Portland IWW Battles with Non-Profits Over Union Busting

Official newspaper oF The Industrial Workers of the World

INDUSTRIALNovember 2014 #1769 Vol. 111 No. 9 $2/ £2/ €2 WORKER

Making Our Voices Jimmy John’s Workers In November We Anti-Fascist Heard Against Sexism Picket in Baltimore Remember U.S. Labor Demonstrations In In The IWW 3 5 Struggles 11-14 Greece 16 Portland IWW Battles With Non-Profits Over Union Busting By Shane Burley Portland IWW, announced its second Outside of coffee shops and book- organized workplace in its less than two stores, crowded Whole Foods stores and months of existence—the first was the worker-run co-ops nationwide, you’re Campaign for the Restoration and Regula- bound to find canvassers asking for donation of Hemp (“Portland Canvass Work- tions or signatures in support of a host of ers Walk Off The Job, Demand Unpaid causes. They’re often young people shak- Wages,” September 2014 IW, pages 1 & 7). ing the can for high-profile non-profits. Canvassers working for Grassroots But as we get deeper into the post-crash Campaigns Inc. (GCI), a third-party con- precarious economy, the image of canvass- tractor that does street canvassing and ers as idealistic college students making a fundraising for progressive non-profit few extra bucks on summer break quickly organizations such as Planned Parenthood disintegrates. People are turning to this and the Southern Poverty Law Center, in- occupation as their primary source of formed management of their unionization income, according to many active cam- drive. The union drive began in response paigners. They are hired by independently- to what workers say were unsustainable contracted companies to canvas for non- turnover rates from firings and overly profits. The quotas are demanding, making complicated pay scales. the work one of the most difficult low-wage According to workers, GCI’s strict jobs to hold on to. quota system means many workers don’t In Portland, Ore., one union local has last past the first few days of canvassing. formed precisely to take on this precari- New hires must bring in $130 in donations ous world of street canvassing, and they during at least one of their first three days are growing at a pace no one could have on the job; otherwise, their probationary predicted. period ends in termination. After that, In early August, the United Campaign workers must average $130 per day each Workers and community supporters rally at Grassroots Cam- Photo: Shane Burley Workers (UCW) union, an affiliate of the Continued on 6 paigns Inc. (GCI) headquarters in Portland on Aug. 2. They Go Wild, Simply Wild, Over Me! By X344543, IWW EUC to rise up! Take control of all industry!... ing the crowd in a chant. After a minute, On Monday, Sept. 22, more than And dismantle anything that is unsustain- the police demanded that FW Hughes step 2,500 demonstrators punctuated the able! And through workers’ power…We down. FW Hughes stepped down, where 400,000-strong People’s Climate need to dismantle all forms of oppression! police were waiting to detain our fellow March with a more in-your-face, Including sexism...racism...homophobia... worker, even though no crime had been anti-capitalist protest called Flood transphobia...speciesism...Together, we committed. FW Hughes raced away from Wall Street. Channeling the IWW can build an ecological general strike! the unsuspecting officers, who eventu- soap-boxers of the Pacific Northwest To take over all industries and dismantle ally caught up and then placed our fellow during the lumber strikes of the late capitalism once and for all!…indigenous worker in an illegal chokehold—at which 1910s, IWW Environmental Union- people, who are on the front line, and join point the crowd began chanting “Shame!” ism Caucus (EUC) member and co- in the struggle against capitalism! Utilize FW Hughes was arrested, but has since founder Elliot Hughes was the first to your privilege and support (to aid those been released upon bail, which was raised engage in civil disobedience (and the on) the front lines!” thanks to the efforts of fellow IWW EUC first arrestee). Thanks to one of the At this point FW Hughes began lead- members and supporters. demonstrators we have ample, albeit very muddy, video and audio footage of the incident. Here is a transcript of In November We Remember Penny Pixler some of the audio of Fellow Worker (FW) Hughes soapboxing: “Mic Check!!! (mic check!)…I’m doing a civil disobedience right now! I’m a member of the Industrial Work- FW Elliot Hughes in NYC. Photo: ecology.iww.org ers of the World! We want all workers Industrial Worker Periodicals Postage PO Box 180195 PAID Chicago, IL 60618, USA Chicago, IL and additional ISSN 0019-8870 mailing offices ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Wobblies, others gather at Photo: Michael Vincent FW Penny Photo: FW Carl Greer the Haymarket Martyrs Monument at Waldheim Pixler’s ashes scattered on (Forest Home) Cemetery near Chicago. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn’s grave.

By Mike Hargis wish to have her ashes scattered there. Wobblies, former Wobblies and After several friends and fellow work- friends of Fellow/Sister Worker Penny ers shared their memories of Penny, her Pixler, who passed away last spring, gath- ashes were scattered around the base of ered at the Haymarket Martyrs Monu- the monument and at the graves of other ment at Waldheim (Forest Home) Cem- fallen comrades, like Emma Goldman, etery in Des Plaines (near Chicago) on Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Lucy Parsons and Labor Day, Sept. 1, to honor Penny’s last Voltairine de Cleyre. Page 2 • Industrial Worker • November 2014

tion resolutions. The Chicago GMB, in IWW Convention Report: A Call To Action contrast, consistently attracts one-third to Friends and Fellow Workers, writing a much more compelling call to one-half its local membership to monthly I wanted to voice my support for the action to grow the union from the inside. branch meetings and is engaged in the challenging piece by Fellow Worker (FW) Yours for the Revolution, work of the IWW (i.e. organizing workers Maria Parrotta in the October Industrial Matt Meister x371220 at the point of production). We aren’t per- Worker (“The 2014 IWW General Conven- fect by any means, but I think we function tion: Learning From Our Mistakes, Mov- Convention Report Was A pretty well, thank you. Letters Welcome! ing Forward,” pages 1 & 6). I was unable The walkout of the Chicago GMB del- Send your letters to: [email protected] with to attend the Convention, so I was eagerly Disjointed, Subjective Rant egates from the Convention (and I was one “Letter” in the subject. awaiting a report back. The dispatch in I am seething. It would have been nice of them) was in protest at the injustice of the Industrial Worker was very eye to read a report on the business conducted barring a member of our GMB from the Mailing Address: opening. As a male-identifying member by this year’s General Convention in the Convention, not for something he did but Industrial Worker, P.O. Box 180195, of this union, there were some troubling IW but instead we were treated to a sub- for something that people imagined he Chicago, IL 60618, United States. behaviors that I was unaware of within this jective, disjointed rant about how screwed might do. After all, “an injury to one is an union. Perhaps these behaviors are not a up the IWW is (“The 2014 IWW General injury to all.” The IWW certainly has prob- Get the Word Out! problem in our local branches, or perhaps Convention: Learning From Our Mistakes, lems, no one would deny that, but parad- IWW members, branches, job shops and I’m part of the problem in not seeing such Moving Forward,” October 2014 IW, ing them on the front page of the IW just other affiliated bodies can get the word male dominance around non-male iden- pages 1 & 6). Now, the author is certainly adds to them. I am greatly disappointed out about their project, event, campaign tifying fellow workers. I will certainly be entitled to her opinion on the state of the that the editor of the union’s newspaper or protest each month in the Industrial sure to have conversations about this issue IWW but her OPINION is not NEWS. The couldn’t produce an article that reported Worker. Send announcements to iw@ with Wobblies of all genders around me, IW editor should have labeled the article on the General Convention and, instead, iww.org. Much appreciated donations and I’ll also find it impossible to not be as opinion and certainly should not have chose to publish a rant that can only leave for the following sizes should be sent to: vigilant to stop such rude and dismissive placed it as news on the front page our the reader with the worst possible impres- behaviors where I see them. union’s newspaper. sion of the IWW. IWW GHQ, Post Office Box 180195, I had expected to see a simple recap of Furthermore, the writer’s character- If I were not already a member of the Chicago, IL 60618, United States. what had happened in the union. Instead, ization of the Chicago General Member- IWW (for 42 years now) I would have to I received a much more important analysis ship Branch (GMB) as “dysfunctional” is think twice about signing up after reading $12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide of where we need to be heading. I want rich, given that the author admits that her this issue of the IW. $40 for 4” by 2 columns to thank FW Maria Parrotta for standing own branch could barely get a quorum at For the Works, $90 for a quarter page up for the dignity of all members and for the meeting where they discussed Conven- Mike Hargis, X328826 Industrial Worker IWW directory The Voice of Revolutionary Asia ERA Branches Florida New Mexico Taiwan Clydeside GMB: [email protected] Gainesville GMB: c/o Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St., Albuquerque GMB: P.O. Box 4892, 87196-4892. 505- Industrial Unionism Cymru/Wales GMB: [email protected] 32601. Robbie Czopek, del., 904-315-5292, gainesvil- 569-0168, [email protected] Taiwan IWW: c/o David Temple, 4 Floor, No. 3, Ln. 67, [email protected], www.gainesvilleiww.org Shujing St., Beitun Dist., Taichung City 40641 Taiwan. Edinburgh GMB: [email protected] New York South Florida GMB: P.O. Box 370457, 33137. 305-894- Organization 098-937-7029. [email protected] Tyne & Wear GMB: [email protected] New York City GMB: 45-02 23rd Street, Suite #2, Long 6515. [email protected], http://iwwmiami.wordpress. Island City,11101. [email protected]. www.wobblycity. Education Australia Bradford GMB: [email protected] com. Facebook: Miami IWW org New South Wales Leeds GMB: [email protected] Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455-6608. Emancipation Sydney GMB: [email protected]. Laura, del., 772-545-9591, [email protected] Starbucks Campaign: [email protected], [email protected]. Manchester GMB: [email protected] www.starbucksunion.org Sheffield GMB: IWW Office, SYAC, 120 Wicker, Sheffield Georgia Hudson Valley GMB: P.O. Box 48, Huguenot 12746. 845- Official newspaper of the Newcastle: [email protected] S3 8JD. [email protected] Atlanta GMB: P.O. Box 5390, 31107. 678-964-5169, 342-3405. [email protected]. http://hviww.blogspot.com Woolongong: [email protected] Nottingham GMB: [email protected] [email protected], www.atliww.org Industrial Workers Syracuse IWW: [email protected] Lismore: [email protected] West Midlands GMB: [email protected] Idaho Upstate NY GMB: P.O. Box 77, Altamont, 12009. 518- of the World Queensland Bristol GMB: [email protected] Boise: Ritchie Eppink, del., P.O. Box 453, 83701. 208-371- 861-5627. [email protected] 9752, [email protected] Brisbane: P.O. Box 5842, West End, Qld 4101. iww- Reading GMB: [email protected] Utica IWW: Brendan Maslauskas Dunn, del., 315-240- Post Office Box 180195 [email protected]. Asger, del., happyanarchy@riseup. Illinois London GMB: [email protected] 3149. [email protected] Chicago, IL 60618 USA net Chicago GMB: P.O. Box 15384, 60615. 312-638-9155, Belgium North Carolina South Australia [email protected] Greensboro: 336-279-9334. [email protected]. 773.728.0996 • [email protected] Adelaide: [email protected], www.wobbliesSA. Floris De Rycker, Sint-Bavoplein 7, 2530 Boechout, org. Jesse, del., 0432 130 082 Belgium. [email protected] Indiana North Dakota www.iww.org German Language Area Indiana GMB: [email protected]. Facebook: Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. Victoria Indiana IWW com Melbourne: P.O. Box 145, Moreland, VIC 3058. mel- IWW German Language Area Regional Organizing [email protected], www.iwwmelbourne. Committee (GLAMROC): IWW, Haberweg 19, 61352 Bad Iowa Ohio General Secretary-Treasurer: wordpress.com. Loki, del., lachlan.campbell.type@ Homburg, Germany. [email protected]. www. Eastern Iowa IWW: 319-333-2476. EasternIowaIWW@ Mid-Ohio GMB: c/o Riffe, 4071 Indianola Ave., Columbus Monika Vykoukal gmail.com wobblies.de gmail.com 43214. [email protected] Austria: [email protected], [email protected]. Kansas Northeast Ohio GMB: P.O. Box 141072, Cleveland 44114. Geelong: [email protected] www.iwwaustria.wordpress.com. Western Australia Lawrence GMB: P.O. Box 1462, 66044. 816-875-6060 440-941-0999 General Executive Board: Berlin: Offenes Treffen jeden 2.Montag im Monat im Cafe Wichita: Richard Stephenson, del., 620-481-1442. Ohio Valley GMB: P.O. Box 6042, Cincinnati 45206, 513- Perth GMB: P.O. Box 1, Cannington WA 6987. perthwob- Commune, Reichenberger Str.157, 10999 Berlin, 18 Uhr. 510-1486, [email protected] Ryan G., Yvonne Yen Liu, [email protected]. Bruce, del.,coronation78@hotmail. (U-Bahnhof Kottbusser Tor). Postadresse: IWW Berlin, c/o [email protected] com Rotes Antiquariat, Rungestr. 20, 10179 Berlin, Germany. Kentucky Sweet Patches Screenprinting: [email protected] DJ Alperovitz, Michael White, Canada [email protected]. Kentucky GMB: Mick Parsons, Secretary Treasurer, Oklahoma Brian Latour, Jim Del Duca, IWW Canadian Regional Organizing Committee (CAN- Bremen: [email protected]. iwwbremen. [email protected]. 502-658-0299 Oklahoma IWW: 539-664-6769. iwwoklahoma@gmail. blogsport.de com Montigue Magruder ROC): c/o Toronto GMB, P.O. Box 45 Toronto P, Toronto ON, Louisiana M5S 2S6. [email protected] Cologne/Koeln GMB: c/o Allerweltshaus, Koernerstr. Louisiana IWW: John Mark Crowder, del, wogodm1@ Oregon Alberta 77-79, 50823 Koeln, Germany. [email protected]. yahoo.com. https://www.facebook.com/groups/iw- Lane GMB: Ed Gunderson, del., 541-743-5681. x355153@ Edmonton GMB: P.O. Box 4197, T6E 4T2. edmontongmb@ www.iwwcologne.wordpress.com wofnwlouisiana/ iww.org, www.iwwlane.org Editor & Graphic Designer: iww.org, edmonton.iww.ca. Frankfurt - Eurest: IWW Betriebsgruppe Eurest Maine Portland GMB: 2249 E Burnside St., 97214, 503-231- Haberweg 19 D- 61352 Bad Homburg. harald.stubbe@ 5488. [email protected], portlandiww.org Diane Krauthamer British Columbia yahoo.de. Maine IWW: 207-619-0842. [email protected], www. Red Lion Press: [email protected] southernmaineiww.org Red and Black Cafe: 400 SE 12th Ave, Portland, 97214. [email protected] Hamburg-Waterkant: [email protected] 503-231-3899. [email protected]. www. Vancouver GMB: 204-2274 York Ave., V6K 1C6. Kassel: [email protected]. www.wobblies-kassel. Maryland redandblackcafe.com 604-732-9613. [email protected]. www. Baltimore GMB: P.O. Box 33350, 21218. baltimoreiww@ vancouveriww.com de Primal Screens Screen Printing: 1127 SE 10th Ave. Proofreaders: Munich: [email protected] gmail.com #160 Portland, 97214. 503-267-1372. primalscreens@ Vancouver Island GMB: Box 297 St. A, Nanaimo BC, V9R Massachusetts Maria Rodriguez Gil, 5K9. [email protected]. http://vanislewobs.wordpress. Rostock: [email protected]. iww-rostock.net gmail.com Boston Area GMB: P.O. Box 391724, Cambridge, 02139. Pennsylvania Joel Gosse, Nicki Meier com Switzerland: [email protected] 617-863-7920, [email protected], www.IW- Manitoba Greece: [email protected], [email protected] Lancaster IWW: P.O. Box 352, 17608. 717-559-0797. WBoston.org [email protected] Jonathan D. Beasley, Jacob Brent, Winnipeg GMB: IWW, c/o WORC, P.O. Box 1, R3C 2G1. Iceland: Heimssamband Verkafólks / IWW Iceland, Cape Cod/SE Massachusetts: [email protected] 204-299-5042, [email protected] Reykjavíkurakademíunni 516, Hringbraut 121,107 Lehigh Valley GMB: P.O. Box 1477, Allentown, 18105- Don Sawyer, Neil Parthun, Western Mass. Public Service IU 650 Branch: IWW, P.O. 1477. 484-275-0873. [email protected]. New Brunswick Reykjavík Box 1581, Northampton, 01061 Skylaar Amann, David Patrick, Fredericton: [email protected], Lithuania: [email protected] www. facebook.com/lehighvalleyiww Chris Heffner, Billy O’Connor, frederictoniww.wordpress.com Netherlands: [email protected] Michigan Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: 610-358-9496. pa- Ontario Detroit GMB: 4210 Trumbull Blvd., 48208. detroit@ [email protected], www.papercranepress.com Norway IWW: 004793656014. post@iwwnorge. iww.org. Ottawa-Outaouais GMB & GDC Local 6: 1106 Wellington Pittsburgh GMB: P.O. Box 5912,15210. 412-894-0558. org. http://www.iwwnorge.org, www.facebook.com/ Grand Rapids GMB: P.O. Box 6629, 49516. 616-881-5263. [email protected] Printer: St., P.O. Box 36042, Ottawa, K1Y 4V3. [email protected], iwwnorge. Twitter: @IWWnorge [email protected] United States [email protected] Rhode Island Globe Direct/Boston Globe Media Ottawa Panhandlers Union: Raymond Loomer, interim Grand Rapids Bartertown Diner and Roc’s Cakes: 6 Providence GMB: P.O. Box 23067, 02903. 401-484-8523. delegate, [email protected] Alabama Jefferson St., 49503. [email protected], www. [email protected] Millbury, MA Mobile: Jimmy Broadhead, del., P.O. Box 160073, 36616. bartertowngr.com Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 3L7, [email protected] Tennessee 705-749-9694. Sean Carleton, del., 705-775-0663, Central Michigan: 5007 W. Columbia Rd., Mason 48854. Mid-Tennessee IWW: Jonathan Beasley, del., 218 S 3rd [email protected] Tuscaloosa: Gerald Lunn. 205-245-4622. geraldlunn@ 517-676-9446, [email protected] St. Apt. 7-6, Clarksville, 37040. [email protected] Next deadline is Toronto GMB: P.O. Box 45, Toronto P, M5S 2S6. 647-741- gmail.com Minnesota Alaska Texas November 7, 2014 4998. [email protected]. www.torontoiww.org Duluth IWW: P.O. Box 3232, 55803. iwwduluth@riseup. Houston: Gus Breslauer, del., [email protected]. Windsor GMB: c/o WWAC, 328 Pelissier St., N9A 4K7. Fairbanks GMB: P. O. Box 80101, 99708. Chris White, del., net Facebook: Houston IWW 519-564-8036. [email protected]. http://wind- 907-457-2543, [email protected]. Facebook: IWW North Country Food Alliance: 2104 Stevens Ave S, Min- Fairbanks Rio Grande Valley, South Texas IWW: P.O. Box 5456 U.S. IW mailing address: soriww.wordpress.com neapolis, 55404. 612-568-4585. www.northcountry- McAllen, Texas 78502. Greg, del., 956-278-5235 or IW, Post Office Box 180195, Québec Arizona foodalliance.org Marco, del., 979-436-3719. [email protected]. www. Montreal GMB: cp 60124, Montréal, QC, H2J 4E1. 514- Phoenix GMB: P.O. Box 7126, 85011-7126. 623-336- Pedal Power Press: P.O. Box 3232 Duluth 55803.www. facebook.com/IWWRGV Chicago, IL 60618, 268-3394. [email protected] 1062. [email protected] pedalpowerpress.com Utah Flagstaff IWW: 206-327-4158, [email protected] Phoenix Mental Health, P.L.C.: FW Jeffrey Shea Jones, United States Europe 3137 Hennepin Ave. S., #102, Minneapolis, 55408. Salt Lake City GMB: P.O. Box 1227, 84110. 801-871- European Regional Administration (ERA): P.O. Box 7593 Four Corners (AZ, CO, NM, UT): 970-903-8721, 4corners@ 612-501-6807 9057. [email protected] Glasgow, G42 2EX. www.iww.org.uk iww.org Vermont Arkansas Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. ISSN 0019-8870 ERA Organisation Contacts com Burlington: John MacLean, del., 802-540-2561 Fayetteville: P.O. Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859. Periodicals postage Central England Organiser: Russ Spring, central@iww. [email protected] Twin Cities GMB: 3019 Minnehaha Ave. South, Suite 50, Virginia paid Chicago, IL. org.uk Minneapolis, 55406. [email protected] Richmond IWW: P.O. Box 7055, 23221. 804-496-1568. Communications Department: communications@iww. California Missouri [email protected], www.richmondiww.org org.uk Los Angeles GMB: (323) 374-3499. iwwgmbla@gmail. Greater Kansas City IWW: P.O. Box 414304, Kansas City, Washington Postmaster: Send address Cymru/Wales Organiser: Peter Davies [email protected] com 64141. 816.875.6060. 816-866-3808. greaterkciww@ Sacramento IWW: 916-825-0873, iwwsacramento@ Bremerton: Gordon Glick, del., [email protected] changes to IW, Post Office Box East of Scotland Organiser: Dek Keenan, eastscotland@ gmail.com Bellingham: [email protected]. www. iww.org.uk gmail.com St. Louis IWW: P.O. Box 63142, 63163. Secretary: stl. San Diego IWW: 619-630-5537, [email protected] bellinghamiww.com. Facebook: Bellingham IWW 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 USA Legal Officer: Tawanda Nyabango [email protected]. Treasurer stl.iww.treasurer@ Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934. 206-429- London Regional Organiser: Tawanda Nyabango San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Buyback IU gmail.com 5285. [email protected]. www.seattleiww.org, 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Fabrics Job Shop Montana Membership Administrator: Rob Stirling, membership@ and IU 410 Garment and Textile Worker’s Industrial www.seattle.net SUBSCRIPTIONS iww.org.uk Organizing Committee; Shattuck Cinemas; Embarcadero Construction Workers IU 330: Dennis Georg, del., 406- Spokane: P.O. Box 30222, 99223. spokaneiww@gmail. Individual Subscriptions: $18 Merchandise Committee: [email protected] Cinemas) P.O. Box 11412, Berkeley, 94712. 510-845- 490-3869, [email protected] com 0540. [email protected] Two Rivers IWW: Jim Del Duca, del., 106 Paisley Court, Wisconsin International Subscriptions: $30 Northern Regional Organiser: Northern Regional Organ- Apt. I, Bozeman 59715. 406-599-2463. delducja@ Library/Institution Subs: $30/year ising Committee, [email protected] IU 520 Marine Transport Workers: Steve Ongerth, del., gmail.com Madison GMB: P.O. Box 2442, 53701-2442. www. Norwich Bar and Hospitality Workers IUB 640: norwich- [email protected] madison.iww.org Union dues includes subscription. [email protected] Evergreen Printing: 2412 Palmetto Street, Oakland Nebraska IUB 560 - Communications and Computer Workers: P.O. 94602. 510-482-4547. [email protected] Nebraska GMB: P.O. Box 27811, Ralston, 68127. nebras- Box 259279, Madison 53725. 608-620-IWW1. Madiso- Organising and Bargaining Support Department: [email protected]. www.nebraskaiww.org Published monthly with the excep- [email protected] San Jose: [email protected], www.facebook. [email protected]. www.Madisoniub560.iww.org Research and Survey Department: [email protected] com/SJSV.IWW Nevada Lakeside Press IU 450 Job Shop: 1334 Williamson, tion of February and August. Secretary: Frank Syratt, [email protected] Colorado Reno GMB: P.O. Box 12173, 89510. Paul Lenart, del., 53703. 608-255-1800. Jerry Chernow, del., jerry@ Denver GMB: c/o Hughes, 7700 E. 29th Avenue, Unit 107, 775-513-7523, [email protected] lakesidepress.org. www.lakesidepress.org Southern England Organiser: Nick Ballard, south@iww. 80238. 303-355-2032. [email protected] Madison Infoshop Job Shop:1019 Williamson St. #B, Articles not so designated do org.uk IU 520 Railroad Workers: Ron Kaminkow, del., P.O. Box 53703. 608-262-9036 Tech Committee: [email protected] Connecticut 2131, Reno, 89505. 608-358-5771. ronkaminkow@ yahoo.com Just Coffee Job Shop IU 460: 1129 E. Wilson, Madison, not reflect the IWW’s Training Department: [email protected] Connecticut: John W., del., 914-258-0941. Johnw7813@ yahoo.com New Jersey 53703. 608-204-9011, justcoffee.coop official position. Treasurer: Matt Tucker, [email protected] DC Central New Jersey GMB: P.O. Box 10021, New Brunswick, Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. railfalcon@ West of Scotland Organiser: Keith Millar, westscotland@ 08906. 732-692-3491. [email protected]. Bob yahoo.com iww.org.uk Washington DC GMB: P.O. Box 1303, 20013. 202-630- Press Date: October 21, 2014 9620. [email protected]. www.dciww.org, www. Ratynski, del., 908-285-5426. www.newjerseyiww.org Milwaukee GMB: P.O. Box 342294, 53234. 630-415-7315 Women’s Officer: Marion Hersh, [email protected] facebook.com/dciww Northern New Jersey: 201-800-2471. [email protected] Northwoods IWW: P.O. Box 452, Stevens Point, 54481 November 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 3 Making Our Voices Heard Against Sexism In The IWW Fellow Workers, lar internal criticism on the very deeply-rooted concern, Many of you have expressed criticism same problems that FW Ma- because we have been alien- at my decision to publish Fellow Worker ria identifies in her piece. The ating many, many non-male (FW) Maria Parrotta’s piece, entitled “The only difference in FW db’s fellow workers in recent 2014 IWW General Convention: Learning piece, and the reason I be- years due to sexism, and this From Our Mistakes, Moving Forward,” lieve folks have not expressed needs to change. October 2014 Industrial Worker (IW), such strong opposition of In my eight-and-a-half pages 1 & 6. Those of you who have writ- my decision to publish his years as a member of this ten to me, both in letters published in the piece on page 3, is that it was organization, I have seen An Injury To One Is Readers’ Soapbox section of this issue written by a male-identified countless active, passionate (pages 2 & 3) and in private messages, author. I encourage fellow women and gender non- An Injury To All have expressed such scrutiny as (1) this ar- workers to take a step back conforming fellow workers I strongly support the articles pub- ticle should have appeared in the General and think about why they did drop out one-by-one, all for lished in the IW on addressing patriarchy Organization Bulletin (GOB) or another not have the same reaction to similar reasons: they were and on the saddening behavior of a few internal IWW publication, as the IW is an his piece. Perhaps it speaks to pushed out after having to of my fellow workers at the IWW General external publication, (2) this article should the very nature of the prob- Graphic: -Myriad- battle through a lengthy Convention. As a worker affiliated with have been clearly labeled as an “opinion” lem that FW Maria identifies. charges process involving the Chicago branch, I’ve watched as dis- piece and not “news,” and (3) this piece I believe that giving a prominent voice male harassment, or they got sick of be- senting voices have been harassed and was too “corrosive” and does not appeal to to a female delegate attending her first ing constantly interrupted, put down, and threatened within this branch for their potential fellow workers who we are trying Convention is essential for providing all not taken seriously by many of the male criticism of statements and actions that to organize. I will explain why I made the members and potential members with fellow workers in the groups with which harm our cause. decision to publish this piece on the front a fresh perspective on what the union is they worked, and when they did speak If a worker is made to feel unsafe page of the newspaper, and I encourage doing right and what the union is doing up and power through, they were overly- within their union, this hurts our credibil- any fellow workers or subscribers who wrong. FW Maria is certainly not the first scrutinized in the same way that I am being ity as a movement to look up to, and drives agree or disagree with my decision to write person to voice harsh but valid critiques of for publishing this piece and that Maria is away people in need of representation letters explaining your opinions, and I will sexism in the union, but she’s one of the being for writing it. and solidarity. Union members deserve gladly consider publishing these as well. first who was given a prominent voice in If we are to move forward as a revo- the opportunity to talk about oppressive Let me just say, first and foremost, union media, instead of being relegated lutionary organization, it is time we start behavior they see within their branch, just that while I respect the aforementioned to an email list or on the back pages of a acting like one. This means not only pat- as they deserve this opportunity within criticisms, I made the editorial decision GOB, which would only serve to neutralize ting ourselves on the back for our hard- the workplace, and this has to include the to publish this piece on the front page, her opinion. We are a member-run union fought struggles against the bosses but right to speak to their fellow workers in just as I publish other pieces that express for all workers, and, as such, we have a being able to openly recognize that we are the absence of those who have acted in individuals’ opinions on the front page and diversity of opinions and perspectives. I not perfect; however, there are conscious threatening ways. every page of each issue of the paper. As chose to publish her piece for everyone things we can do to better ourselves and Instead, these voices within the Chi- you will read on the masthead of page 2 to read, understand and be able to learn our organization. Highlighting the voices cago branch have been driven out of the of every issue, “Articles not so designated from together. of those in the union who are marginalized conversation, and the policies of the IWW do not reflect the IWW’s official position.” How can we call ourselves a demo- is one of those things. If fellow workers are have been used as a tool for protecting the This implies that each article is not objec- cratic organization if we want to shut out scared to do this or feel that publicizing connected rather than a tool for self-im- tive journalism at all, but is very much the the voices of those who are critical? FW these criticisms will not further our cause, provement. The labor movement is more opinion of each author. The articles that Maria is a member of the working class I urge you to reflect on what I’ve said and important than ever, and it is our duty appear in the IW are written by workers, as much as the guys on the factory floor ask yourself why. Until we get comfortable to become more inclusive so that every for workers, and, as such, will reflect their are. Sometimes it’s not just about what ap- with self-criticism and hearing the voices worker can find a safe space to organize opinions. You will see many examples of peals, it’s about being honest and transpar- of our marginalized membership, we will and realize her rights. this from male authors as well—even in an ent about who we are as an organization. continue to function on the periphery of An injury to one is an injury to all, and article by FW db, which appeared in the This openness should not be hidden from the left, the fringes of the labor move- after the discouragement I’ve felt watch- very issue we are discussing (“New Survey potential members out of fear it won’t ap- ment, and alienating even to the people ing the Chicago branch from within, I am Of Online IWW Sign-Ups: A Wake-Up Call peal to them, as they’ll very quickly find who believe in the principles of the IWW. profoundly relieved to see that the IWW And Call To Action,” October IW, page 3). out about our problems as soon as they Solidarity, as a whole understands and lives by this His piece includes strong opinions related join and possibly quit shortly thereafter. I Diane Krauthamer principle. to sexism in the union, and provides simi- don’t say this to be cynical, I say this as a Industrial Worker Editor Daniel Miller 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 Participate In The be no peace so long as hunger and want job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions 2014 IWW are found among millions of working T today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and people and the few, who make up the em- distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire Organizing Survey! ploying class, have all the good things of population, not merely a handful of exploiters. life. Between these two classes a struggle We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially – The IWW Survey & Research 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 Committee (SRC)—part of the 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 Organizing Department Board—has system, and live in harmony with the truly international union movement in order to confront the global power of the just launched our 2014 member earth. bosses and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fel- survey at: http://bit.ly/Yg2SwA. We find that the centering of the low workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. We hope you can take 5 to 10 min- management of industries into fewer and We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have fewer hands makes the trade unions un- utes of your time to complete this representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- survey and to share it with as many able to cope with the ever-growing power nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition of the employing class. The trade unions but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes of your fellow workers as possible. foster a state of affairs which allows one this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with Paper copies are also available 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. upon request. thereby helping defeat one another in Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific The information you share with wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions workplace, or across an industry. us is vital to moving forward with aid the employing class to mislead the Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what is- organizing efforts around the world. sues to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. workers into the belief that the working This year, we are especially focused class have interests in common with their employers. TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation on understanding where fellow These conditions can be changed and and your first month’s dues to: IWW, Post Office Box 180195, Chicago, IL workers are organizing, as well as the interest of the working class upheld 60618, USA. past efforts and future goals. The only by an organization formed in such Initiation is the same as one month’s dues. Our dues are calculated more comprehensive this survey is a way that all its members in any one according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues (i.e. the more people who respond!), industry, or all industries if necessary, are $9 a month. If your monthly income is between $2000 and $3500, cease work whenever a strike or lockout is dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues the better we will be able to plan on in any department thereof, thus mak- are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional strategically and provide necessary ing an injury to one an injury to all. Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). trainings and resources. Instead of the conservative motto, “A If you have any questions, con- fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” we __I affirm that I am a worker, and that I am not an employer. cerns, or feedback about the survey must inscribe on our banner the revolu- __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution. tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage or are otherwise interested in the __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. system.” work of the SRC, Name:______It is the historic mission of the work- please contact us ing class to do away with capitalism. The Address:______army of production must be organized, at [email protected]. City, State, Post Code, Country:______not only for the everyday struggle with org. capitalists, but also to carry on produc- Occupation:______For the tion when capitalism shall have been Phone:______Email:______One Big Union, overthrown. By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new Amount Enclosed:______The IWW SRC society within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker. Page 4 • Industrial Worker • November 2014 Three Ways To Win Your IWW Campaign By Daniel Gross own thinking about this question. Differ- The IWW has made dramatic strides in ent industries, sectors, workers, employers the last decade, returning to its roots as an and geographies pose varied challenges effective and transformative labor union. and opportunities for power assertion. Unique campaigns in diverse industries Always include secondary targets or have won important gains for workers and influencers in your analysis. A common significantly influenced the broader labor success factor for many worker organizing movement. Still, the building of endur- campaigns has been the ability to move ing worker-led and operated industrial those stakeholders. unions, a founding mandate of our union, Several IWW campaigns today have has not yet been fully realized. only an employer-level strategy, which is With the IWW’s strong recent track related to the need to step back, which I record, unparalleled experience in rank- have discussed. Do not fall into that trap. and-file organizing, and rich learnings The mission is to build an industrial union from our work, we are positioned to get and that requires a cascade of strategies to the next level of building durable in- beyond your shop or employer. dustrial unions to scale. Many industrial union building ef- Here are three ways we can get to the forts will need an overall organizational next level: strategy, an industry-level strategy, a 1) Take a step back. Too many sector-level strategy, and an employer- Wobbly campaigns start with a group of level strategy. You will answer the where workers deciding they are going to talk to to struggle and how to win question for their co-workers and organize their shop. each level. And each level is interrelated. The idea is after the shop or chain is orga- You should be able to write down the nized, they will then figure out how to or- core of each strategy level in the ballpark ganize the industry. This of 25 words or less. This approach is not working short statement will not because a shop is not a replace a strategic plan; significant unit in our but, the best engines of economy; industries are. power assertion are ame- Instead of jumping nable to simple and brief right in to organize your articulation. It is much shop, take a step back easier to remember and and look at your industry. Your job as an align a team of founding fellow workers IWW organizer is to organize your shop, around 25 words than it is 25 pages. but more so, it is to co-found a successful Scared you will assess and test several industrial union of workers in your indus- strategies but still choose the wrong path? try. Understand the industry, its workers, You probably will. However, with a system employers, customers, investors, supply for regular strategy reviews and the will chain, distribution, and so forth. Build a to keep the struggle alive, you will adjust model to win in the industry, including at until you find the strategy that works. your job. And adjust again if it stops working. With Once you have taken a step back you effective strategy-making, you and other might decide that your industrial union workers will see big and game-changing building effort actually should start with results in IWW organizing. organizing your shop or chain, and that is 3) Build a model. A strategy to win is totally fine. You will have the roadmap to necessary but not sufficient to create an in- do it right and the mission’s clarity in that dustrial union. In casual conversation, we your ultimate project is to build an effec- often interchange strategy and model. We tive industrial union. On the other hand, cannot afford to make that mistake in the you might decide on a totally different path high-stakes and incredibly difficult project into an industry that at the moment does of founding an industrial union. Strategy is not directly involve your employer. That a component of an organizational model. is fine, too, as then you have just avoided A model includes all of your organization’s years of misdirected effort. fundamental building blocks and how they It is completely understandable to interlace. want to get the ball rolling, fight injustice Which set of workers in the industry at your shop or company, and then figure will you and your fellow workers seek out out the bigger picture as you go. But, by first? What channels will you prioritize taking a step back you will avoid the fate to reach those workers? How will leaders that has felled many Wobbly campaigns develop? and instead, you will be investing in big, If you are able to successfully assert durable victories to come. power, what mechanism will use to define 2) Get clarity on your strategy. and hold the gains you win? A collective Many IWW campaigns have faltered for bargaining agreement? A code of conduct lack of a viable strategy or even a lack of with large brands? A non-contractual any articulated strategy. We need to learn standard, which was for example IWW strategy-making in the IWW. Without Local 8’s approach on the Philadelphia finding a strategy that works for your waterfront? industrial union building effort, the most How will you tie the value created by courageous and hard-fought efforts will the industrial union to being a member Graphic: Mike Konopacki be beaten. of the organization? How will you retain The two essential questions to formu- members? What will you measure to see late strategy are: where will we struggle if your vision is making progress in the and how will we win? “Where to struggle” messy world of reality? For the Unknown means things like which industry, sector, These are some key questions that geographic location, employers, or other a model must seek to answer and test. For the numberless, unrecorded workers who have been stakeholders that will be our focus. “How Though interrelated with strategy, hope- to win” means the unique choices we make fully, it is clear they require their own killed in the struggle, beaten, starved, driven mad, impris- to achieve our winning objective in the thinking and formulation. It takes a com- oned, had their houses burnt, their families terrorized; for field of struggle we have picked. These two plete model for an industrial union to win, strategy questions are adapted from the scale and endure. the workers who have been thrown off trains, driven out work of business school professor Roger Like strategy, the model almost never of work, ridden out of town; for the workers who have Martin, which we modified in New York works right off the bat and that is fine. The for use in worker organizations. A good key is to dialogue, debate, and document striven and sacrificed without recognition, whose names way to start practicing with the “where to your model as founding co-workers and we no longer know, who gave up everything so that we struggle” and “how to win” questions is to stay alive. You will refine the model to apply them to various worker organiz- as you go and even transform it dramati- might have a better day and a chance at freedom, and did ing campaigns that you are familiar with, cally if needed. When it does click you will not back down. May we be worthy of them. successful and unsuccessful, inside and change your industry and your workplace, outside the IWW. and maybe even the labor movement and More than anything, your strategy the world. must assert the power you will need to A member of the New York City IWW, We never forget win your demands. Asserting sufficient Daniel Gross founded the worker center power is extremely difficult and will not Brandworkers and helped launch the Vancouver Island GMB (Canada) come from generic formulations. Each IWW Starbucks Workers Union while he industrial union effort will have to do its was a barista at the company. November 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 5 Wobbly & North American News Jimmy John’s Workers Picket In Baltimore IWW Branches Raise Money For Sato Fund By the Toronto GMB In November, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) honor those who fought, and often died, in the class struggle. Figures such as August Spies, Joe Hill, Wesley Everest and Karen Silkwood stand tall in our minds, but there are so many others who struggled for progress and do not receive the same level of attention. This past summer, the Toronto General Memership Branch (GMB) of the IWW initiated a fund raiser in memory of Charlene “Charlie” Sato (1951-1996). Charlie was a professor of linguistics at the University of Wobblies from D.C., Baltimore picket Jimmy John’s on Oct. 19. Photo: Baltimore IWW Hawaii, and a member of the O’ahu By the Baltimore IWW union activity. GMB of the IWW. Upon her death, she Baltimore Jimmy John’s worker and When Jimmy John’s fired James bequeathed a donation to the IWW veteran James Hegler was fired on Sept. 5 Hegler, they put an American veteran on to establish a fund dedicated to “help in retaliation for organizing a union at his the street in direct contradiction of their women with travel costs in order to workplace and participating in concerted pledge to support American military fami- attend the General Assembly.” This activity against low wages and appalling lies. In July, Jimmy John’s gave a donation fund has since evolved into a bursary working conditions. On Sunday, Oct. 19, to Folds of Honor, stating, “Jimmy John’s program dedicated to providing cis- workers and supporters picketed outside is proud to be an American company and gender women, transgender women the Pratt Street Jimmy John’s to demand is privileged to aid families of veterans.” and men, and gender non-conforming both the reinstatement of James Hegler On Oct. 19, workers demanded that Jimmy fellow workers with travel funding in and an end to illegal retaliation against John’s stand by their pledge to support order to increase their representa- Graphic: FW Kelly Flynn workers. military families by reinstating James with tion and participation throughout By firing James, Jimmy John’s man- full back wages. the union. “General Organization Bulletin” (internal agement made it clear that they are will- In the city of Baltimore, where the The branches that participated in- publications of the IWW) and they will ing to violate federal labor law in order to low-wage service sector has grown rapidly, clude Indiana, Twin Cities, Portland, receive bragging rights for a year (those punish workers for organizing a union. campaigns such as the one underway at and Toronto. The deadline was set for lucky people). Here’s a count on the total By ignoring attempts to meet and discuss Jimmy John’s have massive potential. Sept. 30, and the competition was on! raised: terms for his reinstatement, Jimmy John’s Labor’s share of income has been rapidly Everything from socials, clothing swaps Toronto GMB: $715 management hopes to break the organiz- stolen from working people at the same and assessments were used to raise funds. Twin Cities GMB: $850 ing drive through intimidation and con- time that the low-wage service sector has After the final tally, the winning branch Portland GMB: $100 tempt for the National Labor Relations Act been pulling in record profits. New efforts was the Twin Cities GMB! Indiana GMB: $61.58 (NLRA). Workers responded with a picket to bring justice to this sector are becoming As the winning branch, a group photo Congratulations to the Twin Cities to show Jimmy John’s that this behavior more and more necessary in light of the will be displayed on the cover of the “Ca- GMB, and everyone who helped raise will not be tolerated. gross inequalities and stunting poverty nadian Organizing Bulletin” and the money! In addition to the picket held, the present in the city and across the country. union is also filing an unfair labor prac- The IWW sees the current efforts at Jimmy tice charge against Jimmy John’s and John’s as an important part of this larger Discussing Taiwan Social Movements In NYC franchise owners Dolchin Pratt LLC over struggle. movements. In her talk, called “Small James’ firing. This charge will be heard by The campaign in Baltimore is the sec- Progress, Big Struggles in Taiwan’s the National Labor Relations Board, along ond franchise in the company to go public Social Movements,” she discussed with six other counts of illegal retaliation as the IWW Jimmy John’s Workers Union, the state of the labor movement in against workers engaged in protected the first being Minneapolis in 2010. the country as well as several recent worker and migrant organizing and solidarity campaigns in which she has participated. Chou also had a Climate Change Knows No Borders personal fight of her own, a highly branches met at the Peace visible and successful campaign to Arch on the British Colum- recover her unpaid wages from a bia/Washington border on student-work program in Australia. Saturday, Sept. 20 to par- Chou also gave a critical overview ticipate in the weekend’s Catta Chou is Portland. Photo: Erick Crash of the “Sunflower Revolution” in international climate action. which students occupied the nation’s It was a great oppor- By the New York City GMB Parliament for a month earlier this year to tunity to discuss labor is- On Oct. 5, Taiwan IWW member and protest a proposed free trade agreement sues and organizing in our student labor activist Catta Chou visited with China. She led a discussion about region. It was inspiring to the New York City General Membership the current Occupy protests in Hong Kong hear from a diverse group Branch (GMB) to give a fascinating pre- and drew some parallels to the Taiwanese of speakers, several of whom sentation on current Taiwanese social movement. directly tied industrial capitalism to the climate crisis. Vancouver & Bellingham Wobs. Photo: ecology.iww.org Another world is possible. A By the Vancouver IWW special thanks to The Wilderness Com- Fighting For Workers This Black Friday By Kenneth Miller The Upstate New York GMB has been Members of the Vancouver, British mittee for organizing transportation to Black Friday, the biggest shopping protesting against sweatshops and talk- Columbia and Bellingham, Wash. IWW the event. day of the year, the day after Thanksgiv- ing to baseball fans about sweatshops ing, is a big day for consumer awareness in Cooperstown, N.Y. at the National Overworked Woman Dies Sleeping In Her Car and workers’ rights. The stores are filled Baseball Hall of Fame for nearly a de- By John Kalwaic This tragedy could with workers while consumers wrap- cade. Their experience with the workers, In August, Maria have been avoided if around the store in long lines. It is known the consumers, security, and the Major Fernandes, a 32-year- Maria Fernandes had as “Buy Nothing Day,” and League Baseball executives old woman from New- not been working so that is a wonderful way to cel- and agents on the streets of ark, N.J., suffocated many jobs, desperately ebrate our anti-consumerism Cooperstown is completely while sleeping in her trying to make ends and protest bad working con- similar to the experience car, which was still meet. Paying workers ditions. talking to baseball fans about running. Fernandes less does not result in For the third consecutive sweatshops at PNC Park in had four jobs, two of more jobs for more year, the James Connolly Pittsburgh, or in Milwau- which were working at workers but rather Upstate New York Regional kee or Arizona, or 100 other two separate Dunkin’ causes the same work- General Membership Branch major and minor league ball Photo: Kenneth Miller Donuts. According to ers to have to work (GMB) of the Industrial Work- parks. ers of the World will be pub- Cake commemorat- Greg Giorgio, editor of reports, she lived out more than one job. ing the 2012 Tazreen of her car and always If one of Fernandes’ lishing their anti-sweatshop factory fire disaster. Black Cat Moan, chairs the carried an extra tank of jobs paid a living wage, newsletter, Black Cat Moan, IWW’s Bangladesh Working gas because she would other people could have for distribution on Black Friday 2014. Committee, where he bottom lines the It will include solidarity messages and IWW’s correspondence with the National sometimes run out. A Maria Fernandes. Photo: nj.com had the other three jobs 911 call was made and she worked. Having to specific factory and retail information Garment Workers Federation of Bangla- then the emergency medical technicians neglect self-care is also a side effect of from the National Garment Workers desh. Please call Greg at 518-861-5627 came to the car and found all the windows employment without a break, which led Federation of Bangladesh. It will explain and learn how you can have hundreds of and doors closed. When they opened the to this tragedy. Maria Fernandes was only how to carry out an unfair labor practice the Black Friday 2014 edition of Black door, they were hit with noxious fumes and trying to take a nap. strike and have news about which unions Cat Moan for distribution in your work- found Fernandes dead. With files from The Star-Ledger. are organizing retail workers. place or school on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014. Page 6 • Industrial Worker • November 2014 Front Page News Portland IWW Battles With Non-Profits Over Union Busting Continued from 1 informed any of its employees we’ve been inform her about her legally-mandated had signed with The Nature Conservancy, week. Workers say the policy causes such accruing paid sick leave since January 1,” sick leave. “Because it is obviously difficult not to mention violating basic labor laws. a high turnover rate that few canvassers or notes canvasser Andrew Lee. “We also to fundraise with a bloody eye I did not do Though claiming that their hiring supervisors have more than a few weeks’ have several members of our union [say] so well and did not meet quota that week,” freeze was over, GCI has failed to add experience (GCI Regional Director Elise that upon applying, they were required to she said. “The following week manage- staff at any comparable rate as before. Stuewe said via email that this turnover refuse the healthcare that the company ment put me on review. I nearly lost my Many workers are interpreting this as the rate and the difficulty of meeting quotas offered as a condition of employment.” job.” This is her primary income that she beginning of GCI closing up shop in their are “vastly overstated…though it’s true “No one’s employment has ever been uses to raise her daughter, and her ability Portland office, which is a common union- this is a challenging job that’s not for conditioned on refusing healthcare,” says to do so was put into question as a direct busting tactic that other canvassing ships everyone”). Stuewe. “There may be confusion over result of management’s withholding of sick have used in the past. After GCI workers informed manage- notices handed out to newly hired staff leave information. Even against what the workers asked, ment of their organizing campaign, they as part of complying with the Affordable Workers then led the attendees up the The Nature Conservancy decided to pull asked to sit down and negotiate terms. Care Act.” stairs into the office where they banged on their contract with GCI in response to Management refused, and instead, work- Workers confirm that they received the door, demanding that management GCI’s treatment of workers. GCI, in re- ers say, instituted a hiring freeze, which packets about the Affordable Care Act, open up and listen to their demands. sponse, did exactly what workers feared they believe was intended to keep new but maintain that they were instructed to Management refused and instead hid they would: they closed up the Portland workers from being recruited by the union. check the refusal of healthcare box. while workers chanted and continued location entirely. Workers came in on Previously, they say, hiring was a constant In addition, former employee Mandie knocking aggressively. After it became Sept. 17 for a regular work day and were process at the Portland GCI office, with Gavitt claims that workers were promised clear that they were not going to be al- told they would all be fired immediately, field managers reporting 6 to 10 new hires promotions they never received and that lowed in to discuss terms, the rally went and they only received pay for the week. weekly. The hiring freeze was set to be she and several co-workers were termi- outside and waited for management to Workers decided to confront The Nature lifted in mid-August. nated after trying to raise the issues with leave for the day. For the next four hours, Conservancy about their turn of face by The case is different from most union- management. “[GCI] needs to be held ac- management continued to cower inside marching into their offices on the same ization efforts, as UCW workers have countable…because when I complained to instead of heading to their cars. Workers day as the mass termination. chosen not to seek a contract or file for a them, they didn’t do anything,” she says. led IWW songs, played games and did a Over several actions at The Nature National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Canvassers say they are galled by the limbo competition to keep up people’s Conservancy, workers demanded a clear election. Because of the high turnover rate irony of advocating for non-profits when spirits as they attempted to wait out the answer to why the contract was pulled and workers’ lack of confidence that GCI they themselves don’t receive fair treat- bosses. Afterwards, several unfair labor even though they explicitly asked for it to would maintain neutrality during card ment. practice complaints were filed, most citing be maintained. On Sept. 25 workers en- check, the workers are instead using the “We are campaigning for sustain- intimidation. tered their location to demand that upper old-school tactic of solidarity unionism. ability, but we don’t have sustainable To show that the union had complete management at The Nature Conservancy A form of organizing that dominated be- jobs,” says Lee. “We are campaigning for worker support, they staged a personal call their former employer and put pres- fore unions had institutional recognition women’s healthcare, but we are lied to vote. The vote was held anonymously, and sure on them to give the workers a fair through the NLRB, solidarity unionism about healthcare in our own workplace.” a third party participated in the vote count severance pay. Though the staff on site said means the demands of workers are en- At the Aug. 2 action, workers and al- to ensure neutrality, though it was not that they were sympathetic, as workers forced only through the actions workers lies entered the GCI campaign office and done through the NLRB process. Manage- challenged them and refused to leave, the can take in response to management, read a list of demands to their manager: ment refused to discuss the conditions or management would not take any actions rather than NLRB sanctions (although healthcare, overtime, sick leave, a $15 recognize the union even after this process and passed the responsibility to other staff their right to organize as a union is still hourly base pay for workers, an exemp- and, in a move that illustrates the pettiness people. Workers returned the following legally protected). As a result, workers tion from quotas for the first two weeks of their union-busting tactics, had workers day, hoping to confront the person who have fewer limitations on direct action of employment, a revised quota system, clock out for the 15 minutes it took for the pulled the plug on the contract directly. than in a traditional organizing drive: they adequate training for new hires, proper union ballots to be cast and counted. As the workers entered the building, can legally strike and take other actions at training for field managers, terminations Once the field manager returned from management and campaign directors were any point. only for just cause, and regular meetings her vacation, workers surprised her with ready and waiting, with a letter written by Right now, the union is leveraging between management and the union. another rally that brought out dozens of Kaie Valvo, the Conservancy’s Director of public pressure. On Aug. 2, workers and Workers had hoped the Aug. 2 com- supporters. On Aug. 27, a large mobiliza- Canvassing Programs. In the letter she community supporters of the organizing munity action would be enough to coax tion attempted to again enter the office feigned interest in the workers’ plight, yet drive rallied in front of the GCI headquar- management to deal with the union di- to negotiate with management, and the repeatedly stressed that nothing would be ters in Portland, calling for the company to rectly, but the instability that has marked assistant manager refused to allow anyone done about it. “We understand your posi- be held accountable for its labor practices. their tenure at GCI has extended to the into the office. tion but TNC [The Nature Conservancy] “I’m out here [rallying in front of GCI] talks as well. They have also matched this Workers have stated the repression does not have the ability to solve your is- because I have worked with GCI for over with collective call-ins from supporters continued as management began using sues,” she wrote. “Protest at TNC will not a year, and the turnover is absolutely from around the country and even a soli- the complicated quota system to threaten result in pressure on GCI to agree to your unacceptable,” said union member and darity action from IWW members at GCI’s specific workers’ jobs, which has been demands.” GCI canvasser Haley Boyd. “People are Boston headquarters. interpreted as retaliation for union activ- Workers decided to call her while in undertrained for their jobs and they are “The way that a lot of us look at it ity. One worker organizer, Laryssa, who the office, putting her on speaker phone disrespected. The result is that when we go is that we have no job security already,” had been incredibly active during the to confront her and the staff in the of- out there to talk to people about organiza- says Lee. “I’ve been in the office about campaign, had her job put into a precari- fice simultaneously. Both repeated their tions like the Planned Parenthood Action three weeks; I’m one of the longest-term ous place. Like many workers, when her stance of non-involvement and said that Fund, ACLU [American Civil Liberties employees there now. I have seen over numbers drifted downward, she was put they would be prohibited from making a Union], [and] The Nature Conservancy, we 70 [to] 80 percent of the people working on review. As the numbers returned to call to GCI and stating that they supported are giving a bad impression on the whole.” there when I was hired be fired since then. normal, Laryssa got taken off review, but severance pay for the workers. They per- Workers allege that, despite company Of course, there’s always the risk that our later management recanted this and said sisted that pulling the contract from GCI in policy mandating 90 minutes of training employer will retaliate against us illegally, that the review period had never ended. Portland was not due to union activity but for new hires during the probationary pe- but I think a lot of us have been so sup- The union organized an emergency call- instead because of a decline of donations riod, new employees are given only about portive of this organizing and so involved.” in, in which supporters and fellow union coming in and of recruitment practices 30 minutes of in-office training about can- Management told the workers that members called into GCI and The Nature at GCI that annoyed some larger donors. vassing—often without sufficient informa- GCI’s regional director would be meeting Conservancy to declare disgust at the al- Even though the workers at the GCI tion about individual campaigns—before with the workers on Aug. 6 to begin nego- leged retaliation. Portland may have lost their jobs perma- going out into the field, which means they tiations but have since refused to recog- As The Nature Conservancy became nently, they are refusing to back down cannot fully represent the organizations nize the union without an NLRB election. the sole contract with the Portland office from what has become a substantial fight they are raising funds for. Management Workers responded to the decision with a of GCI, attention began to be paid to them for a union in the canvassing industry. maintains that the stated policy is en- community rally in front of the local GCI and their relationship with their fundrais- They are going to continue to put pressure forced, and that new employees receive office at the close of business on Aug. 7. ing wing. An action was organized on Sept. on GCI and their contracting clients na- an hour of training each day after the first. They had planned to meet with GCI staff 9 where canvass workers and supporters tionally. UCW is also putting a call out for Uncertain wages, too, are a major as they left for the day. The managers in entered The Nature Conservancy to read other IWW locals to prioritize canvassing sticking point for canvassers. Workers say question, however, refused to leave the a letter to the key manager in charge of work, GCI specifically, when creating or- they’re unsure what wages they can expect building with the workers present. fundraising. In the letter, workers dis- ganizing priorities. Because of the nature in a given week. GCI offers a base pay of The workers came together and or- cussed their conditions and pay, and asked of this canvassing work, and the political minimum wage in addition to financial ganized a follow-up action, now claiming The Nature Conservancy to put pressure nature of many of the existing IWW mem- incentives for reaching a quota of $130 in 100 percent of the current non-managerial on GCI to negotiate with the union. The bership, it serves to reason that many donations per day, on average, over the staff at GCI being with the union. The vast manager who was present listened intently IWW members are already intersecting course of a five-day week—which the vast majority of these workers are new to the and noted that the workers had completely with these predatory canvassing shops. majority of workers do not. union and to the labor movement broadly valid concerns and that this information This makes the IWW a perfect candidate Workers say that about one-third of but are taking a lead as the campaign would go to the correct channels internal to take the UCW campaign national and the fluctuating workforce in their Portland continues. On Aug. 13, a rally formed in to The Nature Conservancy. This was the to look at organizing GCI shops in differ- location is older than 25, and many can- front of GCI with almost 40 workers and most receptive response that UCW mem- ent cities simultaneously. Unlike many vassers rely on the job as their sole source community supporters. They rallied with bers have received since the beginning of campaign-specific canvassing projects, of household income. chants directed at management and waited the campaign, and workers made it clear GCI is contracted for fundraising con- Additionally, workers say that health- for workers to get off for the day, all of that they did not want The Nature Conser- sistently throughout the year and can be care and sick leave are not always avail- whom joined the rally and spoke out about vancy to cut its contract with GCI and to in- a company that is an ongoing target for able, even when they should be. “We have their conditions. stead force them to negotiate in good faith union agitation. had people in our union canvassing on One worker, a single parent, discussed with the union constituency. Management This piece first appeared on Aug. 13, the street through very serious medical how she was forced to work with a concus- also noted that it sounded like GCI was 2014 in In These Times. It was reprinted conditions because our employer never sion and damaged eye because GCI did not not even living up to the contracts that it with permission from the author. November 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 7

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store.iww.org November 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 11 In November We Remember A Recap Of Some Teacher-Student Education Struggles In 2014 By John Kalwaic ered as a weapon. In reality it was simply school board to censor any- a kind of catapult that shot foam rubber thing they find “unpatriotic” Students Protest Cutting the Build- out of a tube using air. The administration or “Anti-American.” The ing Trades Program thought that the science fair invention was board’s focus on “law and In March 2014, the school board of dangerous and put Schiller on suspended order” brings into question Ottawa Township High School in Illinois leave. Schiller claimed that the science whether any social move- was talking about cutting the shop and projects were confiscated before he had a ments such as civil rights, building trades program and firing its in- chance to inspect or grade them. the women’s movements, structor, Dave Kelly, allegedly due to a lack Schiller was also very active in the labor movements, the en- of attendance and a budget deficit. Around teachers’ union, United Teachers Los An- vironmental movement or 130 students took issue with the fact that geles (UTLA), and was the teacher union LGBTQ rights could be tough their shop classes were being canceled and representative at the school. Some parents at all without being censured. organized protests. The students staged a and teachers suspect that was the real A group called The College UTLA students protest on April 10. Photo: ktla.com sit-in at the school administrator’s office; reason he was fired. The students started Board in Colorado has said that if the sences. On Sept. 30, there was a smaller they made the point that other projects, a movement to get Schiller reinstated. Stu- school board goes through with its plan, walkout at Cormody Middle School. Stu- like the $2 million gym remodeling project dents have had several rallies to that end, that Jefferson County AP history will not dents walked out to protest the history and giving each student an iPad, were not holding signs and t-shirts with Schiller’s count towards students’ college credits. curriculum changes. “Fox News” anchor fiscally wise. The students were ordered to iconic mustache and goatee on it saying The teachers took the first blow in an- Gretchen Carlson called the students leave and go back to class; the ones that “reinstate Schiller.” The students also other conflict with the school board over who walked out “punks,” while other refused were suspended and barred from launched a Facebook page, which received evaluations. On Sept. 19, many teachers pundits have called them “a puppet of the attending the prom. 1,130 likes. Eventually, Schiller was rein- called in sick, effectively shutting down teachers union.” Many of the students When the media heard about this, the stated after the wave of community sup- classes at Conifer High School and Stand- disagreed and have said that the teachers building trades union leaders decided to port from students, parents and the UTLA. ley Lake High School. Students also did were not directing them, but rather they support the students against the cuts to their part and rallied for the teachers but were making up their own minds. “People the industrial arts and building trades Students Protest for Teachers and also took a stand against the whitewashed think because we are teenagers, we don’t program. Another person that came to the Against White-Washing History history curriculum that the school board know things, but we are going home and students’ defense was Mike Rowe, former In September 2014, a new school was imposing over the local schools. It looking things up,” said Savanna Barron, host of the television show “Dirty Jobs.” board was elected in Jefferson County in did not end there, students at Conifer, a senior at Lakewood High School, as Rowe attended protests, though it is im- Colorado, which had a very reactionary Standley Lake and several other local Jef- she waved a sign on Kipling Street. “If portant to note that he has come under fire take on education. The school board of- ferson County schools walked out several they don’t teach us civil disobedience, we a few times from unions for doing Walmart ficials wanted to do away with anything times during the next week in response will teach ourselves.” On Oct. 2, parents, ads. The students have community sup- that made the United States look “bad,” to the revisionist history lesson. Students students and teachers packed the school port, including from unions. The struggle including any reference to slavery and from other schools the joined in, includ- board meeting with around 500 people; still continues in Ottawa. protest movements. These subjects were ing Lakewood High School, Dakota Ridge many student leaders spoke at the event. eliminated or at least deemphasized. In High School and Columbine High School, The school board voted for the proposal Students Rally Behind Fired Union its place the students were to learn “patri- where the infamous school massacre took with the small concession that students, Science Teacher otic history,” learning the values of “free place in 1999. At one point around 1,000 teachers and parents may serve on the In April 2014 a science teacher, Greg enterprise” and respect for law and order. students were present at the walkouts review committee. Schiller, was suspended from Ramón C. The move to change the history curriculum and demonstration. The Jefferson County With files from The Illinois Review, Cortines School of Visual and Performing has been backed by many outside groups Education Association has come out in My Webs Times, KTLA News video, Yahoo Arts in downtown Los Angeles. Schil- including Americans For Prosperity, which support of the students’ position. Students News, The Blaze, The Denver Post, Wash- ler was a well-loved science teacher and is controlled by the Koch Brothers. held signs and chanted by the roadside as ington Post, Democracy Now!, http:// fencing coach who the students greatly This history curriculum affected the many passersby honked. www.toolsofthetrade.net, http://www. respected. He was allegedly suspended Jefferson County Advanced Placement Another teacher sick-out was staged westward.com, http://www.9news.com, because a student made an invention for a (AP) history courses, although the pro- on Sept. 29, as two more Jefferson County http://www.breitbart.com, http://www. science fair that the administration consid- posal also leaves the door open for the schools were shut down do to teacher ab- wonkkett.com, as well as Facebook.

This November I Remember My Parents CLARA FREEDMAN SOLOMON and SIDNEY SOLOMON

Supporters of the Spanish Workers Revolution (1936 to 1939) Raymond S. Solomon Page 12 • Industrial Worker • November 2014 In November We Remember Remembering A Greatly-Admired Wobbly: Vincent St. John By Juan Conatz was shot and killed. Although law and federal troops. Al- the union in a more radical fashion and During the 109 years of the existence little evidence existed to though, the town workers saw the union nearly grow 10 times in of the Industrial Workers of the World implicate St. John, he was organized with the IWW and membership. Many of the most famous (IWW), there have been many organizers harassed by police and black- went on a sympathy strike, strikes, campaigns, organizing drives, and members whose names have come to listed from mining work for the federal troops entry into and strategies happened in this pre-World prominence within the union. Some were years because of this. the situation gave the mine War I era, when St. John was the GS. He respected, a few have been hated, and oth- Around this same time, owners strength, which they also acted as one of the union’s public ers triggered feelings that are a mixture of and adding to the mythology used to slash wages and de- faces, making public calls in the pages of the two. But arguably, no one has been as of his nickname, St. John was clare an open-shop policy. St. union publications such as Solidarity to admired in the IWW as Vincent St. John. involved in the rescue op- John was once again impli- reinforce Free Speech Fights in places like Nicknamed “The Saint,” St. John was eration of a mining disaster. cated in a murder with little Spokane, Wash. and Duluth, Minn. To the born to parents of Irish-Dutch ethnic back- He was considered a local to no evidence, this time of a mayors of Fresno and San Diego, Calif., he ground in 1876. For the next 15 years, his hero, although he contracted local restaurant owner. Fur- sent statements saying, “Free speech will family moved around frequently, residing chronic bronchial asthma for ther complicating matters be established ... if it takes twenty years.” in four different states before finally set- his efforts, which is believed for the strike and St. John In 1914, possibly exhausted after years tling in Colorado in 1895, when St. John to have contributed to his was a jurisdictional dispute of organizing battles and factional fights, was 19 years old. early death. Vincent Photo: tcorganizer.com between the WFM and an he resigned as General Secretary and went In Colorado he began working as a Radicalized by his expe- St. John in 1905. American Federation of to the Southwest to be a prospector. De- miner and union organizer. Within five rience as a miner in the American West, St. Labor (AFL) carpenter’s union, which spite this, he was still rounded up in 1918 years, at the age of 24, he was elected John was considered on the “left-wing” of seemed to have spilled into violence with during the U.S. government’s wartime president of his Western Federation of the Western Federation of Miners. When St. John being shot in the hand, possibly by persecution of the IWW and went to trial Miners (WFM) local in Telluride. The next the WFM became one of the founding an AFL member. His hand was disabled for with 101 other Wobblies. Even though St. year, the Telluride local was involved in unions of the IWW, he threw himself into the rest of his life. Despite the strike being John was a labor radical with little illu- a hotly contested strike. One of the mine IWW work as well. He also became a mem- considered a loss, it did win the eight-hour sions in the justice system, his 20-year owners organized an anti-union “Citizen’s ber of the Socialist Party, even running for day, some wage hikes, and other benefits. sentence shocked him. Alliance” to oppose the striking miners. office at one point. However, the experience led to the WFM “I did not think that mob justice would The police deputized and armed the scabs. At the 1906 General Convention of the leaving the IWW and St. John either leav- prevail in a U.S. court,” he said. In response, St. John ordered 250 rifles IWW, he was one of the main members of ing or being expelled from the WFM later He served two-and-a-half years in and 50,000 rounds of ammunition for the “revolutionary unionists” who sought that year. Leavenworth, Kan., before being par- the union. to and succeeded in ousting the president At the IWW’s convention in 1908, he doned. As the strike dragged on, a confronta- of the IWW, Charles Sherman, seen as too presided as chair. Although hesitant to Upon his release, he rejoined the tion between scabs and strikers occurred, conservative, and abolishing his position. bring it to the floor, St. John ended up IWW, which was in the middle of a conflict in which shots were fired and a few men St. John was elected general organizer. In siding with the “direct actionists” against with the newly established Communist were killed. At the end of the battle, the the same year, he was arrested in the Coeur the “political socialists” such as Daniel Party USA (CP) that was trying to win scabs withdrew, and the strikers occupied d’Alene area of Idaho, probably for union DeLeon. He also was elected General Sec- Wobblies to their party. He sided with the the mines, foreshadowing the sit-downs agitation. At the end of the year, and run- retary (GS), a position he held until he left anti-CPers. and occupations that were first done by the ning into 1907, he was heavily involved in the union. Upon entering office, he found Very little is known about what St. IWW in 1906 and followed by the Congress the Goldfield strike in Nevada. the union in a deep financial crisis and John did between his immediate release of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and Goldfield, Nev., now a ghost town, was suspended the Industrial Union Bulletin, and his death at the age of 56 in San Fran- independent unions in the 1930s. a booming mining area of around 20,000 a publication with roots in the “revolution- cisco. He was buried in an unmarked grave After the strike died down a year later, people during this time. The strike by the ary unionist” faction of 1906. in Oakland, Calif., which was eventually the mine owner, Arthur Collins, who had now IWW-affiliated WFM was met by the For the next several years, in his posi- given a proper headstone nearly 70 years brought together the Citizens Alliance, Citizens Alliance again, as well as martial tion as GS of the IWW, he helped shape later.

Review A Year In Alternative Media By Kenneth Miller producing and broadcasting peace and justice programming at PCTV. IndyKids We need a new community producer IndyKids is a free paper for free kids to help submit programs for broadcast. published in Brooklyn, N.Y. It is great Maintaining regular peace and justice for kids, college students and workers, programming at PCTV is one of the things providing a real education with front page Carlanna does very well. We could have a stories on deportation and family separa- lot more peace and justice programming tion, saving our schools, Haiti, the “life on PCTV when we give them program- cycle of a cell phone” and more. It is great ming officially, through another BWR/ for people who are just learning to read TMC community producer. Are you English. It comes with lesson plans and burning for some massive alternative encouragement for teachers who want a journalism in your life? This might be for peace and justice curriculum. you. The Black and White Reunion has a The Black and White Reunion and $75 scholarship you can use to become a the Pittsburgh General Membership PCTV Community Television Producer. Branch (GMB) of the IWW have been Call Kenneth for more information at bringing IndyKids to Pittsburgh and 412-512-1709 or learn about the orienta- handing them out at events, meetings, tion program for new PCTV community and at work for about five years. It is a producers. It is free speech television, great organizing tool: don’t do a house and we need it! call without IndyKids. IndyKids hosts workshops for journalists and they have Fifth Estate been invited to do so with the Pittsburgh Fifth Estate is an anarchist magazine Anti-Sweatshop Community Alliance at that has been published in Detroit since the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show at the 1965. I became familiar with it when Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. Sunfrog was the editor. He whispered “anarchy” in my ear. He was eloquent and Pittsburgh Community Television passionate and spoke to me so clearly. (PCTV): Local Free Speech TV He knows my friend Marius Mason, cur- PCTV is a contract between Verizon rently imprisoned at the Federal Medical and Comcast in the city of Pittsburgh. The Center, Carswell in Texas, from before cable companies are obligated to provide her imprisonment too. He wrote about us with the channels and the equipment, “osmosis” on a prison wall and osmosis education and staff to produce television going through the prison walls. It was programming. I used it to produce seven beautiful. episodes of “Let’s Talk about Sweatshops Fifth Estate continues to be pub- At PNC Park.” Black and White Reunion lished. The latest issue is about art and (BWR) programming about the Summit anarchy. There are many terrific essays Against Racism is popular on PCTV. Car- pertinent to people concerned with art in lanna Rhoten is the most active Thomas our schools and the August Wilson Center Merton Center (TMC) member, using her here in Pittsburgh. That Pittsburgh and credentials as a PCTV community pro- Detroit have so much in common is one ducer to produce “Pittsburgh Progressive reason why I would like to distribute Fifth Notebook” and putting the TMC peace Estate more in Pittsburgh, with more and justice programming of Rich Fishkin writing about jazz and the civil war and on the air. There are many members of the IWW. Look for upcoming issues of the TMC community with vast experience Fifth Estate at TMC. November 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 13 In November We Remember Wobbly History: The IWW, AFL, And The Issues Of Race And Class By Mike Kuhlenbeck through the ranks to become one of the program, designed to unite the whole “The revolutionary movement of the most conservative and reactionary lead- working class: working class will date from 1905, from ers of the trade union movement. He was “The American Federation of La- the organization of the INDUSTRIAL denounced as a “labor faker” by William bor, which presumes to be the labor WORKERS OF THE WORLD. Economic “Big Bill” Haywood, De Leon, Eugene Debs movement of this country, is not a solidarity is to-day the supreme need of and other IWW leaders. working class movement. It does not the working class. The old form of union- Gompers was an unapologetic racist, represent the working class. There are ism has long since fulfilled its mission and like many early American labor leaders, organizations that are affiliated, but outlived its usefulness, and the hour has who professed the need to implement loosely affiliated with the A. F. of L., struck for a change.” divide-and-conquer strategies already which in their constitution and by-laws These words were spoken by Eugene institutionalized in American society by prohibit the initiation of or conferring Debs, Socialist Party leader and notable the ruling class with statements like, “[M] the obligation on a colored man; that figure in the 1894 Pullman Strike, in a aintenance of the nation depended on the prohibit the conferring of the obligation Big Bill Haywood marching Photo: links.org.au speech delivered at Grand Central Palace, maintenance of racial purity and strength.” on foreigners. What we want to estab- with strikers in Lowell, Mass., in 1912. New York, on Dec. 10, 1905, eulogizing the Author Rudyard Kipling, known as lish at this time is a labor organization that organizer, introducing non-segregated old unions and yet, at the same time, spoke the poet laureate of the British Empire, will open wide its doors to every man that union locals on the waterfronts of Balti- of a new dawn for the working class. wrote a poem titled “The White Man’s earns his livelihood either by his brain or more, Norfolk and Philadelphia. The most militant leaders of the Burden,” which praised the white race as his muscle.” “What has miscegenation got to do working-class movement emphasized the the saviors to “savage” peoples, referring This is why the IWW was the Industri- with our job conditions?” Fletcher once need to unite all workers since the IWW’s to non-whites. Gompers shared similar al Workers of the World, not the Industrial said. “I don’t see anyone as black as I am. 1905 founding convention at Brand’s Hall attitudes, bringing this sentiment from Workers of America. But we all damn well know the reason.” in Chicago, barring no one from member- his native England to the United States. Haywood, when he spoke at the 1912 The IWW’s call was answered by some ship on the grounds of sex, “race, color In the September 1905 issue of American Brotherhood of Timber Workers conven- 3,000 members by the end of the year. Due or creed,” a legacy they have kept alive Federationist, the official organ of the tion in Louisiana, a state where it was il- to the success of a series of strikes between to this day. While current unions such as AFL, Gompers writes: legal to hold interracial meetings, said the 1915 and 1916, all but two of Philadelphia’s the American Federation of Labor and “[If] the colored man continued to lend following in response to concerns that the docks were under IWW control. Congress of Industrial Organizations himself to the work of tearing down what meeting would be broken up by the police: Fletcher’s example showed that Afri- (AFL-CIO) now have inclusive polices the white man has built up, a race hatred “You work in the same mills together. can-Americans were not simply allowed toward all workers in their ranks, it took far worse than any ever known will result. Sometimes a black man and a white man membership, but were encouraged to be as visionaries like the Wobblies to show them Caucasian civilization will serve notice that chop down the same tree together. You are active as possible in the long-term goal of the way. its uplifting process is not to be interfered meeting in a convention now to discuss abolishing the wage system. The IWW did In the late 1800s, even after the defeat with in any way.” the conditions under which you labor. not simply have members; their members of the Confederacy in the American Civil American Federationist, which Why not be sensible about this and call were leaders. War and the signing of the Emancipation claimed to be the journal “devoted to the the Negroes into the Convention? If it is While the IWW won several important Proclamation, former slaves and their interests and voicing the demands of the against the law, this is one time when the battles, more was yet to come. families were not free. Racism was insti- trade union movement,” obviously did not law should be broken.” After the slaughter of World War I tutionalized, especially in the Jim Crow represent the interests of non-white work- Unlike rhetoric from the white labor had ended in 1918, a war supported by the south, where poll taxes prevented African- ers. This hostility extended to foreign-born aristocracy, which spoke of sugary plati- AFL and opposed by the IWW, millions Americans from voting and the threat of workers, particularly non-whites who did tudes and class-collaborationist practices, of demobilized soldiers were desperately violence against the black community not speak English. the IWW did not rely simply on theories seeking work, often finding themselves always loomed above them. They were, Historian Milton Metzer in his 1967 but put their ideas into direct action. pitted against each other, especially whites like all workers, victims of wage slavery. book “Bread and Roses: The Struggle of The most successful strike in IWW competing for jobs also sought after by The first labor organization that al- American Labor 1865-1915,” describes history was the landmark 10-week battle people of color. Following this a series of lowed African-Americans into its ranks, the AFL’s role in whipping up fear against against the bosses of the textile mills in race riots erupted across the country in and eventually its leadership, was the Chinese immigrant toilers, an era that was Lawrence, Mass., which historian Melvyn 25 cities. Along with the riots, the num- Knights of Labor, which formed in 1869, infamously known as the “yellow peril”: Dubofsky nicknamed “Satan’s Dark Mills,” ber of lynchings drastically increased in with the slogan “An Injury to One is the “Prejudice against immigrants de- of 1912. The division of craft, nationality, the South. Concern of All,” a battle cry of the labor veloped rapidly among workingmen’s religion and political attitudes among the In 1919, the IWW circulated a pam- movement that was adopted and strength- organizations. The Chinese in the West workers made the task at hand seemingly phlet entitled “Justice for the Negro: How ened by the IWW as “An Injury to One is were among the first victims of racism. impossible, but it was a challenge heartily Can He Get it?,” which states: an Injury to All!” They had come first in the Fifties, to work accepted by the Wobblies. “The wrongs of the Negro are not con- The American Federation of Labor in the goldmines. After the Civil War they Employers planned to cut workers’ pay fined to lynching, however. When allowed (AFL), formed in 1886, later surpassed helped build the railroads and harvest and the workers responded by staging a to work and live in the community, he is the ailing Knights of Labor and by 1904 the crops, working for lower wages. Fury walk-out, bringing approximately 23,000 subjected to constant humiliation, injus- reportedly had 2 million workers in their against them mounted in the depression workers into Lawrence. Breaking language tice and discrimination…Throughout this ranks. By the early 20th century, the AFL of the Seventies. They were victims of barriers, the IWW successfully organized land of liberty, so-called, the Negro worker was still practicing craft unionism, an out- lynching and mass riots. By the early 1890s workers of numerous nationalities, includ- is treated as an inferior; he is underpaid dated system that only accepted member- Congress passed a series of laws keeping ing: Armenian, German, French-Canadi- in his work and overcharged in his rent; ship from workers with specific skills, such out almost all Chinese.” an, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, he is kick about, cursed and spat upon; in as plumbers, electricians and machinists. Gompers and other AFL bureaucrats Turkish, Syrian and others. It is estimated short, he is treated, not as a human being, As advancements were made in the had supported the Chinese Exclusion Act, that only 8 percent of the mill workers in but as an animal, a beast of burden for the modes of production, craft unionism was which was signed into law on May 6, 1882, Lawrence were native-born. ruling class.” becoming obsolete. The lily-white labor ar- prohibiting all immigration of Chinese Preparing for this landmark event, the Former Industrial Worker reporter istocracy was accused of failing to organize laborers. IWW called in some of their most seasoned Art Shields, in his memoir “On the Battle the working class. Socialist Labor Party “The labor unions played a big part in organizers, including 26-year-old Joseph Lines 1919-1939,” recalls one of the most leader Daniel De Leon humorously said putting up the barriers,” Metzer writes. Ettor, who could communicate to the tragic events of that year. “…More than the AFL was “a cross between a windbag Even the so-called socialist leaders at Lawrence strikers in English, Hungar- 200 Black men and women were lynched and a rope of sand.” the time, such as Socialist Party politician ian, Italian, Polish and Yiddish. Working in the former slave states in 1919. Among The IWW, by contrast, has always Victor Berger, who boasted about their alongside him was Arturo Giovannitti, an the victims were more than 100 sharecrop- promoted industrial unionism, which ac- segregationist and sexist beliefs, ignored Italian-born poet and scholar who exuded pers in the Arkansas River delta who had cepts skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled basic principles they claimed to espouse. a certain maturity compared to Ettor’s formed a union to get a better price for the workers into their ranks, making it the Berger served two terms in U.S. Congress, youthful charisma, despite being only a cotton they harvested.” Grand Industrial Union. But the divisive representing mostly German immigrant year older than him. “The killings began when landlords practices of the AFL, denounced as “the workers from Milwaukee. “There can be no Despite the historical precedent of attacked a church where the sharecroppers American Separation of Labor,” divided doubt that the negroes [sic] and mulattoes failed organizing efforts of the past, the were meeting. The Black unionists fought workers in other ways. constitute a lower race,” he once wrote. textile workers and the IWW prevailed. back. State troops then hunted the rebels At the AFL national convention in The AFL, the right wing of the Social- The results caused shockwaves around down in the canebrakes along the river.” 1900, the organization endorsed so-called ist Party and the ruling class conspired the country. Muckraking journalist Ray Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, the female “separate but equal” locals, or segrega- to spread the same lies and prejudices Stannard Baker, writing for The American firebrand who captured the imagination of tionist unions. Non-white workers would against immigrant workers, workers who Magazine, mirrored this with his account. millions of workers, both male and female, have mostly fallen into the category of are referred to as “illegal aliens” by reac- “It was nothing short of amazing,” he with her passionate speeches condemning being “unskilled,” which the traditional tionary circles today. These lies would pit writes, “the power of a great idea to weld the robber barons and the system that crafts unions did not consider worthy of worker against worker, and weaken soli- men together…There was in it [the strike] bleeds the working class, condemned the organizing. A leaflet issued by the IWW darity within the struggle to emancipate a peculiar, intense, vital spirit, a religious violence of the racist mobs. In New York makes this point, stating that black work- the working class. spirit if you will, that I have never felt she publicly defended the revolutionary ers have “no chance in the old-time trade From the beginning, the IWW’s vision before in any strike.” black journal The Messenger, which pro- unions. They do not want him. They admit as a working-class organization was drasti- This victory inspired workers all across moted the idea that African-Americans him only under compulsion and treat him cally different from the AFL and the other the nation, “fanning the flames of discon- had the right to exercise self-defense. with contempt.” establishment organizations. tent,” as it were. The IWW has fought many battles on Samuel Gompers (1850-1924), a Big Bill Haywood, then national-secre- One of the most famous IWW leaders the front lines of the class struggle, stand- London-born cigar maker, was one of the tary of the Western Federation of Miners was an African-American organizer named ing by the principles laid out by its found- founders of the AFL. He was the Federa- union, said in the opening speech of the Ben Fletcher (1890–1949) of the Marine ers 109 years ago. Today the members of tion’s president from 1886 until his death convention on June 17, 1905, denounced Transport Workers Industrial Union 510. the IWW, despite attacks from the bosses, in 1924. The man who once claimed to be the AFL and its lily-white craft-unionism He joined the One Big Union sometime police and vigilantes, continue this proud a “socialist sympathizer” in his youth, rose and outlined the IWW’s revolutionary around 1912 and became an influential tradition of solidarity. Page 14 • Industrial Worker • November 2014 In November We Remember Bloody Well Right: Who Won The Harlan County Miners’ Strike? By Spencer Wells Blue Bloods, and a Bloody Back- for forgetting to notice the unruly mob of You say it all depends on money ground commoners down in the infield as Hugh And who is in your family I must explain and enlighten you to Heffner and the Queen of England liter- Right, you're bloody well right the surroundings of our narrative before ally look down at them from Millionaire’s You know you got a right to say we start. The cultural and literal landscape Row. You, the outsider, most likely in Me, I don't care anyway! of our setting is vastly different to the the stands, given the good money you’ve Write your problems down in detail modern one we dwell in. Even I, a Ken- burned, will want to see the horses and Take them to a higher place tuckian bred, born, raised, educated, and most certainly will be blinded by the grand You've had your cry— seemingly permanently and perpetually illusion of it all. no, I should say wail rooted firmly in this state, can benefit from So let me sober you up with facts: In the meantime hush your face this information. The easternmost borders the Brown-Forman sponsored “mint ju- —Supertramp seem a distant and alien country. The city leps” that you and literally 120,000 other Prelude of my birth and residence, Louisville, is by patrons guzzle down are not mint juleps Photo: freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com Time seems to have eroded the crim- far the most populated and conventional of because they are made with Kentucky National Guard keeps picketers at bay as strikebreakers work, halting all protests. son-laced and dust-stained distant mem- cities in this state, while arguably not the whiskey, not Kentucky bourbon. Now that ory of the Harlan County War from the wealthiest or most economically stable. you’ve had a minor taste at subterfuge, let’s hunger. You will be fired from your job, history books. Yet, time...time is a con- That distinction has been endowed to get to the heart what all of this is meant to which is literally killing you day after day. stantly flowing, steady stream, my friend; the blue-blooded bastion of Lexington, distract you about: despite all of the show You will be evicted from your home, along it is not diverted and blocked by dams and which boasts the title of “the Athens of you’ve seen Kentucky has a child poverty with your family, and blacklisted. blockades. It moves as we do. The greatest West.” Its second and more insightful rate of 27 percent. Harlan, the alien subject You cannot relocate, even if you had crime that our society has committed is title, “The Horse Capital of the World,” of our study, is seated and near the heights the money, because all but three towns to compartmentalize history, to divide it would permit you a more generalized and, of the Commonwealth’s Black Mountain, in your county are owned by the mines, into generations, ages, eras, and periods. perhaps, biased portrait of its function: the where those darkened stones of power where the residents are slaves. You cannot There are no punctuations in reality. This beating heart and nervous system for my are nestled. The people mining those cold feed your family when blacklisted because was the first step in the separation of man hometown’s most cherished and enshrined stones so my state can be provided with the companies own the stores. God forbid from himself. event, the Kentucky Derby. heat and other life-sustaining powers are you try to form a union because the sheriff Next came depersonalization: we no The Southern Pageant of Opportunis- subject to a poverty rate of 32 percent, and and his men are armed and paid by the longer saw each other as members of the tic Opulence, also known as the Kentucky are rewarded with an average county-wide company. They are known to shoot people same species, but members of nations Derby, is staged at Churchill Downs. With per capita income of $11,595. Lexington, onsite who try to unionize. The law is not with histories independent of the rest of the mass influx of tourism and much-need- the seat of old antebellum wealth and on your side. You are alone. You have to the world. Nationalism emerged. This led ed cash that the so-called “Greatest Two power, enjoys an unemployment rate of keep your head down and mouth shut so to imperialism. You are a citizen of your Minutes of Sports” brings into the state, less than 5 percent. you and your family can survive. You’re country, and your country solely. This was you could be forgiven for falling victim to Now that I have imparted you with paid, but not much, with an average an- followed by the final blow: the rise of clas- the illusion cast by the Kentucky Depart- knowledge, let’s begin. Envision now that nual income of $1,739 that allows you to sism. The upper class ruled the means of ment of Commerce. If you partake in the you live in Harlan County. The year is continue the struggle of life. production and the elite tiers of education. ecstasy of the event, you will most likely 1930. The town you live in was designed, Then, it happens. A year later, the With the Industrial Revolution, the advent find yourself literally drunk off the history built, and owned by the coal companies. mine operators decided, due to pressure, of the modern era began. of our proud state. You will choke down You have no protection from the abuse of to cut your wages by 10 percent. You barely The world of “then” was one of harsh mint julep after mint julep on Derby day your owners. There are no regulations to scraped by before. Now you have nothing. divisions and cruelty, versus the global- as you watch the eloquent equine beasts protect you at work. Only the lord knows How much longer will the company work ized and “equalized” world of now. The of burden race down those spectacular the blackness of your lungs, or how many you with no protection? How more will standards we now take for granted did not dirt tracks. days you can count down left of your life they take? You don’t plan on finding out. exist, especially in the setting of our story: As your blood alcohol level rises and that you scarcely call your own. Any dis- It’s time to take action. Direct action. IT’S Harlan, bloody Harlan. with blinding buzz words such as “Mil- pleasure or slight to your masters will lead TIME TO STRIKE! Part 1: Black Lungs, Black Hearts, lionaire’s Row,” you would be forgiven you to a destitute life of homelessness and Part 2 will appear in the December IW. The Workers’ Grand March By John Gorman New Yorker Volk- try officer’s sword, had every right to celebrate, and celebrate At 10 a.m. on the fine Tuesday morn- szeitung and Irish swung north onto they did that evening at Wendell’s Elm ing of Sept. 5, 1882, William McCabe World, which had Broadway and Park, then located at 92nd Street and was a very nervous man. As an officer of linked the Irish Na- headed off on the Ninth Avenue in the “wilderness” of up- the International Typographical Union, tional Land League appointed route, per Manhattan. Admission was 25 cents, he had taken on the task of being grand struggles with the with McCabe which entitled you to all the beer and marshal of a great parade of workers to be fight for the Ameri- and the six-man simple, but plentiful, fare you could get held that day, but the parade was nowhere can worker for fair mounted police down, and all the speeches you could in sight. Supposedly, large contingents of treatment, had con- escort following. bear. The elevated railway laid on extra working men were mustering at their as- sistently supported The first Labor Day trains to accommodate the thousands signed stations farther uptown, but in the the labor movement Parade was under- upon thousands who joined the party, park south of New York’s City Hall, only a in New York City. way. which continued far into the night. Per- Labor Day Parade, 1885. Photo: wikimedia.org crowd of curious onlookers had gathered. Organized reli- But McCabe’s haps because the speeches were merci- Planning for the march had gone on gion had not been particularly helpful troubles were not over yet. At nearly fully short and feelings of fraternity so all summer, but even the most zealous either. While most clergymen did not every street corner, the procession was strong, there were no incidents to mar had felt twinges of skepticism. There had command the eloquence of mighty Henry halted by policemen demanding to see labor’s day in the sun, and everyone went been similar parades in other cities, but Ward Beecher who proclaimed from his the parade permit. This harassment only peacefully home to bed. never on a working day. Theoretically, the Brooklyn pulpit that “God intended the ceased when 500 burly bricklayers took Although the original organizers of Central Labor Union, an umbrella organi- great to be great and the little to be little,” up their stations in the line of the march. the parade had thought of it as a single zation of 60 unions and 80,000 members, and that “the man who cannot live on After much debate, these men had agreed event, the triumph of 1882 soon led which had called the demonstration, bread and water is not fit to live,” there to give up a day’s pay to serve as marshals them to think of Labor Day as an annual could count on a massive turnout. But were many who shared his views and few for this parade, and they were in no mood event. It was calculated that the march- it remained to be seen how many of its who dared oppose him. to be trifled with. By the time the parade ers had lost about $75,000 in wages, an adherents would be ready to lose at least McCabe turned all these things over had reached 14th Street, it had swelled astronomical sum in those days, by their a half day’s pay for the cause. in his mind as he tried to reach a decision. to 20,000 or more, and even the most participation, but their zeal was undi- Indeed, 1882 was not a good year for Should he start the parade and go ahead reactionary authorities had given up any minished. Parades were indeed held in workers. The state of Connecticut had with only a handful of men, or should he thought of interfering. the following years, but Labor Day did recently passed a bill prescribing five call off the march and “put an end to this The sprinkling of idlers on the side- not become a national holiday until 1898. years imprisonment for any laborer who farce,” as some onlookers had already walks was soon replaced by sympathetic Agreement on the day to celebrate, how- refused his boss’s order to work at another loudly advised? crowds drawn by the music of dozens of ever, was not reached until 1923, when enterprise where a strike was in progress, Suddenly, McCabe whirled to see bands and thrilled by the performances Wyoming became the last of the states and similar “law and order” legislation machinist Matthew Maguire, another or- of the Big 6, the local Typographers Union to recognize the holiday and set it for the was on the books in many other states. ganizer, running across the lawn. famed for its precision marching. Signs first Monday in September. Unions were often viewed as criminal “They’re coming! They’re coming!” ranging from “Labor Pays All Taxes” to “8 Over the decades, much of the signifi- conspiracies and had to operate in semi- Maguire panted. Hours Constitutes A Day’s Work” caught cance of the day has faded, and it is often secrecy to function at all. Pledges not to “Who?” the attention of sweatshop workers who thought of as a convenient time to hold a join a union were frequently the price of “The Jewelers, the Jewelers from peered warily through tightly closed win- sale or to mark the end of summer. But employment, and becoming known as a Newark, hundreds of them, and they have dows. When lunchtime came hundreds when labor marches in towns and cities labor organizer was a virtual guarantee of a marching band.” more joined in, marching along as far across the nation, it should remind us all dismissal and lifelong blacklisting. Scarcely had Maguire finished, when as their time permitted. By the time the of a time when paid holidays, eight-hour The press, owned largely by the same the band could be heard playing tunes parade broke up at its terminus beside days and overtime pay were the utopian magnates who controlled the railroads, from the then-current musical hit, “Pa- Reservoir Park, now the site of the New dreams of bold and farsighted men who mines and factories of the land, was tience,” by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by York Public Library on 42nd Street, it was risked everything for what they believed almost uniformly hostile and fond of W. S. Gilbert. clear the labor had shown a unity and a in. They had other dreams too, like ending headlines such as “Communists Come Without a pause, the smartly stepping determination that could no longer be racism and organizing great labor coop- Forward” and “The Communist Meeting” craftsmen, each one carrying a beribboned ignored by friend or foe. eratives that are not realized even today. when covering labor gatherings. Only cane against his shoulder like an infan- The participants in the Great March But the struggle goes on. November 2014 • Industrial Worker • Page 15 Letters From Prisoners Understanding The Role Of Prisoner Intellectuals By Dennis S. Boatwright, the 20th century. He was jailed in 1926 Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility for his political activities in Italy during Lingering inside a mismanaged, the authoritarian rule of Benito Mus- overcrowded prison system—and quietly solini, the Fascist premier of Italy from floating atop a raging sea of unharnessed 1922-43. While in prison, Gramsci wrote violence and wholesale despair—lives a “Prison Notebooks,” a collection of notes shining group of prisoners who manage and essays. His work has become very to keep the fire of their sanity, dignity influential in the study of international and intellectual dexterity glowing despite political economy, and he is credited with living in corrupt institutions that nourish, originating the concept of the “organic glamorize and facilitate dark tendencies. intellectual.” According to Gramsci, only The existence of these unique indi- by achieving cultural hegemony could viduals is largely unknown by society. progressives move into the stage of Their voices are muted and maliciously socioeconomic revolution. Gramsci be- misrepresented by lawmakers and status lieved that dominant ideologies become quo media outlets, whose political survival embedded in society, to the extent that and television ratings significantly depend they begin to be considered unquestioned upon making dreadful perceptions of pris- common sense. What’s more remarkable oners seem like reality. Toughen-crime about Gramsci is that he wrote without rhetoric is amplified to rescue endangered access to books, and also in code, in order re-election bids. The resulting pattern re- to circumvent the prison censor. Gramsci veals itself as an endless passing of redun- remained in prison for 11 years, until his dant crime bills and a surge in television untimely death. “Riotous Conditions @ S.E.C.C.” Graphic: L.A.W. crime shows, such as “Prison Break” and Great thinkers and leaders often tower “Juvies.” U.S. politicians portray sympa- higher in death than in life. Sayyid Qutb most of his time reading and “chopping it Prisons are insulated from society’s thy. This is a winning strategy: as long as may be counted among them. Sayyid Qutb up” (raising the sociopolitical awareness) distractions, which enables time for in- the crime rate is above zero, theoretically, is considered the ideological grandfather with his fellow convicts, which earned trospection and contemplation. This is tougher legislation is warranted. of modern Islamic militancy. Through- him the ire of prison authorities. In his one explanation as to why prisons have Forgotten in this hype are scores of out his life he delivered fiery speeches own words: a transformative power for certain pris- reformed and self-taught prisoners. These and wrote scathing articles and essays “For the first four years I studied oners. During isolation, some prisoners brilliant prisoners possess extraordinary condemning the oppression of Muslims nothing but economics and military discover unusual abilities and untapped intellectual capabilities that are beneficial in general and the atrocities and human ideas. I met Black guerrillas, George ‘Big potentials which lay dormant inside of to society. Many demonstrate that they rights abuses perpetrated by the Egyp- Jake’ Lewis and James Carr, W.L. Nolen, them. Oppressive prison conditions ac- are willing and capable of participating tian government in particular. Accused of Bill Christmas, Terry Gibson and many, count for the signature militant disposi- in scholarly discourses. The fact that they trying to assassinate Egyptian President many others. We attempted to transform tion of some learned prisoners. In prison, exist should not surprise those familiar Gamal Abdel Nasser in October 1954, the Black criminal mentality into a Black some prisoners also sharpen their skills of with the history of resistance. Qutb was thrown into prison and tor- revolutionary mentality. As a result, each observing variations of human behavior, The social environment of prisons tured. While in prison, he continued his of us has been subjected to years of the including that of prison guards. They see produces one of the world’s most perplex- political activities, effectively converting most vicious violence by the state.” the best of human behavior as well as the ing paradoxes: they house dangerous and Egyptian jails into universities of radical Jackson and two other prisoners— worst expressions of racism being exhib- chronic lawbreakers, yet they also produce Islamic thought. Before his execution in John Clutchette and Fleeta Drumgo—were ited by the prison staff. The torture and great thinkers who are models of strength 1966, Qutb managed to smuggle out the charged with the murder of a white prison sadistic photos documented at Iraq’s Abu and integrity. Throughout history, pris- manuscript of his monumental book, guard, John Mills, that happened just mo- Ghraib prison is not uncommon in U.S. oners have played an important role in “Milestones,” chapter by chapter. Senior ments after another white prison guard, prisons. Future leaders and thinkers are advancing the parameters in the social intelligence officials begrudgingly concede O.G. Miller, was exonerated on Jan. 13, projected to emerge from prisons. Conse- sciences. Important papers and political that Qutb’s life and works continue to rally 1970 for the racist shooting death of three quently, counterintelligence measures are treatises were written by authors held in today’s resistance activities in Iraq and in Black prisoners—Cleveland Edwards, used to forestall this possibility. In 1994 dungeons or solitary confinement. Some the broader Middle East. Alvin Miller and W.L. Nolen—at Soledad college grants were taken away from all of their work continues to inspire millions Most educated African-American State Prison. While in solitary confine- U.S. prisons. and influence the direction of academic prisoners boast that George Jackson had ment, Jackson authored “Soledad Brother: This measure was intended to stunt discussion today. One of these convicts a profound impact on their decision to The Prison Letters of George Jackson” the academic growth of prisoners and was Antonio Gramsci. take corrective steps toward rehabilita- and “Blood in My Eye.” Jackson’s plight inhibit the development of critical think- Antonio Gramsci is regarded by many tion. Jackson was sent to prison for a petty attracted international attention and his ing. Acquiring knowledge is an expensive as the most influential Marxist thinker of robbery. During his incarceration he spent writings exposed the cruel anatomy of the endeavor; intellectually inclined prisoners Prison Industrial Complex. “Blood in My need the support of society. They need Eye” is regarded as the convict’s version of funds to procure educational material The Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) is now Frantz Fanon’s “Wretched of the Earth.” such as news magazines, scholarly journals organizing prisoners for IWW membership and direct action. Both books have been canonized and ad- and college textbooks. Prisoners do not mitted into the pantheon of revolutionary have access to the internet. This restric- We need your help. literature. Jackson is still esteemed as the tion severely hampers their ability to do premier penitentiary revolutionary. He research and stay abreast of new findings Can you write letters to prisoners? Can you spread the news? Can you was assassinated by gun tower guards on and developments. spare $10 for stamps and other campaign needs? Aug. 21, 1971. Space constraints prevent In this tumultuous post-9/11 world—a Please donate to IWOC directly through IWW GHQ, or through enumeration of the scores of other pris- world with a shortage of capacity backed https://fundly.com/iww-incarcerated-workers-organizing-committee, oners who are worthy of mention, such as solutions to our problems—we need input Rosa Luxemburg (“The Mass Strike: The from every segment of society, including and contact us via Facebook at Political Party and the Trade Union”), prisoners. If we overlook the insights of https://www.facebook.com/incarceratedworkers. Eldridge Cleaver (“Soul on Ice”), Leon knowledgeable prisoners, we may in fact Trotsky, and numerous others. be ignoring the next Malcolm X.

In November We Remember Steve Biko, Sponsor an Industrial Worker murdered in September 1977 in the apartheid state’s police room 619, and his colleague Den- Subscription for a Prisoner nis Brutus who helped organize the expulsion of South Africa from the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. Sponsor an Industrial Worker subscription for a prisoner! The In November We Remember Nate Smith and IWW often has fellow workers the urgent need for racial integration of the building trade unions in Pittsburgh today and & allies in prison who write to Pittsburgh’s favorite son of the Black Diaspora us requesting a subscription to August Wilson. the Industrial Worker, the official newspaper of the IWW. This is In November We Remember the victims of factory fires and factory collapses in Bangla- your chance to show solidarity! desh, the people who make our clothes, and we For only $18 you can buy one lift up, hold in the light, the National Garment Steve Biko. Photo: sahistory.org.za Workers Federation of Bangladesh, their re- full year’s worth of working-class gional organizing of workers and victims and news from around the world for a their organizing with us in the diaspora. As the Catholic Workers in Pittsburgh fellow worker in prison. Just visit: offer, Traveling Mercies for us all. http://store.iww.org/industrial- Buy press stamps from your IWW Delegate to support the ongoing print worker-sub-prisoner.html to order publication of the Industrial Worker. the subscription TODAY! Ad paid for by the Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance Page 16 • Industrial Worker • November 2014 Anti-Fascist Demonstrations In Greece

The IWW formed the International Solidarity Commission to help the union build the worker-to-worker solidarity that can lead to effective action against the bosses of the world. To contact the ISC, email [email protected]. Building Connections Around The World By Florian H., William B., J. Pierce, and Anders M. of the ISC The International Solidarity Commis- sion (ISC) is sponsoring a speaking tour by Taiwan IWW member Fellow Worker (FW) Catta Chou. She is an organizer for the Youth Labor Union 95, runs the mi- Block of the local anti-fascist assemblies of Keratsini. Photo: IWW Greece grant worker shelter of Serve the People Association, hosts labor films with Trans- By IWW Greece gathered activists and protesters from Movement Studio, and organizes around Sept. 18, 2014 marked one year since the greater anti-authoritarian, anarchist gender justice. Her talks will highlight the murder of anti-fascist artist and work- and anarcho-syndicalist groups, initia- the fights by tech manufacturing workers, er Pavlos Fyssas by thugs of the Golden tives and movement. It was evident that youth and migrant workers, and indig- Dawn, the Greek neo-Nazi party. IWW this block will be targeted by the police enous residents in Taiwan. She will be Greece commemorated the one-year an- since it presents radical, self-organized presenting at a conference in Washington, niversary of Fyssas’s sacrifice participat- and uncontrollable social activism. The D.C., with stops in New York City, Portland ing in Thessaloniki, Athens, and in the government sent a message that de- and Seattle. Make sure to meet her! block of the local assemblies of Keratsini, mocracy is synonymous with repression Ellison Moorehead’s talk at this year’s reminding people that an injury to one is and the totalitarian state of exclusion by IWW Convention in Chicago was tremen- an injury to all. Under no circumstances spreading more than 4,000 riot police for dous and she met many Wobblies eager to should we forget his sacrifice. It was a provocation in the area, similar to a junta. hear about the Confederación Nacional del political assassination, a cowardly effort With this threat in mind, IWW Greece Trabajo (CNT) in Spain, their fights, their Graphic: iww.org.uk by the political underworld to hit critical offered to coordinate the medical support internal organization, and their response Look for that statement. humanism and social consciousness. of the demonstration and to organize a to the capitalist crisis. Thanks, FW Bran- The ISC sends greetings to the confer- A monument in his memory was team of street medics to support protest- don, of the 2013 ISC, for helping make this ence of the Red & Black Coordination in unveiled in Keratsini, at the spot where ers during all phases of the demonstra- talk a success and in strengthening our Madrid, Spain. The Red & Black Coor- he was murdered. Anti-fascist rallies tion. The police attacks were continuous bond to our CNT comrades! dination, of which the IWW is a friendly were held in several cities across Greece and intensive for more than two hours, The ISC is endorsing FWs Monika “observer,” includes sister unions such as and abroad. Up to 10,000 attended the against the determined protesters who and David as they head to Rome and the Confederación General del Trabajo unveiling ceremony and demonstrated scattered in four directions. More than Vatican City, Italy to represent the IWW (CGT) in Spain, the Sveriges Arbetares in the streets of Keratsini. During the 100 people required first aid and medi- at the World Meeting of Popular Move- Centralorganisation (SAC – Syndikaliste- demonstration in Keratsini clashes broke cal treatment. Fellow Worker Argyris ments. This unique conference is being rna) in Sweden, Inicjatywa Pracownicza out between the police and a group of Argyriadis, the IWW doctor who coordi- hosted by the Catholic Church and FW (IP) in Poland, and the Confédération protesters. Similar clashes also broke out nated the medical support within the lo- Francisco (Pope Francis), and organized Nationale du Travail (CNT-f) in France. in Patra, Mytilene and Thessaloniki dur- cal assemblies and the anti-authoritarian by Brazil’s Movimento dos Trabalhadores The ISC voted to assist an FW from Europe ing anti-fascist demonstrations. Mayor of block, mentioned that in many cases not Rurais Sem Terra (MST) and Argentina’s to attend on behalf of the IWW’s European Keratsisni accuses police of “fascist” bru- only had the police attacked without any Confederación de los Trabajadores de la Regional Administration (ERA) and the tality. Greek police fired teargas without provocation from the protesters, but they Economía Popular (CTEP). The IWW was ISC. Hello, syndicalists! discrimination at protesters and espe- also refused to allow first aid to injured invited to attend by members of CTEP with Other interesting contacts include: cially at the block of the local assemblies people. They also attacked and beat medi- whom FW Tristan made a good connection a hotel worker in the Cayman Islands of Keratsini—which was the largest block cal personnel during the protest. during his travels in South America. Say asked for advice on building a union there (more than 5,000 people)—at the begin- If you would like to contact IWW some “Hail Marys” for our FWs and wish where such organizations are evidently ning of the demonstration. In this block Greece, email [email protected]. them luck! illegal; a doctor who is helping to build a In the past few months, the ISC has radical union in Pakistan inquired about been discussing the renewed attacks on creating a connection with the IWW; the Port Trucker Strike In Ningbo, China Gaza by the Israeli government and sub- ISC is following heated struggles in Hong By John Kalwaic picking up the containers. sequent international efforts to respond, Kong and is supporting the call for general On Aug. 18, approxi- Around 200 other drivers including the Block the Boat campaign. strikes; and lastly we are also sending a mately 10,000 port truckers from smaller companies The ISC will be publishing a statement condolence letter to the Central Sindi- went on strike in Ningbo, then locked down all six reaffirming the IWW’s commitment to cal e Popular (CSP Conlutas-Brasil) in China. The workers haven’t terminals. Both the Chinese the struggle of Palestinian workers and remembrance of Dirceu “Didi” Travesso, gotten a raise in eight years. police and military were or- in favor of the effort to isolate the Israeli who recently passed away after months in The port of Ningbo is Chi- dered in to quell the strikes government using economic means, such the hospital. Dirceu was active for years in na’s third busiest port and but were overwhelmed by as blocking shipping, boycotts, etc. This numerous labor and socialist projects and the world’s sixth busiest the striking drivers. The po- statement will also include support for will be missed by many Brazilian workers’ port. The main strike took lice managed to arrest only a those who speak out in favor of the Pal- organizations. place in Ningbo-Zhoushan’s few of the drivers. The strike estinians and condemnation of the U.S. You can reach the ISC by emailing seaport, which surpasses lasted almost a week with the government’s complicity in war crimes. [email protected]. Shanghai in terms of com- employers finally agreeing to mercial importance. Work- give the workers a 12 percent ers locked down the con- Photo: libcom.org raise. Construction Workers Riot In Istanbul tainer yards and prevented scabs from With files from Libcom.org. the company fed them. Ten workers Support international solidarity! also died in a construction disaster on Sept. 6, caused by unsafe conditions. The construction workers went on strike and held signs and shouted slogans calling for the management’s resigna- Assessments for $3 tion. Other workers and $6 are available blocked the major Photo: revolution-news.com from your delegate or roadways near the By John Kalwaic IWW headquarters: On Sept. 8, construction workers construction sites, effectively shutting launched a protest against poor working them down. Some construction workers PO Box 180195, conditions in Istanbul’s Halkalı neighbor- began setting materials and equipment Chicago, IL 60618, hood. In addition to bad working condi- on fire.R iot police were dispatched to the USA. tions, many workers said they they did area as well as fire trucks to put out the not receive regular wages and many had fires. The riot lasted around five hours. worms and other parasites in the meals With files from Revolution News!