Work: What Is It Good For?

Official newspaper oF The Industrial Workers of the World

INDUSTRIALApril 2015 #1773 Vol. 112 No. 3 $2/ £2/ €2 WORKER

Eclipse The Past. We Need To Work Revolution In Our Is The Work ‘Ethic’ Usurp The Future Towards Pleasure And Daily Lives Really Ethical? 3 Joy 4 8 9 Work: What Is It Good For? By x675309 go on without you; it doesn’t need you any they don’t have to prove that it’s the best What exactly is work? We could define more than it needs any of the hundreds of system if everyone thinks it’s the only one it as activity for the sake of making money. millions already unemployed, and there’s possible. Is this really how life has always But aren’t slave labor and unpaid no point going hungry for nothing. You been? Now, however, even the future of internships work, too? We could say it’s can join a co-op or commune, but you’ll the economy is uncertain. activity that accumulates profit for some- still face the same market pressures. You one, whether or not it benefits the one can canvas and lobby and protest on behalf Forget about the Economy—What who carries it out. But does that mean of sweatshop workers, but even if you suc- about Us? that as soon as you start making money ceed in getting reforms passed, they—like When the economy crashes, politicians from an activity, it becomes work even you—will still have to work, whether in and pundits bewail the consequences for if it was play before? Perhaps we could maquiladoras or NGO offices. You can go average working families. They demand define work as labor that takes more from out at night in a black mask and smash emergency measures—such as giving bil- us than it gives back, or that is governed all the windows of the shopping district, lions of dollars of taxpayer money to the by external forces. Or perhaps we can only but the next day you’ll have to do your banks that caused the crisis by ripping understand what work is by stepping back shopping somewhere. You could make a off “average working families” in the first to look at the context in which it takes million dollars and still be stuck with your place. What’s going on here? We’re told place. In a world of “diversity,” one com- nose at the grindstone trying to keep your that our lives depend on the economy, that mon thread connects us: we’re all subject lead on everyone else. Even when work- it’s worth any sacrifice to keep it running. to the economy. Christian or Muslim, ers overthrew governments to establish But for most of us, keeping it running is communist or conservative, in São Paulo communist utopias, they ended up back always a sacrifice. or St. Paul, you probably have to spend at work—if they were lucky. All this makes When the economy crashes, mining the better part of your life trading time it easy to feel that work is inevitable, that companies stop blowing up mountains. for money, or make someone else do it for there’s no other way our lives could be Developers stop cutting down forests to you, or suffer the consequences. What else structured. That’s convenient for the ones build new offices and condominiums. can you do? If you refuse, the economy will who profit most from this arrangement: Continued on 7 Syndicalist Union Protests Migrant Worker Exploitation In Berlin Romanian construction workers 2015, Romanian workers—unionized in Berlin fight, with support of with the FAU since November 2014—are the FAU, for their wages—unpaid fighting for unpaid wages totaling in by “Mall of Berlin” contractors. 60,000 euros ($67,000). The bosses pretend to be innocent, From July until mid-October 2014, while masking their business and the comrades worked in the center of personal relations. Germany’s capital to construct the “Mall of Berlin.” For constructing this shopping By André Eisenstein and apartment complex, which opened Evidently, a construction site is noth- solemnly (despite unfinished construc- ing for wet blankets. But besides the hard tion sites and defects in fire safety) at physical work, exploitation and inhuman Potsdamer Platz in autumn 2014, hun- treatment of migrant workers from the dreds of workers from Romania slaved European Union (EU) seems to be the away for 10 hours a day and received only current practice on many German con- 6 euros per hour (or approximately $6). struction sites. What is new now is that Due to problems with the pay and a lack cheated workers are fighting back! In the of promised accommodation, workers autumn of 2014, Polish colleagues found staged protests and crossed their arms. support from the Freie Arbeiterinnen- Finally, in hope for betterment, the work- und Arbeiter-Union (FAU) Freiburg. By ers switched from one subcontractor the end of the year and continuing into Continued on 7

Members of the FAU protest the “Mall of Shame” on Nov. 26, 2014. Photo: FAU Berlin How I Spent My Permanent Vacation Industrial Worker By FW xVeganX sunny day away from me at seven dollars Periodicals Postage an hour. If I suddenly have a new inspira- PO Box 180195 PAID More than what I eat, whether tion or idea, I can pursue it spontaneously Chicago, IL 60618, USA Chicago, IL or not I use drugs, and what bands without having to worry about how it will and additional I go to see, the bottom line for me reflect on my future employment. I’m free mailing offices ISSN 0019-8870 as a member of the hardcore com- to suddenly go on tour with my favorite ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED munity and the counterculture in band, to accidentally run into an old friend general is this: stay unemployed. and spend the day catching up on lost time, Do whatever it takes, but keep my or to stay home all day and write the first time and my labor to myself. I’m chapter of a novel if I am moved to. So my proud to say that it’s been over life contains a great deal more diversity three years now since I worked at and spontaneous opportunity than it would any job for someone else. Here’s otherwise. And because I don’t have to do why—and how. the same thing over and over every day, all day (for example, sell real estate, wait WHY tables, or program computers), I can do First of all, and most importantly, enough different things to keep everything there just isn’t any other feeling that can fresh and exciting. compare with the sensation of complete And of course I do things! I don’t just freedom and self-determination. I wake hang out or sit around—I have all the en- up in the morning, when I want to, and ergy that would otherwise be drained from make plans to do things that day—to do me at work free to use on all the projects I what I want to. Nobody can buy a beautiful Continued on 11 Page 2 • Industrial Worker • April 2015 Remembering Fellow Worker Penny Pixler IWW Literature Committee’s I’d like to add to Patrick Murfin’s smart.” impressive obituary of Penny Pixler (see Penny was a voracious reader. When Working Writers’ Contest “Portrait Of Penny Pixler, Feminist And she made the decision to move to Colo- Fellow Workers! Wobbly,” March 2015 Industrial Worker, rado, several of us helped her pack thou- You can now page 6). sands of her books. The topics included give recognition to As reticent as she was, Penny would international politics, history, women’s the story, essay, car- Letters Welcome! have been embarrassed by all the acco- studies, world religions, poetry, and Irish toon, or song that Send your letters to: [email protected] with lades in this obituary. She wouldn’t have literature. I asked her, “Have you read all has inspired you “Letter” in the subject. appreciated it being posted on social media of these books?” She replied, “All of them. this year! either. And some of them twice.” The IWW Lit- Mailing Address: A few notes: Penny struggled in I think of her whenever I look at my erature Committee Industrial Worker, P.O. Box 180195, school as a child. When her hearing loss, (much smaller) collection of books. If is seeking nomina- Graphic: iww.org Chicago, IL 60618, United States. unknown to anyone, was discovered and there is a heaven I hope it has a good tions for the first annual Working Writ- corrected, she became an excellent student library. Penny wouldn’t want to be there ers’ Contest. Submissions can be in the May Day! May Day! and went on to earn three college degrees. otherwise. following categories: workplace writing, contemporary labor or economic analysis, The deadline for announcements for the I think it was her way of saying, “I AM Karen Nolan agitational cartoons, or songs. annual “May Day” Industrial Worker is We are especially excited to recog- April 3, 2015. Celebrate the real labor You’re Invited To The IWW Regional nize writing published in the Industrial day with a message of solidarity! Send Worker or Solidaridad between May 2014 announcements to [email protected]. Much Organizing Assembly In Baltimore! and April 2015, even if it was written by a appreciated donations for the following When: April 18 - April 19 (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) non-member. Unpublished pieces can also sizes should be sent to: Where: Alternative Press Center (2239 Kirk Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21218) be submitted as long as they were written What: A weekend of training, networking and action for IWW organizers, hosted by by members during the same time period. IWW GHQ, P.O. Box 180195, IWW-Baltimore. Workshops include house visits, mass picketing, campaign strategy Please send nominations to working- Chicago, IL 60618, United States. and industrial research, as well as presentations on recent IWW organizing initia- [email protected] (note the new $12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide tives across the east coast. address!) before June 1. Recognition will $40 for 4” by 2 columns Registration is $10. Limited housing is available. be given at the 2015 General Convention. $90 for a quarter page Contact [email protected] for more information. Good luck! Industrial Worker IWW directory The Voice of Revolutionary Asia Bristol GMB: [email protected] Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455-6608. New Jersey Taiwan Reading GMB: [email protected] 772-545-9591, [email protected] Central New Jersey GMB: P.O. Box 10021, New Bruns- Industrial Unionism London GMB: [email protected] South Florida GMB: P.O. Box 370457, 33137. 305-894- wick, 08906. 732-692-3491. [email protected]. Taiwan IWW: c/o David Temple, 4 Floor, No. 3, Ln. 67, Bob Ratynski, del., 908-285-5426. www.newjerseyiww. Shujing St., Beitun Dist., Taichung City 40641 Taiwan. Belgium 6515. [email protected], http://iwwmiami.wordpress. Organization 098-937-7029. [email protected] com. Facebook: Miami IWW org Belgium IWW: IWW België/Belgique, Sint-Bavoplein 7, St. Augustine: C/O The Lincolnville Public Library, 97 M L New Mexico Australia 2530 Boechout, Belgium. [email protected] King Ave., St. Augustine, 32084. staugustineiww@gmail. 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Asger, [email protected], www.atliww.org Starbucks Campaign: [email protected], Industrial Workers del., [email protected]. at. http://wobblies.at. www.facebook.com/pages/IWW- www.starbucksunion.org Victoria Wien/381153168710911 Idaho of the World Berlin: Offenes Treffen jeden 2.Montag im Monat im Cafe Boise: Ritchie Eppink, del., P.O. Box 453, 83701. 208-371- Syracuse IWW: [email protected] Melbourne GMB: P.O. Box 145, Moreland, VIC 3058. Upstate NY GMB: P.O. Box 77, Altamont, 12009. 518- Post Office Box 180195 [email protected]. Commune, Reichenberger Str.157, 10999 Berlin, 18 Uhr. 9752, [email protected] (U-Bahnhof Kottbusser Tor). Postadresse: IWW Berlin, c/o Illinois 861-5627. [email protected] Chicago, IL 60618 USA Canada Rotes Antiquariat, Rungestr. 20, 10179 Berlin, Germany. Utica IWW: Brendan Maslauskas Dunn, del., 315-240- [email protected]. Chicago GMB: P.O. 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EasternIowaIWW@ Ohio Red Lion Press: [email protected] Frankfurt.Wobblies.de Hamburg-Waterkant: [email protected] gmail.com Mid-Ohio GMB: c/o Riffe, 4071 Indianola Ave., Colum- Vancouver GMB: P.O. Box 2503 Vancouver Main, V6B Kansas bus, 43214. [email protected] 3W7. 604-732-9613. [email protected]. Kassel: [email protected]. www.wobblies-kassel. General Executive Board: de Lawrence GMB: P.O. Box 1462, 66044. 816-875-6060 Northeast Ohio GMB: P.O. Box 1096, Cleveland, 44114. www.vancouveriww.com 440-941-0999 K. Maria Parrotta, Michael White, Vancouver Island GMB: Box 297 St. A, Nanaimo BC, V9R Munich: [email protected] Wichita: Richard Stephenson, del., 620-481-1442. [email protected] Ohio Valley GMB: P.O. Box 6042, Cincinnati 45206, 513- D.J. Alperovitz, Drake Hoffmaster 5K9. [email protected]. http://vanislewobs.wordpress. 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[email protected], portlandiww.org Ottawa Panhandlers Union: Raymond Loomer, interim Netherlands: [email protected] Primal Screens Screen Printing: 1127 SE 10th Ave. Graphic Designer: delegate, [email protected] Norway IWW: 004793656014. post@iwwnorge. Maryland #160 Portland, 97214. 503-267-1372. primalscreens@ Diane Krauthamer Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 3L7, org. http://www.iwwnorge.org, www.facebook.com/ Baltimore GMB: P.O. Box 33350, 21218. baltimoreiww@ gmail.com 705-749-9694. Sean Carleton, del., 705-775-0663, iwwnorge. Twitter: @IWWnorge gmail.com Pennsylvania [email protected] United States Massachusetts Lancaster IWW: P.O. Box 352, 17608. 717-559-0797. Proofreaders: Toronto GMB: P.O. Box 45, Toronto P, M5S 2S6. 647-741- Alabama Boston Area GMB: P.O. Box 391724, Cambridge, 02139. [email protected] Maria Rodriguez Gil, 4998. [email protected]. www.torontoiww.org Mobile: Jimmy Broadhead, del., P.O. Box 160073, 36616. 617-863-7920, [email protected], www.IW- Lehigh Valley GMB: P.O. Box 1477, Allentown, 18105- Windsor GMB: c/o WWAC, 328 Pelissier St., N9A 4K7. [email protected] WBoston.org 1477. 484-275-0873. [email protected]. Jonathan D. Beasley, 519-564-8036. [email protected]. http://wind- Tuscaloosa: Gerald Lunn. 205-245-4622. geraldlunn@ Western Mass. Public Service IU 650 Branch: IWW, P.O. www. facebook.com/lehighvalleyiww Don Sawyer, Neil Parthun, soriww.wordpress.com gmail.com Box 1581, Northampton, 01061 Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: 610-358-9496. pa- Québec [email protected], www.papercranepress.com Skylaar Amann, Joel Gosse, Alaska Michigan Montreal GMB: cp 60124, Montréal, QC, H2J 4E1. 514- Fairbanks GMB: P. O. Box 80101, 99708. Chris White, del., Detroit GMB: 4210 Trumbull Blvd., 48208. detroit@ Pittsburgh GMB: P.O. Box 5912,15210. 412-894-0558. Chris Heffner, Billy O’Connor 268-3394. [email protected] 907-457-2543, [email protected]. Facebook: IWW iww.org. [email protected] Fairbanks Europe Grand Rapids GMB: P.O. Box 6629, 49516. 616-881-5263. Rhode Island European Regional Administration (ERA): P.O. Box 7593 Arizona [email protected] Providence GMB: P.O. Box 23067, 02903. 401-484-8523. Printer: [email protected] ,Glasgow, G42 2EX. www.iww.org.uk Phoenix GMB: P.O. Box 7126, 85011-7126. 623-336- Grand Rapids Bartertown Diner and Roc’s Cakes: 6 Globe Direct/Boston Globe Media ERA Organisation Contacts 1062. [email protected]. www.facebook.com/iww. Tennessee phoenix Jefferson St., 49503. [email protected], www. Millbury, MA Central England Organiser: Russ Spring, central@iww. bartertowngr.com Mid-Tennessee IWW: Jonathan Beasley, del., 218 S 3rd org.uk Four Corners (AZ, CO, NM, UT): 970-903-8721, 4corners@ Central Michigan: 5007 W. Columbia Rd., Mason 48854. St. Apt. 7-6, Clarksville, 37040. [email protected] Communications Department: communications@iww. iww.org 517-676-9446, [email protected] Texas Next deadline is org.uk Arkansas Minnesota Houston: Gus Breslauer, del., [email protected]. April 3, 2015 Cymru/Wales Organiser: Peter Davies [email protected] Fayetteville: P.O. Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859. Duluth IWW: P.O. Box 3232, 55803. iwwduluth@riseup. Facebook: Houston IWW East of Scotland Organiser: Dek Keenan, eastscotland@ [email protected] net Rio Grande Valley, South Texas IWW: P.O. Box 5456 iww.org.uk McAllen, Texas 78502. Greg, del., 956-278-5235 or California North Country Food Alliance: 2104 Stevens Ave S, Min- Marco, del., 979-436-3719. [email protected]. www. U.S. IW mailing address: Legal Officer: Tawanda Nyabango Los Angeles GMB: 323-374-3499. [email protected] neapolis, 55404. 612-568-4585. www.northcountry- facebook.com/IWWRGV IW, Post Office Box 180195, London Regional Organiser: Tawanda Nyabango Sacramento IWW: [email protected] foodalliance.org Utah Chicago, IL 60618, Membership Administrator: Rob Stirling, membership@ San Diego IWW: 619-630-5537, [email protected] Pedal Power Press: P.O. Box 3232 Duluth 55803.www. Salt Lake City GMB: Michael Garcia, del., 801-891-5706; iww.org.uk San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Buyback IU pedalpowerpress.com [email protected] United States Merchandise Committee: [email protected] 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Fabrics Job Shop Phoenix Mental Health, P.L.C.: FW Jeffrey Shea Jones, and IU 410 Garment and Textile Worker’s Industrial 3137 Hennepin Ave. S., #102, Minneapolis, 55408. Vermont Northern Regional Organiser: Northern Regional Organ- Burlington: John MacLean, del., 802-540-2561 ising Committee, [email protected] Organizing Committee; Shattuck Cinemas; Embarcadero 612-501-6807 ISSN 0019-8870 Cinemas) P.O. Box 11412, Berkeley, 94712. 510-845- Virginia Norwich Bar and Hospitality Workers IUB 640: norwich- 0540. [email protected] Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. Periodicals postage [email protected] com Richmond IWW: P.O. Box 7055, 23221. 804-496-1568. San Francisco IUB 660: 2940 16th Street, Suite 216, San [email protected], www.richmondiww.org paid Chicago, IL. Organising and Bargaining Support Department: Francisco, 94103. 415-985-4499. [email protected]. Twin Cities GMB: 3019 Minnehaha Ave. South, Suite 50, [email protected] Minneapolis, 55406. [email protected] Washington IU 520 Marine Transport Workers: Steve Ongerth, del., Missouri Bremerton: Gordon Glick, del., [email protected] Postmaster: Send address Research and Survey Department: [email protected] [email protected] Secretary: Frank Syratt, [email protected] Evergreen Printing: 2412 Palmetto Street, Oakland Greater Kansas City IWW: P.O. Box 414304, Kansas City, Whatcom-Skagit GMB: [email protected]. changes to IW, Post Office Box 94602. 510-482-4547. [email protected] 64141. 816-875-6060. 816-866-3808. greaterkciww@ www.bellinghamiww.com. Facebook: Whatcom-Skagit Southern England Organiser: Steve Mills, south@iww. gmail.com IWW 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 USA org.uk San Jose: [email protected], www.facebook. com/SJSV.IWW St. Louis IWW: P.O. Box 63142, 63163. Secretary: stl. Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934. 206-429- Tech Committee: [email protected] [email protected]. Treasurer stl.iww.treasurer@ 5285. [email protected]. www.seattleiww.org, Training Department: [email protected] Colorado gmail.com www.seattle.net SUBSCRIPTIONS Treasurer: Matt Tucker, [email protected] Denver GMB: c/o Hughes, 7700 E. 29th Avenue, Unit 107, Spokane: P.O. Box 30222, 99223. spokaneiww@gmail. 80238. 303-355-2032. [email protected] Montana com Individual Subscriptions: $18 West of Scotland Organiser: Keith Millar, westscotland@ Construction Workers IU 330: Dennis Georg, del., 406- International Subscriptions: $30 iww.org.uk Connecticut 490-3869, [email protected] Wisconsin Library/Institution Subs: $30/year Women’s Officer: Marion Hersh, [email protected] Connecticut: John W., del., 914-258-0941. Johnw7813@ Missoula IWW: Diane Keefauver, 1250 34th Street #D202, Madison GMB: P.O. Box 2442, 53701-2442. www. ERA Branches yahoo.com 59801. 406-531-0601 madison.iww.org Union dues includes subscription. DC Clydeside GMB: [email protected] Two Rivers IWW: Jim Del Duca, del., 106 Paisley Court, IUB 560 - Communications and Computer Workers: P.O. Capitol Hill Bikes/ District Bicycle Workers’ Union: Box 259279, Madison 53725. 608-620-IWW1. Madiso- Cymru/Wales GMB: [email protected] Apt. I, Bozeman 59715. 406-599-2463. delducja@ [email protected]. www.Madisoniub560.iww.org Published monthly with the excep- [email protected] gmail.com Edinburgh GMB: [email protected] Washington DC GMB: P.O. Box 1303, 20013. 202-630- Lakeside Press IU 450 Job Shop: 1334 Williamson, tion of February and August. Tyne & Wear GMB: [email protected] 9620. [email protected]. www.dciww.org, www. Nebraska 53703. 608-255-1800. Jerry Chernow, del., jerry@ facebook.com/dciww Nebraska GMB: P.O. Box 27811, Ralston, 68127. nebras- lakesidepress.org. www.lakesidepress.org Bradford GMB: [email protected] [email protected]. www.nebraskaiww.org Leeds GMB: [email protected] Florida Madison Infoshop Job Shop:1019 Williamson St. #B, Articles not so designated do Nevada 53703. 608-262-9036 Manchester GMB: [email protected] Daytona Beach: 386-316-8745. DaytonaBeachIWW@ not reflect the IWW’s Reno GMB: P.O. Box 12173, 89510. Paul Lenart, del., Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. railfalcon@ Sheffield GMB: IWW Office, SYAC, 120 Wicker, Sheffield gmx.com. www.facebook.com/pages/Daytona-Beach- yahoo.com official position. S3 8JD. [email protected] IWW/133648520173882 775-513-7523, [email protected] Gainesville GMB: c/o Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St., IU 520 Railroad Workers: Ron Kaminkow, del., P.O. Box Milwaukee GMB: P.O. Box 342294, 53234. iww.milwau- Nottingham GMB: [email protected] 32601. Robbie Czopek, del., 904-315-5292, gainesvil- 2131, Reno, 89505. 608-358-5771. ronkaminkow@ [email protected]. 630-415-7315 Press Date: March 27, 2015 West Midlands GMB: [email protected] [email protected], www.gainesvilleiww.org yahoo.com Northwoods IWW: P.O. Box 452, Stevens Point, 54481 April 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 3 Get Active! Eight Things You Can Do To Get Active By FW Sabo things you need to do to take back control 1. Pay attention to where and how you of your life and your world. First, start spend your money. Is your money going to reading. It doesn’t really matter what, so support companies that don’t care about long as it makes you think about things you? Are they destroying the environment, and gives you new ideas of your own. Read killing animals, treating your friends who novels about human beings struggling work for them like shit? Are they trying as against their society, like J.D. Salinger’s hard as they can to sell you a product that Catcher in the Rye or George Orwell’s gives you cancer? Are their advertisements 1984 or Joseph Heller’s Catch 22; read designed to manipulate you, to make you the beautiful, dreamers’ prose of Jeanette feel insecure or make their product seem Winterson or Henry Miller. Read history: like more than it really is? You don’t need learn about the Spanish revolution in the to give those motherfuckers your money! 1930’s, where whole cities were run by the For that matter—do you buy many things people who lived in them, rather than by that you don’t need? Soft drinks and junk governments; learn about the labor union food at convenience stores, for example? struggle in the USA, or the Free Speech Do you end up spending a lot of money Movement in Berkeley in the 1960’s. Read whenever you want to relax and have a philosophy, read about environmental good time? There are a thousand things issues, read vegan cookbooks and under- you and your friends can do that are fun, ground ‘zines and comics and everything creative, and don’t cost anything (having you can get your hands on. Here’s a hint: intense discussions, exploring hidden if there’s a university in your town, you parts of your town, making music—instead can probably get a membership for about of drinking at bars or going to movies and $10 a year—and most libraries include restaurants) just as there a thousand ways videos, too! you can eat and live more cheaply (Food or participate in what they’re doing. Maybe nizing a walkout to force the “authorities” Not Bombs, building furniture instead of 4. Reading isn’t the only way you can you can copy fliers and give them out at to do something about it... and to show buying it, living in big houses with a bunch expand your horizons and clarify your shows; maybe you can organize benefit everyone that those “authorities” only of friends). Once you experiment a bit, ideas. Talk to people about the things that shows for organizations you want to sup- have as much power as we let them have. you’ll probably find that you enjoy life a interest you, arguing when you don’t agree, port (women’s shelters, radical bookshops, If the main street of your town lacks life lot more when you’re not always shelling so you’ll get to know your own beliefs bet- local groups protesting against the execu- and excitement, try organizing an unex- out cash for it. ter. Write to the people who are doing the tion of Mumia Abu-Jamal or lobbying for pected festival to take place in the middle ‘zines you like, discuss and debate things protection of the environment). Maybe of it one weekend. Shake up everyone’s 2. Now that you spend less, you can with them, ask them for directions to find there are public protests and demonstra- lives and expectations, shake them out of work less, too! Think about how much out more about your interests. Try writing tions going on that you want to be part of. their apathy and boredom so they’ll start more time that gives you to do other about your own ideas, and sharing that Try to help find ways to make these more thinking about things. Establish networks things. Not only will it be easier to do with people, until you feel confident doing challenging and fun than just a bunch of with other people who are also interested things that help you spend less, like vol- this. Travel to different places, try to learn people holding signs; everyone’s so bored in having an effect on the world around unteering at Food Not Bombs (the less you about other cultures and communities, with doing that that there must be a more them, so you can help each other do this. work, the more time you have to make sure so you’ll have more than one perspective effective and exciting way to go about it. you don’t need to), you’ll also be able to do on the world and you can start to imag- 7. Through all of this, don’t stop ques- all the things you never had time for be- ine what the world is like through other 6. You can start your own projects, tioning yourself and your assumptions. Try fore: you can travel, exercise, spend more people’s eyes. as well, you know. If there’s no Food Not to see through all the social programming time with your friends and lovers. When Bombs in your area, get a group of people you’ve received throughout your life: con- it’s sunny and beautiful outside, you can 5. Now you’ll know what you want, together and find some local businesses sider how gender roles constrain the way go out and enjoy it! and you can go about getting it. Seek out that will donate their leftover food. If you act, how your own relationships with other people and groups with similar there’s something fucked up at your high people reproduce the same hierarchical 3. And you’ll have time to do the other goals, and figure out how to support them school or college or workplace, try orga- order that your fighting in mainstream society. We’re not going to really change IWW Constitution Preamble anything unless we can create new ways The working class and the employing Join the IWW Today of living and interacting, new values that class have nothing in common. There can he IWW is a union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the show themselves in the way we treat each be no peace so long as hunger and want job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions other. Show your friends how much you are found among millions of working T today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and care about them. Consider doing things people and the few, who make up the em- distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire you never thought you should or could ploying class, have all the good things of population, not merely a handful of exploiters. do: dancing, singing, admitting things life. Between these two classes a struggle We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially – that you’ve been taught to be ashamed of. must go on until the workers of the world that is to say, we organize all workers on the job into one union, rather than dividing organize as a class, take possession of the workers by trade, so that we can pool our strength to fight the bosses together. 8. Now look to the future. How can means of production, abolish the wage Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have recognized the need to build a you stay involved with these things as you system, and live in harmony with the truly international union movement in order to confront the global power of the get older? How can you construct your life earth. bosses and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fel- so you will always be free to do what you We find that the centering of the low workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. want to? Talk to people older than you management of industries into fewer and We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have fewer hands makes the trade unions un- who haven’t given up and gone back to representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- the daily grind of eat-work-sleep-watch able to cope with the ever-growing power nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition of the employing class. The trade unions TV. With a little input from them and a lot but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes foster a state of affairs which allows one of resolve on your part, you can maintain this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with set of workers to be pitted against another your activities and your lifestyle as long set of workers in the same industry, an unsafe machine or following the bosses’ orders so literally that nothing gets done. as you want to. Idealism, adventure, and thereby helping defeat one another in Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific resistance don’t have to be reserved for wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions workplace, or across an industry. youth alone. History is filled with men aid the employing class to mislead the Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what is- and women who refused to compromise workers into the belief that the working sues to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. or calm down, who went all out from the class have interests in common with their cradle to the grave. They are the artists, TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation employers. the leaders, the heroes and heroines even and your first month’s dues to: IWW, Post Office Box 180195, Chicago, IL These conditions can be changed and people from the mainstream respect. We 60618, USA. the interest of the working class upheld can all have lives like theirs, if we’re brave only by an organization formed in such Initiation is the same as one month’s dues. Our dues are calculated and idealistic enough. a way that all its members in any one according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues If all of us demand ontrol over what industry, or all industries if necessary, are $9 a month. If your monthly income is between $2000 and $3500, we do and what goes on around us, if all cease work whenever a strike or lockout is dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues of us do what we can to make life exciting on in any department thereof, thus mak- are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional and fair for everyone, things are bound to ing an injury to one an injury to all. Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). Instead of the conservative motto, “A change. A lot of people know that we don’t 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. live in the best of all possible worlds, but must inscribe on our banner the revolu- __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution. persuade themselves that it’s hopeless tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage to try to improve things because they’re system.” __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. afraid to commit themselves, to take any It is the historic mission of the work- Name:______risks. But it’s that lack of ambition that ing class to do away with capitalism. The Address:______is the biggest risk of all—for what if you army of production must be organized, City, State, Post Code, Country:______do nothing, and nothing happens, and not only for the everyday struggle with we lose our chance to make this world capitalists, but also to carry on produc- Occupation:______the paradise it should be? Don’t be shy or tion when capitalism shall have been Phone:______Email:______timid—there’s nothing more exciting than overthrown. By organizing industrially Amount Enclosed:______taking an active role in the world around we are forming the structure of the new you, and there’s nothing more worthwhile! society within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker. Page 4 • Industrial Worker • April 2015 Nobody Said This Would Be Easy By Norma Raymond but will imply that you are the one who is I work for a big, dumb corporation expendable. That’s why we need to stand which has a virtual monopoly on the in- up, union up and know our rights. dustry. Since escape is an unlikely dream, I was told, in the IWW’s Organizer I have developed many coping mecha- Training 101, that when trying to form a nisms. I hope these techniques are not union people will disappoint us. A great actual proof of minor league Stockholm friend who claims to support the union syndrome. It’s hard to justify this employ- may chicken out. The guy who’s 100 ment, so I do what I can to sabotage while percent on board may quit. But I was trying to form a union. also told that someone you may never Daily, I encourage people to slow suspect has a serious grudge and is a down production. I urge them to call union member in waiting. Another, when off when they’re sick. I plea with them enlightened, will be eager to join quickly. to speak up when there I try to be an exam- is a problem. I offer to ple of advocacy, hoping accompany them if this that by setting an exam- would be more comfort- ple others will step up. I able for them. I brain- listen to people and take storm with them about them seriously. I stand what would make the job up for my fellow workers more fulfilling. I point and stand up for myself. out work-related problems, and en- I have hope that they will stand up for courage open dialogue. These are not me, but maintain carefulness because extraordinary acts. They are naturally oc- I know they may not. I think critically curring, everyday responses to corporate about what the bosses say and what they employers. actually mean. I have learned their games A sick worker is told, “Well, it’s not and I’m always strategizing. really convenient for you to go home It’s a paradox. The fight is difficult, early,” (as if we can schedule illnesses) yet completely natural. It’s slow, but or “You haven’t earned enough paid time encouraging. The fight can make you feel off to call in sick.” A sexually-harassed very alone but also very empowered. It employee is told, “Well, we like people to can break your heart or it can make your be able to joke around and have a good heart soar with pride. It’s not easy—and time here,” or “Boys will be boys.” It’s yet, it is! The one constant though, is that difficult to have hope when some people it is always way too important to give up being harassed refuse to speak up. It’s hope. It’s not only for yourself, but your frustrating when the people told such co-workers, friends, family and genera- ridiculous things get fed up and quit. The tions to come. So many people before you, bosses tell them to, “Lighten up” as if they people you have never met, fought for are to blame. The boss will usually not you. People may argue, “Things used to be protect you, so you need to learn how to so much worse,” but don’t let that blind protect yourself. The boss is unnecessary, you to how much better it can be. How To Get What You Want What do you want most in all the your desires themselves. Maybe what you world? More money, a new car stereo, a want is to feel better about yourself: is get- vacation? To lose ten pounds, to get home ting your nails done the answer, or could from work in time to see your favorite that impulse be a part of your insecuri- sitcom? Or is it something more than that, ties? Perhaps you love the countryside; is something harder to define? it enough for you to buy a few acres of it Maybe you’ve given up on ever real- and enjoy that, while the rest of the world izing your true dreams, and you settle is slowly wrapped in concrete? for smaller things because they, at least, Pursuing your desires also means seem possible. Maybe it never occured to reconstructing our society. Each of us is you to ask yourself if the goals you’ve been the product of the world we live in; and pursuing really are what you want most. yet, this world is itself the product of our Perhaps, like many people, you feel as if own efforts. To reconstruct yourself and you are being compelled to do things, as your life, you must reconstruct the world if your life is not your own. How often do that constructs and affects you, and for you feel like that? this you will need everyone else’s help. If Here’s a wild idea: everything you do we want to pursue happiness, we should in your life, you should do because you take responsibility for the world we are Graphic: Mike Konopacki want to do it, more than anything else creating, and together make sure that it in the world. And when you make plans, will be one that creates happiness in us. everything in this world that is pointless, and the pursuit of happiness” may suggest, you should aim for the most exciting, But won’t doing whatever we want pit us petty, ugly... our society is filled to the point of absurdity glorious life you could imagine, not just against each other? No—it will force us The alternative, of course, is to settle with distractions and restrictions. We’re for conventional “success” or “security,” to work together. For the greatest, most for what we have today, and never question all so busy struggling to keep up that it’s the consolation prizes of the tired and ambitious endeavors cannot be carried whether there could be more to life. hard to even remember our dreams, let hopeless. What could be more radical than through alone; they require the participa- Ultimately, happiness doesn’t come alone chase after them. And each of us choosing your actions according to how tion of other people, even of whole societ- from just getting what you want and feels so powerless that it’s equally hard enjoyable they are, rather than how moral, ies. Most of us want community, friend- having it, but rather from the process of to keep in mind that this world we live in how responsible, how socially acceptable ship, to feel safe and free with others more seeking it—from the free pursuit of your is entirely the result of our own efforts: they seem? And yet, what else really makes than almost anything else; we need each desires and ambitions. It’s that feeling it is our work that has made it this way. sense? Haven’t we tried serving every other to achieve all these things. To create of excitement and weightlessness you Our species has completely transformed master but our own wishes, fighting for a community in which each of us can live experience when you feel free to do and the planet. Is this the best of all possible every cause except ourselves? Where has life to the fullest, we must make it possible be whatever you want, when life becomes worlds we have built? that gotten us? for all of us to pursue our dreams and be a joyous, ever-changing dance. After cen- If it’s not, why don’t we stop build- Pursuing your desires doesn’t just free and creative. Otherwise we’re cheat- turies of dull servitude to responsibility, ing it, and invent new ways of living and mean blindly following your impulses ing ourselves of each other’s potential, as propriety, and necessity, we’re not used to working together—so we can construct wherever they lead. It means, first, dis- well as our own. That’s the secret that the expressing and following our dreams—the another, better world, that will be more covering what you really want: weeding very unambitious “me generation” missed: time has come to learn how. pleasurable for all of us! For what should through your desires and deciding which past a certain point, greed and generosity Think back to the most important we work towards, if not pleasure and joy? are real and which are illusory, which are intersect. day of your life, the day you first discov- stronger and which are weaker, which And yes, this will be hard, especially at ered love or music or adventure... when a Have you ever made love and it felt so will bring you the most happiness in the first. Nothing is more difficult than push- thousand new doors opened, and the world good it seemed dangerous? end. It means reconstructing yourself and ing yourself to always be honest with your- seemed bigger than it ever had before, and Being in love means really wanting to your life so that you can pursue as many self, demanding the most from yourself suddenly everything was possible. live in a different world: of your desires as possible (since there and from every day of your life. It will put a more exciting world, a more beauti- is no guarantee that all of them can be us at odds with the existing order, that’s Why can’t every day feel like that? ful world, a more joyous, carefree world. simultaneously achieved—most of us find for sure. But it’s a struggle worth fighting if Well, for one thing, we don’t exactly A world where everything matters ourselves always pulled in different direc- any is! A contest of the vast potential that live in a society that is designed to help us and nothing is ever, ever dull. tions by competing impulses and long- each of us has, and the vaster potential discern and pursue our hearts’ desires, do Why shouldn’t we start to build that ings); it means prioritizing and analyzing that we all could have together, against we? Whatever the rhetoric about “freedom world right here, today? April 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 5 Wobbly & North American News IWW Organizes First Unionized Bike Shop In D.C. FairPoint Strike Finally Comes To An End

FairPoint workers on strike in October 2014. Photo: labornotes.org By John Kalwaic strike. Things got pretty heated on the From Oct. 17, 2014 to Feb. 19, 2015, picket line on Dec. 2 in Keene, N.H. when workers at FairPoint Communications a replacement worker named Charles Inc. in Maine, Vermont and New Hamp- Hunter tried to run over picketers with shire went on strike against restructuring his car. The man was then arrested. The Capitol Hill Bikes. Photo: District Bicycle Workers’ Union policies and cuts to retirement benefits. strike continued to drag on, as neither By the District Bicycle low wages, and no benefits, CHB hopes The FairPoint strike was one of the lon- side was willing to budge. Workers’ Union that this is only the start of others in the gest strikes in the United States in recent On Dec. 5 the company urged the Capitol Hill Bikes (CHB) employees bike industry to organize themselves to years. The workers at the telecommuni- workers to stop the strike as it had have organized with the Washington, improve conditions. cations company are organized with the dragged on for months, but the workers D.C. IWW as the District Bicycle Workers’ The employees at CHB have a great re- International Brotherhood of Electrical and unions refused to cave. On Dec. 30 Union, and were recognized by the store’s lationship with the shop’s owners and have Workers (IBEW) and the Communica- the National Labor Relations Board ruled owners on Friday, Jan. 30. always been open to new ideas. Decisions tions Workers of America (CWA). The against the unions’ claim that FairPoint CHB now becomes the only bicycle have always been informally democratic strike involved the contracts of approxi- was not bargaining in good faith. Despite shop in the District that is unionized. The but now with a union, CHB has formalized mately 1,800 employees. The company this setback, the strike continued for formation of the District Bicycles Work- the democratic decision making for actions claimed that the cuts and restructuring another two months. The unions and the ers’ Union was inspired by the unioniza- by the shop. were necessary to make the company company finally came to an agreement in tion of Washington, D.C. bike sharing Read an in-depth story on the more competitive, while the unions said late February 2015; the agreement won system, Capital Bikeshare. In an industry Capital Hill Bikes workers in the that this move would squeeze the work- the workers some concessions from the that usually has short-term employment, upcoming May Industrial Worker. ers and the only benefit would go to Wall company. The company agreed not to Street. The company also had plans to lay off workers or outsource jobs to other downsize their workforce and move many non-union areas of the country, but at the of their facilities out of the New England same time forced the workers to pay more area. for retirement. Laid-Off Retail Workers Protest In Seattle After workers walked out on Oct. The strike was long and the workers By John Kalwaic 17, picket lines began to form around braved the cold New England weather In early January, store FairPoint workplaces in Maine, Vermont to picket, which at some points got very workers at a young wom- and New Hampshire. Many customers confrontational with scabs crossing the en’s clothing store chain of the telecommunications company picket line. In the end the workers did known as Wet Seal posted a complained about the phone and inter- not win a whole lot, but it could have been sign on the front window of net service declining in quality. After the much worse. their store at the Northgate strike continued for months, the public With files from the Burlington Free Mall in Seattle protesting utilities company got more than 200 Press, http://www.pressherald.com, the impending layoff of the calls about phone and internet services http://www.Vt digger.org,WMUR 9 store’s employees. not working or being fixed because of the ABC, Concord Monitor and the Fierce At the beginning of the year, workers at the store were assured by the Workers Walk Out At NYC Restaurants company that they would By John Kalwaic not be laid off. This turned On Jan. 12 workers at Pure Food out to be a lie: the staff and Wine, an upscale raw food vegan members of the Seattle restaurant in Gramercy, New York City, store were indeed going walked out in protest over unpaid wages. to be let go. In protest, the Many current and former employees—as angered employees posted well as sympathetic customers—picketed a sign outside the door of outside the restaurant. Some employees the store denouncing the claimed they had not been paid in over company and telling cus- a month. Workers at One Lucky Duck, tomers not to shop there. another upscale vegan restaurant nearby On the sign the employees with the same owner, also walked out and picketed with the workers from Pure Food explained they were not Wet Seal protest sign. Photo: businessinsider.com paid for their unused sick and Wine. days, many of them spent years with the view, “We’re packing up our store right The employees at both restaurants company but were only given one day’s now. While I was out some employees said the owner had not paid them for their notice of the layoff, and the newest hire of had posted those kinds of signs in the work since December 2014. This is when four weeks had a missing paycheck. The windows, but I took them down.” When the wage trouble started. The restaurants sign also stated that the CEO of Wet Seal asked why, she said, “At first, out of started receiving calls saying they were not had received a $95,000 raise despite the anger, I wanted to leave them up. Then paying their bills. Many workers were paid financial hardship of the company. I realized it didn’t make us look good. I late or with petty cash. In other cases they After the employees posted the wanted us to look professional. I wanted were not paid at all. Around 100 employees signs, they were immediately fired for to make sure my girls all got jobs in this of Pure Food and Wine and One Lucky “misuse of company time.” Another sign mall and [the signs] wouldn’t help their Duck are owed back wages. According to Photo: gothamist.com was put in the storefront window of the prospects.” This represents attitudes an anonymous former employee at Pure Wet Seal at the Dayton Mall in Ohio, working specifically against women Food and Wine, the back of house staff because the workers at both places had which read: “Took away all of our ben- workers, who are often expected to in- who had not received their pay checks due gone on strike. efits including sick time and vacation ternalize their oppression and just “look on Dec. 28 threatened to walk out if they A server named Maiquensaez Vega which we worked for, and were told we pretty” and “not put up a fuss.” were not paid by Jan. 12. told the news website Gothamist, “We’re would receive. Btw, NO SEVERENCE The Wet Seal has now announced that When they were not paid by that date, all pretty much family here, everybody gets PAY!” they are filing for bankruptcy as other the staff from both the back and front of along. The restaurant is great, the product Social media protests against the fashion chains such as Forever 21 become house walked out. Picketers carried signs is good. But the way we were dealt with, company went viral on Reddit and more popular. Regardless, the company saying “Pay our wages,” “One month back and me being here for eight years, I feel Twitter, with #ForgetWetSeal and repeatedly failed to warn employees pay,” and “Many unlucky ducks.” The pick- like it’s a slap in the face.” Often, upscale #BoycottWetSeal as similar storefront across the United States about the store eters also taped hand written signs saying, places with a progressive image still ex- signs appeared in other closing Wet closures and subsequent layoffs and has “No pay no way,” and “Raw food raw deal,” ploit their workers. Seal stores. Accordnig to Business In- often committed wage theft by not paying over the restaurant entrance sign. The interesting thing about this walk- sider, store manager Summer Ligon its employees. The owner of the restaurants stated out is that, according to sources, there is no of the Chesapeake Square Wet Seal in With files from Business Insider and on various forms of social media that the union or organization behind it. Rather, it Chesapeake, Va., said in a phone inter- The Christian Science Monitor. restaurants had been closed due to a flood, was a spontaneous action by the workers. which was an outright lie; they were closed With files from Gothamist and NY1. Page 6 • Industrial Worker • April 2015 Special The Joe Hill Centenary Takes To The Road By Norman Stockwell and he was a foreigner and a known labor activ- Atlanta, Ga.; Asheville, N.C.; and George Mann ist. His death inspired several songs, and Nashville, Tenn., and the last leg his life has inspired many fellow workers, in November will hit the west “From San Diego up to Maine, but Joe also wrote some of our best-known coast before ending in Salt Lake In every mine and mill - labor songs, including “The Preacher and City. Where working men defend their rights The Slave,” “Casey Jones,” and “There is Each local community will It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill.” Power in a Union,” which are still sung produce a show with a mix of local – “I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night.” today at union rallies and events. and national touring artists. Some Lyrics by Alfred Hayes, This year, to mark the 100th anniver- shows will also include spoken music by Earl Robinson. sary of his death, a group of Wobblies and word pieces, and, of course, the others are organizing the “Joe Hill Road songs of Joe Hill will be sung. On Nov. 19, 1915 Wobbly activist 100 Show,” a national concert tour. The Joe Hill (Oct. 7, 1879 – Joe Hill was killed by a firing squad in tour will begin in Chicago on May Day, Nov. 19, 1915) was born Joel Salt Lake City, Utah. After national and then head on to Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Emmanuel Hägglund in Gävle, international appeals for clemency that Madison, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and the Sweden and was also known as included pleas from Helen Keller, Jane Twin Cities for the Upper Midwest “leg.” Joseph Hillström. He came to Addams, and Eugene V. Debs, Hill was An east coast leg in July will include Al- the United States in 1902 and executed for the murders of a grocer and bany, New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, learned English as an itinerant his son who were shot in a robbery on Jan. and Washington, D.C. In September, it will laborer. Joe Hill was an orga- 10, 1914. There is little doubt today that head to the south planning stops in places nizer, songwriter, cartoonist and Joe Hill was framed for the crime because such as Blacksburg, Va.; Greensboro, N.C.; journalist during his 36 short years. He traveled from the east coast to the west coast, fanning the flames of discontent in mines and lumber camps. He died with literally no more than the shirt on his back. Joe began writing songs for Photo: commons.wikimedia.org IWW organizing campaigns, and his first a special reproduction of the 1916 IWW widely-known effort was “The Preacher “Little Red Song Book,” which was issued and The Slave,” written for the Free at the time as a Joe Hill commemorative Speech Fight in Spokane, Wash. in 1910. edition. In addition, folk musician John His songs, written to the popular tunes McCutcheon is releasing a new album of of the day (so folks could sing ‘em) have Joe Hill’s songs titled “Joe Hill’s Last Will” continued to inspire young agitators, and and performing in a one-person play on he remains the best-known songwriter Joe Hill written by fellow musician and among the IWW tunesmiths. With this organizer Si Kahn. tour, IWW members and musicians will For more information, or to make a remember Joe’s life and work. donation to help support all of this year’s Other commemorative events this year events, visit: http://joehill100.com or include the Joe Hill edition of the “Solidar- https://www.facebook.com/pages/The- Mourners at Joe Hill’s funeral in 1915. Photo: reuther.wayne.edu ity Forever Labor History Calendar” and Joe-Hill-100-tour/426997447452407. April 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 7 Front Page News Syndicalist Union Protests Migrant Worker Exploitation In Berlin Continued from 1 aro Foro. Therefore, it was “a subject of tives declared they “have never employed (Openmallmaster) to another the comrades’ cases reporting of all Berlin Romanian workers” (Metatec) and that (Metatec). In the end, none of the two might be considered press.” They’ve been they had not gotten any money from FCL subcontractors even paid the agreed- symptomatic of the wholeheartedly sup- (Openmallmaster). The first assertion is upon wage completely, which—being be- increased exploita- ported by FAU mem- refuted by so called “renunciations” that low the industry’s minimum wage of 11.15 tion and cheating bers from all over the some individual workers signed in order to euros ($11.92) per hour—is illegally low. inflicted on workers country. get at least part of their wages. The latter “They didn’t only not pay our wages,” from EU countries In the meantime, assertion is vehemently refuted by Fettch- a comrade explained, “several times, we who are hired for the the bosses try to avoid enhauer himself. And despite Huth’s claim were treated arbitrarily and menaced (with lowest possible wag- their responsibil- in mid-December to have broken with violence, too). They did withhold written es and, then, are not ity and take distance Fettchenhauer, an “FCL Fettchenhauer contracts from us, and they gave us no even fully paid. Still, from one another. Construction GmbH” is right now work- or completely rotten accommodations.” legal advice and writ- Customer-investor ing briskly on the renovation site of a new Another comrade stated: “I had two goals ten claims’ assertions Harald Huth (HGHI) shopping center in Berlin-Lichterfelde—a when staging the protest: first, I wanted do not adequately re- told the press: “We project of Huth’ian HGHI. to fight for our dignity and, secondly, for place union action. have nothing to do As for FAU Berlin, the union continues the money.” The latter has with these workers. its protests in 2015, by leafleting, for exam- “The first goal, we already achieved,” been provided quickly Wobbly solidarity. Photo: FAU Berlin This is an issue for ple, or hold a rally at the subcontractors’ he added. and resolutely by FAU Berlin, particularly FCL [Fettchenhauer Controlling & Logis- offices. Additionally, the grassroots union Before joining FAU Berlin, the com- by its section for migrant workers called tic], which we’ve paid completely for all supported its comrades in filing lawsuits rades had already gone to the publicly- the Foreigners Section, as well as by a dedi- provided services.” But the executing FCL against the subcontractors. And the FAU funded counseling office for posted cated FAU working group. Right before declared bankruptcy by mid-December, continues to fight back against the use of workers sent to Berlin, situated in the Christmas 2014, by means of daily rallies which neither hinders ex-general manager “temporary injunction” and the restric- house of the Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund and a noisy demonstration of some 300 Andreas Fettchenhauer to be continually tions of union liberty. So, this struggle will (German Confederation of Trade Unions, people, the grassroots union and its new active in the construction industry with remain thrilling. or DGB). The DGB has confirmed the comrades made the “Mall of Shame” (as half a dozen other companies nor at- For more up-to-date information, visit mounting number of workers from Ro- they call it), a symbol for the exploitation tempts to silence FAU Berlin by the legal https://berlin.fau.org/kaempfe/mall-of- mania and Bulgaria seeking counseling, of migrant workers. By the end of January means of a temporary injunction. In the shame. Follow the campaign on Facebook: as does the intercultural association Am- 2015 a Brandenburg newspaper stated meantime, the subcontractors’ representa- https://www.facebook.com/mallofshame. Work: What Is It Good For? Continued from 1 food surpluses Factories stop rotted. If more pouring pollutants into people go hun- rivers. Gentrification gry during a grinds to a halt. Worka- recession, it’s holics reconsider their not because priorities. Prisons are there has been forced to release in- any material mates. Police depart- change in our ments can’t buy new productive ca- weapons. Governments pacities, but can’t afford to mass- simply one arrest demonstrators. more example of how irrationally our so- us; but even if nothing ever went wrong, Sheriffs sometimes even ciety always distributes resources. When it would never deliver the world of our refuse to evict families workers go on strike, you can see some of dreams. And whether or not we’re ready from foreclosed homes. the same effects as during a crash. They for change, things aren’t going to go on this Of course, millions more may go hungry, but they can also develop way forever. Who can still believe we’re on are forced out of their a new awareness of their power as they get the right track now that pollution is killing homes and go hungry. to know each other outside the constraints off species by the thousand and causing But the problem isn’t of the daily grind. The rest of society sud- the polar ice caps to melt? Between global that there’s no hous- denly notices that they exist. Sometimes warming and nuclear war, industrial capi- ing or food to be had— they establish new collective projects and talism has already produced at least two it’s not the crisis that ways of making decisions. Occasionally different ways of ending life on earth. causes that, but the fact they even take over their workplaces and That doesn’t sound very stable! If we that the system is still use them to do things outside the logic of want to survive another century, we have functioning. Long be- profit and competition. The same goes for to reexamine the mythology that grounds fore the crash, people student occupations. So perhaps the real our current way of life. were being forced out issue is that crashes and strikes don’t go Stay tuned for part 2 of this new of their homes while far enough. series examining work, “The Mythology buildings stood empty So long as the economy runs our lives, of Work,” in the May 2015 Industrial and going hungry while any interruption is going to be hard on Worker.

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Subscribe to the Industrial Worker today! Page 8 • Industrial Worker • April 2015 Revolution In Our Daily Lives: Alive In The Land Of The Dead By Ann Archist feeling of emptiness that accompanies the unless it is rewarded. This kind of thinking ment must be worth a try; so it is crucial that The 20th Century has marked the end of undirected acquisition of material wealth, he reflects a dire misunderstanding of the na- we seek change not in the name of some the millennium that saw the world become has a stake in fighting for change. So we all, ture of human happiness; for happiness is doctrine or grand cause, but on behalf of colonized by and organized under Western rich and poor, must band together to con- to be found in activity, in activities that are ourselves, so that we will be able to live civilization, that saw the industrial revolu- sider our situation and struggle to alter it. exciting and satisfying in and of themselves, more meaningful lives. Similarly we must tion and overpopulation restructure both This also means that there is no mythi- rather than in passively awaiting rewards seek first and foremost to alter the contents humanity and the very surface of the earth cal “They.” Innumerable radical movements for unsatisfying activities. Therefore it is of our own lives in a revolutionary manner, itself. This century began with fifty years of and social critics have relied upon this not surprising that many devout Christians rather than direct our struggle towards alternating slaughter, starvation, and rabid concept to motivate people by stirring up are bitter, spiteful individuals who jealously world-historical changes which we will not nationalism such as the human race had hatred for the “evil orchestrators” of human resent healthy activity and excitement in live to witness. In this way we will avoid the never seen before. It is concluding with an suffering, the enemies who conspire against others—for they believe that they will find feelings of worthlessness and alienation that ominous silence among young people in the us. But this kind of thinking only serves to true happiness only in their “heavenly re- result from believing that it is necessary to United States and much of Europe, for with divide us against each other, and whether ward” for behavior that is not at all exciting “sacrifice oneself for the cause,” and instead the end of the “Cold War” the idea that there we are divided on class lines, on color lines, for them, and thus must watch enviously as live to experience the fruits of our labors. . . really is any alternative at all to our modern or according to any other categories, we are others freely do what they can only dream in our labors themselves. living conditions and society is becoming distracted from the important issues and of doing in their most “sinful” fantasies. To put it another way, our revolution hard to conceive of; and in the meantime, we impeded in our progress. Our true “enemy” Conversely, many Christians who are happy must be above all a revolution in the ways are becoming more and more organized and is the social forces and patterns at work are happy despite their Christianity, because we live and think. It must be a recognition arranged by the technological systems that between ourselves, and it is these forces they are able to take pleasure in their lives and rejection of the thought patterns and we set up with the supposed intentions of which we must come to understand and to and deeds in this world. patterns of social interaction that have led making our lives more free and meaningful. struggle against. Traditional Marxism takes the Chris- us to today’s unsatisfying existench, in favor As this century is ending with senti- This is not to say that there are not tian mistake one step further by asking its of patterns of thought and interaction that mental retrospectives and the like, what individuals whose behavior is particularly adherents to work towards a revolution they will be satisfying in themselves. It must be we really must do is not look back but look dangerous to their fellow human beings, will probably never live to see—that is, in a revolution in our motivations, replacing ahead. Now more than ever we must con- insofar as it perpetuates or intensifies our the Marxist “faith,” gratification is delayed reward-motivated behavior with behavior sider whether our modern lives as we have present state of emergency. But even if beyond the reach of human experience. It that is intrinsically meaningful. It must come to live them over the last thousand these individuals do have negative inten- should be no surprise that today, beyond a be a revolution in our everyday lives. Re- years really satisfy all our needs and desires tions towards others, it is still unlikely that little anachronistic romanticism about the jecting boredom, exhaustion, and despair as human beings, and prepare for the new they possess a clear understanding of the “nobility” of self-sacrifice, the Marxist offer for excitement, danger, love, passion and millennium to be a new chapter in the hu- extremely complicated conditions to which serves as little incentive for people to seri- compassion—that is a revolution worth man experiment. We must use the lessons they are contributing. ously fight for the “communist revolution.” fighting for! And certainly there are large we have learned from the 20th Century to In contrast, today’s capitalistic consumer scale, long term goals that we must fight plan for a new era in which human life can About the Process market at least promises prompt gratifica- for, to make this revolution possible for all be meaningful and fulfilling, even thrilling, We individuals who are unsatisfied with tion in the form of material goods (and the of us in the years to come; but we should heroic. Or have we learned any lessons? their lives, who do feel the “poverty” of the myths and images it associates with them) in fight for these goals not out of servitude to Don’t wait for permission, for some existench that modern Western civilization return for the generally unsatisfying labor it a doctrine or cause, but because it is exciting far-off “world revolution,” for later “when has to offer, must seek out others who are ex- requires. But—does it deliver true gratifica- and invigorating today to strive for difficult you have more time.” Demand joy, danger, periencing similar symptoms. Together, we tion to its participants? and worthy objectives. passion in your life today! must construct and publicize an analysis of Again, happiness is an active experience, Alive in the land of the dead. They eat our situation: a theory of why human beings not a passive sensation. Thus, a woman who dead food with false teeth. Their buildings About the Problem act and interact in the ways that they do to- cooks a recipe of her own invention for her have false fronts, their radio and television The poverty against which man has been day, and how this leads to our sensations of friends may find a great deal of pleasure stations broadcast dead air. They kill time struggling throughout history is not merely alienation, disorientation, and exhaustion. and meaning in this undertaking, while a as spectators of false images. Their corpo- the poverty of material goods; the ennui and This analysis must have effective action man who slaves all day to cook exotic food rations are guilty of false advertising, and disorientation experienced by the members of some kind as its necessary and immediate in an expensive restaurant will find that the their employment ‘opportunities’ offer only of the middle and upper classes in today’s consequence, or else (as have the theories purchases he makes with his paycheck can- murderous mistreatment, lethal boredom, wealthy industrial nations have revealed the of a long tradition of “radical” discussion not compensate him for the days of his life and fatal submission; they demand that you poverty of Western existench itself. groups) it will come to nothing. he has given up. You can purchase a twenty meet deadlines, that you pitch tent in the The problems that we face today can- And this struggle presupposes partici- acre estate, the latest in status-symbol auto- death camps. Does the dead end justify the not be traced to class conflict alone. It is pants who are fighting for themselves, to see mobiles, and an entire wardrobe of unique means? They inhabit dead cities and make not merely a question of the ruling class and feel change and improvement in the and exquisite fashions, but the pleasure that false moves, really going nowhere at all, profiting at the expense of the proletariat, course of their own lives—as we shall see . . . these possessions afford cannot compare treading day after day the same path of de- for we have seen that the profit that those to the exhilaration of spending a day freely spair. Even their air is conditioned. They ask with capital do make does not make their About the Solution pursuing your desires. you to give your lives for their countries, for lives any more fulfilling. It does not mat- Whatever solution, whatever revolution, Accordingly, our revolution must be their religions, for their economies, leaving ter whether a woman is buried alive in a we propose, must be present-oriented rather an immediate revolution in our daily lives; you with only. . . . Their system is organized prison, in a reform school, in a sweatshop, than future-oriented if it is to be genuinely anything else is not a revolution but a de- by artificial intelligence and provides only in a ghetto, in a prestigious university, in revolutionary. mand that once again people do what they virtual reality. Their culture will pin you a condominium bought on credit, or in a The past and the present are both full of do not want to do and hope that this time, down and bore you to death, their lifestyle mansion with a private swimming pool examples which indicate this. To consider somehow, the compensation will be enough. is lifeless, their existench is a permanent and tennis courts, so long as she is buried one: Christianity demands of its followers Those who assume, often unconsciously, deadlock. Everything about them is dead alive. Everyone suffers from today’s status that they delay gratification until they enter that it is impossible to achieve their own and false. The only thing that is unbearable quo, albeit differently; but whether a man the next world, when they will supposedly be desires—and thus, that it is futile to fight is that nothing is unbearable. When will we is starving on his minimum wage salary, rewarded for their proper conduct; in doing for themselves—often end up fighting for an demand more? exhausted by his repetitive responsibilities so it assumes that this proper conduct is not ideal or cause instead. But it is still possible The struggle is for life, for real at the office, or befuddled by the curious fulfilling enough in itself to be worthwhile to fight for ourselves, or at least the experi- life. Fight foul, life is real! Regarding Fraternity Culture And Racism In Oklahoma As a student at the University of recognize that life here is not equal. To see members of their fraternity during the Oklahoma (OU) I have found great this, look no further than what is already outbreak of the war, 369 fought for the solace in small enclaves of radicals and around you, and what is prevalent across Confederacy. This pride is still evident comrades among the seas of institutions American institutions of higher learning. in many places, namely the Confeder- found on the OU campus that represent This was not some youthful indiscre- ate flag hanging visibly within a room exclusion and privilege. Small pockets tion, it isn’t some wayward racist opinion at the Oklahoma State University SAE of people exist who understand and ac- held by youths in the throes of their salad house. Currently, they are known as knowledge the inherent racism and clas- days. This reflection of racism within SAE the deadliest fraternity, and in a 2013 sism found among the plantation-style was an honest view into the opinions of newsletter written by their leader, he homes full of fraternities and sororities those who are found in the halls of my details how 12 chapters have been adjacent to the campus; these Greek university. Their ideology is a direct af- forced to close within the last several houses are full of young adults of sup- front to the concept of universal human months. They are notorious for host- posedly good breeding and lineage, that suffrage and equality, two profound ten- ing racist parties with participants stake claim to this academic environ- ants of thought I find reflected not only in wearing black face and mocking gang ment which is in direct conflict with the small groups of the truly educated at OU, violence. The Oklahoma IWW, the One Big ideals that they secretly hold and express but within the Oklahoma IWW, the radi- I call all IWW members, all OU Union, is the definition of inclusive and during functions in polite company. cal labor union that gave me and others students, all comrades and radicals, all therefore the antithesis of institutional As a comrade of the Oklahoma In- here so much hope that true equality and people who have been excluded, to join racism, sexism, and classism found on dustrial Workers of the World Union inclusion can happen, if we fight for it. together inclusively to decry not only the OU campus. (IWW), I must rebuke those who claim The history of the SAE fraternity is Sigma Alpha Epsilon, but all institutions The ideas of radical unionism and to be shocked by the actions of the Sigma marred with reflections of southern se- founded upon racism, socio-economic radical inclusiveness have a place at Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity, who clusion, and in fact is the only fraternity caste systems, and privilege. OU. This can be perfectly expressed by chanted racial slurs directed towards formed in the antebellum South. They How can we support or allow exclu- the literal writing on the wall of the SAE African Americans on a bus ride to a claim pridefully (and incorrectly) that sionary practices while being those who house that a comrade painted in a fury country club in the middle of Oklahoma. their founder, James Devotie, was the supposedly hold the idea of universal yesterday evening: “TEAR IT DOWN.” If we can suspend this idea of modern first casualty in the American Civil War. human suffrage dear? -Kristin Fleming, American equality for a moment, we can They boast about the fact that of the 400 We can’t. We won’t. Oklahoma IWW April 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 9

WobThoughts Is The Work ‘Ethic’ Really Ethical? By x12345 decrease in self-employment and small are that this company has their profits Did you ever wonder why your par- businesses, most of us do not have much in mind at least as much as our satisfac- ents act so disoriented when it comes to voice in what our responsibilities at work tion, and we may discover that playing ‘leisure’ activities? Why they start one will be. It is hard to start your own busi- miniature golf is strangely unfulfilling. little hobby, and either fail to follow ness or even find a friend or neighbor to Similarly, of course, we don’t have through with it or become pathologically work for. We often must get a job to survive much time or energy left over from work obsessed with it... even though it doesn’t in which we follow the instructions of a to consider our situation or participate seem to have anything to do with their manager who probably doesn’t have much in any rewarding activity which requires lives? Maybe they seek to lose themselves more control over his job than we have much time and energy. We don’t like to in gardening or following the exploits of over ours. Since we don’t get to decide think too much about whether we enjoy some basketball team. Maybe your father what we are doing, chances are that we will our jobs or our lives—besides, that might buys all sorts of fancy tools (the kind of feel alienated from our work, disinterested be depressing, and what can we do if tools many men his age have), but only in the quality of our labor; we may even we don’t enjoy them, anyway? We don’t uses them for a few days before setting feel that the projects we are working upon have the energy left to enjoy art or mu- them aside—and then buys a lot of skiing are unimportant. sic or books that are really challenging; equipment the next month. Or perhaps Indeed it is easy to feel that most of the we need our music to be soothing, our they just spend their time trying figure jobs available today are unimportant—for art nonthreatening, our books merely out how to pay off the debt they owe for in a certain sense, many of them are. In a entertaining. that wide screen television they spend the purely capitalist economy, the jobs that In fact, we come to associate having rest of their time watching. are available will be determined by which to expend effort and do things with our And—have they ever been honest products are in the most demand; and work, and associate relaxing and not with you about their jobs? Do they enjoy often the products that are in demand doing anything with leisure time. So, marketplace (good luck!) that you actu- them? Is their work the most fulfilling (military technology, fast food, Pepsi, because many of us don’t like our jobs, ally enjoy... and that leaves you enough thing they could be doing, are they able to fashionable clothes) are not products we tend to associate having to do things time and energy to do other things in your achieve every goal they always wanted to? that really make people happy. It’s easy to with being unhappy, while happiness, as life that you also enjoy. The most impor- Do they feel heroic or proud every day as feel like all your labor is wasted when the far as we ever know it, means... not doing tant thing is to arrange your life so that they return home—or are they exhausted? products you work so hard to sell just to anything. We never act for ourselves, be- you are doing things because you want Do they turn that wide screen television survive seem to do nothing for the people cause we spend our whole days acting for to do them, not because they are profit- on as soon as they come in the door? Do you sell them to. How many people really other people, and we think that acting and able—otherwise, no matter how much they have the energy to do anything else? are cheered up by the soggy french fries working hard always leads to unhappiness; money you make, you will be selling your Did you ever wonder if there might be at McDonalds? Would they perhaps be our idea of happiness is not having to act, happiness for money. Remember that the a better way for them, for you? happier eating a meal prepared by a friend being on permanent vacation. less money you spend, the less you will of theirs or a chef they knew who owned And this is ultimately why so many have to worry about getting money in the What is ‘Work’ Like? his own cafe? of us are so unhappy: because happiness first place... and the less you will have to Because of ‘division of labor’, most In short, “work” as we know it tends to is not doing nothing, happiness is acting work at those dehumanizing jobs. Learn jobs today consist of doing very specific make us unhappy because we do so much creatively, doing things, working hard to use all your ‘free’ time, not to vegetate tasks, over and over, with very little va- of it, because it is so repetitive, because we on things you care about. Happiness is or spend money on entertainment, but riety. If you are a dishwasher, you wash don’t get to choose what we do, and be- becoming an excellent long-distance run- to create things and accomplish things— dishes: you don’t get to interact with cause what we are doing is often not in the ner, falling in love, cooking an original things that no one would pay you to make people or solve complicated problems best interest of our fellow human beings. recipe for people you care about, building or do, but that make your life (and per- very often, and you never get to leave the a bookshelf, writing a song. There is no haps the lives of others) better anyway. dishroom to run around in the sunlight. What is Leisure Time Like? happiness to be found in merely lying on Some will argue that the system If you are a real estate agent, you never We come home from these jobs ex- a couch—happiness is something that we we live within would break down if we use your hands to make anything, and hausted from having invested all our time must pursue. We are not unhappy because all were to walk away from our jobs— you spend most of your time thinking and energy in a project we may not have we have to do things, we are unhappy so much the better. Haven’t we built about market value and selling points. even been free to choose, and what we because all the things we do are things we enough automobiles, enough shopping Even jobs that include a certain amount need most is to recover. We are emotion- don’t care about. And because our jobs malls, enough televisions and golf clubs, of variety can only remain interesting and ally and physically worn out, and nothing exhaust us and mislead us about what we enough fucking nuclear weapons already? challenging up to a point: for we work seems more natural than to sit down qui- want, they are the source of much of our Wouldn’t we all be better off if there was forty hours a week on average, and at least etly for a while and watch television or read unhappiness. a shortage of fast food and a surplus of five out of the seven days. That’s a lot of the daily paper, while we try to gather our unique home-cooked meals? If playing our lives to spend working. Work is the strength for the next day’s labor. Perhaps What is the Solution? music is more rewarding than working first thing we do on most of the days of we try to leave behind our exhaustion You don’t have to work at those jobs, in an assembly line, why do we have so our lives, and we don’t get to do anything and frustration by concentrating on some you know. It is possible to get by without few good bands and so many transistor else until we’ve been at work for quite a hobby or another; but as we are not very all the Pepsi, all the expensive clothes, the radios? Of course a ‘work-free’ world is while. When we spend most of our time used to directing ourselves in the work- wide screen television and the expensive a dream we will probably never see come and energy working on one task, or even place during the day, we often don’t know interior decorating that all those pay- true; but as always, the challenge is to ten different tasks, eventually we will feel what we really want to do when we are checks go to pay for. You can try to start make this dream a part of your world, bored and desperate for variety... even free at home. Certainly some company or your own business doing something you as much as you can—to liberate yourself if we are conditioned not to realize this. another will have some suggestions for us, care about (although this still involves the from the chains of mindless consumerism On top of this, because of the spread whether we receive them from advertising danger of having too little variety in your and mind-melting employment and live of large businesses and the consequent or watching our neighbors; but chances work), or you can try to find a job in today’s a more meaningful life.

Wobbly Arts Skagit Valley, Migrant Labor Camp Fieldword, 1960-1980 c, angelica guillen, 1990 we continued but of Ponds hand lotion. This was the skin of cutting the soil with our hoes a woman aware of her beauty, for beautiful she las campesinas removing weeds was. Working beside her in the fields, we young prayed in church every sunday poison spray was supposed to kill girls listened attentively to her advice on how to they wore men’s pants to work be beautiful—at night before you go to bed, brush campesinas drove buses tractors trucks your hair, put Ponds lotion on your face and hands. were the weeds smoked Pall Malls She would examine our hands every day to make the pesticides killed maneuvered hands forged into agile deliberate tools sure we were taking care of them. Her stride firm, by decades of hard field work Many campesinos suffered the effects of the pesti- her caressing voice would tell us of our dignity as cides that were sprayed on us while we worked in the Mexicana women. I still see her standing in the they covered their heads with long cotton cloth fields. Fourteen years old, I watched the most graceful fields waving to us. tightly secured by wide brimmed hats and kind women and men fall ill and die. We did not He survived Vietnam and returned to the only place that would hire him: migrant labor camp. levantando la cosecha know then that pesticides could kill people. Now I look Kinky, shoulder-length, black hair stormed in all they leaned towards the ground back and know that the illnesses I saw were the result directions around his head; his skin crinkled across always in dread of hearing THAT sound of people being poisoned while they work. I remember my tia’s (aunt’s) beautiful skin, vibrant his cheek bones when he smiled. Morenito like the airplanes! with a power that drew light to it and held it. it was al- earth and young like the sun; he conquered the flying in low ways fragrant with the smell of tortillas and guisados fields and fieldwork. Overhead airplanes sprayed. heaving pesticides over fields, us (home-cooked main dishes). The bones of her body lay He was 22 years old. we covered our faces with the cotton fabric safe and snug beneath her firm skin. Out in the fields Not much later, tia and Yisidra’s skin bulged hoping to keep the toxic mist away from our mouths, our breaths she wore a wide brimmed hat to shield as much of her and heaved with a cancer that greedily devoured the niños in our wombs body as she could from el spray (pesticides) and the them raw. Each a mother of several children, each sun. My tia was 50-years-old. reduced in a matter of months to a small bundle. “hold your heads down, muchachas! don’t look up at the I remember Yisidra’s skin, a glowing tribute upon And he developed a disease that specialists could airplanes or the sun her 38-year-old, slim frame. It held the sheen and elas- not name, much less treat. The pain unceasing. His keep working!” the mujeres called out to us, younger women ticity of a young girl’s skin. Its scent was not of cooking body wept pus—hot and unhealed—then no more. Page 10 • Industrial Worker • April 2015 April 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 11 Special How I Spent My Permanent Vacation Continued from 1 their jobs to be as high as 90%. That’s own, that (obviously) their squats would class men and women who are counting on care about. I can go to the library here (it’s shocking, considering that our work is usu- not be too dirty or dangerous. Think how it to be able to take care of their families. only $10, for anyone, for a yearly member- ally the most central and important thing much fucking money you could save if you And if so much theft somehow occurred ship at the university library here—that in our lives. But people don’t feel that they didn’t pay rent! Even if squatting is not an that these huge corporations like Kmart even includes their video and CD librar- have any alternatives. The companies they option (since it is sort of discouraged by and McDonalds had to close, I would shed ies) and read or watch old movies, I can work for will only let them have the goods the authorities), it’s possible to arrange no tears about it! These companies and exercise, I can play music, write, do all and services they need to survive if they cheap places to live. Plenty of people I know the multinationals that own them would sorts of creative, self-improving, produc- earn the money to pay for them. pay only a little over a hundred dollars a disappear, never again to wreak wholesale tive things. If I had been working the past My solution to that problem is to see month to share an old house with a bunch destruction upon the earth’s environment, three years, it would have been impossible which goods and services I can do without, of friends. I’ve known people who have never again to sell the same unhealthy, for me to have made Inside Front what it and to look elsewhere for the others. I don’t been paid to stay at someone’s house and nasty-tasting hamburgers in every town is—I wouldn’t have had the time or energy buy Pepsi to drink with every meal—that take care of it while they were gone; I’ve from Los Angeles to Moscow through sheer to research and write it, to organize and stuff isn’t too good for you anyway, and known people who have worked on the force of advertising dollars. Perhaps they publish it, or to distribute it the way I have. Pepsi Co. is involved in some really bad house where they lived (painted it, etc.) in would be replaced by individuals who could The same goes for Catharsis, the band I shit. I don’t spend a lot of money in bars exchange for paying little or no rent; the list be held accountable for their behavior by play in; the music we have made and the or nightclubs; there are plenty of free ac- goes on. The possibilities are endless and their communities; individuals who would experiences we have had traveling and tivities I can do with my friends that are ever changing, so I can only give examples care about their communities and act ac- performing mean more to me than any just as exciting. I don’t buy fashionable or here—you have to find concrete opportuni- cordingly, rather than having to obey the amount of money ever could, and Catharsis expensive clothing. I don’t spend money ties for yourself. impersonal and disinterested orders of a has taken up a lot of time that I wouldn’t on expensive amenities that are supposed As for things that have to do with the faceless profit machine. Individuals like have had if I worked. The same goes for to “save time”—because the truth is, they hardcore scene—often if you’re active, do- my friend who owns the Burrito shop, my involvement in CrimethInc.—because don’t. Otherwise, where the fuck is all the ing something that is useful to people (be- who would give me food when he knew I I don’t sell my time to some office or busi- time we should have saved up by now cause I’m trying to encourage that here by couldn’t afford it—because he knew I would ness establishment, I have time of my own with our fast food, our microwave ovens, speaking out against work, NOT discourage do the same for him. to dedicate to helping bands that I love get our automobiles, our fax machines, our it!) you can barter it for the records, ‘zines., Anyway... Certainly, I’ll admit it does their music packaged the way it should be computers? We’re busier than ever to- etc. that you’re interested in. If you write take some time and energy to avoid work- and available to others. The same goes for day, overloaded with so many different reviews, you can get all that stuff for free; ing; you have to spend a fair bit of each my involvement in other projects—writing demands on our time from these different you could trade a traveling band food or a figuring out how to survive without a steady for other magazines and pamphlets, flier- “time-saving” devices and the jobs we work place to sleep in return for their record; you income (at least you can do this on your ing, and being active in my community in at to buy them. could trade some rare records for a tattoo own time, when and how you want to). Not other ways. If I worked, even if it was at a So where do I get food, shelter, and or vice versa; trade a copy of your friend’s to mention that you will have to go without job I liked (at a cafe with a relaxed atmo- other necessities? Food—I almost never ‘zine for another one that interests you; some comforts and conveniences you may sphere, etc.), I might not be unhappy, but pay for it. Here, even in North Carolina, volunteer to help organize and clean up have been used to; but is that stuff really my life certainly would not be as fulfilling which is not too diverse socially or cul- after a show in return for free admission. more important to you than anything else? as it has been with all of these activities in turally, we have this thing called Food Another way to make ends meet when Of course, more than anything else, it helps it in place of traditional employment. Not Bombs. F.N.B. is basically a group of you’re unemployed is—brace yourself— to have the support and camaraderie of Better yet, I get to work on these things people who go to all the restaurants, gro- stealing from corporations. This can range your friends in an undertaking like staying that I care about however I see fit. I’m cery stores, etc. and collect the food they from the very petty to the other side of the unemployed, and that’s where our hard- not following instructions, attempting to are going to throw away at the end of each spectrum. You can get a variety of materi- core community comes into this. impress anyone who will be evaluating day—because it’s no secret that a LOT of als you may need from some simple, low me for a promotion, or working within the perfectly good food goes to waste in those risk urban hunting and gathering. Toilet How Does This Relate to Hardcore? confines of any restrictions on my efforts. I places. F.N.B. then serves this food down- paper is, obviously, everywhere; so are Being a one-person economy is ex- have completely free reign for my creativ- town so that everyone who is hungry can cleaning products, matches, salt and pep- tremely difficult. Even if you don’t work, ity. I can decide for myself how and when have food to eat. I eat there twice a week, per, coathangers, cardboard boxes, light you will still have no free time if you have I will be most productive, rather than hav- and each time they have a fair bit of food bulbs, batteries (you can get them out of to arrange all your food, all your shelter, ing to show up at work at 9 am every day (bread, vegetables, canned food, etc.) left smoke detectors, for example, if you don’t all of your needs for yourself from scratch. whether that is good for my concentration over that I can take home with me. Even think it will endanger anyone), staples and But with others to work with, it becomes or not. Thus I can make myself more effec- if your town has nothing like Food Not staplers, pens, soap—just keep your eyes a lot easier. Food Not Bombs, the organi- tive and efficient than any boss ever could. Bombs, you can put the ideas into practice open. Copy shops often have tape, fold- zation that I mentioned earlier, works so Finally, and most importantly, I’m easily enough—before F.N.B. started here, ers, markers, paper, and a million other easily and smoothly because it is a group voting both with my dollars and my time I used to go to my friend’s burrito shop typical “office” needs (it’s a well-known effort. Because a number of people help and energy against the existing system. I and collect the beans, chips, and rice they fact that Kinko’s has financed punk rock with obtaining the food, cooking, serving, don’t approve of the way most of my friends would have thrown away at closing time. in the U.S.A. almost single-handedly). For and cleaning, it isn’t that much work for are treated in their places of employment; The Hare Krishnas serve free dinners here that matter, stealing from the workplace is any one individual, and the whole thing they usually have to deal with overbearing too, once a week, and I have no scruples a time-honored American tradition, since seems more like a friendly social event or incompetent managers, their tasks are about eating their food—who knows what so many people are so frustrated there; if than a demanding task. The same goes for often boring and repetitive, and they are they would do with those resources if they you make friends with people who do work all the other ways of obtaining resources to typically not even given enough money to weren’t spending them on keeping me fed? at these companies, chances are they will stay unemployed—not only are they easier be able to take care of all their needs (many You can probably find similar opportuni- be happy to share a little of their compa- in groups, but you will feel less alienated of which needs—nice clothes, transporta- ties that are unique to your area if you look. nies’ resources with you. Example? Since from the world if you do them with others. tion, etc.—are created by their jobs). I The consumer economy thrives on excess, Inside Front #4, three years ago, I haven’t Imagine if the hardcore scene wasn’t don’t approve of the way many corpora- so why not take advantage of it? Obviously paid for a single xerox copy; that includes just a bunch of kids wearing funny clothes, tions conduct business (i.e. mistreating this system wouldn’t work if everybody thousands of copies of each issue from 4 practicing their dance moves and camera and slaughtering animals, destroying the in the world tried to do it, but that’s not through 7, thousands of pamphlets, and angles at punk shows once every couple environment, exploiting their workers, going to happen for a long time, if it ever literally tens of thousands of fliers. weeks. Imagine if everyone in the hard- supporting governments that oppress and does... so in the meantime we should get Do I feel bad about this? No. Cor- core community, at least those who could exploit their citizens, making products by however we can as individuals. We’ll porations are distinct from traditional (because of course not everyone can), quit that are harmful to humans and the en- worry about arranging a completely work- businesses in that they exist as separate their jobs and used all the potential energy vironment, etc.) and I also don’t approve free world when that actually looks like it financial entities from their owners. When we have as idealistic young people to try to of the way our economy functions (with might be in range. you steal from a large corporation, you’re develop a new way of life. We could use the so many companies being interconnected Far too many useful things besides stealing from a business entity that exists networks we have already set up for touring and owned by multinational corporations) food are thrown away in our conspicuously to perpetuate itself rather than from a pri- bands, distribution, etc. to support each to force us to practically support the entire consuming society, for that matter. You vate individual. Sure, private individuals other in our attempt to break away from the system whenever we support any particular can get nice furniture that college students profit from these corporations, and some employment system. Imagine how much company. When I don’t work for them, they leave by the dumpsters at the end of the of them are not really all that bad; oth- creative energy would be unleashed, if we don’t get to use my labor to perpetuate the school year when they move out of their ers, though, like Pepsi or Marlboro, are all stopped exhausting ourselves for “the status quo. When I don’t receive an income apartments. I have friends who have found up to some really bad things, and the less man” and put that energy back into our from them, I don’t have capital to give back everything from working clocks, stereos, resources they have to pursue those goals own lives! Surely, all together we would be to them for them to use to perpetuate the and vacuum cleaners to new athletic shoes the better. Most of the workers at these able to make something like that work. And status quo. And most of all, my time and in dumpsters. And if you find the right corporations receive a set salary, and will then we would no longer be just another energy are mine to be used to fight against thrift shop (not “vintage clothing” shop) not suffer too much if you steal from the subculture with our own characteristic “re- them, rather than to support present con- you can dress yourself pretty well for less corporation. These corporations, in fact, bellious music” and “fashionable clothing.” ditions. For example—how many of you pocket change than you can scrape out of usually figure some loss from theft, etc. We would be a fucking counterculture, a know vegans who work at places that serve a public fountain in one night. into their budgets—they know that’s the force that would work effectively against meat and dairy products, or other people Shelter is the second most serious price they must pay for doing business in the status quo we all claim to reject—for in similar situations? We have to get away challenge to a person who wants to avoid an environment where their workers feel the contents of our daily lives would, by from that sort of thing. working (health care is the most serious, little loyalty to their employers or fulfill- themselves, do more to change the way the and I don’t have any easy answers for that ment in their work, and many people in world works than our words ever could. HOW one yet). In Europe and, to a lesser extent, society are hungry, fed up with their jobs, Does this sound difficult? It probably Really, everybody already knows ev- New York, squatting is a possibility. People and fed up with being “honest” and waiting will be! But whether it is impossible or erything I’ve just described. Most people, often complain to me that squats are too fruitlessly for change. If you actually did not can only be determined by trying it. if they had the choice, would love to leave dirty and dangerous for them, but I think steal more from a company than they were And besides, what do we have to lose? Are their jobs or at least get new ones. Well- if the people who do not choose to live prepared for, the people who will probably our diet sodas and home entertainment publicized, reputable poles have estimated under dirty and dangerous conditions lose money are the stockholders—and the systems really worth the lives we must sell the proportion of Americans unhappy with normally were to organize squats of their majority of stock is not held by working away to buy them? Page 12 • Industrial Worker • April 2015 Labor/Union Challenges In Taiwan: A Delegate’s Perspective

The IWW formed the International Solidarity Commission to help the union build the worker-to-worker solidarity that can lead to effective action against the bosses of the world. To contact the ISC, email [email protected]. Building Ties With Comrades In Mexico By x379809 of pigs and skeletons, cowering from the The Frente Auténtico del Trabajo workers while holding bags of money. (Authentic Labor Front or FAT) of The words of August Spies, “Here you Mexico can indeed lay claim to this title, will tread upon a spark, but there, and with 50-plus years of history to back there, and behind you and in front of August 2001 IWW workshop at Wisteria Tea House in Taipei. Photo: David Temple up this claim. Since 1960, FAT has won you, and everywhere, flames will blaze many struggles for working people in up. It is a subterranean fire. You cannot By David Temple of the Taiwan IWW workplace conditions. factories, helping to establish several put it out. The ground is on fire upon The Taiwan initiative of the IWW has 5. Only government-approved unions cooperatives, and fighting to establish which you stand,” also appear para- been coming to terms with the political may be organized. the first secret ballot in a union election phrased within the mural. situation in Taiwan. There is a tug-of-war 6. A workplace must have at least 30 in Mexico’s history. Not only have they Not only do we share ideological he- here between Chinese and American influ- employees to file to unionize. initiated campaigns to bring gender roes, but also in our composition FAT is ences captivating the youth of the island 7. Hooligans harass workers attempt- equality in workplaces, but also many remarkably similar to the IWW. While and distracting them from the basic prob- ing to unionize. women have occupied leadership posi- our Preamble states our goal is the lem: a paucity of good jobs, all at low pay, 8. The ex-pat worker community is tions within the union. abolition of wages and a world without all without union protection. transient; foreigners may not unionize or I first became aware of FAT at Pitts- capitalism, theirs states the purpose is Organizing for the One Big Union participate in public demonstrations or burgh’s May Day celebration through “building a self-managed society with (OBU) in Taiwan has been an education face deportation. the United Electrical, Radio and Ma- the direct participation of the work- since I was made a delegate in September A delegate for the IWW should or- chine Workers of America ers and civil society.” Our 2013 and entrusted with the goal of start- ganize with their fellow workers in their (UE), who I marched with. Preamble inspires workers ing a Regional Organizing Committee own workplace. As a teacher of English as Speaking with the director to be “organized, not just (ROC) in Asia, based in Taiwan. a Foreign Language, I am faced with the of international relations in everyday struggles with With referrals from former General handicap of organizing a transient work- about my recent visit to capitalists, but to carry on Secretary-Treasurer (GST) Sam, I sought force of ex-pats who rarely stay on the job Mexico, I was encour- production when capital- out and met two young college students long enough to organize. Another problem aged to support FAT via ism is overthrown.” FAT who were signed up by the Perth, Australia I have as a delegate of the IWW in Taiwan my friends, family and declares “Self-management branch. In addition, I was referred to an is that I am a 60-year-old immigrant of contacts in Mexico. UE has at work, is understood as interested education worker in northern European descent; there is prejudice and been a strong supporter a formula of struggle from Taiwan who referred me to another inter- suspicion about me. Even though I speak of FAT during the past 30 Graphic: FAT which the working class ested worker in southern Taiwan. I trav- Mandarin Chinese, I am still seen as an years, starting with the beginnings of takes over, builds their organizations, eled from my central location to meet both outsider by most Taiwanese. An organizer the North American Free Trade Agree- defines their programs of control and men and issue Red Cards. In addition, I who is indigenous to Taiwan stands a bet- ment (NAFTA), and continuing to this advances in their control of produc- contacted an activist friend I had met 10 ter chance of being successful here. There day. The UE/FAT relationship has tion.” and the goal of “becoming socially years earlier who introduced me to student are many handicaps we must overcome resulted in many victories on both sides owned and managed by those who do activists that worked in his café. They were before a ROC can take hold in Taiwan of the borders. During my next visit to work.” In many ways FAT is the IWW’s not interested in starting a union and the and Asia. Mexico, I made a point to visit the FAT Mexican counterpart and we as a union two activists from Perth didn’t show their It will be very difficult to succeed in office in Mexico City. As a gesture of should build connections with them. As Red Cards. The education workers paid promoting organizing workers in Taiwan support I brought a statement of soli- one of the few independent labor unions one month’s dues and ceased contact. The and Asia without indigenous delegates. darity from my General Membership in Mexico, FAT truly has lived up to its organizing campaign reached a dead end. To address the issues inhibiting union Branch (GMB), a translated copy of our bold name. In Taiwan, despite low wages stuck solidarity and organizing in Taiwan, this Preamble, general strike posters and a Globally, working people are facing at a 16-year-old rate, overwork, and un- delegate proposes to do the following: few t-shirts. I was given a tour of their similar conditions such as privatization safe working conditions, both older and 1. Find a Taiwanese group or political offices, which had many framed letters, and austerity measures with increas- younger workers are reluctant to orga- party to bore into that will appreciate the photos and posters from other unions ing state violence against activists and nize into unions. The older workers lived goals of the IWW union organizing effort. worldwide. suppression of labor rights. The para- through a brutal 37 years of martial law 2. Continue promoting the OBU on I was instantly struck by the mural sitic capitalist class has always viewed from the U.S.-supported dictatorship. The the internet at http://www.taIWWan. on the front wall of their union hall. In Mexico as a source of cheap labor. A younger workers grew up with neo-liberal blogspot.tw, a digest of worker actions in the center of this mural was Emiliano study of international capital in Mexico two-party market capitalism where inde- Taiwan. The site has received over 8,000 Zapata, the southern insurgent leader provides proof as to the ruthless nature pendent unions were restricted. The ruling hits worldwide. of Mexico’s 1910 revolution. Flanked of the private ownership of the means class embedded sweetheart unions with 3. Continue the community Facebook on both sides were Albert and Lucy to merely survive. The cause of the 1910 special privileges as a way of controlling page of taIWWan. We have over 800 Parsons. Directly below Zapata stood revolt was back then Porfirian/Ameri- the work force, stifling labor unrest, and friends supporting our efforts worldwide. four of Mexico’s organizers who were can hegemony. Unions like the Casa ensuring voter sympathy. 4. Post articles to local Facebook either killed or disappeared standing on Obrero Mundial and FAT have been Student activism falls into two basic pages that will raise the consciousness of farmland while ripping apart barbed- fighting a continual battle from the early camps: pro-China or laissez-faire U.S. English-speaking workers here in hopes of wire fencing. One of the men holds a 20th century, survived fascistic political influence. There is a small group of stu- building a support group to form a ROC. copy of “Capital” with a picture of Karl programs and still on their feet fighting dent activists leaning towards Taiwan 5. Continue offering our free “How to Marx. Throughout the mural, various corporate greed. With Mexico on the independence. Unionism equals radical Start Your Own Union” workshops. “angels,” or the spirits of the of the front lines, we should take the time and communism because of fear-mongering 6. Continue offering a free progressive fallen workers, hold banners inscribed consider the struggle of our Mexican from propaganda against a China take- lending library to the community. with the words “Unionism without sisters and brothers, and actively sup- over or U.S. anti-worker capitalism. 7. Promote my website http://www. Borders.” Some of them are taking aim port them, because workers’ struggles Pro-China student activists condemn the readingsandridings.jimdo.com where at capitalists and politicians, with faces have no borders. World Trade Organization (WTO) and readers can access my proletarian creative sweatshops but generally do not see union writing and blogs, including http://www. solidarity as a remedy. iww.org. Where does that leave the pro-union 8. Keep General Headquarters (GHQ) Support international solidarity! anarcho-syndicalism of the IWW in Tai- informed of developments in Taiwan IWW wan? For many bad reasons, old and young organizing and continue following up on oppressed workers in Taiwan cannot or referrals from GHQ of fellow workers in will not make the connection that organiz- the Asian/Taiwan region. ing themselves in their workplace is the Most importantly to our organizing only way to start addressing the dilemma campaign here is finding indigenous fellow of top-down management. workers willing to organize themselves and The following issues act as obstruc- fellow workers into a union with the IWW. tions to union organizing in Taiwan: As it is illegal to organize a union without 1. Minimum wage is too low; there is 30 workers in a shop and approval from no living wage. the Ministry of Labor, clandestine union Assessments for $3 and 2. Tipping is prohibited or collected organizing campaigns must be stressed. $6 are available from and kept by the boss. Your delegate must be able to meet in- your delegate or IWW 3. Overtime work is not compensated digenous workers with fire and guts to headquarters: in family businesses; rules are not en- improve their working conditions and PO Box 180195, Chicago, forced. compensation at the grassroots level and IL 60618, USA. 4. Year-end bonuses are used to en- to grieve unfair labor practices. I believe trap workers into compliance with unfair this can be done.