amin. shift location and leave Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL, or whose jobs are more precarious. The jobs 30 years of service to the struggles of gar- workers in the cold. Labels subcontracted Italian General Confederation of Labour), act is meant to close this gap leading to ment workers. by the biggest suppliers like Walmart and launched strikes and demonstrations a more precarious state for all workers. He has also been a leader in the cam- the Gap allows them to sidestep responsi- against the new law. The CGIL stated Students have also joined workers in paign to improve health and safety condi- bility for sub-standard wages and danger- they would not back down unless the demonstrating. Many of those involved tions in an industry that discriminates ous working conditions as well. law was receded. Italy’s pro-corporate in these actions were angered by recent against the mostly young women who cut, Amin helped to grow the NGWF to lobby, known as Confindustria (General austerity measures by the government sew and assemble the clothes. more than 27,000 members in this hostile Confederation of Italian Industry), is resulting in numerous clashes between Clothing represents 75 percent of the environment. The union has been at the pushing for tax breaks for businesses students and workers against riot police. export trade from Bangladesh. forefront of efforts to gain a week’s vaca- and corporations. The “labor reforms,” With files from Revolution News! Amin has had associations with the tion, the May Day holiday, and increases IWW for over a decade through the union’s in the minimum wage. In the wake of the disasters at the Taz- for 625 employees who saw their wages International Solidarity Commission (ISC) “This is the time to fight,” Amin told reen and Rana Plaza, where the NGWF lost slashed by the new operator. and with other groups and individuals who the Trades Union Congress (TUC) last 42 of their members and over 1,100 others “These multinational companies pres- work on sweatshop issues. year. He called attention to the fact that were killed, Amin was not stymied by grief. sure the local factory owners to decrease Amin began his activism in the Dhaka the erosion of real wages, attacks on He went on to work on reparations, helped the price” of a garment, Amin explained City Tailoring Workers Union in 1981. He pensions, and the struggle to attain a liv- to pass the Accord on Fire and Building at his speech to the TUC. They “give lip had grown to see the role of labor in society ing wage was the same fight in England, Safety in Bangladesh in January 2014 and service” only to rights like a living wage as key to move toward the greater good Bangladesh and everywhere workers were another minimum wage increase. “It is not and collective bargaining, he added. He and helped to form the NGWF in 1984. engaged in the struggle with their bosses enough,” Amin declared earlier this year described the kinds of protections the Although the International Accords of under capitalism. when the raise to a $68 (U.S.) monthly international agreements are supposed 1972 (when Bangladesh joined the Inter- “We will help you, too,” he told me in minimum was passed by the government. to provide as “extremely limited” for the national Labor Organization) established 2006 at the Labor Notes Conference in He and other activists had sought $100 workers of Bangladesh. solid worker protections like freedom of Dearborn, Mich. It was inspirational to (U.S.). This past October he presided over “Send a very clear message,” Amin told association and the right to collectively hear Amin convey this message of a com- the negotiations to regain pay withheld by the TUC audience. He wants unionists and bargain in Bangladesh, Amin knew that mon need to unite for the advancement of a new factory owner at the Helicon facil- consumers alike to join together to “end enforcement was lax and corruption be- labor rights across borders. ity in Dhaka. About $800 was recovered the deathtraps” in Bangladesh.