INDUSTRIAL Official newspaper O f T h e I n d u s t r i a l w O r k eWORKER r s o f t h e w O r l d October 2009 #1719 Vol. 106 N o . 8 $1/ £ 1/ €1

Full coverage of 100th anniversary South African farm Serbian syndicalists the annual IWW of McKee’s Rocks workers organize charged with convention 6-7 strike 9 11 “terrorism” 12 Starbucks Barista Unjustly Fired, Demands Justice By John O’Reilly made it clear that she did not under- Starbucks management began yet stand what management was accusing another losing battle when they fired her of, Gallagher and a representative Azmera Mehrbatu. What they did not from Human Resources on the phone know was that Mehrbatu—known to her simply repeated themselves over and customers and fellow workers as “Aiz- over. Most shockingly, the management ze,”— would not simply accept losing implied that if Mehrbatu did not sign the her job for an unjust reason. Mehrbatu note, the police would be called. Fearing and the IWW StarbucksWorkers Union for her three children, Mehrbatu signed (SWU) are standing up to management’s the note that she did not understand, unjust decision and fighting to get her admitting to an offense she maintains job back. she did not commit. Mehrbatu was accused of theft from When IWW barista Anja Witek heard her store in St. Paul, Minn., but man- about the situation, she tried to get in agement have yet to provide a shred of touch with Mehrbatu and found that her evidence that the barista—well-known coworker felt ashamed and bewildered by her coworkers for her accuracy when by the way she had been treated. Witek counting down her till—stole a penny. contacted other baristas in her store and Instead, Starbucks district manager in stores around the Twin Cities, who Clair Gallagher took Mehrbatu into the agreed with her that they would not let back room after a shift in early July and their friend and coworker be targeted. kept her confined there for an hour and “We couldn’t just let this go,” Witek a half until she signed a statement of said. “Clearly something very wrong had guilt and a promissory note that forced happened here and we weren’t going to her to pay $1,200 to the company. As an sit back and watch our friend be submit- immigrant from Ethiopia, Mehrbatu’s ted to this kind of racist discrimination.” English skills are limited, and when she Continued on 9 Azmera Mehrbatu speaks to supporters at a rally on August 15. Photo: Erik Davis Philly Cab Drivers Demonstrate Against Parking Authority Ticketing By J. Pierce The rally in front of the 31st Street a $300 traffic ticket for picking up a Taxi Cab Drivers and Owner-Operators. Market Street was lined for blocks PPA headquarters filled the sidewalk customer while parked in a handicapped In the last several years, the now-com- with taxi cabs parked in the turning with cab drivers of every nationality. spot. He could have moved, documented bined UTWA has organized two 24-hour lane, giving the July 22 rally an air of There were visible numbers of West the situation, or argued with the PPA strikes and 20 to 25 demonstrations, ominous excitement. Three of us from Africans, South Asians, North Africans ticket writer, but he was not given the while combating every counterattack the Philadelphia IWW showed up at and Middle Easterners, along with a chance to do any of these things—his from the government. the midday demonstration. Organizers sprinkling of white and black native- license plate number was simply writ- As we zoomed through Center City with the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance born drivers. It was a thrilling sight to ten down on the fly and the ticket was surrounded by a sea of honking cabs, (UTWA), donning their white, collared see taxi workers of every background mailed to him weeks later. Tickets like Abdul told us how every time the UTWA union shirts, agitated the large crowd of standing together against the PPA and these are difficult to dispute because the advances with a mass action, the City cab drivers, many of them needing little its corporate cohorts. PPA accuses you of an incident that you and State retaliate with more harass- instigation to be pissed off. Large neon We witnessed a short string of can’t remember and that maybe never ment, rules and fines. The three of us posters denounced the Philadelphia speeches and then everybody mobilized even took place. Drive-by ticketing has Wobblies were thrilled with our rank- Parking Authority (PPA) and its twisted like fighter pilots for a caravan down- become the practice of Philadelphia’s and-file view of the demonstration and addiction to ticketing vulnerable cab town. A cab driver, Abdul, scooped us hated PPA, an agency so reviled that flew our IWW flags out of the cab win- drivers. With Mayor Michael Nutter in a up in his cab and we were off to the spite for it has gone national by way of dows. As union drivers filled the streets bitter fight against the City’s librarians, PPA adjudication building at Ninth and the popular TV show “Parking Wars.” around City Hall, honking and blocking sanitation workers, and myriad paper Filbert Streets. The fight with the PPA has been traffic, we could see the City’s apparatus pushers, 5,000 Philadelphia cab drivers Abdul is from Morocco and has a long and bitter one for the recently- swing into action. They dispatched spe- must look like sitting ducks to City Hall four kids. He has been driving a taxi merged Taxi Workers Alliance of Penn- cial cops in suits to block off roads in revenue hunters. for seven years and recently received sylvania and the Unified Brotherhood of Continued on 9

Industrial Worker Periodicals Postage PO Box 23085 PAID Sydney Bus Drivers Take Wildcat Action Cincinnati, OH 45223-3085, USA From libcom.org Months of trade union talks with the Cincinnati, OH A six-hour strike by 130 bus drivers company have failed to halt the onerous and additional in western Sydney, Australia, on Au- new conditions. Angered by the lack of ISSN 0019-8870 mailing offices gust 24—carried out in defiance of their support from the Transport Workers ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED union—has led to furious denunciations Union of Australia (TWU), the drivers from the media and an industrial court conducted their own stoppage, giving no judge. The drivers walked out at the warning to the union or management. Busways Blacktown depot at 3:30 a.m. The TWU opposed the strike and inter- against the imposition of new timetables vened to end it as quickly as possible. that would impose shorter times for Drivers said the timetables would routes. add to Sydney’s public transport sham- Drivers said that the new timetables, bles, which has seen the state Labor scheduled to commence in October, government in New South Wales cut the would be impossible to meet. The frequency of rail services and scrap plans timetables would force buses to run late, to extend the rail network to new outly- which would not only inconvenience and ing suburbs. In many outer western and anger passengers but cut short the driv- southern suburbs, the so-called public ers’ break periods. The drivers said that transport system depends almost en- with the new timetables, they would be tirely on heavily government-subsidized under enormous pressure to drive over private bus companies. the speed limit. Continued on 11 Page 2 • Industrial Worker • October 2009 Happy Offended By “The Reader” Review Halloween! Dear Industrial Worker, Dear Industrial Worker, I just read Mike Ballard’s film review I am writing regarding Mike Bal- of “The Reader,” entitled “A Love Story lard’s review of the movie “The Reader.” In Post-World War II Germany” on page I can certainly agree that there has been Letters welcome! 8 of the the August/September 2009 more than one holocaust and indeed Send your letters to: [email protected] Industrial Worker. there are occurring today holocausts, with “Letter” in the subject. I’m shocked by what an uninterest- however as a Jew who has relatives who ing review this is of a great movie. Boil- died in the Shoah I have to say that I Mailing address: ing down this movie to a statement about find this review sickening, incoherent IW, PO Box 7430, JAF Station, New complacency and about how good people and offensive in its insinuations and York, NY 10116, United States are able to ignore horrible crimes as they omissions. Today’s prison guards and are occurring is ridiculous. The film is so accomplices to mass murder should be Photo: facebook.com/twincities.iww In November We Remember many steps beyond that simplification. condemned by all, but former Nazi death IWW graphics make for great Announcements for the annual This movie is about a conflict between camp guards are sexy and attractive. pumpkin carving designs, and pump- kins are an inexpensive medium to Photo: iww.org “In November We Remember” generations, and about how illiteracy Great. Perhaps the question of anti- Industrial Worker deadline and ignorance are exploited, amonst Semitism, along with racism and sexism spread the word! What better way to is October 2. Celebrate the lives of those other things. I just think that this review needs to be addressed in the IWW and demonstrate your affection for the who have struggled for the working class is terrible. It was made even worse by in the Left in general? Or are we forever OBU? with your message of solidarity. Send the choice of the naked women in the going to endlessly repeat the socialism of Don’t forget to to send in photos announcements to [email protected]. Much bathtub photo. Otherwise, the August/ fools, whose adherents in France, French of your IWW pumpkins, costumes and appreciated donations for the following September issue looks good. I like this Algeria, Austria, Germany and Eastern other ideas to the Industrial Worker sizes should be sent to IWW GHQ, PO movie a lot and I think the review of it is Europe were the intellectual forebears of for publication. This IWW Pumpkin Box 23085, Cincinnati, OH 45223 USA. ridiculous. National Socialism? photo is from the Facebook page of the $12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide Sincerely, Sincerely, Twin Cities GMB. $40 for 4” by 2 columns Kenneth Miller X344127 “Readers’ Soapbox” continued on 11 $90 for a quarter page Industrial Worker IWW directory The Voice of Revolutionary Industrial Unionism Australia Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 3L7, Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455- NYC GMB: PO Box 7430, JAF Station, New York City IWW Regional Organising Committee: PO Box 1866, 705-749-9694, [email protected] 6608, 772-545-9591 [email protected] 10116, [email protected]. www.wobblycity.org Organization Albany, WA www.iww.org.au Toronto GMB: c/o Libra Knowledge & Information Starbucks Campaign: 44-61 11th St. Fl. 3, Long Svcs Co-op, PO Box 353 Stn. A, M5W 1C2. 416-919- Georgia Education Sydney: PO Box 241, Surry Hills. Atlanta: Keith Mercer, del., 404-992-7240, iw- Island City, NY 11101 [email protected] 7392. [email protected] Emancipation Melbourne: PO Box 145, Moreland 3058. [email protected] www.starbucksunion.org Québec British Isles Montreal: [email protected] Hawaii Upstate NY GMB: PO Box 235, Albany 12201- 0235, 518-833-6853 or 518-861-5627. www. Official newspaper of the IWW Regional Organising Committee: PO Box 1158, Honolulu: Tony Donnes, del., [email protected] Newcastle Upon Tyne NE99 4XL UK, Europe upstate-nyiww.org, [email protected], Industrial Workers Illinois Rochelle Semel, del., PO Box 172, Fly Creek 13337, [email protected], www.iww.org.uk Denmark Chicago GMB: 37 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607 607-293-6489, [email protected]. of the World Baristas United Campaign: baristasunited.org.uk Aarhus / Copenhagen: [email protected]; +45 312-638-9155. Hudson Valley GMB: PO Box 48, Huguenot,12746, Post Office Box 23085 National Blood Service Campaign: nbs.iww.org 2386 2328 Central Ill GMB: 903 S. Elm, Champaign, IL, 61820. 845-858-8851, [email protected], http://hviww. Cincinnati OH 45223 USA Bradford: [email protected] Finland 217-356-8247 blogspot.com/ 513.591.1905 • [email protected] Burnley: [email protected] Helsinki: Reko Ravela, Otto Brandtintie 11 B 25, Champaign: 217-356-8247. 00650. [email protected] Ohio www.iww.org Cambridge: IWW c/o Arjuna, 12 Mill Road, Cam- Freight Truckers Hotline: 224-353-7189, mtw530@ Ohio Valley GMB: PO Box 42233, Cincinnati 45242. bridge CB1 2AD [email protected] iww.org German Language Area Textile & Clothing Workers IU 410, PO Box 317741 Dorset: [email protected] IWW German Language Area Regional Organizing Waukegan: PO Box 274, 60079. General Secretary-Treasurer: Committee (GLAMROC): Post Fach 19 02 03, 60089 Cincinnati, OH 45231. [email protected] Dumfries: [email protected] Chris Lytle Frankfurt/M, Germany [email protected] Indiana Oklahoma Hull: [email protected] www.wobblies.de Lafayette GMB: P.O. Box 3793, West Lafayette, IN Tulsa: PO Box 213 Medicine Park 73557, 580-529- General Executive Board: London GMB: c/o Freedom Press, 84b Whitechapel Austria: [email protected], www.iwwaustria. 47906, 765-242-1722 3360. Sarah Bender, Jason Krpan, High Street, London E1 7QX. [email protected] wordpress.com London Building Workers IU 330 Branch: c/o Adam Iowa Oregon Heather Gardner, Stephanie Basile, Lincoln, UCU, Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH Frankfurt am Main: [email protected]. Eastern Iowa GMB: 114 1/2 E. College Street Lane County: 541-953-3741. www.eugeneiww.org Goettingen: [email protected]. Iowa City, IA 52240 [email protected] Koala Largess, Mike Hargis, Evan Leicestershire GMB and DMU IU620 Job Branch: Portland GMB: 311 N. Ivy St., 97227, 503-231-5488. Wolfson Unit 107, 40 Halford St., Leicester LE1 1TQ, England. Koeln: [email protected]. Maine [email protected], pdx.iww.org Tel. 07981 433 637, [email protected] www. Munich: [email protected] Barry Rodrigue, 75 Russell Street, Bath, ME 04530. leicestershire-iww.org.uk (207)-442-7779 Pennsylvania Editor & Graphic Designer : Luxembourg: [email protected] , 0352 691 31 99 71 Lancaster GMB: PO Box 796, Lancaster, PA 17608. Leeds: [email protected] Maryland Diane Krauthamer Switzerland: [email protected] Manchester: [email protected] www.iww- Baltimore IWW: c/o Red Emmaís, 2640 St. Paul Philadelphia GMB: PO Box 42777, Philadelphia, PA [email protected] manchester.org.uk Greece Street, Baltimore MD 21212, 410-230-0450, iww@ 19101. 215-222-1905. [email protected]. Union redemmas.org. Hall: 4530 Baltimore Ave., 19143. Norwich: [email protected] Athens: Themistokleous 66 Exarhia Athens Printer: Massachusetts Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: papercrane- www.iww-norwich.org.uk [email protected] Saltus Press Boston Area GMB: PO Box 391724, Cambridge [email protected], 610-358-9496. Netherlands: [email protected] Worcester, MA Nottingham: [email protected] 02139. 617-469-5162. Pittsburgh GMB : PO Box 831, Monroeville, Reading: [email protected] United States Cape Cod/SE Massachusetts: PO Box 315, West PA,15146. [email protected] Send contributions and letters Barnstable, MA 02668 [email protected] Sheffield: [email protected] Arizona Rhode Island to: IW, PO Box 7430, JAF Phoenix GMB: 480-894-6846, 602-254-4057. Western Mass. Public Service IU 650 Branch: IWW, Station, New York, NY 10116, Somerset: [email protected] Po Box 1581, Northampton 01061. Providence GMB: P.O. Box 5795 Providence, RI United States. Tyne and Wear: c/o Philip Le Marquand, 36 Abbot Arkansas 02903, 508-367-6434. [email protected] Court, Gateshead NE8 3JY [email protected]. Fayetteville: PO Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859, Michigan Texas uk. [email protected]. Detroit GMB: 22514 Brittany Avenue, E. Detroit, MI Next deadline is West Midlands: The Warehouse, 54-57 Allison Street 48021. [email protected]. Dallas & Fort Worth: 1618 6th Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104. October 2, 2009. Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5TH [email protected] DC Grand Rapids GMB: PO Box 6629, 49516. 616-881- www.wmiww.org DC GMB (Washington): 741 Morton St NW, Washing- 5263. South Texas GMB: [email protected] US IW mailing address: York: [email protected] ton DC, 20010. 571-276-1935. Central Michigan: 5007 W. Columbia Rd., Mason Vermont IW, PO Box 7430, JAF Sta- Scotland California 48854. 517-676-9446, happyhippie66@hotmail. Burlington GMB: [email protected] Los Angeles GMB: PO Box 811064, 90081. (310)205- com. tion, New York, NY 10116 Aberdeen: aberdeen@ iww.org.uk Washington 2667. [email protected] Minnesota ISSN 0019-8870 Clydeside GMB: c/o IWW PO Box 7593, Glasgow, Bellingham: P.O. Box 1793, 98227. BellinghamI- G42 2EX. [email protected] .iwwscotland. North Coast GMB: PO Box 844, Eureka 95502-0844. Twin Cities GMB: PO Box 14111, Minneapolis 55414. [email protected] 360-920-6240. Periodicals postage wordpress.com. 707-725-8090, [email protected]. 612- 339-1266. [email protected]. Tacoma IWW: P.O. Box 2052, Tacoma, WA 98401 paid Cincinnati, OH. San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Buyback Red River IWW: POB 103, Moorhead, MN 56561 Dumfries and Galloway GMB: [email protected] [email protected] Edinburgh IWW: c/o 17 W. Montgomery Place, IU 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Fabrics 218-287-0053. [email protected]. Postmaster: Send address EH7 5HA. 0131-557-6242, [email protected] Job Shop and IU 410 Garment and Textile Worker’s Missouri Olympia GMB: PO Box 2775, 98507, 360-878-1879. changes to IW, Post Office Box Industrial Organizing Committee; Shattuck Cinemas) [email protected] Canada PO Box 11412, Berkeley 94712. 510-845-0540. Kansas City GMB: c/o 5506 Holmes St., 64110. 23085, Cincinnati OH 45223 USA Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934. Evergreen Printing: 2335 Valley Street, Oakland, CA 816-523-3995. Alberta 94612. 510-835-0254 [email protected]. 206-339-4179. [email protected] Edmonton GMB: PO Box 75175, T6E 6K1. edmon- Montana San Jose: [email protected]. Two Rivers GMB: PO Box 9366, Missoula, MT 59807, Wisconsin SUBSCRIPTIONS [email protected], edmonton.iww.ca. Individual Subscriptions: $18 Colorado [email protected] 406-459-7585. Madison GMB: PO Box 2442, 53703-2442. www. madisoniww.info. International Subscriptions: $20 British Columbia Denver GMB: c/o P&L Printing Job Shop: 2298 Clay, Construction Workers IU 330: 406-490-3869, Vancouver IWW: 204-2274 York Ave., Vancouver, BC, Library Subs: $24/year Denver 80211. 303-433-1852. [email protected]. Lakeside Press IU 450 Job Shop: 1334 Williamson, V6K 1C6. Phone/fax 604-732-9613. gmb-van@iww. 53703. 608-255-1800. www.lakesidepress.org. Union dues includes subscription. ca, vancouver.iww.ca, vancouverwob.blogspot.com Four Corners (AZ, CO, NM, UT): 970-903-8721, New Jersey [email protected]. Central New Jersey GMB: PO Box 10021, New Madison Infoshop Job Shop: 1019 Williamson St. #B, Manitoba Published monthly with the excep- Florida Brunswick 08904. 732-801-7001 xaninjurytoallx@ 53703. 608-262-9036. tion of March and September. Winnipeg GMB: IWW, c/o WORC, PO Box 1, R3C 2G1. yahoo.com, [email protected] [email protected], garth.hardy@union. Gainesville GMB: 1021 W. University, 32601. 352- Just Coffee Job Shop IU 460: 1129 E. Wilson, Madi- son, 53703 608-204-9011, justcoffee.coop org.za. 246-2240, [email protected] New Mexico Articles not so designated do Pensacola GMB: PO Box 2662, Pensacola, FL 32513- Albuquerque: 202 Harvard SE, 87106-5505. 505- GDC Local 4: P.O. Box 811, 53701. 608-262-9036. Ontario 2662. 840-437-1323, [email protected], not reflect the IWW’s 331-6132, [email protected]. Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. Ottawa-Outaouais GMB & GDC Local 6: PO Box www.angelfire.com/fl5/iww official position. [email protected]. 52003, 298 Dalhousie St. K1N 1S0, 613-225-9655 St Petersburg/Tampa: Frank Green,P.O. Box 5058, New York Fax: 613-274-0819, [email protected] French: Gulfport, FL 33737. (727)324-9517. NoWageSlaves@ Binghamton Education Workers Union: bingham- Milwaukee GMB: PO Box 070632, 53207. 414-481- Press Date: September 22, 2009. [email protected]. gmail.com [email protected] 3557. October 2009 • Industrial Worker • Page 3 Cambodian Government Challenges Independent Garment Union By Erik W. Davis and-file union movement More than five years after his elder in Cambodia’s history, or- brother was murdered for his own union ganizing nearly 80,000 of efforts, current president of the Free Cambodia’s then-roughly Trade Union Workers of the Kingdom one million garment work- of Cambodia (FTUWKC) faces a new ers into the union, with all threat. The Cambodian government gains won through direct intends to charge Chey Mony with libel, action and militant strug- which carries with it the possibility of gle. He never retreated to prison time. Coming during a challeng- an administrative role, but ing period for Cambodian unions, this remained at the front lines prosecution could be devastating to the of the struggle. He had just Cambodian workers movement (see been fired from a factory “Independent Unionism In Cambodia: job for organizing work- Severe Challenges As Garment Industry ers into a union when two Takes Hit” on page 1 of the February/ men entered the newsstand March 2009 Industrial Worker). outside a Buddhist temple The Royal Government of Cambodia where Vichea read the announced that it would use the notori- newspapers every morn- ously corrupt Cambodian judiciary to ing and put one bullet in seek sanctions against FTUWKC presi- his head and another in his dent Chea Mony for accusing the govern- chest. Vichea died at the ment of organizing his elder brother’s age of 36, leaving behind murder in 2004. a pregnant wife and young After a decade of organizing workers child, who now live as po- in the nascent garment industry of newly litical refugees in Finland. Chea Mony leading a large parade of mourners in 2004. Photo: FTUWKC post-socialist Cambodia, Mony’s brother, Only days later, the Chea Vichea, had become the most fa- capital city of Phnom Penh was brought Penh, he believes that members of the ted and were apparently released by the mous and effective organizer in Cambo- to a standstill while a peaceful, unper- government—specifically from within the courts on August 17. Applauding the dia. He was known for exalting workers: mitted march of mourners occupied the Ministry of the Interior and the Police decision at the time, Mony repeated his “Dare to express yourselves. Have no streets carrying signs identifying Vichea forces—arranged his brother’s murder accusation against the government to the fear. Strength lies in unity.” More than as the “Hero of the Workers (Virachun).” and hired the killers. press. high-minded rhetoric, Vichea presided Vichea’s younger brother, Chea Mony, Responding to international outcry “I maintain my stance from the over the creation of the first mass rank- took up the mantle of leadership and after Vichea’s murder, the government beginning and acknowledge that [Born has continued to build and arrested two clearly innocent men—Sok Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun] were fake defend the union, despite the Sam Oeun and Born Samnang. Ac- killers, and I urge the court to find the constant threats and economic cording to the men’s alibis, which were real killers...I am ready to take respon- difficulties of the moment. confirmed by entire villages, they were sibility and dare to be imprisoned for Mony is slightly shorter than outside of the city at the time of the my conclusion about my brother’s case, his brother, and speaks with a murder. After a speedy show-trial they which is that the government prepared soft, high-pitched voice. Like were convicted of the murder. Amnesty a plan to kill my brother,” Mony told the his brother, Mony appears International, Human Rights Watch and Phnom Penh Post. fearless. He receives death other organizations condemned the con- Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the threats every week, and has victions as sham efforts by the govern- Ministry of the Interior, has since made not abandoned his leadership ment to protect the real murderers. clear that the government will use all of the union. While the government has done available measures to prosecute Mony Chea Mony has not feared nothing to catch the real murderers of for libel and slander. These charges, ren- to point fingers. Like nearly Vichea, the falsely accused killers Oeun dered by the corrupt Cambodian judicia- The murder of Chea Vichea. Photo: FTUWKC all other residents of Phnom and Samnang have been largely acquit- ry, are used frequently to silence critics of the regime. Opposition politician Mu IWW Constitution Preamble Join the IWW Today Sochua was found guilty of similar criti- The working class and the employing cisms only the previous week and may be he IWW is a union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the sentenced to prison time. class have nothing in common. There can job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions be no peace so long as hunger and want today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and are found among millions of working T distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire popu- people and the few, who make up the em- lation, not merely a handful of exploiters. ploying class, have all the good things of We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially ­– life. Between these two classes a struggle that is to say, we organize all workers on the job into one union, rather than dividing must go on until the workers of the world 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 truly system, and live in harmony with the international union movement in order to confront the global power of the bosses earth. and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fellow We find that the centering of the man- workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. agement of industries into fewer and fewer We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have hands makes the trade unions unable to representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- cope with the ever-growing power of the nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition employing class. The trade unions foster but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes a state of affairs which allows one set of this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with workers to be pitted against another set an unsafe machine or following the bosses’ orders so literally that nothing gets done. of workers in the same industry, thereby Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific helping defeat one another in wage wars. workplace, or across an industry. Moreover, the trade unions aid the employ- Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what issues ing class to mislead the workers into the to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. belief that the working class have interests in common with their employers. TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation See what all the purring is about These conditions can be changed and and your first month’s dues to: IWW, Post Office Box 23085, Cincinnati OH the interest of the working class upheld 45223, USA. only by an organization formed in such Initiation is the same as one month’s dues. Our dues are calculated Subscribe to the a way that all its members in any one in- according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues dustry, or all industries if necessary, cease are $9 a month. If your monthly income is between $2000 and $3500, Industrial Worker work whenever a strike or lockout is on in any department thereof, thus making an dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues injury to one an injury to all. are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional 10 issues for: Instead of the conservative motto, “A Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). • US $18 for individuals. 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. • US $20 for internationals. must inscribe on our banner the revolu- • US $24 for institutions. tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution. Name: ______system.” __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. It is the historic mission of the work- Name:______Address:______ing class to do away with capitalism. The State/Province:______army of production must be organized, Address:______not only for the everyday struggle with City, State, Post Code, Country:______Zip/PC______capitalists, but also to carry on production Occupation:______Send to: PO Box 23085, when capitalism shall have been over- Cincinnati OH 45223 USA thrown. By organizing industrially we are Phone:______Email:______forming the structure of the new society Amount Enclosed:______Subscribe Today! within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker. Page 4 • Industrial Worker • October 2009 Education First! By Jim Crutchfield the U.S., seem to be children of the petty I’ve been thinking a lot about the bourgeoisie—of school teachers, preach- three stars of the IWW constellation: ers and small-business owners. Education, Organization and Emancipa- The early 20th century IWW poured tion. They don’t represent a time line or massive resources into education and a hierarchy, really, but I think there’s a propaganda. Every delegate carried a reason why Education comes first, and I stock of pamphlets for sale, and the think we need to re-examine our current pamphlets weren’t just about organizing. priorities in light of it. They were about economics, history and Capitalism de-educates workers. It the operations of the industries in which actively works to make us dumber and Wobblies worked. The field in which they more ignorant. It encourages us to waste labored was much richer than what we’re our brains on entertainment and pre- faced with today: there was tremendous digested “news” and other propaganda, pressure among working-class families so that our natural mental abilities atro- to get educated, especially among im- phy or never develop. As the Sex Pistols migrant families; there were far fewer put it, “God save the Queen/ And the distractions; reading was encouraged fascist regime/ That made you a moron/ and widespread; workers formed study A potential H-bomb.” groups and self-improvement societies; The average worker today believes and Socialist propaganda was available what the state tells her to believe, seeks everywhere. Hundreds of thousands of protection under dependency, and workers actually read Marx, as well as spends more mental effort on sports other socialist, anarchist, and otherwise statistics and celebrity divorces than radical writers. Today, workers are far on understanding her place in society. more likely to read only the sports pages, She looks on education as a burden or a or entertainment magazines, if they read threat, and on educated people as aliens, at all. often hostile aliens who are going to We latter-day Wobs glorify and make her speed up at work or give her fetishize organizing above all else, yet job to a machine. She is no more fit to we have scarcely organized anybody or run an industry than the average bank anything. For years our organizing ef- president is to carry a load of bricks up a forts have mostly been complete failures, ladder. In her present state, the aver- and those efforts that haven’t failed have age worker can’t be the self-disciplined, generally been either window-dressing self-directed rebel worker of our dreams. or business union-style service opera- She’s fit only to be a member of a mob, tions with virtually nothing to distin- or the pas- guish them as sive, obedi- IWW shops. ent stooge of I think that’s a business because we union or van- have grossly guard party. neglected the I’m not educational as- talking about pect of our mis- anything to do sion. We seem with the mod- to think that ern worker’s simply encour- inherent Students focused on socialism and worker edu- aging workers qualities and cation at the Work People’s College in Duluth, to organize capabilities: Minn. These photos appeared in Clifford B. our way will I’m talking Ellis’ piece, “What Life Means to a Worker,” somehow turn about what from May 1926 Industrial Pioneer. them into free, workers in thinking men modern soci- and women, ety are taught who know how and trained to make smart from birth to decisions, de- be and to do. velop winning Anybody can strategies, and be made a mo- stick together ron. Just look when things at rich kids— get scary. We whose parents are kidding may be bril- ourselves. liant and accomplished—but they waste I submit that we will never build up a their school years drinking and doping successful, revolutionary, and fully dem- and competing for social status, and ocratic industrial union movement un- never put a minute’s effort into improv- less and until we educate ourselves and ing themselves mentally. They’ll be taken our fellow workers to understand what care of, of course, and may even become the problems are that make revolution President of the United States some necessary, to exercise our mental mus- day, but they’re still morons. Workers’ cles and to rid ourselves of the bigotry, kids—who are inundated from day one stupidity and ignorance that capitalist with pleasing distractions from mental society forces upon us. I don’t mean that development, and are taught to hate and “we” need to teach “them” proper doc- fear education—are even more likely to trines and enlightened attitudes—that’s Graphic: Mike Konopacki turn out ignorant and stupid, because bullshit and mind-control. I mean that around us. More realistically, if we fail to focus on they aren’t even exposed to educational we need to teach and train ourselves and To that end, I propose that the IWW education, we’re just likely to remain opportunities beyond the basic schooling the rest of our class to use our brains—to stop focusing single-mindedly on orga- what we are now—an irrelevant bunch of that’s needed to thresh out the potential think critically, to judge ideologies skep- nizing here and now; not that we give discontented misfits (I include myself in engineers and actuaries, so that they can tically, to be inventive and audacious in up on organizing, but that for the next this description), full of thrilling words, be steered towards college. our strategies, to assess and understand several years we devote the majority of but incapable of doing much besides The average worker today may be the past and the present, and to develop our energies and resources to preparing fighting among ourselves and fool- angry and dissatisfied with her lot, and realistic and rational plans for building a the ground before we try to build the ing trusting workers into staging little may instinctively know that something better future. We who have already come great edifice that is to be the One Big revolts that will only lose them their jobs is badly wrong with our system. She may to some level of intelligence and joined Union of All the Workers. If we fail to and their union. even seek out learning on her own, and the IWW need to rid ourselves of the educate ourselves and the workers we We can organize all the workers of develop a certain level of intelligence and New-Left nihilism, egoism, utopianism, want to organize, then the best we can the world into One Big Union. But we insight into the problems of our society. and naive idealism that characterize so hope for is to become a vanguard—an can’t do it without first preparing the But the vast majority of workers under much of the discourse within the IWW enlightened elite at the head of a mass workers, including ourselves, for Orga- capitalism are taught and trained to be today, and learn to think as free indi- of pure and simple, unthinking foot nization and Emancipation. The key to passive, to fear change, to obey orders viduals within communities, basing our soldiers capable only of destroying the that preparation is Education, and we and to only look out for themselves. At ideas and actions not on philosophical old society, instead of building a new have a tremendous amount of it to do this point, few workers are really Wobbly constructs or mental categories, but on and better one within the shell of the old. before we can hope to reach the other material; which may explain why the a rational observation and deep under- That has happened many times before, two stars of our constellation. It’s time great majority of Wobblies, at least in standing of the flowing, changing world with disastrous results for humanity. we got to work at it. October 2009 • Industrial Worker • Page 5 Guards File For Union, Supporters Rally To “Welcome Change” By James Generic The rally capped a nearly five-year PHILADELPHIA — On September 6, campaign called POWR (Philadelphia approximately 100 members of Phila- Officers and Workers Rising) in which delphia Jobs With Justice, Students for security guards and Philadelphia Jobs a Democratic Society, faith leaders and with Justice, itself a coalition of labor other supporters rallied in support of unions, students, progressive clergy and the Philadelphia Security Officers Union faith leaders, along with other commu- (PSOU)—the independent grassroots nity members, have fought to reform the union of the security guards who watch security industry in Philadelphia. Allied- over the most precious art at the Phila- Barton, which hires nearly 90 percent delphia Museum of Art—which had filed of the security guards in Philadelphia, a request for legal recognition of their pays poverty wages of approximately election of the PSOU as their union by $10 an hour with medical benefits that the security company Allied-Barton and are too expensive for the guards’ meager the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They wages. The security guards in Allied- were joined by the Rude Mechanical Barton in Philadelphia are 95 percent Orchestra, a radical punk marching band African-American, the majority of whom from New York City who had come down are women. Historically, security guards to provide music and to lead the protest. have been excluded from many legal The theme of “Welcoming Change” tar- protections and must form guard-only The Rude Mechanical Orchestra performing on September 6. Photo: Paul Gottlieb geted incoming Philadelphia Museum of unions for fear that unionized guards and Fabricio Rodriguez, represents the a promised 25-cent raise, members of Art president Timothy Rubb in the hopes would join other unions in strikes. (Oth- very basics of a union: workers get- Jobs with Justice took up panhandling of ushering in a positive new beginning, er low-wage workers excluded include ting together to fight back against the outside the museum to get spare change to show the support the guards have, and domestic workers and farm workers.) injustices at their jobs and the culture of to make up the difference in a symbolic to point out that labor law needs to be After targeting Temple University fear within AlliedBarton instead of just protest. totally changed (showing support for the and the University of Pennsylvania, quitting. The next steps in the campaign will Employee Free Choice Act, which would POWR won paid sick days and wage The campaign battle at the museum be to support the guards as they fight to have given guards instant recognition). increases at those locations. This is the is the latest of escalating yet respectful escape poverty through collective action Several speakers—guards, clergy, orga- first attempt to establish a union at tactics by supporters to put pressure throughout the 45 days until the elec- nizers, and more—spoke after a long, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The on the Museum to force AlliedBarton tion. Philadelphia Jobs with Justice and lively procession around the museum. decision was made by the guards at the to recognize the PSOU. There had been its allies will keep trying to rally support Several guards remarked afterwards on Museum to form an independent union several rallies outside the museum in to prevent AlliedBarton and its silent how good it was to see their support- after no big union with resources would the previous year. Members of Jobs with accomplice, the Philadelphia Museum ers out in force, since the battle on the take up the cause because of previous Justice attended the “Art After 5” event of Art, from crushing the independent inside of the museum will be heating up truces and agreements with AlliedBar- and handed out DVDs of the documen- worker-led union. Junita Love of the while the company pushes back against ton. This entirely independent union, tary “Welcoming Change,” detailing the PSOU quoted Frederick Douglass: “Pow- the union through intimidation and fear formed with the support of organizers Museum’s struggle with the security er concedes nothing without a demand. mongering. from Jobs with Justice, Eduardo Soriano guards. When AlliedBarton took away It never did and it never will.” Teed Off At Deutsche Bank: Tenants Disrupt Forecloser's High-End Dinner Seasons Hotel on “Deutsche Bank is the largest preda- “Financial institutions lie to people Boylston Street. tory lender in the state,” said Grace Ross who suffer the most,” added Jean Was- In the early eve- of the Mass Alliance Against Predatory sell, a retired social worker and volun- ning of September Lending. “Meanwhile, Massachusetts teer with City Life/Vida Urbana. “When 2, Boston-area is losing $59 billion every two years be- the (financial institutions) give out mort- labor and housing cause of the foreclosure crisis. This crisis gages, they leave out people who can’t activists—rep- wasn’t made by you and it wasn’t made afford it. Now the shelters are jammed, resenting such by me. It was made by these large banks and this is creating a rise in homeless- groups as City who wanted to make a quick buck.” ness.” In providing legal services for Life/Vida Urbana, At the hotel, Ross joined local labor recently-evicted tenants, she has noticed Jobs with Justice, and community leaders to present a no- that City Life/Vida Urbana is “certainly Mass Alliance of tice of eviction for Deutsche Bank to va- assisting a lot of people who are losing HUD Tenants, cate the state of Massachusetts. Security their jobs.” Community Labor guards blocked the demonstrators from Wassell said both housing and labor United, Mass entering, yet the noise and momentum rights have suffered drastically thanks to Alliance Against of the demonstration remained strong. the economic crisis, but now is a more Predatory Lend- “Deutsche Bank has refused to work important time than ever to stay moti- ing and the with us since day one,” commented vated and keep up the fight for economic SEIU—demon- Melonie Griffiths-Evans, of the Bank justice. Community protests Deutsche Bank. Photo: Diane Krauthamer strated at the din- Tenants Association (BTA). The BTA has “Everyday more and more people are By Diane Krauthamer ner, which kicked off the bank’s annual directly asked Deutsche to renegotiate being laid off and more and more people BOSTON – Equipped with mega- PGA golf championship. According to mortgages and stop thousands of evic- are being evicted from their homes. We phones, banners, and golf clubs, nearly organizers, Deutsche Bank forecloses on tions each year, yet the bank continues cannot back down to these financial 100 community members “teed off” at more homes in Massachusetts than any to refuse. “Their only interest is to make institutions, and we certainly will not let Deutsche Bank’s gala dinner at the Four other financial institution in the state. money off our backs,” she said. them control our lives,” Wassell said. Quad City Die Casting Workers Lose Jobs, Benefits Gourmet Exploitation? By UE Local 1174 The laid-off workers are owed earned MOLINE, Illinois – More than 100 pay and benefits, but Wells Fargo is tell- Workers Picket Upper East Side Specialty Market employees of Quad City Die Casting ing Quad City Die Casting that they must By Stephanie Basile Members of Brandworkers Internation- permanently lost their jobs on Sep- not pay the workers—instead, says Wells NEW YORK — A group of workers al— a Queens-based workers’ center that tember 4 after Wells Fargo did not Fargo, all the proceeds of the liquidation and supporters picketed outside Agata works in solidarity with Local 1500— continue to offer financing to the com- must go to the bank. Wells Fargo was a and Valentina on August 15 as part of an joined the protest. pany, forcing its closure. But they did recipient of $25 billion in federal bailout ongoing labor dispute with the company. In the summer of 2008, Agata and not go out quietly. Instead they ended funds and is refusing to allow payment Workers are calling on the grocery store Valentina workers began meeting with their last day of work with a protest of legally owed pay and benefits to the to respect their right to organize and to UFCW organizers and decided to assert to demand that Wells Fargo cough up Quad City employees. stop engaging in illegal anti-union activ- their right to join a labor union. The checks for the pay and benefits they are In August, the National Labor Rela- ity. supermarket responded by using tactics still owed. tions Board (NLRB) announced it will Agata and Valentina, located on of misinformation and intimidation United Electrical, Radio and issue a complaint against Quad City Die 79th Street and 1st Avenue, is one of to scare the workers from joining the Machine Workers of America (UE) Casting, stating that workers are legally many upscale gourmet grocery stores in union. In March 2009, Roberto De La representative Tim Curtin said that owed vacation pay and payment of ben- the Upper East Side. Local 1500 of the Cruz, a counterperson in the produce de- workers were scheduled to come in efits as a result of the illegal cancellation United Food and Commercial Workers partment, was terminated for his union that morning and work their regular of their health insurance in May. The (UFCW) has been organizing the largely activity. “I was called into the office and shift, but found the doors locked when NLRB is seeking voluntary settlement of immigrant workforce in the gourmet fired. They told me it was because I sup- they arrived. Curtin said the third shift the money owed. supermarket industry. In recent years, ported a union,” said De La Cruz. was asked to leave at 4:15 a.m. and the "We are angry that Wells Fargo is Local 1500 won union contracts at two UFCW Local 1500 has been holding first shift was cancelled with no notice. refusing to pay us what we have earned specialty grocery stores in New York— daily picket lines outside the supermar- "I think the company was nervous and and we won't stop fighting for justice. D’Agostino and Gristedes. ket for more than six months, and will they locked the plant today," Curtin We have the whole community support- Approximately 15 people were on the continue to do so until the company told local television station WQED. "I ing us, and we won't give up until Wells picket line. Picketers held signs, handed settles with the workers. don't know what they were anticipat- Fargo pays us what we worked so hard to out flyers, spoke to customers about the This story originally appeared in ing, but I think people in Quad Cities earn," said Keith Shribner, President of dispute and chanted pro-worker slogans. Next Left Notes (NLN), August 19, 2009. know the UE workers mean business." UE Local 1174. Page 6 • Industrial Worker • October 2009 Special Report: 2009 DelCon September Delegate Convention Ushers in New Era of IWW By Cristina D. to adopt Rusty’s Rules of Order as well CHICAGO – Industrial Workers as a process in which the floor would from Europe, Canada, and the United alternate between speakers who are for States gathered in Chicago on Labor Day and against motions. They also moved weekend, Sept. 4-6, for the union’s first to limit each delegate’s speaking time to Delegate Convention in decades. The one-and-a-half minutes. All attendees event was hosted by the Chicago General had the right to speak, but only creden- Membership Branch and held at the tialed delegates could vote. Chicago’s Pat United Electrical, Radio and Machine Brenner was later voted in as the meet- Workers of America (UE) hall on Ash- ing’s permanent chair, assisted by John land Avenue. Convention attendees were Hollingsworth from Ottawa as the meet- welcomed at the hall Friday evening ing’s permanent secretary. The Planning before relocating to nearby Union Park— Committee presented an agenda, which which features a statue of our old Fellow the attendees then agreed to adopt. Worker James Connolly—for a barbecue Fellow workers listened Saturday and socializing. Saturday marked the afternoon as branch, shop, and Regional start of the business weekend, during Organizing Committee (ROC) repre- which committees presented reports, sentatives reported on a multitude of officer nominations were made, and organizing campaigns. IWW members proposals were discussed. from New York City discussed progress with the Starbucks campaign. Starbucks The Proceedings Workers Union members recently pro- General Secretary-Treasurer (GST) tested a rise in their healthcare premi- Chris Lytle called the meeting to order ums (see “Starbucks Workers Union at 9:10 a.m. General Executive Board Fights For Health Care,” page 7). They (GEB) member Bryan Roberts was also reported new members in stores Angie reports the Chicago Couriers Union’s recent work. Photo: Cristina D. elected as temporary chair, aided by that are not yet public. Finally, they Marshall Arnold from Chicago, who updated the convention on the status of Union (CCU) reported on their organiz- Burlington, Vt. and a new educational was elected as the meeting’s temporary the Food and Allied Workers Union (IU ing victories and the creation of a Build- workers branch in Binghamton, N.Y.; secretary. Some significant motions 460). Workers from these shops are in ing Issues Committee. The committee the revival of the Central New Jersey were considered on Saturday morning, the process of fighting for and winning has improved conditions for messengers branch; contact with existing branches; including a resolution from the Creden- back pay. in several downtown Chicago buildings and the recently-completed U.S. De- tials Committee to give full voting rights Joseph Sanchez, who was recently by preventing security guards from sexu- partment of Labor audit of the union’s to all delegates who received credential laid off from Havas Media Planning ally harassing female messengers. This finances. cards. The motion was approved, and Group (MPG), is trying to recover a is an issue that had been threatening The Organizing Department reported every delegate present was enfran- severance package in an ongoing battle the workers for some time. The CCU has on the ongoing Starbucks campaign, the chised. A Rules Committee comprised against his former employer (See “NYC also published a “Rookie Rider’s Guide” IU 460 campaign, and efforts to connect of Fellow Workers Arnold, Hargis, and Wobblies Storm MPG’s Headquarters,” to the city. The guide grades messenger workers in IUs 530, 540, 560, 460, 330, Powers also laid the groundwork for below). companies on how well they treat and and 640. This past year, organizer train- the weekend. The committee moved Angie from the Chicago Couriers pay messengers. Another success for ing sessions have been held in Houston, CCU is the formation of the Ryan Bour- Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, N.M., dreau Memorial Fund. The fund—named Lancaster, Pa., and Raleigh, N.C. The after late CCU member Ryan Bourdreau, department is working on translating or- a messenger killed on the job two years ganizing materials into Spanish, French, ago—distributes money to messengers and German, and are encouraging future injured on the job. organizer trainings. Milwaukee Industrial Union 310 The Spanish-language publication Treasurer Virginio Miranda presented Solidaridad continues to be produced a report on the General Construction and distributed. Additionally, the Lit- Workers’ organizing developments. The erature Department, the Finance Com- branch now has more than 50 members mittee, the Constitution and By-Laws and anticipates continued growth. IU Maintenance Committee, and the Indus- 310 runs English as a Second Language trial Worker submitted annual reports (ESL) classes, and is putting together to the convention. The Dues Reform a workshop on workplace health and Committee continues its efforts to create safety standards, covered under the dues parity between members in North Occupational Safety and Health Ad- America and those in Europe. ministration (OSHA). The class will be A preliminary report is to be submit- open to both workers and their families. ted in February and a final one by July 1, Milwaukee workers are also planning on 2010. participating in the upcoming Milwau- Nominations were submitted for kee Labor Fest. next year’s General Officers: General The GEB reported on the chartering Secretary-Treasurer (GST) and the Delegates cast their votes during the weekend’s proceedings. Photo: Cristina D. of a new General Membership Branch in Continued on next page NYC Wobblies Storm MPG’s Headquarters By Diane Krauthamer Wobblies handed out in New York, Boston and to retain their right to sue me. They also NEW YORK — When Joseph San- leaflets to his former Chicago. The multi- do not want me to denigrate the compa- chez walked into the Lower Manhattan coworkers, who were million dollar advertising ny yet are not concerned about denigrat- headquarters of Havas-owned Media both glad to have the giant only gave these ing me,” Sanchez said. “I refuse to accept Planning Group (MPG) to demand the support, yet reluctant workers a four-week sev- these one-sided conditions. Now, MPG is severance pay that the multimillion- to engage with the erance package. In order refusing to pay me any severance.” dollar advertising company owed him, union out of fear of to receive their sever- Despite the seemingly fruitless management gave him the cold shoulder losing their jobs. The ance pay, MPG required battles, the IWW has caused quite a and escorted him out of the office. On IWW’s message was that the laid-off workers stir for MPG’s top executives. Sanchez’s August 20, Sanchez—accompanied by straightforward—the sign an “Agreement of coworker said that everyone in the office members of the New York City Industrial union is offering free Separation & Release,” had heard about the IWW’s campaign to Workers of the World (IWW)—marched legal and advocacy which included the stipu- pressure Kmart to stop advertising with into the offices of MPG, demanding support to workers lation that the former MPG—through weekly informational economic justice and restitution for the concerned about the employees would not “in leafleting and rallies at two Kmart loca- unjust lay-offs of more than 50 former possibility of future any way denigrate any tions in Manhattan—and management is employees. layoffs. aspect of the company.” not happy about the negative publicity. “MPG seemed caught off guard with In a sign of its The agreement made no He said that confronting MPG’s manage- us entering their office to speak to my increasing frustration mention of the company ment in their headquarters is the next former coworkers,” Sanchez said. When MPG responded to not denigrating any as- step in an escalation campaign to show Sanchez walked into the office, one of the know-your-rights pect of the employee. MPG that the IWW means business. his coworkers came downstairs to speak event by filing a crimi- “After the layoffs, I “MPG said that they view our visit with him. She told him that being called nal complaint with asked MPG to consider ‘as a very serious matter’ while I view the downstairs made her nervous, and said the New York Police some changes to the sev- disrespectful and unfair severance agree- that every day she and her coworkers Department. erance agreement they ment that they are peddling to us a very were worried about getting fired. After In April 2009, offered me,” Sanchez serious matter,” said Sanchez. moving past the desk and upstairs to MPG cut 11 percent of Photo: Diane Krauthamer said. “MPG doesn't want “Management realizes now that we the cubicles, Sanchez and his team of its staff, or 50 workers, from its offices me to be able to sue them, but they want are not just going to go away,” he added. October 2009 • Industrial Worker • Page 7 Special Report: 2009 DelCon A Report On The Union’s Annual Meeting In Chicago Continued from previous page forward as an organization.” General Executive Board (GEB) mem- “Being here is not only about making Thoughts on the 2009 Delegate Convention: bers, the Organizing Department Board these delegate decisions and administra- (ODB), International Solidarity Commis- tive or constitutional matters, but about Cristina D. interviews Elmar W. Cristina: So, if you could just tell me who you sion (ISC), General Defense Committee getting to know people,” said Elmar are, where you’re from, and what offices you (GDC) chair, Committee on Industrial Stuhlfauth of Cologne, Germany, who hold, that would be great. Classification (CIC) chair, and the Fi- stressed the importance of social connec- Elmar: My name is Elmar, I am the delegate of nance Committee. tions made throughout the weekend. the General Membership Branch in Cologne, This year’s Convention saw the After decades of work with anarcho- Germany. formation of the International Structure syndicalist unions in Germany, in 2006 Committee. Elected members of the Stuhlfauth was drawn by the IWW’s C: Have you ever been to any General Assem- committee are charged with bringing a centralized organizational structure. blies or Delegate Conventions? If so, how do proposal to next Previous groups they compare with this one? year’s convention with which he was E: I was in London last year for the General on how to structure involved were au- Assembly. A lot has changed. This is a different the IWW on an tonomous to a fault; style of organization right now because here we international level. cohesion was lacking have delegates who represent branches, instead This is in recogni- between similar of general membership representation. I think tion of the fact that groups based in there’s a division between the delegates and the we now have two different cities and, rest of those in attendance. Delegates follow all highly functioning in some instances, the things with plenty of concentration and Regional Organiz- countries. He be- sometimes it’s quite hard to stand.. Elmar Stuhlfauth in Chicago ing Committees lieves the Internet is (ROCs) in Europe, a powerful organiza- C: What do you mean “hard to stand?” with Canada in tional tool, but that E: What we do here is not really fun. It’s boring and it gets on your nerves. There are the early stages of it lacks intimacy for people who play tricks with the constitutional provisions, and in life you would treat forming their own comrades, who may these folks very much different than you would here. In this room, we have to main- ROC as well. We never have the op- tain a formal structure and be polite to one another. If somebody were to accuse me also expect that the portunity to meet in or treat me negatively in my personal life I would treat them very much different. So Australian ROC person. “It’s not the this makes it somehow hard, but I think this is all necessary to maintain the civi- will undergo a official thing we do lized organization of a democratic union. revival. here, but most of the The final order Casting votes. Photo: Elmar Stuhlfauth time, getting to know C: Do you feel like people have overall maintained pretty good diplomacy? of business was a report from the IWW each other is much more important than E: Yes, they have. I expected it to get much worse, especially after reading up on all Women’s Caucus on their efforts to those formalized things” (See sidebar, the arguments before I came here. There are many people who would not under- include women’s issues in organizer “Thoughts on the 2009 Delegate Con- stand why I would come all the way to Chicago for this type of “entertainment.” But training sessions and the preparation vention: Cristina D. interviews Elmar of course I don’t think it’s entertainment—it’s an important job to do. of welcome packets for new women W.”). members. Long-time IWW member MK from C: So, why did you join the IWW? Edmonton, Baltimore, Twin Cities, the San Francisco Bay area compared E: I have a long history of organizing in social/political activities. Prior to joining New York City, Dallas, and Los Ange- this year’s Delegate Convention to past the IWW in November 2006, I was a member of an anarcho-syndicalist union in les were proposed as sites for the 2010 annual meetings. This year will make his Germany, but my branch in Cologne dissolved. I joined the IWW because I think Convention. sixth in attendance. “This one has more that it has a better concept of organizing workers and social activities than the proposals than I’ve ever seen by far at anarcho-syndicalist union in Germany had. In the past I have been a squatter and Thoughts on the Convention one convention, but it’s pretty similar,” an antifascist activist, and I have grown to understand that it’s important for us to “Our branch meetings comparatively said MK. “There’s debate, sometimes get a foot into the working class and working life. Personally, when I got older I was have a smaller group of people,” said people yell, sometimes it gets heated, but faced with issues such as how to find a job, how to survive at the job, and how to Christi Cogswell of Chicago, “so it’s been really most of the time people are work- raise my family and so on. really interesting to watch Rusty’s Rules ing together and trying to solve problems used consistently throughout the entire in a comradely way.” C: Do you feel like the IWW is structured better than the syndicalist groups you’ve meeting and being used productively.” As per tradition at each year’s been a part of? This was Cogswell’s first IWW annual general meeting, the weekend drew to E: Yes, the IWW is more centralized. It sounds strange because centralization to gathering. For a close on Sun- many people means more control and dictatorship and such things. I experienced her and many day evening with the opposite in the anarcho-syndicalist union; they are so autonomous that they new leaders Industrial Work- don’t want to share. They struggle around city against city, country against coun- in the union ers joining in a try, and the movement seems very separated on territorial issues. To me they are the Delegate spirited singing of quite illogical—they are lacking a common base. I mean this feeling of being a part Convention Ralph Chaplin’s of “One Big Union” gets lost very often in the anarcho-syndicalist world, at least in was an op- “Solidarity Forev- Europe. portunity for er,” our longtime her to witness anthem. Delegates C: Do you have anything else to add? diplomacy left the Conven- Graphic: DJ Alperovitz E: Yes! Of course coming here is not just about making delegate decisions and work- across branch- tion confident ing around the administrative and constitutional issues. It is about getting to know es and regional organizing committees. of our union’s continued growth and people. This was my main intention. I mean even if I would not have been “The most important issue for me is influence in the current era of capitalist regarded as a mandated delegate, which was an option I had, what I could have meeting members from other branches,” collapse and the ongoing irrelevancy of done—this was quite nice. I met many interesting people and made good contacts said Joe Tessone of Chicago. “It’s impor- the business unions. that will help us in the future. It’s wonderful for us to stretch over the ocean like tant to understand each other and our Steve Kellerman contributed to this this. For me, the “unofficial business” of socializing and getting to know each other differences and figure out ways to move story. Starbucks Workers Union Fights For Health Care By Benjamin Ferguson and Joe Agins, Jr. Signs, chants, leaflets and a large media turnout characterized the Star- bucks Worker Union’s (SWU) demonstration on August 17 in New York City against the company’s decision to nearly double the premiums workers pay for health insurance. The public was very supportive of the SWU’s protest andthe topic seemed to resonate with everyone who passed by. The cops were not ter- ribly supportive, as they attempted to keep the sidewalks clear in front of the Starbucks store, located below the company’s regional headquarters. In New England, Wobblies went on a 15-store blitz in Boston and Need- ham, Mass., and in Dover and Portsmouth, N.H. Three IWW members—Steve Kellerman, Bill Bumpus and Joe Agins, Jr.—comprised the IWW Starbucks New England organizing team. The team went out in smoldering heat to reach out to Starbucks workers, propagating for the union and telling them about the health care hike that Starbucks is imposing. They explained that the fight is for the workers and to improve health care. One manager warned workers not to read the union’s leaflets, but Kellerman spoke over the boss, saying “It’s for your best interests.” Additionally, the store workers in New Hampshire thanked local organizer Joe Agins, Jr. for dropping by and were pleased to know that there is a union for them. “I won’t stop organizing for New Hampshire and Massachusetts until workers have a voice and the boss learns to respect them,” Agins, Jr. said. Starbucks baristas and supporters protest in New York. Photo: Benjamin Ferguson Page 8 • Industrial Worker • October 2009 Book Review A Provocative Assessment of the U.S. Labor Movement Early, Steve. “Embedded With Orga- Labor’s Unfulfilled Agenda attractive. nized Labor: Journalistic Reflections This is a book for those who seek to But Early cites a number of SEIU on the Class War at Home.” Monthly strengthen the labor movement, and are leaders brought in outside the ranks of Review Press, 2009. 288 pages, paper- interested in past and current critiques workers who seemed to have little un- back, $17.95. of how unions have often failed to fulfill derstanding of how unions operate. He their promise. Early shows how crit- suggests that such outsiders often lack By Randy Shaw ics have long questioned labor unions a real connection to the workers they Steve Early is known for his strong over internal democracy, ideology, represent, and owe their allegiance less opinions on the United States labor and organizing prowess, and how this to rank and file workers then to the inter- movement, and his often biting cri- criticism increased as labor’s power has national officials that appointed them. tiques of Andy Stern’s leadership of the declined over the past four decades. Early argues: Service Employees International Union Early discusses many of these trenchant “Too often in labor today, particu- (SEIU). But Early’s new book offers an critiques, showing a union movement so larly in several high-profile ‘progressive’ amalgamation of essays and diversity of badly out of step with the times that pro- unions led by onetime student activists, perspectives that include even strongly NAFTA Bill Clinton was elected as the participatory democracy is missing. pro-SEIU assessments, and even those first Democratic President in 16 years Membership mobilization has a top- who disagree with Early’s core premises without much labor backing. down, carefully orchestrated character will benefit from reading his arguments. Early reminds us of how John Swee- that subverts real rank and file initiative, “Embedded with Organized Labor” sur- ney’s ascension to AFL-CIO President decision-making, and dynamism.” Graphic: beyondchron.org veys nearly every prominent book writ- in 1995 raised hopes for an invigorated Early’s criticisms of outside lead- publisher’s warning that authors seeking ten about the U.S. labor movement over labor movement. He analyzes the basis ership deserve debate. But it is worth large audiences should “not write books the past three decades. Early’s thought- for such optimism, and why it dissipated noting that until its recent demise, the about and for trade unionists,” as the ful, critical, and, yes, often controversial as the revitalized labor federation was Change to Win (CTW) labor federation movement does not “buy and read books analysis of the labor movement is likely unable to stop union membership loss, was far more progressive and activist that are written for us.” Savvy strategist unmatched in any other single volume, particularly in the private sector. By oriented than the AFL-CIO. While Early that he is, Early then goes about trying and the best part is that he consistently discussing books written when hopes for claims that there is “little evidence” for to convince labor unions to recognize the uses labor’s past decisions and strategies Sweeney were highest, Early reminds Ruth Milkman’s argument in her “L.A. importance of marketing union-oriented as a guide for future action. Whether you us of a time that seems far more dis- Story” that “CTW unions, with the excep- books. He provides detailed instructions share his conclusions or not, Early has tant than fourteen years. Early makes a tion of SEIU and perhaps HERE, have on how unions can benefit from mar- given book groups and labor activists convincing case that Sweeney was never responded more effectively” to the politi- keting labor books, and I wish him the a wealth of material to discuss in every capable of being an inspiring turnaround cal and economic transformations of the greatest success in this campaign. The chapter, contributing to a much needed specialist, and that the dream of ris- past thirty years, Early undermines his self-interest of labor authors aside, Ear- debate on the best strategies for building ing labor power associated with his critique by essentially eliminating the ly’s passion for a labor movement that worker power. presidency was never realistic for many two unions that best prove Milkman’s prioritizes union democracy requires the During Steve Early’s 30-year career reasons, particularly the AFL-CIO Presi- case. And when one considers the always encouragement of rank-and-file read- with the Communication Workers of dent’s lack of power to require unions to on the defensive and longtime anti-clean ing, and providing workers the skills and America, he found time to write over increase organizing. air UAW, and recall Tom Buffenbarger, education they need to effectively run in- 300 articles on the labor movement. president of the Machinists’ union, creasingly complex labor organizations. Those familiar with his writings know he Change to Win ridiculing Obama supporters on the If workers are educated in organizing has strongly held views, but the essays in The next phase of books reflecting night of the Wisconsin primary in 2008 and political strategies, fully understand this book show Early preferring intel- rising hopes for labor surrounded the as “latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birken- their contracts, and know the past his- lectual and empirical arguments over creation of the Change to Win labor stock-wearing, trust fund babies,” it’s tory of their bargaining unit’s relations emotional appeals, and eager to stimu- federation in 2005. Early was clearly clear there are strong cultural differences with management, then strong and ef- late debate rather than insisting upon no advocate of Andy Stern’s decision to between the two federations. fective leadership will likely emerge from agreement. lead SEIU out of the AFL-CIO, and the Early also questions the SEIU/ the rank and file. But if workers remain recent SEIU-UNITE HERE split and the Change to Win recruitment of idealis- uninformed, uneducated and unskilled effective dissolution of Change to Win at tic young college grads as organizers, in labor strategies and the bargain- least retroactively confirms opponents instead of primarily relying on longtime ing process, then outside leadership concerns over the move. I found this workers. While many recent college becomes essential for effective union section of the book the most thought- grads became great organizers—like management. provoking, as Early raises a number of SEIU Local 11’s Eric Brakken, whose role Although unions should heed Early’s questions about the route to building a in the successful 2006 University of Mi- call to invest in books promoting the powerful labor movement that deserve ami janitors campaign is discussed in my labor movement—after all, the business greater discussion. book, “Beyond the Fields”—many unions community spends enough to ensure For example, consider the Andy have cut back on college recruitment due books touting corporations become Stern-Change to Win strategy of bring- to high turnover. Again, one does not bestsellers—this is unlikely to happen. ing in progressive activists from outside have to agree with Early to appreciate his But Early’s quest speaks to his continued the labor movement to run locals. Many raising the issue for debate. idealism in the face of 30 years of union saw this move as essential for unions to decline that could have easily left him provide the activist and creative leader- Labor’s Future cynical about the prospect for the United ship they long lacked. We all knew sto- Early ends his book with two previ- States ever achieving a progressive labor ries of SEIU and UNITE HERE chapters ously unpublished chapters, one on the movement. Early can be a strong critic, whose local leadership defied interna- SEIU/ National Union of Healthcare but he insists that those seeking union tional union policies toward diversity, Workers (NUHW) battle in California democracy and greater worker power Photo: indymedia.us organizing and progressive change, so and the other whose title reflects the keep hope alive. NUHW activists protest SEIU trust- the idea of replacing this dead wood author’s clarion call for “Reading, Writ- This review originally appeared in eeship in St. Louis on May 27. with quality leadership appeared quite ing and Union Building.” Early cites a Beyond Chron, May 28, 2009. chicago iww Subscribe to the Industrial Worker education department publications Subscribe or renew your Industrial Worker subscription.

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 City/State/Province:______organizing every worker in town. Zip/Postal Code:______the chicago idea 3J½GMEP2I[WPIXXIVSJXLI'LMGEKS+IRIVEP1IQFIVWLMT&VERGL¯-RHYWXVMEP;SVOIVWSJXLI;SVPHˆ:SPYQI-WWYIˆ3GXSFIV 'LMGEKS,SWXW2SVXL%QIVMGER ']GPI'SYVMIV'LEQTMSRWLMTW TEKI 9RPIWWSXLIV[MWIWTIGM½IHEPPQIIXMRKWERHIZIRXWEVI subscribe to the chicago idea XSFILIPHEXXLI 9RMXIH)PIGXVMGEP;SVOIVW,EPP 7SYXL%WLPERH%ZIRYI 'LMGEKS-0 3RI&PSGO2SVXLSJ&PYI0MRIERH- 3RI&PSGO7SYXLSJ+VIIR0MRI 7 Send this subscription form to: 'LMGEKS+1& 1IIXWXLI½VWX7YRHE]SJXLIQSRXLEXTQ The offi cial newsletter of the Chicago IWW, The Chicago Idea (IPIKEXIWEZEMPEFPIXSXEOIHYIWEXTQ 'LMGEKS'SYVMIVW³9RMSR 1IIXWXLI½VWXERHXLMVH;IHRIWHE]W SJXLIQSRXLEXTQ is a quarterly publication covering current labor issues in and *IPPS[;SVOIV+PIEWSRWTIEOWEXXLI2%'''0EFSV*SVYQMR+EV½IPH4EVO Industrial Worker Subscriptions,

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8LI'LMGEKS-HIE 3GXSFIV Subscribe to the Industrial Worker today! -RXLMW-WWYI 9RMXIH4MPSXW&PYI*PY T +IRIVEP%WWIQFP]6ITSVX T Send orders with cash, check, or money order payable to the 1MH[IWX;SFJIWX T Chicago IWW • 37 S. Ashland • Chicago IL 60607 October 2009 • Industrial Worker • Page 9 We Won! But Did We Do It Right? Reflections of a Union Organizer By Peter Marin, Linchpin legal process of joining a union and get- supervisors—a confrontational approach they unanimously voted in favor of the On July 31, the post-doctoral fellows ting a first contract. While Wobblies do was simply not in the cards. To refuse final agreement), getting their active at McMaster University in Hamilton, not refuse to use these methods no mat- to compromise on my principles would support was more difficult. Ontario became the first post-docs ter the context, all would agree that they have meant not participating in the Overall, it could be said that we in Canada to form a union and win a are not empowering. This encourages campaign. This would have gone against attempted to organize in ways that contract. As a member of the Canadian only passive involvement of workers who another principle: that we should be empowered workers under difficult Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are asked only to sign a card and later to active in the struggles of our coworkers circumstances and within the restraints 3906, I was involved in this campaign, vote. The campaigners and bargaining and neighbors at whatever level they of a traditional union drive. Some of us first as an organizer and later, after the team take care of happen to be. were no doubt empowered through the successful union drive, as a member of the rest, returning We did attempt process, though our numbers were small the bargaining support team. to the membership to organize in a way compared to the total of all the workers By the standards of most union or- only once a deal has that allowed the involved. So what lessons can be drawn ganizers, this union drive was an all-out been hammered maximum involve- from this experience for union organiz- success. Besides breaking new ground out with manage- ment of post-docs ers? for unions in a growing sector, the post- ment. A contract and other rank-and- I think this campaign shows that docs won significant gains, including ties workers’ hands file members. The when there is a low level of struggle, we higher wages and benefits, more vaca- by taking away organizing com- must be flexible in our approach if we tion time, paid leaves and professional the right to withdraw labor during the mittee and bargaining team were made are to be active at all. Perhaps we can be development funds. course of the contract and channel- up entirely of local members, most of guided by the following notion: compro- But as a Wobbly I measure success in ing disputes into lengthy and legalistic them rank and file. This meant we had a mise only when our weaknesses force us, any social struggle not only by what was grievance processes that do nothing to rank-and-file-run organizing committee, never miss an opportunity to apply our won, but also by how it was won. In the empower workers. allowing those involved to pick up a lot principles where we are strong enough, case of unions, we want to see directly However, using mobilization and of organizing skills and union know- and work really hard to overcome the democratic unions controlled by their direct action to force the university to how. The entire bargaining process, from areas in which we are weak. members. As our aim is to empower our voluntarily recognize the union and its determining priorities to deciding which I hope the lesson here is that we coworkers to run their union, organizers demands without going through the ones to keep and which ones to compro- must pay as much attention to how we must use methods which empower work- labor board and without a formal con- mise on, was open to all post-docs and organize as to what we are fighting for, ers to get involved and take matters into tract was never an option. It was clear other rank-and-file members. A great or rather, that the two things are directly their own hands. Our means of struggle from day one that while the post-docs deal of effort was put in by an over- connected. We cannot overcome the must be radically democratic, regardless wanted a union, we were not dealing stretched group of organizers and staff crisis of the labor movement simply by how big or small the struggle. with a militant group of workers with a to encourage post-docs to take control of organizing more workers or by making So how does our post-docs campaign history of collective action. For the vast the process. more gains. If the labor movement is to measure up by these standards? First, it majority, this was their first experience Despite these efforts, few post-docs once again become a fighting movement should be said that from the beginning coming together as workers to improve chose to participate, although those that led by rank-and-file workers and their this was going to be a traditional union their working conditions. Given that a did had a big impact on the process. communities, we must organize in ways campaign where workers would be asked post-docs' career depends in a big way While we had their passive support (a that encourage individual and collective to sign union cards and go through the on keeping friendly relations with their majority voted to join the union, and empowerment. Starbucks Barista Unjustly Fired, Demands Justice Wobblies Commemorate McKee's Rocks Strike Continued from 1 By Kenneth Miller among the strikers, replacement labor- Witek and her coworkers talked with McKee’s Rocks, Pa. – On August ers, and state police erupted into a riot the SWU and came up with a plan to get 22, 2009, the annual gathering of the on August 22. Eleven men were killed Mehrbatu her job back. Pennsylvania Labor History Society held near this footbridge. Strikers were aided The SWU held a picket for Mehrbatu its annual gathering to coincide with the by the Industrial Workers of the World.” on August 15 outside of the store where Centenary of the McKee’s Rocks Pressed Members of the Pa. Labor History she worked. Hopes were high as several Steel Car strike and its “Bloody Sunday” Society and the McKee’s Rocks Histori- dozen union members and supporters massacre. The day’s activities included a cal Society worked closely together to waved signs supporting Mehrbatu and march and a picnic, along with the erec- involve the community in this Centenary calling out Starbucks for its discrimina- tion of a second official State of Pennsyl- event. Evan Wolfson of the Pittsburgh tory behavior. According to workers vania historical marker on the site of the IWW spoke at one of the panel discus- inside, the picket slowed business to a massacre. sions at the Ryan’s Arts Center. Pitts- crawl inside the store and gave Star- The Pressed Steel Car Company pro- burgh ’s Mike Stout and his band, the bucks the message that the union was vided worker housing at substantial cost Human Union, played for the Historical not going to let Mehrbatu fight this to employees, keeping them in constant Society’s Dinner on August 21, and at the battle alone. After a fruitless call with debt. During the 1909 strike, immigrant picnic. Mike wrote a song that tells the Starbucks’ Human Resources later that workers were evicted from their compa- story of this strike–every IWW member day, the SWU remains committed to get- ny homes. The eviction led to the August should listen to this song and it should ting Mehrbatu her job back and getting 22 “Bloody Sunday Uprising,” in which be considered for the “Little Red Song- Starbucks to throw out the promissory at least 11 people were killed. The houses book.” note they pressured her to sign. were sold after the company ceased The IWW is a fighting and singing “District management now won’t operations in 1949. union, and the tactics that worked in have their meetings in our store because The original historical marker McKee’s Rocks in 1909 still work today. they know they are wrong and they are erected in 2000 reads: “1909 MCKEE’S We need a labor union that juxtaposes afraid of that,” said Witek, adding that ROCKS STRIKE – On July 14, unskilled the nationalism and jurisdictionalism of the union continues to fight and is “not immigrant workers led a strike against the trade unions, and with the IWW, we going to back down.” This article originally appeared in the Pressed Steel Car Company. Strain Photos: Pittsburgh IWW organize the worker, not the job! The Organizer, September 2009.

Philly Cab Drivers Demonstrate Against Parking Authority Ticketing Continued from 1 trians cross the street, and even Worker,” I said to UTWA press secretary After the union’s press conference at got out of his car to help guide John Hough as he waved our IWW flag Ninth and Filbert Streets, a cab driver, a person out of the protest traf- in the middle of the street. “PPA has got Sebastian Chuwko, took us back to 31st fic. When I asked Abdul about to go!” he replied succinctly. “PPA stole Street. He told us that Verifone had the nationalities of Philly’s cab $75,000 of our money last year. Where recently held his earnings for a week drivers, he responded, “They did it go? Nobody knows.” before depositing them. In the time are from everywhere. Many This $75,000 is the UTWA’s aggre- between when he expected them and the are from here. Many are from gated estimation of the money driv- time the funds were released, Sebastian other countries. That’s why ers have reported missing from their incurred two overdraft fees from his they call it the United States. accounts. When a passenger pays with bank, totaling $70. His two debit card All of us come together to make a credit card, Verifone—the credit card expenses, not surprisingly, were for one. All from different coun- processor—takes a painful 5 percent gasoline. tries; all here together.” fee off the top and is then supposed to In addition to his daily airport Every cab company was deposit the rest of the money into the routes, Sebastian is the UTWA’s trea- represented in bright colors. driver’s account. Instead, drivers get surer. Back in Nigeria, Sebastian was an Photo: Diane Krauthamer Activist drivers scouted out mysterious chunk deposits that bear no elected member of his local government. Center City as chaos surrounded. Some shirking drivers still “open for busi- relation to, and no itemization for, their He said that that experience helps him pedestrians were shaking their fists, ness” during the demonstration and receipts, hence the missing $75,000. in his work for the UTWA. It’s still very coming up to the cab windows and ask- harangued them with invitations to join John, or “Chicago” as they call him, is hard to work full time and do his vol- ing questions—sometimes even uttering the protest. The action amounted to a just as pissed as any other taxi driver unteer union work, he told us. I replied a rude disapproval about the noise and short protest strike that lasted for only because, in addition to being a union of- that we in the IWW could identify. We inconvenience. In the middle of all this, two hours, yet it gave the City a sharp ficer he’s also a working cab driver—the too have to build our organization and Abdul kept his cool and helped people spanking in the process. same holds true for all of the UTWA’s fight the bosses while exhausted from pull out and change lanes, helped pedes- “Give me a quote for the Industrial staff. overwork. PageOctober 10 • 2009Industrial • Industrial Worker •Worker October • 2009 Page 10 SPECIAL SALE ON LABOR NOVELS! THROUGH OCTOBER 2009 Just Passing Through by Paco Ignacio Taibo II In this elegant and literate mystery adventure novel set in 1920's post- revolutionary Mexico, Paco Ignacio Taibo II is searching for a hero, specifically a leftist hero, and he thinks he has found him in the person of Sebastián San Vicente. But everyone, including the baffled novelist, is trying to figure out exactly who San Vicente really is. There is some record of San Vicente in FBI records during the Wilson era, and some mention of him in anarchist records and rumors, but the rest has to be filled in. And who better to do this than Women’s Cut IWW T-shirts Taibo? Meanwhile, with Taibo busy in the Sabo-cat design printed background trying to resolve the mystery on union-made taffy pink of his hero's identity, San Vicente goes or olive green shirt about his heroic avocation of organizing strikes against the capitalists, dodging Sizes S-XL $15.00 Sizes run small, order up a size for a looser fit. thugs and hiding out from the Mexican Specify color and size when ordering. Army. 173 pages, published at $21.95, on sale: $8.00

Harlem Glory by Claude McKay Written in the 1940s, this semi- autobiographical novel by the renowned Jamaican poet and novelist evokes the life of Harlem in the Great Depression and New Deal. McKay captures the exuberant clash of social movements and ideologies, acutely sensitive to the vitality and diversity of Black culture and drawing on McKay’s Utah Phillips: Starlight on the Rails experiences in the IWW and the socialist Boxed CD Set movement. This four CD set contains 63 stories and 61 112 pages, published at $12.00, songs, spanning over 40 years of Utah's on sale: $5.00 performing career. $38.95 AGITATE! EDUCATE! ORGANIZE!: American Labor Posters by Lincoln Cushing & Timothy W. Drescher Break Their Haughty Power: Joe Labor Law for “We seek to inform as well as to celebrate. The best posters about American workers Murphy In The Heyday Of The and the jobs at which they labor make up a visually fascinating body of work that Wobblies by Eugene Nelson the Rank and rewards our attention. The posters were produced with a dual purpose: to entertain and Joe Murphy, chased out of his Missouri Filer: Building to inform. They were also vehicles for working people to present themselves visually, hometown by anti-Catholic bigots, hopped Solidarity which is rarely as straightforward as it might seem because the labor force itself is not aboard a freight train and headed west for While Staying the wheat harvest. Within weeks, the 13 monolithic. Nor are the posters about just paid or wage labor. They repeatedly Clear of the demonstrate that labor issues include both the workplace and the outside community year old Joe became a labor activist and and often portray families and neighbors, not just fellow workers.” organizer for the IWW. Eugene Nelson, a Law longtime friend of Joe Murphy, recounts BY STAUGHTON LYND —from Agitate! Educate! Organize! AND DANIEL GROSS many labor and free-speech struggles Have you ever felt your blood boil at In Agitate! Educate! Organize!, Lincoln Cushing and Timothy W. Drescher share through the eyes of 'Kid Murphy.' This work but lacked the tools to fight back and their vast knowledge about the rich graphic tradition of labor posters. Lavish full-color biographical novel relates Murphy's win? Or have you acted together with your reproductions of more than 250 of the best posters that have emerged from the American adventures in the wheat fields, lumber co-workers, made progress, but wondered labor movement ensure that readers will want to return again and again to this visually camps, and on the high seas. Historical what to do next? Labor Law for the Rank fascinating treasury of little-known images from the American past. Some of the posters events include the 1919 Centralia massacre and Filer is a guerrilla legal handbook for were issued by government programs and campaigns; some were devised by unions as in Washington state; the Colorado miners' workers in a precarious global economy. recruiting tools or strike announcements; others were generated by grassroots strike of 1927; and the 1931 strike by Blending cutting-edge legal strategies for organizations focused on a particular issue or group of workers-all reveal much about workers building Boulder Dam. Nelson winning justice at work with a theory of the diverse experiences of working people in the United States. also relates the young Murphy's reflections dramatic social change from below, American labor posters are widely scattered, difficult to locate, and rarely archived. on meeting Helen Keller, Eugene Debs, and Staughton Lynd and Daniel Gross deliver Cushing and Drescher examined several thousand such images in the course their Bill Haywood. A classic slice of labor a practical guide for making work better research, guaranteeing a truly representative selection. The presentation of the posters history brought to life. while re-invigorating the labor movement. is thematic, with a brief history of activist graphic media followed by chapters on Dignity 367pages, published at $16.00, Illustrative stories of workers’ struggles and Exploitation; Health and Safety; Women; Race and Civil Rights; War, Peace and on sale $12.00 Internationalism; Solidarity and Organizing; Strikes and Boycotts; Democracy, Voting, make the legal principles come alive. and Patriotism; History, Heroes, and Martyrs; and Culture. Along with the stunning 110 pages, $10.00 color images, the text contributes to a much deeper understanding of the politics, history, artistry, and impact of this genre of activist art and the importance of the labor movement in the transformation of American society over the course of the twentieth century. Order Form Mail to: IWW Literature, PO Box 42777, Phila, PA 19101 216 PAGES, OVERSIZED PAPERBACK, 268 COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS, $24.95 Name:______

Singing Through the Address:______Hard Times: A Tribute to City/State/Zip Code:______Utah Phillips In his life, Utah Phillips was many things - QUANTITY ITEM PRICE soldier, hobo, activist, pacifist, union organizer, storyteller, songwriter. He was an oral historian who documented the events of the working class and turned them into stories and songs. And in the folk tradition, he passed them on to others.Righteous Babe Records continues that tra- dition with , a 2CD set that celebrates the music that Singing Through The Hard Times *Shipping/Handling Utah sang and loved. Included are performances from Emmylou Harris and Mary In the U.S., please add $3.00 for first item Sub-Total:______Black, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon, Rosalie Sorrels, Gordon Bok, & $1.00 for each additional item Canada: Add $4.00 for the first item, Shipping*:______Ani DiFranco, Magpie, Jean Ritchie and many others - folksingers whose music $1.00 for each additional item springs from the same rich vein of the people’s history that Phillips chronicled Overseas: Add $5.00 for the first item, $2.00 for each additional item Total Enclosed:______throughout his life. 39 tracks on 2 CDs, $15.98 October 2009 • Industrial Worker • Page 11 Ladismith Cheese Stinks: Farm Workers In Rural South Africa Fight For Their Rights By D.M. Kloker from the stoves used for heat and cook- of South African Trade Unions (CO- pay docked Behind the veil of a new South Africa ing. The corrugated metal roofs leaked, SATU), whose close associations with for leav- are the economic remnants of its apart- and plumbing consisted only of outside the ruling ANC have prevented COSATU ing the job. heid past. Fifteen years after the end of spigots. The workers at Ladismith are from taking bolder stances against the CSAAWU is political apartheid, economic apartheid geographically isolated, making it very continuing economic inequality in post- currently be- still exists for far too many of South difficult to leave these company-owned apartheid South Africa. ing sued for Africa’s citizens. Informal communi- shacks. Their current minimum wage of On July 4, several hundred workers correctly as- ties where “colored” South Africans (the 2,700 Rand ($337) per month puts most from Ladismith Cheese marched from serting that South African classification for people workers at or below the local poverty the town center of Ladismith to the Ladismith Graphic: accidentalmommies.com of mixed ethnic descent, usually the de- line. The workers’ conditions at Ladi- factory gates and demanded the owner is engaging in “apartheid-style manage- scendants of slaves) live in shacks with- smith are very similar to the conditions publicly accept their list of demands. ment.” The management at Ladismith is out sanitation or heat have sprung up of the rural California farm workers The size of the rally was particularly even threatening to take the CSAAWU to around cities like Cape Town. Khayelit- which the IWW organized almost 100 impressive given the transportation dif- the Human Rights Commission in South sha is one such settlement that is home years ago. ficulties faced by the workers at Ladi- Africa for defamation, which is ironic to an estimated one million people. There is also a racial component to smith. These workers are geographically considering the Commission was set up Citizens that were promised homes are the struggle of workers at Ladismith isolated from one another and depen- to counteract the kinds of human rights finding themselves literally walled off Cheese, where almost all of the workers dent on taxi cabs to take them from their abuses Ladismith is committing. In from public view as the ruling ANC (Afri- are “colored”, but every single manager homes to the town center. After a long addition, the workers who are participat- can National Congress) prepares to host is a white Afrikaner. There are very few while of singing and making speeches ing in the campaign are facing indi- the World Cup in 2010. In our so-called voices within South Africa right now that from a loudspeaker, it became clear the vidual threats of eviction and increasing globalized economy, the worst economic are willing to state that while political factory owners would not publically charges for electricity. However, the exploitation often occurs as far from apartheid may have ended, its economic accept the demands. Eventually, a small workers at Ladismith are well organized public view as possible. Such is the case dimensions are still very much in effect. faction of workers was sent into the and clearly ready for a long struggle. for the workers at Ladismith Cheese, a International support could encourage factory to deliver the workers’ demands: The outcome of the struggle at leading producer of cheese and butter for these workers to continue speaking the an increase in the minimum wage paid Ladismith Cheese may yet serve as a South Africa and internationally. truth about their exploitation. to employees, better living conditions, bellwether for the global economy. If Ladismith Cheese is 249 miles out- The workers at Ladismith Cheese are and a transformation of the white-only workers under these conditions are able side of Cape Town in a very rural area. currently organizing against the appall- management structure. to make gains, it will be more difficult for The workers at Ladismith are dependent ing conditions they live in. The Commer- Retaliations from the management corporations to sidestep labor gains by on the farm owners for housing, elec- cial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied at Ladismith Cheese have been swift. going overseas. Inspired by the struggle tricity, and what can barely be referred Workers’ Union (CSAAWU) is represent- Workers who came out of the factory to at Ladismith and elsewhere, workers to as sanitation. I toured a series of the ing workers at Ladismith. CSAAWU is stand on the other side of the locked, in even the most remote corners of the homes of Ladismith Cheese workers, a socialist union that represents a left razor-wired gates in solidarity with world will be actively standing up for where the walls were caked with soot alternative to the much larger Congress the marching workers are having their their rights. Lost Mountain: A Song By John Martin Holland Big trucks screechin’, blowin’ down the road Hold the little people hostage at the point of a gun Jake brakes explodin’, holdin’ back sixty tons an’ more It’s a few jobs got for lottsa lives destroyed Dust so heavy gotta have a breathin’ tank In just a few short months we’ll all be unemployed Big King Coal, it’s him we gotta thank! It’s coal, black gold, runs in the veins Rained hard last night, shacks ‘n’ trailers washed away Plain greed, the devil’s deed, brings both riches and poor pains Never happened once back then, then they dragged the coal away Generations chained forever, every time it rains Used to be a mountain, now all that’s left is toxic mud Chockin’ up the hollers, ‘n’ runnin’ in our blood Why do we treat our people like worms ‘n’ pesky bugs? Why do we faun ‘n’ grovel at the law of the cold coal thugs? Gotta have power, from coal fired plants When will we ever learn their kind knows nothing of the truth? Nothin’ lives on Lost Mountain, not even ants have got a chance Hear the ghost of Lost Mountain, an’ see tons and tons of proof Grandpa used to hunt, everybody used to fish Towns like graves covered over with rocks There’s a black cloud hangin’ down Nothin’ ever changes ‘cuz of EPA talks Livin’ in the dying now, at the flick of a switch Don’t scab for the bosses, they’ll tell the same old lies Blast away the mountains, ‘til it’s worse than desert sun Graphic: Ned Powell Better make a strong union, help each other organize

Sydney Bus Drivers Take Wildcat Action Continued from 1 The Busways Group is a large private sion of New South Whales, Justice Frank The reaction to a relatively small drivers said they would strike again operator, holding lucrative government Marks accused the drivers of “industrial wildcat strike by Busways drivers reveals unless the company dropped its plans contracts to run more than 600 buses— thuggery of the worst kind ... in the face just how dependent governments and to implement the new timetables. The and employ more than 700 drivers—on of opposition from their elected delegate big business are on the unions. The TWU, on the other hand, has worked approximately 100 routes in the Sydney and without consulting any paid TWU reference to “bolshie” workers—that is, to isolate the Blacktown depot drivers and New South Wales Central Coast official.” The judge ordered the TWU and drawing a parallel between the Busways from workers at the company’s 15 other regions, and about 30 more routes in the its members not to take any further in- drivers and the Bolsheviks who took depots, in addition to other bus drivers state’s mid-North Coast area. dustrial action over the timetable issue. power in Russia in 1917—reveals the and transport workers, all of whom face Like employers across the board, The response portrays how nervous growing concerns within ruling circles similar attacks. Busways is utilizing the economic the establishment is that the drivers over the consequences of sharpening “We acted out of frustration after 10 crisis—with the backing of the state might set an example which would en- social tensions produced by worsening years of fighting oppressive and deficient government—to demand a productivity courage other unemployment timetables. The new timetables will be speed-up. With unemployment continu- workers to and deteriorating a nightmare. The TWU did not condone ing to rise throughout Sydney’s western, defy the trade living standards. the strike, and said we could be fined working-class suburbs, the company is unions and Like other sec- $50,000 (AUD). It’s like a dictatorship,” actively recruiting drivers willing to ac- take indepen- tions of the said one driver, who has worked for cept the new conditions. dent action working class, pri- Busways for 10 years. The mass media launched a scathing to defend vate bus drivers “I am very dubious toward the union attack on the drivers for halting services their jobs and have been forced and I am disillusioned by all govern- from the depot during the morning peak conditions. to suffer from ments—like most people. Every time, we period, claiming that their actions had Over the past decreased pay and vote governments out, rather than vote seriously disrupted and traumatized three decades, deteriorating con- anyone in. The Liberals screw us one commuters, as well as school children the unions ditions. Despite way, and Labor does it another way,” he and parents. As drivers pointed out, this have been the intense pres- added. was sheer hypocrisy as passengers were the essential sure of driving in Another driver, who has worked for Photo: libcom.org frequently left stranded by delays caused instrument in Bus drivers picket Glendenning depot. heavy traffic, and the company for five years, was bit- by the existing, already over-stretched sabotaging any being responsible ter about the TWU’s role. “The union timetables. resistance by the working class to the for the safety of thousands of passengers blamed the workers for going on strike. What really provoked the media’s pro-market agenda imposed by succes- daily, they are paid base rates of a mere We decided that we couldn’t wait for the wrath was that the drivers had defied sive Coalition and Labor governments on $50,000 (AUD) per year. union. The union is only worried about the TWU and took matters into their behalf of big business. By contrast, the Rowe family—owner the $60 (AUD) a month we pay in dues.” own hands. The Daily Telegraph labeled During the past year, as the global of the Busways Group—is thought to A Busways mechanic voiced support them as “rogue drivers” who had acted recession has deepened, the TWU and be one of the wealthiest in Australia. for the drivers’ action. “Everyone has the “without consulting any official of the its counterparts throughout the union The extent of its profits and the amount right to express their grievances, or it’s Transport Workers Union.” An editorial movement have worked hand-in-hand of government subsidies it receives is not a free country. When I get called out declared that a “bolshie minority” had with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Labor shrouded in secrecy. for bus repairs, I see the pressure the staged a “wildcat strike” because their Party government to help large and Despite the fact that Busways man- drivers are under. It’s bad enough to be “tempers led them to ignore even the small companies impose far-reaching agement has agreed to further negotiate under pressure from the public, without instructions from their own union.” cuts to jobs, working hours and condi- on the proposed timetables, and despite being under pressure from the company In the Industrial Relations Commis- tions. Justice Frank Marks’ “no-strike” order, as well,” he said.

Page 12 • Industrial Worker • October 2009 The Recall Of A Critical Unionist From The Works Council By IWW (IU 460/640) job branch Worker Stubbe’s record. In the work at Eurest Frankurt, Germany place that he is responsible for, general In the section titled “Knock, knock. staff assemblies are held once a trimes- Who’s there? Open up, it’s the police!” ter, as the law stipulates. The conditions from the International Solidarity Com- of the contract are strictly applied. For mission’s column on page 12 of the instance, every colleague got his or her August/September Industrial Worker, annual leave application signed by the The IWW formed the International Solidarity Commission to help the union build the IW reported on illegal overtime at boss in February. The cut in working the worker-to-worker solidarity that can lead to effective action against the bosses Eurest in Frankfurt, Germany, and time is applied in whole days, as the of the world. To contact the ISC, email [email protected]. how the IWW is trying to stop it. Now, contract stipulates, and not in minutes the yellow unions have taken up the as it is abusively done elsewhere. All By Michael Ashbrook Serbia Anarchists Arrested struggle—against us Wobblies, not colleagues have been upgraded. There 6th Annual SweatFree Communities Five members of the Anarcho-Syn- against the bosses. Here is part two of are three breaks per day and there is no Conference dicalist Initiative (ASI)—including Inter- the unfolding Eurest Saga: overtime, thanks to Stubbe’s efforts. He The 6th Annual SweatFree Communi- national Workers Association (IWA-AIT) People under contract with the consistently defends the interests of staff ties Conference will be held in Washing- General Secretary Ratibor Trivunac, along Eurest Catering Service often found in the works council. ton, D.C. November 6-8.The International with Tadej Kurepa, Ivan Vulović , Sanja themselves working up to 16-hour days, Management has already tried to fire Solidarity Committee (ISC) of the IWW Dojkić and Nikola Mitrovic—were arrested which is illegal in Germany. The yellow Stubbe. Now yellow unionists are taking and the Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Com- on September 3 under the fabricated union NGG (Gewerkschaft Nahrung- another shot at him. He has made some munity Alliance have collaborated with charges of “causing general public danger” Genuss-Gaststatten , or the Food and enemies in stubbornly defending his SweatFree Communities for several years. after they were forcefully taken in for in- Allied Workers Union - Germany) and staff. As the law requires, he keeps his The ISC has found SweatFree Communi- terrogation by the police. These comrades the works council turned a blind eye to constituents fully informed of the works ties to be one of the most accessible groups were arrested, supposedly in connection these unlawful sweatshop conditions. council’s activity. within the anti-sweatshop movement, with a direct action at the Greek Embassy Because the IWW job branch at Eurest If the criteria according to which and is hopeful that the SweatFree’s board which was carried out on Aug. 25. Accord- is still getting off the ground, we de- Stubbe is being impeached were applied will respond thoughtfully to the specific ing to a report from libcom.org, a circle-A cided to simply call the cops, like good to the other works councilors, there issues and assertions laid out in the ISC’s graffiti was drawn and two Molotov cock- citizens. The three officers who came would be no one left in office. resolution—passed on July 25—which tails were thrown at the embassy. Neither to inspect the premises of the Deutsche Harald Stubbe resigned from the commends the important work done by broke through the windows—one cracked Bank canteen at 9:00 p.m. found sev- yellow NGG because it signed a contract SweatFree Communities. a window and another burned a bit. eral of our colleagues on duty who had with Eurest that worsened the work- The ISC has allocated a $100 scholar- The judge ordered the arrestees to 30 begun their shift at 6:30 a.m. Now the ing conditions. While the NGG bosses ship for an IWW member to attend the 6th days of detention on the basis that they boss faces a stiff fine and our colleagues “earned” salaries of which cooks and Annual SweatFree Communities Confer- represented a flight risk and a risk to wit- are happy to be free of excessively long other kitchen workers can only dream, ence. The weekend will feature in-depth nesses. The prosecutor wants to charge hours. The bosses at other Eurest job they were too timid to defend the rank strategy sessions and trainings suitable them with “international terrorism.” At sites are beginning to worry about more and file against the Eurest bosses. Now for new and seasoned SweatFree campaign the writing of this story, the exact charges IWW job branches forming because for the NGG is trying to help the bosses to activists and designed to take local cam- against those arrested remain unknown. some of the workers this was the first get rid of a rank-and-file militant who paigns to the next level. We hope that each A group called Crni Ilija supposedly time they saw resistance paying off. They has asked too many critical questions in local SweatFree Community campaign claimed responsibility for the action. The are beginning to demand the 25 percent the works council. will send at least two representatives to mainstream press interviewed Ratibor overtime bonus that Eurest has simply What reason could there be for the conference. Trivunac, who said that he knows noth- “forgotten” to pay until now. Eurest employees to pay dues to a If you do anti-sweatshop organizing, ing about the group. He also informed According to the Works Council “union” like the NGG? are interested in the status of a global comrades from the IWA-AIT that it looked Statute of 1952, the Labor Tribunal must Translated by Michael Ashbrook. apparel union organizing drive, have a like the police wanted to pin this on him. remove a works council member from This story originally appeared in background or concerns about union label The media continues to post photos of office if one quarter of the constituents Berichte und Standpunkte (News and strategies, are an educator who teaches the comrades arrested, labeling them as sign a petition to that effect. It seems Viewpoints) -newsletter of the IWW (IU about globalization, or if you are an orga- “terrorists.” that yellow unionists are trying to do this 460/640) job branch at Eurest Frank- nizer that talks to Fellow Workers about The comrades in the ASI—along with to IWW member Harald Stubbe. furt, September - November 2009, Issue their interconnectedness with workers in other anarchists from Belgrade—are Let’s take a close look at Fellow #3. places like Honduras or Bangladesh, the meeting to discuss a plan. Additionally, ISC urges you to attend this conference the IWA-AIT reports that they are in com- and take advantage of the $100 scholar- munication with comrades from various Berry-Picking Vietnamese Guest Workers Go On Strike ship. countries who are planning solidarity By John Kalwaic tween 10 to 30 kilograms per day, which For more information, or if you would pickets. They are asking for the interna- On August 14, approximately 120 was not sufficient to earn decent money. like to attend this conference, please call tional community to send letters to local berry-picking Vietnamese guest workers Around 120 North Vietnamese workers ISC member Justin Vitiello at 267-949- Serbian embassies. People can also sign for the Swedish Rabema Service went went on strike, but the South Vietnam- 6864.For more information, please visit an electronic petition to the government on strike to protest wages and condi- ese workers did not want to join in the www.sweatfree.org. at www.asi.zsp.net.pl. tions in the small rural town of Branäs in strike. The South Vietnamese workers Värmland, Sweden. Workers were hired were allegedly attacked by the North Strikers, Supporters Breach Dockyard Gate in Dublin from Vietnam by the Vietnamese TTLC Vietnamese strikers, who also held them By John Kalwaic ing “Workers recruiter to pick berries for the Rabema hostage. Swedish police units, interpret- Around 600 workers and supporters in, scabs out.” Service, and were expected to pay up to ers, and Stockholm embassy staff came took their picket to the dockyard gates of The workers 15,000 kronor ($2,000) to fund their into Branäs in Värmland to “control the Peel Ports in Dublin, Ireland on August breached the two month stay, and 9,000 kronor for situation.” 24. Dockworkers have gone on strike gates and en- room and board. Many of the south Vietnamese against the Marine Terminals Ltd. of the tered the ter- Most of the workers paid with loans workers were moved to a secret loca- U.K.-based firm Peel Ports, demanding minal. Under on their houses and borrowed from fam- tion to hide them from the strikers. In compulsory redundancies–or financial the eye of se- ily and friends, but then were paid only the end, the company gave the workers compensation for work lost due to com- curity cameras 14 kronor per kilogram. The workers an ultimatum: “Work hard, and we will pany restructuring—and new pay and con- and guards, were striking over what they said were help find enough berries, or go home. ” ditions at the cargo handling facility. Joe the organizers the impossible demands of the employ- Five of the strikers decided to go back to O’Flynn, general secretary of the Services, Photo: irishtimes.com of the march ers, who wanted them to pick 60 to 120 Vietnam, while the other 115 decided to Industrial, Professional and Technical urged the crowd not to do any damage”and kilograms of berries per day. The work- go back to work. Hopefully, this will not Union (SIPTU), accused the company of to respect the security guards. Messages of ers said they were only able to pick be- be the end of this struggle. steamrolling through with redundancies support and solidarity for the Irish dockers and layoffs and bringing in strikebreakers were brought in from Australia, Belgium, from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Peter and the Netherlands, where members of Bunting, president of the Irish Congress of the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) Trade Unions (ICTU), said that “workers occupied Peel Ports’ company headquar- would name and shame scabs that came ters in solidarity with the Irish dockers. from their own community.” The FNV threatened industrial action Strikers and supporters, including the against ports owned by Marine Terminals dock workers and supportive members of in the Netherlands if the Irish dispute was the community, rallied at the gate, chant- not resolved. Support international solidarity!

Assessments for $3, $6 are available from your delegate or IWW headquarters PO Box 23085, Cincinnati, OH 45223-3085, USA.

“Direct Action Gets The Goods” Graphic: Robin Thompson & DJ Alperovitz