Harvard Workers Got the Cold Shoulder This Winter by Geoffrey P

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Official newspaper oF The Industrial Workers of the World Happy May Day Fellow Workers! INDUSTRIALMay 2015 #1774 Vol. 112 No. 4 $2/ £2/ €2 WORKER

Camp Counselors Of How To Be A Life-Long Review: Elizabeth Strikes, Worker The World Unite! Wobbly: Six Tips Gurley Flynn, Modern Revolts Worldwide 3 6-7 Revolutionary 10 16 Harvard Workers Got The Cold Shoulder This Winter By Geoffrey P. Carens would encourage you not to be.” During what the New York Times Members of the Harvard Union of called a “Winter from Hell,” four bliz- Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) zards dumped record amounts of snow were required to use vacation or personal on the Harvard University campus in the days at times when they feared their com- three weeks between Jan. 27 and Feb. 15. mute to work, such as was the case on Jan. True to form, Harvard closed due to the 28. Parents faced particularly troubling inclement weather fewer times than other choices when their childrens’ schools local universities. Harvard remained open closed, yet they were expected to work on a number of days when it was unsafe their regular hours. One union member or impossible for many employees to get commented, “I’ve lost all my personal and to work. For example, the university was vacation time. Now I have no extra time...I open on Jan. 28, when Boston had a park- don’t think I should lose my earned time ing ban that wasn’t lifted until 5 p.m., Bos- because I have to make a decision about ton’s public schools were closed, and plow my safety and health.” Last year, a group drivers were reporting close calls with of HUCTW members filed a grievance residents who were walking in the streets because they did not receive paid time off (due to sidewalks not being shoveled, etc.). during a severe storm in February, but Television station WCVB reported that were made to report to work or use vaca- Governor Charlie Baker stated on Jan. tion or other benefit time, despite what Wobblies protest discriminatory layoffs at Harvard Photo: Geoffrey P. Carens 27: “Unless you have a reason to be out the HUCTW contract says, that “When a University in January 2013. tonight or tomorrow after midnight, we Continued on 13 May Day: Remembering Our Past, Looking Toward The Future By Staughton Lynd radical grouplets. But they celebrated Somehow the IWW has done well in May Day together: “In the spring of 1936, its ceremonial calendar. On May 1 it of- my father joined the Italian chorus on the fers its own version of the universal spring stage of the Venetian Hall in Kensington.” festival. The typically gloomy weather in They sang, in Italian: November is the occasion for “In Novem- “Come, oh May Day; ber We Remember.” The mood resembles the people await you, that of the Latin American “Day Of The The liberated hearts salute you, Dead,” held in the same season. Sweet Easter of the working class.” There are two May Day happenings That same day in 1936, I was part of that I have written about and ask the a gigantic May Day parade in New York indulgence of readers to recall with me. City. One of my mother’s students had When Alice and I interviewed older a brother named Sam Levinger who car- workers for our first book of oral history, ried me on his shoulders. Soon after, Sam “Rank and File”(Haymarket Books has joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and published an expanded fourth edition), went to Spain to fight in the Spanish Civil Mario Manzardo was a favorite of mine. War. In September 1937 Sam Levinger was His family came from Italy. His grandfa- mortally wounded at the Battle of Belchite. ther was one of Garibaldi’s “thousand.” Many years later Sam’s niece, Laurie Mario remembered that, “As an old man Levinger, discovered letters from her uncle he’d sit in front of his door, in his chair, to his parents and to Sam’s sweetheart. wearing his red Garibaldi shirt.” The old On the basis of the letters and the memo- Graphic: pkro.org man “wouldn’t take his shirt off—he was ries of veterans of the Spanish Civil War When Sam Levinger had twice been As Stephen Spender says in his poem so proud of it.” she has written a biography, “Love and wounded, the rules of the Brigade required about those like Sam Levinger, he “left Mario told us that like all Left move- Revolutionary Greetings: An Ohio Boy in that he return to the United States and do the vivid air signed with his honor.” The ments the Italian immigrants in South the Spanish Civil War” (Resource Publica- support work. Instead he slipped out of heart-breaking picture of Sam on the cover Chicago were divided into a variety of tions, Eugene, Ore.). the hospital and went back to the front. is worth the price of the book. Industrial Worker Periodicals Postage PO Box 180195 PAID NYC IWW: Beverage Plus, Pay Up! Chicago, IL 60618, USA Chicago, IL From Wobbly City and additional Several former workers at ISSN 0019-8870 mailing offices Beverage Plus and their sup- ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED porters visited the company in Maspeth, Queens in early April to demand that the owner Yun Cho pay the more than $1.2 million owed to the workers from a wage theft lawsuit. Cho was present but did not come Photo: wobblycity.org out to talk to the workers who then left a The workers are still seeking the payments letter demanding payment. The company, in court but have also called upon support- which has also operated under the names ers to join their campaign to get the money YS Beverage and Grand Beverage, is a dis- owed to them. The workers have been long tributor in New York City (handling prod- time members of the Brandworkers and the ucts such as Coca Cola and Poland Spring IWW campaign to organize and improve beverages. In 2012, the company was found conditions in New York City’s food produc- liable for multiple violations of the Fair tion and distribution sector. Labor Standards Act for unpaid minimum Stay tuned for more actions in support wage and overtime for dozens of workers. of the Beverage Plus workers! Page 2 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 Fellow Workers: Regarding Patriarchy In The IWW Dear Editors, Readers and (the same type Fellow Workers: of college boys Boycott Xfinity The facts reported in “Fighting Patri- who were strike- Greetings fellow workers, archy In The One Big Union” (September breakers in the I recently wrote a letter to the Indus- 2014 Industrial Worker, page 3) and Bread and Ros- Letters Welcome! trial Worker calling for a boycott of Xfinity “How We Struggle: A Response to Ongoing es strike, as is Comcast for their treatment of the network Patriarchal Violence In The IWW” (No- seen in that fa- Send your letters to: [email protected] with Estrella TV. In writing my original letter “Letter” in the subject. vember 2013 Industrial Worker, page 3) mous picture of I mistakenly believed and claimed that are shocking, but not totally surprising. It them on horse- Mailing Address: Xfinity had completely shut down Estrella seems that those sexually predatory men, back confronting Industrial Worker, P.O. Box 180195, TV, and therefore left its employees job- including “serial rapists,” deliberately strikers). Women Chicago, IL 60618, United States. less, which was not the case. What Xfinity chose political and religious groups to must be trained in Graphic: wikimedia.org Comcast did do, however, was eliminate infiltrate, where the members are very un- self-defense. And Get the Word Out! Estrella TV as an available network on likely to use the prevailing legal system to able-bodied men who are not predatory its service. In an attempt to stifle the im- IWW members, branches, job shops and redress these outrages—although the legal should be chivalrous. I say this without migration reform, Xfinity Comcast has other affiliated bodies can get the word system (and other establishment powers intending to fall into gender stereotyping. extinguished the voice of Estrella TV on out about their project, event, campaign such as college administrators), including I stress again that I believe that these its service. or protest each month in the Industrial police, courts and social services, often re- predators are not indigenous to the IWW I still stand solidly against Xfinity Worker. Send announcements to iw@ victimize the victims. There has also been and anarchist movements, but rather that Comcast and its anti-worker and racist iww.org. Much appreciated donations for predator infiltration in anarchist and other predators choose political and religious actions and reaffirm my call for a boycott the following sizes should be sent to: Leftist groups. groups where they believe they will have of the channel and its services. It is not only that these things, such immunity. Some may also be hoping to IWW GHQ, Post Office Box 180195, as sexual abuse, should not happen in destroy the IWW. Don’t let them. Some In solidarity, Chicago, IL 60618, United States. the IWW—it should not be possible in the may be provocateurs or creative agent Edgar Arturo Sazo #1671069 IWW! This is the type of thing that I know provocateurs. $12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide Gib Lewis Unit is done on college campuses by rich white $40 for 4” by 2 columns 777 fM 3497 college boys, to both female and male Yours for the One Big Union, $90 for a quarter page Woodville, TX 75990 victims, who are perceived as vulnerable Saul B. Industrial Worker IWW directory The Voice of Revolutionary Asia London GMB: [email protected] Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455-6608. New Jersey 772-545-9591, [email protected] Industrial Unionism Taiwan Belgium Central New Jersey GMB: P.O. Box 10021, New Bruns- Taiwan IWW: c/o David Temple, 4 Floor, No. 3, Ln. 67, Belgium IWW: IWW België/Belgique, Sint-Bavoplein 7, South Florida GMB: P.O. Box 370457, 33137. 305-894- wick, 08906. 732-692-3491. [email protected]. Shujing St., Beitun Dist., Taichung City 40641 Taiwan. 2530 Boechout, Belgium. [email protected] 6515. [email protected], http://iwwmiami.wordpress. Bob Ratynski, del., 908-285-5426. www.newjerseyiww. com. Facebook: Miami IWW org Organization 098-937-7029. [email protected] German Language Area St. Augustine: C/O The Lincolnville Public Library, 97 M L New Mexico Education Australia IWW German Language Area Regional Organizing King Ave., St. Augustine, 32084. staugustineiww@gmail. Albuquerque GMB: 505-569-0168, [email protected] New South Wales Committee (GLAMROC): [email protected]. www. com. www.facebook.com/StAugustineIWW Emancipation Sydney GMB: [email protected]. Alex wobblies.de New York Johnson, del. Austria (Vienna): [email protected], wien@wob- Tallahassee: www.facebook.com/IwwTallahassee New York City GMB: 45-02 23rd Street, Suite #2, Long blies.at. http://wobblies.at. www.facebook.com/pages/ Georgia Island City,11101. [email protected]. www.wobblycity. Official newspaper of the Queensland org Brisbane GMB: P.O. Box 5842, West End, Qld 4101. Asger, IWW-Wien/381153168710911 Atlanta GMB: P.O. Box 5390, 31107. 678-964-5169, Berlin: Offenes Treffen jeden 2.Montag im Monat im Cafe [email protected], www.atliww.org Starbucks Campaign: [email protected], Industrial Workers del., [email protected]. www.starbucksunion.org Victoria Commune, Reichenberger Str.157, 10999 Berlin, 18 Uhr. Idaho of the World (U-Bahnhof Kottbusser Tor). Postadresse: IWW Berlin, c/o Syracuse IWW: [email protected] Melbourne GMB: P.O. Box 145, Moreland, VIC 3058. Rotes Antiquariat, Rungestr. 20, 10179 Berlin, Germany. Boise: Ritchie Eppink, del., P.O. Box 453, 83701. 208-371- Post Office Box 180195 [email protected]. [email protected]. 9752, [email protected] Upstate NY GMB: P.O. Box 77, Altamont, 12009. 518- Canada Illinois 861-5627. [email protected] Chicago, IL 60618 USA Bremen: [email protected]. iwwbremen. Utica IWW: Brendan Maslauskas Dunn, del., 315-240- IWW Canadian Regional Organizing Committee (CAN- blogsport.de Chicago GMB: P.O. Box 15384, 60615. 312-638-9155, 3149. 773.728.0996 • [email protected] ROC): c/o Toronto GMB, P.O. Box 45 Toronto P, Toronto ON, Cologne/Koeln GMB: c/o Allerweltshaus, Koernerstr. [email protected] M5S 2S6. [email protected] 77-79, 50823 Koeln, Germany. [email protected]. North Carolina www.iww.org Alberta www.iwwcologne.wordpress.com Indiana Greensboro: 336-279-9334. [email protected]. Edmonton GMB: P.O. Box 4197, T6E 4T2. edmontongmb@ Frankfurt a.M. GMB: [email protected], http:// Indiana GMB: [email protected]. Facebook: North Dakota iww.org, edmonton.iww.ca. Frankfurt.Wobblies.de Indiana IWW Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. General Secretary-Treasurer: British Columbia Hamburg-Waterkant: [email protected] Iowa com Randall L. Jamrok Red Lion Press: [email protected] Kassel: : Rothe Ecke, Naumburger Str. 20a, 34127 Kassel. Eastern Iowa IWW: 319-333-2476. EasternIowaIWW@ Ohio Vancouver GMB: P.O. Box 2503 Vancouver Main, V6B [email protected]. www.wobblies-kassel.de gmail.com Mid-Ohio GMB: c/o Riffe, 4071 Indianola Ave., Colum- 3W7. 604-732-9613. [email protected]. Kansas bus, 43214. [email protected] General Executive Board: Leipzig: [email protected] www.vancouveriww.com Munich: [email protected] Lawrence GMB: P.O. Box 1462, 66044. 816-875-6060 Northeast Ohio GMB: P.O. Box 1096, Cleveland, 44114. K. Maria Parrotta, Michael White, Vancouver Island GMB: Box 297 St. A, Nanaimo BC, V9R Wichita: Richard Stephenson, del., 620-481-1442. 440-941-0999 5K9. [email protected]. http://vanislewobs.wordpress. Rostock: [email protected]. iwwrostock. D.J. Alperovitz, Drake Hoffmaster com blogsport.eu [email protected] Ohio Valley GMB: P.O. Box 6042, Cincinnati 45206, 513- Switzerland: [email protected] Kentucky 510-1486, [email protected] Michael MoonDog Garcia Manitoba Sweet Patches Screenprinting: [email protected] Greece Kentucky GMB: Mick Parsons, Secretary Treasurer, Winnipeg GMB: IWW, c/o WORC, P.O. Box 1, R3C 2G1. Oklahoma Jimi Del Duca, Elliot Hughes 204-299-5042, [email protected] Greece IWW: [email protected] [email protected]. 502-658-0299 Louisiana Oklahoma IWW: 539-664-6769. iwwoklahoma@gmail. New Brunswick Anarpsy - Mental Health Services – IU610 Clinic: anarpsy@ com Fredericton: frederictoniww.wordpress.com espiv.net Louisiana IWW: John Mark Crowder, del, wogodm1@ Editors: Oregon Ontario Iceland: Heimssamband Verkafólks / IWW Iceland, yahoo.com. https://www.facebook.com/groups/iw- Diane Krauthamer & Nicki Meier Reykjavíkurakademíunni 516, Hringbraut 121,107 wofnwlouisiana/ Lane GMB: Ed Gunderson, del., 541-743-5681. x355153@ Ottawa-Outaouais GMB & GDC Local 6: 1106 Wellington iww.org, www.iwwlane.org [email protected] St., P.O. Box 36042, Ottawa, K1Y 4V3. [email protected], Reykjavík Maine [email protected] Lithuania: [email protected] Maine IWW: 207-619-0842. [email protected], www. Portland GMB: 2249 E Burnside St., 97214, 503-231- 5488. [email protected], portlandiww.org Ottawa Panhandlers Union: Raymond Loomer, interim Netherlands: [email protected] southernmaineiww.org Designer: delegate, [email protected] Primal Screens Screen Printing: 1127 SE 10th Ave. Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 3L7, Norway IWW: 004793656014. post@iwwnorge. Maryland #160 Portland, 97214. 503-267-1372. primalscreens@ org. http://www.iwwnorge.org, www.facebook.com/ Baltimore GMB: P.O. Box 33350, 21218. baltimoreiww@ gmail.com Diane Krauthamer 705-749-9694. Sean Carleton, del., 705-775-0663, iwwnorge. Twitter: @IWWnorge [email protected] gmail.com Pennsylvania Toronto GMB: P.O. Box 45, Toronto P, M5S 2S6. 647-741- United States Massachusetts Lancaster IWW: P.O. Box 352, 17608. 717-559-0797. Proofreaders: 4998. [email protected]. www.torontoiww.org Alabama Boston Area GMB: P.O. Box 391724, Cambridge, 02139. [email protected] Maria Rodriguez Gil, Windsor GMB: c/o WWAC, 328 Pelissier St., N9A 4K7. 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- 519-564-8036. [email protected]. http://wind- [email protected] WBoston.org 1477. 484-275-0873. [email protected]. Jonathan D. Beasley, soriww.wordpress.com 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, Québec gmail.com Box 1581, Northampton, 01061 Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: 610-358-9496. pa- Skylaar Amann, Joel Gosse, Montreal GMB: cp 60124, Montréal, QC, H2J 4E1. 514- Alaska Michigan [email protected], www.papercranepress.com 268-3394. [email protected] 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 Europe 907-457-2543, [email protected]. Facebook: IWW iww.org. [email protected] European Regional Administration (ERA): P.O. Box 7593, Fairbanks Grand Rapids GMB: P.O. Box 6629, 49516. 616-881-5263. Rhode Island Glasgow, G42 2EX. www.iww.org.uk Arizona Providence GMB: P.O. Box 23067, 02903. 401-484-8523. Printer: [email protected] ERA Organisation Contacts Phoenix GMB: P.O. Box 7126, 85011-7126. 623-336- Grand Rapids Bartertown Diner and Roc’s Cakes: 6 [email protected] Globe Direct/Boston Globe Media Central England Organiser: Russ Spring, central@iww. 1062. [email protected]. www.facebook.com/iww. Jefferson St., 49503. [email protected], www. Tennessee phoenix Millbury, MA org.uk bartertowngr.com Mid-Tennessee IWW: Jonathan Beasley, del., 218 S 3rd Communications Department: communications@iww. 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] org.uk iww.org 517-676-9446, [email protected] Texas Next deadline is Cymru/Wales Organiser: Peter Davies [email protected] Arkansas Minnesota Houston: Gus Breslauer, del., [email protected]. May 8, 2015 East of Scotland Organiser: Dek Keenan, eastscotland@ Fayetteville: P.O. Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859. Duluth IWW: P.O. Box 3232, 55803. iwwduluth@riseup. Facebook: Houston IWW iww.org.uk [email protected] net Rio Grande Valley, South Texas IWW: P.O. Box 5456 Legal Officer: Tawanda Nyabango California North Country Food Alliance: 770 Hamline Ave. N. McAllen, Texas 78502. Greg, del., 956-278-5235 or U.S. IW mailing address: London Regional Organiser: Tawanda Nyabango Los Angeles GMB: 323-374-3499. [email protected] Marco, del., 979-436-3719. [email protected]. www. Saint Paul, 55104. 612-568-4585. www.northcountry- facebook.com/IWWRGV Membership Administrator: Rob Stirling, membership@ Sacramento IWW: [email protected] IW, Post Office Box 180195, foodalliance.org Utah iww.org.uk San Diego IWW: 619-630-5537, [email protected] Chicago, IL 60618, Merchandise Committee: [email protected] Pedal Power Press: P.O. Box 3232 Duluth 55803.www. Salt Lake City GMB: Michael Garcia, del., 801-891-5706; San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Buyback IU pedalpowerpress.com [email protected] United States Northern Regional Organiser: Northern Regional Organ- 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Fabrics Job Shop Phoenix Mental Health, P.L.C.: FW Jeffrey Shea Jones, ising Committee, [email protected] and IU 410 Garment and Textile Worker’s Industrial 3137 Hennepin Ave. S., #102, Minneapolis, 55408. Vermont Norwich Bar and Hospitality Workers IUB 640: norwich- Organizing Committee; Shattuck Cinemas; Embarcadero 612-501-6807 Burlington: John MacLean, del., 802-540-2561 ISSN 0019-8870 [email protected] Cinemas) P.O. Box 11412, Berkeley, 94712. 510-845- Virginia 0540. [email protected] Red River GMB: [email protected], redriveriww@gmail. Periodicals postage Organising and Bargaining Support Department: com Richmond IWW: P.O. Box 7055, 23221. 804-496-1568. [email protected] San Francisco IUB 660: 2940 16th Street, Suite 216, San [email protected], www.richmondiww.org paid Chicago, IL. Francisco, 94103. 415-985-4499. [email protected]. Twin Cities GMB: 3019 Minnehaha Ave. South, Suite 50, Research and Survey Department: [email protected] Washington IU 520 Marine Transport Workers: Steve Ongerth, del., Minneapolis, 55406. [email protected] Secretary: Frank Syratt, [email protected] Missouri Bremerton: Gordon Glick, del., [email protected] Postmaster: Send address Southern England Organiser: Steve Mills, south@iww. [email protected] org.uk 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 Tech Committee: [email protected] IWW 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 USA San Jose: [email protected], www.facebook. gmail.com Training Department: [email protected] St. Louis IWW: P.O. Box 63142, 63163. Secretary: stl. Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934. 206-429- com/SJSV.IWW 5285. [email protected]. www.seattleiww.org, Treasurer: Matt Tucker, [email protected] Colorado [email protected]. Treasurer stl.iww.treasurer@ West of Scotland Organiser: Keith Millar, westscotland@ gmail.com www.seattle.net SUBSCRIPTIONS iww.org.uk 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 Individual Subscriptions: $18 Women’s Officer: Marion Hersh, [email protected] com Connecticut Construction Workers IU 330: Dennis Georg, del., 406- International Subscriptions: $30 ERA Branches 490-3869, [email protected] Wisconsin Library/Institution Subs: $30/year Clydeside GMB: [email protected] Connecticut: John W., del., 914-258-0941. Johnw7813@ Madison GMB: P.O. Box 2442, 53701-2442. www. yahoo.com Missoula IWW: Diane Keefauver, 1250 34th Street #D202, madison.iww.org Union dues includes subscription. Cymru/Wales GMB: [email protected] DC 59801. 406-531-0601 Edinburgh 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: Apt. I, Bozeman 59715. 406-599-2463. delducja@ Box 259279, Madison 53725. 608-620-IWW1. Madiso- Published monthly with the excep- Tyne & Wear GMB: [email protected] [email protected] gmail.com [email protected]. www.Madisoniub560.iww.org Bradford 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. Leeds 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 Manchester GMB: [email protected] [email protected]. www.nebraskaiww.org Articles not so designated do Sheffield GMB: IWW Office, SYAC, 120 Wicker, Sheffield Florida Madison Infoshop Job Shop:1019 Williamson St. #B, S3 8JD. [email protected] Daytona Beach: 386-316-8745. DaytonaBeachIWW@ Nevada 53703. 608-262-9036 not reflect the IWW’s gmx.com. www.facebook.com/pages/Daytona-Beach- Reno GMB: P.O. Box 12173, 89510. Paul Lenart, del., Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. railfalcon@ Nottingham GMB: [email protected] IWW/133648520173882 775-513-7523, [email protected] yahoo.com official position. West Midlands GMB: [email protected] Gainesville GMB: c/o Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St., Milwaukee GMB: P.O. Box 342294, 53234. iww.milwau- Bristol GMB: [email protected] IU 520 Railroad Workers: Ron Kaminkow, del., P.O. Box Press Date: April 16, 2015 32601. Robbie Czopek, del., 904-315-5292, gainesvil- 2131, Reno, 89505. 608-358-5771. ronkaminkow@ [email protected]. 630-415-7315 Reading GMB: [email protected] [email protected], www.gainesvilleiww.org yahoo.com Northwoods IWW: P.O. Box 452, Stevens Point, 54481 May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 3 Organizing Camp Counselors Of The World Unite! By Walter Beck into the store and told me, “Walter, your my stereo being broken. off. As I was wrapping up business for I was one of the most dedicated staff music has to go. [Camp Director] Jeff said My assistant and I tried to go normally the night, two more members of manage- members to ever walk through the gates we’ve gotten too many complaints about about the rest of the day, filling out inven- ment—assistant camp commissioner Sally of Ransburg Scout Reservation. I worked it, so it’s gone. And this goes for next year, tory sheets, starting closing equipment and assistant camp director Luke—walked there for four summers and gave them my too.” I told him I was going for checks, but, admittedly, it was in and they had me in their sights. heart and soul. That ground was special to a smoke break, and he said that very difficult under the circum- Like Matt, those two were not there to me; not only did I work there on staff, but was fine. As I walked out of the stances. We were a few days play nice with me. Sally opened it up by it is also where I attended camp as a kid. store, he told me, “I don’t want away from the end of the season telling me, “If we get any more kids com- That place was paradise to me. this to affect your attitude.” and management was trying to ing into the office and asking about your Until late in the summer of 2007. I walked back to the parking put the screws to us. music, you’re gonna be fired. If anybody That year I was what they called the lot and lit a smoke, fuming about That night I went out for else asks you about it, you tell them exactly Quartermaster. I was the guy managing the whole mess. I hadn’t been dinner with my troop and my old that your superiors decided you couldn’t most of the equipment in the campsites: informed of any complaints man, who knew about the situa- have it and then leave it at that.” Luke tents, cots, lanterns, propane grills, etc. If about my music that week, or Graphic: iww.org tion, and kept telling me “Son, if chimed in by saying, “Walter, every deci- you needed to borrow something for your that whole summer as a matter you wanna quit, there’s plenty of sion we make as a management team is campsite, you came to me. I had my store of fact. In three years of working in the people here who will take you back home carefully considered and well-thought out in the same building as the Trading Post, Quartermaster and always having music, to Avon.” But I didn’t want to quit, not and we expect the staff to back us up.” They where the kids went to get candy, soda, I had a total of four complaints. That was then. It would have been cowardly. muttered a few more threats and then left. merit badge books, and t-shirts. It was my it; and those had been handled. The next day, Aug. 2, I woke up in Well fellow workers, that was it for assistant and I in the store. After my smoke, I walked back to the my bunk to what turned out to be my last me. I had enough, I had been bullied and Despite having what many would con- store. My assistant asked me what we were day as an employee at Ransburg Scout threatened for the past 24 hours, and I sider a “boring” job, my store was a pretty going to do about this. I told him I didn’t Reservation. wasn’t going to take it anymore. I told my popular hangout for both the kids and the know; that we would just have to talk to After my morning rounds of ice and old man I was leaving, stopped by the office adults. I had a big stereo in the store and a Jeff later about it. Meanwhile, a flood of water deliveries, I went back to the store to drop off my keys and my walkie-talkie, road case full of CDs. I kept the place rock- kids and adults kept coming up and asking to continue my work when I saw that and left the place I called my summer ing pretty hard from open to close and if us where our music went. Being the honest Matt was there, and he wanted to talk to home for four years. In the end, it wasn’t I had something in my road case that the guy I am, I just told them the office told me. He didn’t try to play nice; instead, about the radio, it was about the way they kids or the adults wanted to hear all they me I could not have it, and if they had any he started accusing me of trying to pull a treated me. had to do was ask me. The only rule about questions to take it up with them. stunt behind his back and then said, “Your After I left, the rest of the staff and the the music was that it had to be clean, you At the suggestion of one of the other petition isn’t going to accomplish anything kids made sure management knew where know, this being a Boy Scout camp and staffers, I drafted a petition; it seemed except maybe make you feel better because they stood. My name was chanted loudly at all. I still had plenty of good tunes for ev- like a reasonable thing to do. After all, I you have 100 staff members on your side. the Friday night campfire, and a song was erybody; I got a lot of requests for Black didn’t want go in to see the camp director You think something like that is going to dedicated to me in the dining hall by one Sabbath, Ozzy, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, unarmed, so to speak. I wanted to show impress Jeff?” I didn’t say anything; I kept of the handicraft counselors. On Saturday and I kept them all spinning. him it wasn’t just me he was affecting; it a level stare at him. I knew he was trying night at the end-of-the-year staff banquet, I was also pretty popular among the was a lot of people. to sound tough, but I could hear the fear when management was patting themselves staff, and not just for my good tastes in We broke for lunch and then I went behind his voice. on the back, one of the dining hall staffers music. I was a free-wheeling young artist back to open the store at 2 p.m. About an He blew off after trying to shake me raised her glass and said, “Here’s to Wal- type with long hair and an earring. I always hour later, I went next door to the Trading down and went about his business. I was ter!” The other staffers around her raised had a good joke on hand and a spare ciga- Post to get a couple of Cokes for my as- reaching a boiling point, but I still tried their glasses and said, “Hear, hear!” rette. I was also pretty fearless; I wasn’t sistant and I. I overheard Matt, assistant to keep cool. I wasn’t ready to quit; I had It was one of my first real fights as afraid to speak my mind when I thought camp director that week, talking to some my assistant to think about. I knew if I part of the working class and you know, management was trying to do us dirty, and of the kids. I didn’t catch the whole bit, but quit, they would try to bring the hammer maybe it looks like I lost—I did leave my I wasn’t afraid to remind everybody that I did hear him say it was “inappropriate” down on him. job, after all—but looking back eight years we should stick together and watch out that I told them I had my music taken I opened the store back up after dinner later, I don’t think I did. I faced down for each other. away. I suppose he felt I should have lied for the hour evening shift. I was working management at one of the biggest Scout Then on Aug. 1, my boss Ben strode to the kids and made up something about it solo since my assistant had the night camps in the Midwest and they didn’t get the best of me. I walked out on my own IWW Constitution Preamble terms; not one of them can say they fired The working class and the employing Join the IWW Today me. And through the bloody end and even he IWW is a union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the class have nothing in common. There can afterwards, the staff stuck by me. It was a job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions be no peace so long as hunger and want battle in that Indiana Scout camp between today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and are found among millions of working T us and them and we won. people and the few, who make up the em- distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire ploying class, have all the good things of population, not merely a handful of exploiters. life. Between these two classes a struggle We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially – 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. means of production, abolish the wage Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have recognized the need to build a system, and live in harmony with the truly international union movement in order to confront the global power of the earth. bosses and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fel- We find that the centering of the low workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. management of industries into fewer and We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have Subscribe to the fewer hands makes the trade unions un- representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- able to cope with the ever-growing power nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition Industrial Worker of the employing class. The trade unions but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes foster a state of affairs which allows one this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry, an unsafe machine or following the bosses’ orders so literally that nothing gets done. thereby helping defeat one another in Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions workplace, or across an industry. aid the employing class to mislead the Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what is- workers into the belief that the working sues to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. class have interests in common with their employers. TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation These conditions can be changed and and your first month’s dues to: IWW, Post Office Box 180195, Chicago, IL the interest of the working class upheld 60618, USA. only by an organization formed in such Initiation is the same as one month’s dues. Our dues are calculated Educate yourself and your according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues a way that all its members in any one fellow workers with the official industry, or all industries if necessary, are $9 a month. If your monthly income is between $2000 and $3500, cease work whenever a strike or lockout is dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues newspaper of the IWW. on in any department thereof, thus mak- are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional Just mail in this form, ing an injury to one an injury to all. Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). or visit us online at: Instead of the conservative motto, “A http://store.iww.org/industrial-worker.html __I affirm that I am a worker, and that I am not an employer. fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” we to subscribe today! must inscribe on our banner the revolu- __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution. 10 issues for: tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage • US $18 for individuals. system.” __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. Name:______• US $30 for institutions. It is the historic mission of the work- • US $30 for internationals. ing class to do away with capitalism. The Address:______army of production must be organized, Name: ______City, State, Post Code, Country:______not only for the everyday struggle with Address:______capitalists, but also to carry on produc- Occupation:______State/Province:______Zip/PC______tion when capitalism shall have been Phone:______Email:______Send to: PO Box 180195, overthrown. By organizing industrially Amount Enclosed:______Chicago IL 60618 USA we are forming the structure of the new Subscribe Today! society within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker. Page 4 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 My First OT101 By FW Josh Fleck ing class pressed from the labor of Earth It’s the Monday following the week- and workers’ blood. The silent grogginess end of the IWW Organizer Training 101 of the morning hours slowed our speech, (OT101), and my soul and limbs are yet we would come around to introducing refilled with a fire that I cherish. Before ourselves by circling the room stating our I was filled with weakness and despair names, gender pronouns, department regarding my situation, and now I have within the union, and what we would a newfound confidence in myself and my change about our workplaces. fellow workers. I, a lone individual, can Now, much was spoken and dis- only accomplish so much, but with the aid seminated at the meeting, and I would of my fellow workers we have the power of strongly recommend you get in touch all the individuals that comprise our col- with a Wobbly about attending one some- lective ideals and actions. day; however, we’ll spare It was only a short what was spoken lest drive up, yet the hour some boss-heads snitch of our departure was far to the masters. Besides, earlier than my normal while extremely inter- rising time. I rode up esting to share stories of with a fellow worker, our workplaces and how inexpressive outwardly we might help our co- of their elation to drive, seeing as they do workers in organizing them to our ends, not have ownership of a car and I, slow it is the evening following the workshop to wake and not often a passenger in my that was magical. vehicle, was able to provide. And little was A fellow worker opened their house the conversation up, but great was the for room and board and grub, the alcohol conversation nevertheless. In our passing flowed freely and the mist was wafting. we mocked sardonically the suburbanite Choruses of solidarity were sung, refrains housing divisions in the fields, spit fire of love and struggle were shouted, gospel about our situations, and shared ideas readings of IWWism were had in that and dreams of our little Indiana town. garage before the hour of compline and Upon arriving at the place of our matins. I will not be able to forget that meeting, a strange structure—half-house night, it gave me a renewed sense of life above and union hall below—we were and the knowledge that through all my greeted by 15 or so Wobblies and the struggles, I struggle not alone and there is aroma of coffee, that nectar of the work- a community and oasis for me to travel to.

“Workers Power” is seeking submissions! The longest running regular feature in the Industrial Worker, the Industrial Workers of the World’s monthly newspaper, “Workers Power” is a curated monthly column that features reflections on workplace organizing and the strategies and tactics necessary to build a democratic, radical, and anti-capitalist labor movement. Contributors have included many unsung heroes and well-known Wobblies and militants like Liberte Locke, Staughton Lynd, and Daniel Gross. Submissions should be around 800 words and sent to Colin Bossen at [email protected]. The column is archived online at http:// libcom.org/library/workers-power. Don’t Mourn, Organize! Fellow workers, As we all know, Fellow Worker (FW) Joe Hill was executed by the state of Utah on Nov. 19, 1915. He was executed on trumped-up murder charges in a fraudu- lent trial, which has long been called one of the biggest injustices in U.S. judicial process of the 20th century. His life, actions, death, and legacy are all well known to fellow workers in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). This November marks the 100th anniversary of the execution of the Laureate of Labor and in the spirit of FW Joe Hill, and his reassuring last communiqué, we ask Wobblies around the world not to mourn his passing and legacy, WE ASK YOU TO ORGANIZE! Graphic: Mike Konopacki On Nov. 19, 2015, the General Execu- tive Board (GEB) is calling on IWW members to go out and soapbox in their towns and cities (a soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromp- Graphic: joehill2015.org tu speech, often about a political subject). soapbox, crate, or box of some kind that Plan the action with your fellow workers fellow workers can stand on safely; a and branches and take organizing back short memorized or improvised speech; to the streets. Speak to the legacy of Joe and possibly pamphlets or leaflets to pass Hill and the anniversary of his execution; out to interested passers-by. The GEB extol the merits and ideas of organizing is working on toolkit pamphlets and a workers; windmill (to use an old soapbox short pamphlet on FW Joe Hill and will term) to people on the streets about rank- distribute them later in the year. Anything and-file organizations, unions, etc. We call else is up to the discretion of members on branches and members throughout and branches. By taking this action, coor- the union to plan this coordinated action dinating it union-wide, and keeping our independently, with full discretion being action relatively inexpensive, we can best left up to branches and members as how remember Joe Hill while staying true to his to plan their own action; you can focus on legacy and the ideas of our union. an area, an industry, a cause, etc.—design Solidarity forever, it to your branch’s current campaigns and 2015 General Executive Board strengths. This union-wide action is to re- Michael Garcia, GEB Chair member Joe Hill and organize in his spirit, K. Maria Parrotta using the tactics, creativity, and defiance DJ Alperovitz that he wielded in the fight against oppres- Drake Hoffmaster sion, inequality and injustice. Jimi Del Duca The requirements to accomplish this Elliot Hughes action are minimal. All you need are a Michael White May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 5 Wobbly & North American News California Students Stage Walkout Portland Students Stage Sit-In By John Kalwaic Students from Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) in Portland, Ore., staged a sit-in inside the school’s gymnasium on Feb. 27, in support of their teachers. The teachers at BRHS have been without a contract since Sept. 1, 2014, and the teachers’ union wanted better healthcare benefits and the right to earn pay raises. Not all BRHS students were in favor of the sit-in and thought the students who participated were Student sit-in. Photo: boothbayregister.com “misinformed.” The students who participated received detention on Welch, for skipping class. March 6 from the school’s principal, Dane With files from theBoothbay Register.

Pittsburg High School students walk out of class. Photo: contracostatimes.com By John Kalwaic did not bar the students from leaving. A Toronto OT101: Build The Committee Training Hundreds of high school students number of staff and officials, such as Prin- The Toronto IWW is pleased to announce open- walked out of Pittsburg High School in cipal Todd Whitmire, actually escorted ing of registration for the Spring 2015 edition of Pittsburg, Ca., on March 18 to support students to nearby district offices and Organizing 101: Build the Committee Training, our their teachers who were in contract ne- helped facilitate a meeting between them crash course on grassroots, direct action-driven soli- gotiations with the administration. Both and Superintendent Janet Schulze. “We darity unionism. administrators and Dawn Cova of the wanted to do something for them because Dates: May 16-17, 2015 Pittsburg teachers’ union denied know- they do so much for us all the time,” said Location: Downtown Toronto in an accessible (physi- ing in advance about the student protest, Mayra Denisse Lopez, a Pittsburg High Graphic: Toronto IWW cally and by transit) location although Cova has been involved in public senior who helped organize the protest. Registration deadline: May 2, 2015 **registration is mandatory, see below** pressure on the administration. “It’s re- “I thought that no one was going to do it, Website: http://torontoiww.org/2015/04/09/101spring2015/ ally impressive that students were able to be honest. But when I actually left my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/439816622850020/ to organize themselves and demonstrate class and walked outside, there were a This is a two-day course on building power in your workplace from the bottom something that they felt was important to couple hundred kids in the middle of the up. It focuses on techniques for building a committee of workers who are confident them,” Cova told the Contra Costa Times. school.” Schulze said that she “applauded” and capable of addressing issues in the workplace, and for overcoming obstacles like “There’s such a sense of apathy among the students for their interest and said the worker apathy, anxiety, and the bosses’ counter-organizing efforts. The course is adults in our society, so to see the kids administration was “doing what it could” free/donation, and is open to everyone! organizing themselves and taking action but made it clear to the students that the Do I have to be a member of the IWW to attend? Absolutely not! The that they believe will make a difference protest would only be tolerated once. skills built in this workshop are useful to anyone interested in building power on is really promising.” High school officials With files from the Contra Costa their job whether it is in the context of an IWW campaign, an independent union, the were overwhelmed by the protest but Times. mainstream labor movement or another formation. Learn more about the IWW. We will get started on Day 1 of the course (Saturday, May 16) at 9 a.m. and end Correction at 5 p.m. Day 2 of the course (Sunday, May 17) will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There The URL posted for donations to Fellow Worker Brandon’s fund in the story “Welsh will be a social event Saturday night. Attendance for the full two days of the work- Wobbly Facing Deportation,” which appeared on page 7 of the April Industrial Worker shop is mandatory in order to get the full picture of the methods. (IW), was incorrect. The correct URL is: Food will be provided, and childcare will be provided as required (please indicate https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-brandon-get-his-visa-his-wife-needs-him-here/x/9812440. on registration). We apologize for this error. Please donate to his fund today! - the IW editors Register here: http://goo.gl/forms/J8Am64oJ1w, or email [email protected]. The AFL-CIO Organizing Workshop: A New Mask On An Old Face By FW Martin of how other locals stayed out of the proj- The National Organizers Workshop ect and failed to demonstrate a mutual of the American Federation of Labor and defense of steel jobs through a concerted Congress of Industrial Organizations regional job action against the closings. (AFL-CIO) presented a distinct menu Instead, now we find United Steelworkers of strategy and tactics in Washington, locals promoting steel jobs by promoting D.C. on March 6 and 7. Union organiz- government contracts for Keystone XL ers joined with community organizers and fracking at the expense of the same in workshops to share experiences and communities their left-hand is supposedly develop a mutuality that has clearly promoting at the workshop. been missing over the past decades. Labor Day in Pittsburgh last year Issues such as mass incarceration and showed a massive display of thousands of immigration were put on the table. There union workers. Much like the workshop, was an overarching theme of unity. This this demonstration is expressive of the collection of AFL-CIO unions has clearly current discontent in the marginalization paid the cost for the focus on government of workers and the simmering anger of our employees. The reputation of unions communities. The University of Pittsburgh collaborating with the National Secu- Medical Center (UPMC) organizing drive rity Agency (NSA), promoting super- and the Labor Day demonstration pres- maximum security (supermax) prisons, ent the face of the AFL-CIO as engaged in covering up militarization of police organizing the unorganized and uniting a Discussion at the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute. Photo: AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and facilitating repression has cost the broad spectrum into a social movement their positions. We’ve seen rank-and-file living standards and our vision for a bet- AFL-CIO. opposed to capitalism. But, the funda- organizations subjected to repression and ter life. They must be with us and show it. Several Wobblies attended the work- mentals remain unaddressed. Teachers a rank-and-file leader, like Jock Yablon- The National Organizers Workshop shop, including myself. The weak spot in continue to be harassed by U.S. Secretary ski, murdered by United Mineworkers was a good idea. It is a recognition that the weekend was that it was conducted in of Education Arne Duncan. Killer cops President Tony Boyle. Today we see union things cannot go on as before. But it de- an atmosphere where one could almost continue to demonstrate their immunity leaders, like the United Automobile Work- nies what is obvious, that what we lack believe that there was no presence of the from accountability. Even among govern- ers, negotiating away their contracts in the are leaders more willing to fight than AFL-CIO in the implementation of the ment workers, there continues to be a hope of keeping plants open. We see the they are to compromise away our rights. Surveillance State. When panelists were downslide in union representation, from Steelworkers working as salesmen for U.S. Students have joined with teachers in op- challenged for facilitating the growth of 36.4 percent in 2004 down to 35.7 percent Steel. We see the American Federation of posing standardized testing. Prison em- supermax prisons, the panelists simply in 2014. Meanwhile, telecommunication State, County and Municipal Employees ployees have opposed the brainwashing shrugged and weakly asserted that there workers in unions have gone from 22.4 (AFSCME) promote the prison-industrial techniques of “cognitive restructuring,” was little they could do with such unions. percent of the workforce in 2004 down complex. where access to basic life necessities are This comes from the same AFL-CIO that to 14.8 percent in 2014, according to the What’s a Wobbly to do? We are a lone subjected to meeting required obedience found ways to purge unions and leaders U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. voice right now. We want no collabora- standards and super-max prisons isolate in the 1950s for being too radical. The question becomes: What is the tion with the state. The state that “disap- prisoners from the world. And many have At one workshop, one of the panelists road forward? Craft unions of the AF of peared” 43 student teachers in Mexico. refused to be complicit in violations of brought up the efforts of steelworkers L have been here a long time, working to The state that locks up over 2 million fundamental human rights. The milita- in Pittsburgh to buy out a local mill that minimize the influence of unskilled work- because they can’t give them jobs. The rization of AFL-CIO unions needs to be was shutting down: “The only thing we ers. The CIO developed a core of indus- state that raided the IWW for opposing confronted. Workers have no stake in a lacked was capital.” Indeed. Funny how trial unions but turned right around and World War I. We cannot negotiate with police state. There are no jobs worth the that works. The panelist was reminded kicked out militant unions to maintain our own unions if they are to defend our crimes. Therein lies the new strategy. Page 6 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 Special Getting Your Second Five-Year Card: By Brandon Oliver the phrase “Break their haughty power” on So, you’ve just paid your 13th month as raw a level I do without working my own of dues, and your delegate filled out a crisp share of crappy retail jobs and experienc- new five-year red card to add to your flimsy ing the petty psychological domineering one-year card? First of all, congratula- and manipulation that adds insult to the tions, and don’t try to keep it in your wal- injury of being underpaid and overworked. let—that will tear it up right away. I understand that structurally an ever- Second, let’s talk about what you can increasing number of workers are stuck do to make sure that this five-year card is in these jobs, including older workers, just the first among many. I have a 10-year workers with kids, etc., and I think that we goal of 10,000 members in North America. should orient towards organizing within If we are going to do that, and maintain them. However I would like to see us put ourselves as a member-run, member-led, more effort into finding already existing and member-financed organization, we organizers within the industry, especially need to address our high turnover. Not who are established with industry history, only for the obvious reason that it affects rather than focusing almost solely on send- our membership numbers, but because ing in organizers to generate an organizing the kind of organization we want to be can campaign, cadre-style. One or two years only work if there are significant numbers is a long time in an individual’s life, but of members who are experienced and able a very short time in many workplaces/ to engage critically with the organization, industries. promoting new ideas and developing Second, I’m not against trying to get strategies through constructive discussion. a particular job for political or organizing The fact that we even have the concept reasons, just as I’m not against going to of “One Month Wonder” is a tragedy, and or organizing protests when they make I think we should be urgently discussing sense. What I’m opposed to is an elevation why people join up for just a month and of strategy into ideology. The question of how we can completely eliminate that whether to organize or attend a protest, or problem. However, at least as big of a whether to get a job in a specific company problem is the attrition of “medium-term” or industry, should be made based on members, which we can hastily define the expected and potential outcomes and as members who have completed their weighed against what you’re giving up to initial one-year dues card but have not Pay your damn dues! Photo: tcorganizer.com do it, all of which should be informed by yet completed their first five-year card. same type of people becoming activists. the focus of the union, older workers in our previous attempts and experiences. These are people who have already made Unfortunately, unlike gaming conventions other industries see less relevance for the If there is already an established shop or a significant financial, emotional, and time or bike forums, we are in a democratic problems they are facing, and silently drift industrial committee with momentum investment into the union, and yet some- organization that has to make decisions away. This cements us as an organization behind it, it might encourage unemployed how they end up dropping out. This can about important things. These people oriented towards people in their 20s, with members to seek work in its shop or in- take the form of dropping out of any labor know exactly what the organization should less relevance for older workers. Mean- dustry in order to have more reach, but activism, or becoming a union staffer; it do (or think they do), and when it doesn’t, while, at some point nearly everyone in this is a far cry from saying “Get a job you can be silent, or it can be contentious. No they get very loud. When there is more retail (at least in my experience) is looking don’t like or plan to stay at, where you’ll matter what, when it continues to happen, than one game master they tend to get for better jobs, especially without organiz- be the only organizer, and let us know it cripples our ability to have a pluralistic very loud and aggressive towards each ing campaigns, and with life and social how it goes.” and democratic organization, and it is other, as well as anyone else who has an pressure working on them, our retail salts However this tactical use of salting is something we need to address. Below I opinion. In the long run, this leads to them will also inevitably start to look for some- quite different from the “salt everywhere” have some tips for medium-term members burning out, because they can’t deal with thing that can pay the bills, earn respect, attitude that I believe we’ve inherited from to help them find a long-term home. the frustration of the organization always give something approaching a work/life the anti-globalization movement’s “protest doing the wrong thing; or else they become balance, etc. At this point a significant everywhere” ideology. Our turnover is the 1) Get a hobby, or two, or three (be so poisonous to a functioning, democratic number drop out of the union, especially price we pay for it. Imagine if everyone friendly with people in the union, and supportive internal culture that the those who take staff organizing positions we’d encouraged to go into retail until they but have friends outside as well). rest of the membership has little choice but at business unions. At Starbucks, for ex- burned out had instead been encouraged I’m always skeptical of anyone whose to have them leave. This would be tragic ample, although there is no hard data, I to become a teacher, or nurse, or work in entire mental life is devoted to leftist poli- even if it was just destructive to them, believe a fair estimate would say that for rail transport (just to take a few examples) tics and theory. Some will cynically claim but generally by the time they leave they every five red card holders who decided to according to what they were interested that these are the kind of people who end have already contributed towards multiple get jobs there to organize, at least three are in? These are the sorts of careers that can up becoming mini Stalins—I don’t know if other people leaving or never joining in no longer in the union, with at least one provide at least a modicum of financial that’s true or not, but it isn’t my complaint. the first place. taking a staff position at a business union. stability, which in turn leads to people The issue we have is that since there is You’ll know the warning signs—the Now, I want to be clear about two staying in them long enough to build roots no radical labor movement to speak of, worst is when your closest comrades have things. First, I absolutely think that work- and become organic leaders. I wouldn’t say anyone who tries to engage 100 percent to start saying “True, they are acting like ers in retail and other low-wage sectors can that we should all get these specific jobs, with radical politics is slaying giants in a jerk, but they’ve contributed a lot to the and should form militant class unions. I but if we encouraged younger, new their mind. This mentality and lifestyle union in the past,” or any variation on this. don’t think I could have ever understood Continued on next page actually contributes towards the prolifera- Don’t let this happen to you; by this point it tion of unapproachable sects, rather than might be too late. Find things to do outside a multi-faceted movement that can appeal of the union, which stimulate you mentally to all sorts of working people. and put you in contact with people outside To draw a crude analogy, I occasion- of your branch. When someone at work Sponsor an Industrial Worker ally enjoy nerdy things like tabletop role- asks you what your hobbies are, and you’re playing games (RPGs) and board games. not ready to tell them about your union Some of the people you meet in that scene membership, you should have something Subscription for a Prisoner seem to have nothing else happening in better to say than “Ummm…. well…” their life, and they have devoted all of their intellectual and social energy to becoming 2) Get a job that doesn’t drive you Sponsor an Industrial Worker masters of the games that they play. (If crazy, and that you could imagine subscription for a prisoner! The you haven’t met them, just think of the having medium-to-long term. IWW often has fellow workers & Comic Book Guy from “The Simpsons”). I’m convinced that part of the reason I believe at a certain point it reaches a for our high turnover is that there is an in- allies in prison who write to us vicious spiral, where these masters com- formal, but real, encouragement to live like requesting a subscription to the pensate for underdeveloped social skills Che Guevara. New members, especially in Industrial Worker, the official through their game mastery, and their their early 20s and in school or just gradu- newspaper of the IWW. This is social skills deteriorate even further, so ated, are encouraged to “salt” into retail that gaming becomes the only social outlet chains making around minimum wage, your chance to show solidarity! left to them. If I’m going to bring a friend in horrible conditions. They are expected to a board gaming event, these are the to “put their lives on hold” while working For only $18 you can buy one absolute last people I’d want them to play these jobs, in order to organize at them. with—chances are my friend would never There is a problem here: anything, full year’s worth of working- want to come back. No doubt the same when it is encouraged as an individual class news from around the kind of people are found hanging around lifestyle choice separate from strategy, is world for a fellow worker in dance clubs and bike shops, who know (or just another form of activism (i.e., activity seem to know) loads about their specialty for the sake of activity). The summit hop- prison. but consciously or not act in a way that per lifestyle and the retail salt lifestyle have Just email [email protected] to order creates a huge barrier to “normal” people a lot in common, and it shouldn’t be any the subscription TODAY! getting involved. surprise that both seem to appeal mainly We’ve all seen, or heard about, the to people in their early 20s. When this is May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 7 Special Six Tips For Life-Long Wobblies another activist outfit, a paid union branches. That means we’d be present staffing position, or just a “normal” in a lot more cities; it also means that in life. This makes it hard for us to keep a lot of the cities that we’re present in, experienced members. we’d be well established, rooted in local A lot of good things can come labor struggles, and attracting workers from impatience and impulse. I who are interested in building a radical might be arguing myself into a labor movement. If you start to imagine contradiction since I also encour- what this would look like, it becomes clear age newer members to expect and that our current structure cannot scale, promote change in the organization. and would collapse under all the weight. Obviously a balance is needed here. We’d have to move to something where Many organizations, not to men- responsibilities are both more collective tion a lot of people, try to make plans and devolved. The main point I’m trying to for several years down the road, to make here is that I’m personally never sat- strategize possible, expected, and isfied with where we’re at, but I also don’t desired outcomes. For example a expect the organization to immediately company might have a strategy for follow every suggestion that I make. For a certain level of vertical integration me, the guiding question for everything I and market share, or a person might do in the union is this: “Does it help set the plan to start a family, purchase a path for us to be the kind of organization house, advance their career; all of that is capable of becoming what we need these require making realistic goals to be?” (Or, putting it in the gamer terms and thinking backwards. If we all of my youth, “Will this bring us closer to imagined the IWW we’d like to see leveling up?”). in 10 years, and based our every day activity on this, that would be a big 6) Know how to step back. Photo: flickr.com/photos/bataillesocialiste An IWW member’s red card. step for our organization. This might be one of the most impor- Continued from previous page helps keep cordial relations and prevent For example, my 10-year plan for tant things for anyone who wants to be a members to think along these lines, we’d strain. However most of us have little the IWW, in brief, is that we should be long-term member. No one can or should be a much healthier organization with less experience being in a democratic orga- a known, substantial force in the North be all-on, all the time. Nor should someone attrition and more industrial organizing nization where some decisions are tough American political/industrial climate, with feel like becoming less active means they potential, as well as more serious and to make, or where most members already a developed, diverse, and active member- might as well give up membership. Step- better funded. We’d certainly have more have an opinion. It’s important to be able ship, some industrial strength, and a pres- ping back can take many forms. I’ve done it members in their 30s and with children, to say “no” and to feel comfortable doing ence outside of major cities. We should a few times in different ways. Sometimes, both because people who joined in their it. Maybe another fellow worker’s proposal also be able to react relatively quickly as especially when I’m somewhere without a 20s would continue to see us as relevant, is bad. If you don’t say so, who will? Maybe an organization when necessary, whether branch, I’ll disconnect from all of the email and because they could organize and at- there are others who agree but don’t know because of a pressure being brought on us lists, Facebook, etc., but still maintain dues tract their peers. how to articulate it or don’t feel empow- or because the working class is moving in payment and occasionally converse with So for my part I don’t encourage new ered. By voicing disagreement, you help response to police brutality or austerity friends in the organization. Other times, members to salt into whichever multina- make sure that the organization keeps its measures. I’ll put a fair amount of activity into a tional retail chain is currently the most feet planted and that its decisions actually Put in concrete terms, I think an branch, but still stay disconnected from attractive. In fact I’d actively discourage reflect its membership. Sadly, I’ve seen achievable membership figure for 2024 the email lists and the international as a it, unless they’ve been asked to do so by an many occasions when a small number vote would be 10,000 in North America. whole. Probably one of the biggest causes active organizing committee, and it is be- in favor, while an even smaller number (Though I worry this is too modest, consid- of burnout comes when someone is totally ing considered as a strategic choice. To the vote opposed, and the large majority ab- ering how much has changed in the last 10 disconnected from any tangible activity young new member having an existential stain. Call it a “Minnesota No” if you like, years). This is 10 times our current mem- and only plugs in to the “Second Life IWW” crisis and thinking that maybe they can but this culture allows bad ideas to win and bership, but the organization would look (as a friend calls it)—the IWW of mailing solve it by working retail for a few years, represent the union even though they don’t far different. Right now in North America lists and Facebook posts. This kind of I’d say: think about an industry that you represent the will of the membership. we have 51 branches with a median size disconnect from tangible activity causes could be in for 5 or 10 years without go- of around 11 members. Only five branches arguments about ideas to become much ing crazy, that matches up with what you 5) Start thinking 10 years ahead. have around 50 or more members and are more heated and blown out of proportion, like, and come up with a plan to get into I’m not one of those people who say constantly involved in actual workplace and it becomes harder to remember why it. Then, once you’re in it, spend a year “The revolution will never come in our struggles, becoming a pole of attraction any of us are involved in this. learning and taking direction from your lifetime.” Who knows, global ecological in their city, such as the Twin Cities, Bay I’d love to hear reactions to these sug- fellow workers, while doing what you can collapse could come in our lifetime with Area, or Portland (I used the information gestions. Other long-term members, what to build and spread solidarity, before you everything that would entail. The IWW from General Organization Bulletin [GOB] has been your strategy for success? What start actively organizing (unless there’s al- of the 1920s talked about organizing to #7 2014, and assumed 10 members for do you wish someone had told you seven ready organizing going on or the situation take over production after capitalism col- each of the 10 branches whose information years ago? Newer members, what are your is particularly ripe). This, I think, would lapsed more than about taking up arms was not reported). goals for the organization, and what will put us on a path of long-term stability and against it—and maybe there’s something For a union of 10,000 members, let’s help you achieve them? influence in various industries. to learn there. assume we would need 100 branches Send your feedback to: That being said, we’ll also get nowhere with a median size of 100: some larger, [email protected], or message 3) Remember that we are the union. (at least not anywhere good) if we perma- some smaller, some cities with multiple @lifelongwobbly on Twitter. In other words, there is nothing sacred nently imagine ourselves on the edge of the about this union. It’s all been thought up cataclysm and make all of our personal and by members before us—all of whom are political decisions on that basis. human beings. In particular there seems Maybe it’s part of the definition of our to be some kind of sanctity about the generation that people worry about home Subscribe to the Industrial Worker IWW Constitution, which is important property values at the same time as every for making sure people don’t break it, third movie predicts the end of the world, Subscribe or renew your Industrial Worker subscription. but which hurts us when it reduces our but if so, it’s a contradiction we currently ability to imagine changing it. There are live in. Give a gift that keeps your family a lot of other things we do just because To actively take part in an organiza- and friends thinking. they’ve always been done that way. Why tion that promotes global worker unity Get 10 issues of working class news do we tier our dues, or have a complicated and takeover of industry already sets you and views for: delegate-branch-General Headquarters apart from the vast majority of people’s • US $18 for individuals. (GHQ) reporting process? Why do we talk experience in North America (though after about phantom industrial unions which Occupy I wonder if this gulf has lessened). • US $30 for libraries/institutions. don’t actually exist? I don’t think we need Especially if you join in your youth, it can • US $30 for international to change everything just for the sake of seem like the natural attitude to adopt is subscriptions. change, but I do think we need to be able to that everything has to be accomplished think about changing anything. (The other right now. Waiting sucks. And so we get Name: ______problem is how to change it meaningful- crappy jobs that we don’t plan to keep (see Address:______ly—‘we are the union’ means that change above), we expect the organization to im- must come from the membership, not just mediately change to match what we think City/State/Province:______the officers—more on that later). it should be, or to sink major resources Zip/Postal Code:______into whatever the project of the month is, 4) Learn to say “No”—Democracy and we fight with anyone who disagrees Send this subscription form to: means being empowered to vote (because obviously they’re wrong). When against things you disagree with things don’t turn out like we want, and Industrial Worker Subscriptions, (and learning to be voted against). we have no long-term plans for the orga- PO Box 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 USA Many of us are friends with each other, nization, then of course we can just leave or at least friendly. This is good when it and move on to something else—whether Subscribe to the Industrial Worker today! Page 8 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 Special Remaking The IWW: Broadening Our By Martin Zehr membership. Many folks have no experi- As the Wobblies in the northeast ence in industrial work at large manufac- United States plan their organizing confer- turing plants. Many come from a context ence, the task rests to determine where we of activists engaged in the Black Bloc and have come from and where we are going. anti-globalization actions. Many have as- The focus of the article is intended to ad- similated a counter-culture that defines dress issues within the IWW and not to their personal identities. Most have no condemn individuals within it. This article stable work experiences in manufacturing. is intended to evaluate our situation today They have grown up without an awareness and determine how to move forward. of the militant history of the 1980s and the The first thing to make clear is that fights against plant closings and for union the issue with “dual cards” is not about democracy. They have also grown up in a two cards in one shop. It is about two period where the social movements have unions in one shop. This takes us back to not been rooted in the industrial working the time before industrial unions when class for the most part. unions filled the shop based on crafts and In the city where I am working, we have negotiated agreements between the work- a combination of members from retail, ers and the employers. We are the One telecommunications, and various trades, Big Union, not two, three, or many shop and this has raised new questions. Tele- unions. Today, we don’t have the muscle communication workers have an enormous to influence struggles within the company workforce in a diverse set of workplaces in unions, either for democracy or worker the city and throughout the United States. Call center workers. Photo: loweringthebarforus.org rights. We also lack a generation of fighters They are largely small shops, where 300 make presumptions regarding the char- (NGOs) and advocacy groups that gamed within the class who are still organized. workers seem to be a large workforce. acter of the industrial workforce in this the political elites for their most favored So, we are it when it comes to building a Larger employers of related occupations day and age? Workers’ current choices status and not for change. The Black Bloc political force in the shops. The leader- are financial services, health care provid- amount to joining the company unions, has an established record in demonstra- ship of company unions understands the ers, and telephone services. The largest joining the Democratic Party, or joining tions and is visible as a social force on history of the Left and the concepts such call center is the United States is Ameri- the culture radicals. However, when we given occasions, such as the Group of 8 as “salting” and the role of rank-and-file can Express in Phoenix, employing 5,200 “work within,” we negate independent (G8) meeting. But, it lacks organizational caucuses and revolutionary organizations. workers. The city of Phoenix has a large radicalism by fighting for the leadership cohesion and a functional expression The fact is they have worked with U.S. number of call centers and stands out as a of the very organizations that we seek outside of demonstrations. The critique of intelligence agencies around the world to focal point of potential organizing in IWW to wage the resistance against instead of work as alienating only has so much trac- undermine popular struggles and usurp telecommunications industrial union (IU) fighting to lead the mass struggle of poor tion in any civilization. It does not rise to leadership in unions, and workers’ and 650. “White collar” used to be the preferred and oppressed people. What is important the level of creativity or redistribution or peasant organizations. term used for this workforce. But that was is not just what we are doing but why we emancipation. At the least, the IWW is here to ex- in a day when temps, part-timers and are doing it. There is also a new factor in the pose the labor traitors. It’s time for us to outsourced jobs were not the foundation of Wobblies should know that past revived IWW of today. That is the pro- establish a strategy of our own to return the American economy. Today, these same attempts to democratize the company motion of the “alienation of labor” as a the favor of their collaboration with the “white collar workers” are earning $8 per unions were not defeated because work- guiding principle. A young Karl Marx has ruling class. Public exposure is important hour with no benefits. ers did not fight hard enough. They were been resurrected and given priority as an in this process. The presumption that we The generation of workers that went crushed by the police, the hacks, and the ideological cornerstone of the IWW. The demonstrate “solidarity” with the com- to the mines and mills have reached our State. On Sept. 18, 1981, an estimated source of collaboration with capitalism is pany unions while working within them golden years with little remaining of an 500,000 unionists converged on Washing- now defined as our activity as social beings appears on its surface to be exactly what industrial Left. The percentage of the ton, D.C. for a march and rally protesting in the work that we do. This is deserving as the hacks and bureaucrats like. We should workforce in any union continues to de- the mass firings of air traffic controllers. an article in itself, and the April issue of the be there to challenge every step they make, cline. The company unions have opted out The AFL-CIO even sponsored the march Industrial Worker was certainly filled with develop a core and find the best path to of private employers for the fertile harvest after numerous unions within it pushed articles pronouncing this. I look forward bringing in an industrial union to lead the from government employees. This has for the Solidarity Day action. Miners for to seeing these fellow workers on my own struggle. The more we compromise with established a peculiar record of its own Democracy grew from the murder of Jock travels, but I suspect this is more wringing the company unions, the less credibility we where the American Federation of State, Yablonski and his family, the opposition of hands than resisting capitalism. To put will have with militant workers who grasp County and Municipal Employees (AF- candidate for president of the United it into a personal context, I ran to Mexico the need for real change. SCME) endorses super maximum security Mine Workers. Steelworkers had various City from Philadelphia with a Native There is a core of basic industry that (supermax) prisons as a way of promoting leaders, such as Ron Weisen of 1397 Rank- American spiritual run called Peace and still exists in the United States, and we can jobs and membership. Industrial unions and-File, promoting insurgent tactics Dignity Journey in 1992. I still remember address the issues that unite all workers in of the American Federation of Labor and against the steel bosses and labor traitors. the people who said they “wish” they could revolutionary struggle. To move forward Congress of Industrial Organizations Teamsters for a Democratic Union raised continue with the run after it left their par- today means to move from where we are to (AFL-CIO) have opted out to a similar the head of active truck drivers against the ticular hometown. They didn’t, I did. On where we want to go. We need not give up strategy. The United Steelworkers recently corrupt union bosses. The United Auto the other hand, I also know that there is a our organizing drives that are ongoing or held rallies for its declining membership Workers withdrew from the AFL-CIO. The resistance of non-compliance that extends propose everyone jump into manufactur- along with U.S. Steel in promoting fracking ranks of labor in the struggle for the eight- into the personal lives that is consistent ing jobs. The base of IWW membership is and the Keystone XL pipeline. The United hour day and the fight for representation and based on principles. But in the age of seen in the character of the shops we are Mine Workers of America have been active goes back a century further. austerity, one can all too easily fall into the organizing. Bicycle couriers, hoagie shops, in opposing the transition away from coal What has changed since then is not socialization process of the ruling class and coffee shops and other small commercial powered electrical generation and have the nature of capitalism or the servility of say “least is best” and end up just where businesses form the focus of many efforts organized against new, stricter pollution workers. What has changed are the scripts the capitalists want them to be. at this stage. Part of this lies in certain pre- guidelines for power plants. from the media where all controversy The recent re-emergence of the IWW sumptions that characterize our current Is it any wonder that today’s radicals becomes reduced to Democrat or Repub- as an organizing force has set a new stage lican. What has changed is the structure for a new drama in the struggle for a new of economy in the United States—with the and better future. The American political May Day: A Graphic History of Protest commercial economy dominating over the system, being repressive and reaction- Wobs in Canada have industrial economy. What has changed is ary, has left little room in the workforce the militarization of the company unions of today for independent radicalism. As created a comic book, “May undermining and crushing rank-and-file a result, “Café Anarchism” (like “coffee Day: A Graphic History of discontent. What has changed is the rush house” radicals of the 1960s or armchair Protest,” about the history towards world war. What has changed revolutionaries) has become rooted in are the economic strategies of austerity those commercial establishments that of May Day internationally, as the overriding agenda of the political cater to the avant-garde. Anarchism is pro- and with a special focus on elite. What has changed is the reduction jected as an alternative lifestyle instead of a of workers in the workforce in any union. political ideology, and the “syndicalism” of Canada. Please consider What has changed is the pacification of the anarcho-syndicalism has been disposed of. buying some copies for your Left and the desertion of the progressives Admittedly, this provides a modicum fellow workers and for your from any revolutionary vision or working- of support from within the ranks at any class perspective. given Starbucks. What it has missed, branch to sell. More info Anarchists have filled that vacuum. until recently, is the connection to the about the comic, as well But it is an anarchism that is not rooted in mass struggles against militarization of the mass social movements of the working the police, mass incarcerations, and killer as ordering details, can be class, such as it was in Republican Spain. cops—the enforcers of the police state. found here: It is an anarchism contemptuous of the Because the first steps have been taken by http://graphichistorycollective.com/may-day-comic/. very concept of work or the process of IWW organizing, we have bases to unite production. In the past, some, like Judi with these struggles as demonstrated in Order 50+ copies by May 30, 2015 and receive 40 percent Bari, recognized this and worked to ad- the fight of the United Parcel Service (UPS) off your order. dress it. Others accepted a second-tier workers. The Pittsburgh General seat in non-governmental organizations Continued on next page May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 9 Special Scope And Deepening Our Roots If we establish dual cards as a singu- these struggles; 3) Popularize the role of lar emphasis in our organizing work: 1) the IWW in these struggles; and 4) Not We need to recognize that when we are retreat until the battle is won. These are not building the workers’ struggles in the not new tactics. They are the tactics that shops, we are not developing the IWW as opened up the working class to accep- a union in its own right; 2) We promote tance of the IWW as a fighting union. Our the police state when we collaborate with Organizer Training 101 (OT101) needs to government employee unions and the state begin to address this. We cannot simply in crimes against humanity; 3) We risk try to replace the company unions with enhancing and strengthening the company the IWW. They have resources that we unions at the very same time as we are say- cannot even begin to match. We need to ing to abandon them for One Big Union; show the difference by our actions. When 4) We misrepresent the actual character we earn the trust of workers, recruitment of the leadership and intentions that are will increase and become a more natural projected by the company unions and so decision for fighters of the working class. weaken the people’s real leadership when The idea is for the workers in the confronted with the inevitable repression company unions to desert these unions against the revolutionary movement; and and come over to the IWW. For that to 5) We add to the financial resources of happen we need to show people what we these same company unions that maintain stand for. To establish a momentum for their hegemony and who use them against the struggle means we provide leader- the popular struggles. As a small group, we ship, develop leadership skills, empower can still shake things up through concerted individuals, and win victories that improve action. Can we say the same thing working their lives and the world. If we disregard within company unions? the character of the company unions, we The original impulse of the IWW was do so at our own risk. If we fail to pres- to create the seed of worker power in the ent a real alternative, we will slip into the shell of capitalism. In this context, worker historical background once again. This councils can be developed in our work. discussion here can take place both in It has risen on the agenda in the mass the Industrial Worker and within GMBs. struggles of the day. In Albuquerque, There have been debates about this before. the issue of state power was raised, and The issue is how we can be effective and families of police shootings seized control not who can be the “purist.” People will do of the city council, issued an arrest war- what they will do, but it is better that we all rant for the sheriff, and began extra-legal have clarity about what we are doing and proceedings. Likewise, the General As- summarize what the results have been as semblies of Occupy Wall Street began to we go forward. establish a political character to them. In This is not simply an issue of choos- my city, a new Action Council has arisen ing dual card or choosing industrial union to unify various social forces in the city. strategy. It is about broadening our scope Dual power establishes the battleground and deepening our roots. Dismissing work Graphic: deviantart.net for the eventual confrontation between the as a social activity precludes any purpose Continued from previous page the tools they need to win victories while people and the ruling elites. The soviets in organizing. The IWW is about re-estab- Membership Branch (GMB) has used the raising new demands that address the in czarist Russia were conscious of it but lishing our presence in the mass struggles local newsletter, Solidarity, to project system’s racism and male supremacy to were undermined by parties with their and learning from our experiences. This the IWW’s active engagement in the fight grow a militant labor movement. But, the own discipline. article itself does not presume to present against the police state. It has presented AFL-CIO has given up the strike for the It really is too much to expect the com- one generalized solution. It is my hope to the public face of the IWW in a recent most part. In 1974, there were 424 strikes pany unions to change their roles. They simply present some very real concerns Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march and a involving 1,796,000 workers, and in 2014, have practiced those roles in post-war regarding how to move forward. Summit Against Racism. there were 11 strikes involving 34,000, Europe and exported their experiences There is always a certain risk in the according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor to the struggles of Latin and South structure of GMBs—that they can de- Statistics. By focusing on the joint labor/ America. They used them to overthrow cline into sects that fail to be inclusive in community unions, the AFL-CIO is negat- the Soviet Union and its allied states in membership engagement or fail to grasp ing the very lever of power that gives labor Central Europe. Collaboration remains their role as a union. Infighting becomes its ultimate power in the class struggle: the their primary function. They are the a characteristic and personality disputes general strike. extension of the Empire. assume greater significance than their The problem of a community/work- The experience of Students for a actual importance would otherwise indi- place coalition within a union is that street Democratic Society (SDS) on campuses cate. Once the focus of organizational work militancy is facilitated without risk and in the 1960s and 1970s demonstrated becomes internal rather than outreach, presumes a greater political significance the real potential of independent orga- this becomes almost inevitable. The or- than it, in fact, is able to demonstrate. It nization that developed its radicalism ganizational culture of Café Anarchism is empowers individuals who prefer rhetoric removed from the control mecha- dominated by white males and those who and posturing, taking the place of orga- nisms. Starting off small, they did not are aggressively ego-driven. Isolated by nization and real confrontation. It also grow to dominate student organiza- themselves, this will not lead to resistance reduces the focus on building industrial tions or government. They were able to but to control and domination. Being an unionism. The same things that attract focus militant actions in solidarity with anarchist is no protection against racism. the Black Bloc to the IWW attract other the Vietnamese liberation struggle by The International Workingman’s Associa- radicals to the company unions. We see a kicking the Dow Chemical Company tion in San Francisco were the initiators situation where the “union” that is radi- (manufacturers of napalm) and the of the Chinese Exclusion Act. The lack of cal in the streets still continues to enforce Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) common workplaces is just another factor mass incarcerations and protect killer off campus or away from high traffic that pulls people apart rather than bring- cops. The recent AFL-CIO Organizers zones, unifying with the struggles of ing them together and creates a culture Workshop on March 6 and 7 in Wash- African-Americans for increased en- that presumes that simply the name IWW ington, D.C. is an indicator that this is rollment of minorities, and introducing is sufficient to establish our credentials. exactly their intention. There was not one ethnic studies and women’s studies. The individualized perspective of Café member of a corrections union (AFSCME) Radicals were not tied to either po- Anarchism supports a view of the world or border patrol union (Amercian Federa- litical party. They were able to project that does not see the social aspect of hu- tion of Government Employees, or AFGE) their own agenda and develop their man life. in the workshops on mass incarcerations own tactics. It is worth noting that even the or immigration. While union representa- We are a minority, but we are not AFL-CIO has established its own form tion at the workshop was limited (at an an insignificant or compliant minor- of GMBs: regional-based unions with AFL-CIO workshop?!), community orga- ity. We can let the cat (Sabot) out of membership not related to particular in- nizers were actively engaged as workshop the bag. We can refuse to comply with dustries, companies or shops. They have a facilitators and participants. There are no the repression and denial of rights as much greater draw, but their weakness is secrets when it comes to organizing. Every Wobblies did in the free speech fights their lack of substantive analysis and their aspect of organizing projects its goals and from 1906 to 1917 in 26 communi- agenda’s attachment to the Democratic objectives. The results reflect the efforts, ties—presenting to workers the un- Party. Promoting raising the minimum the tactics, the vision and the plan. In this compromising character of the IWW. wage and addressing the wage disparity case, it is clear that the target was to recruit We need to: 1) Utilize and concentrate are recipes for continued attachment at community organizers and not to develop our resources from around the country every level of government to the Demo- an inclusive strategy for government work- to have an impact; 2) Establish target cratic Party. Demanding the right to strike ers to unite with oppressed peoples in cities, focus on the key battles that the and using it in the struggle will give people direct action. IWW brings forward and maintain Page 10 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 Reviews Elizabeth Gurley Flynn: Modern American Revolutionary Vapnek, Lara. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn: first public speech in 1906. In September wife and baby died. He Modern American Revolutionary. Boul- 1909, at the age of 19, she became involved had moved to New York der, Colorado: Westview Press, 2015. in a fight for the right to free speech in City only to find him- Paperback, 240 pages, $20. Missoula, Mont. The issue was the con- self one of hundreds duct of labor contractors who charged of thousands of unem- Reviewed by Staughton Lynd a fee to arrange jobs for itinerant wage ployed there, tramping A number of radical women who es- workers but often failed to provide the the streets, hungry and poused anarchism or anarcho-syndicalism promised work. Flynn and other Wob- cold. He had fallen in when they were young were drawn in later bly speakers drew crowds of miners and with an “army” of home- life to uncritical support of international lumberjacks to improvised street meet- less men. On the occa- Communism. Alexandra Kollontai, Lucy ings. Contractors and local shopkeepers sion of a second arrest, Parsons, and Dolores Ibarruri (“La Pa- complained to the public authorities. The the New York police took sionaria”) come to mind. city invoked an ordinance forbidding the him into an automobile Elizabeth Gurley Flynn can be de- disturbance of the “peace and quiet of and beat him brutally. scribed in the same way. The “rebel girl” any street.” Splattered with blood, celebrated by Joe Hill’s song, who was As one speaker after another was ar- with one side of his nose the most conspicuous woman among rested, others took their place. A call for crushed, he managed the prominent personalities of the IWW, reinforcements went out to Spokane and to stagger to the home became a member of the United States other Western cities. Soon something like of Flynn’s friend, Mary Communist Party in 1937 and supported 100 workers were behind bars in Missoula. Heaton Vorse. it publicly until her death. The arrestees, like subsequent civil rights Flynn asked the au- Of course, there were men whose practitioners of “jail, no bail,” used their dience at the memorial trajectory was similar. William Z. Foster, time together to sing protest songs. Guests meeting to try to imagine the syndicalist who became a dogmatic at the city’s main hotel across the street Caton’s state of mind. Communist leader, is an example. But protested in their turn, and, again as in “He asked for bread. He there is something particularly poignant the 1960s, police sprayed the crowd from received the blackjack.” about Flynn, the fiery daughter of radical water hoses. According to Lara Vapnek, She went on to say that immigrants from Ireland, a young woman Flynn timed the speech-making so that he had made a fatal mis- unafraid to stand up to IWW spokesman those arrested had to be fed, at taxpayers’ take when he attempted Bill Haywood or anarchist Carlos Tresca, expense. The arrestees demanded individ- to solve his problems by consenting to be guided by the uninspired ual jury trials, prolonging the proceedings violence. But she asked: patriarchs who led American Communists and adding to the city’s costs. After several “Who is responsible? into oblivion (with some vigorous help weeks the “powers that be” released those Who taught it to him?” from J. Edgar Hoover, et al.) after World arrested, including Flynn, and dropped In this experience War II. all charges. one can glimpse a reason And there were women, above all Rosa Flynn was again at the heart of non- for Flynn’s subsequent Luxemburg, who successfully resisted violent tactical creativity in the famous great success as an or- The rebel girl. Photo: Tamiment Library, New York University re-definition as adjuncts to male leaders. “Bread and Roses” strike in Lawrence, ganizer for victims of the Before World War I and while in prison Mass. three years later. She “became Red Scare after World War I and of McCar- and nebulous “conspiracy” of faceless but for opposing it, Luxemburg was com- instrumental,” as this account puts it, in thyism after World War II. Each of these evil-minded subversives. If the accused radely but incisive in expressing concern the “brilliant strategy of sending strikers’ crises stretched over many years during consented to a group process it inevitably about Lenin’s political mindset, which she children out of Lawrence to be cared for by which Flynn asked her national audience tended to validate this concept. In addi- described as “pitiless centralism.” Luxem- sympathetic families in other cities.” She to step for a moment into the shoes of tion, it was far easier to engage a jury’s burg rejected a “discipline” that was “the was assisted in this project by Margaret the individual men, women, and children sympathy in the suffering of particular regulated docility of an oppressed class.” Sanger, “the socialist nurse-practitioner who were imprisoned, deported, executed persons than in the abstract image of an After her release from prison, she worked who became a leader of the birth-control (Sacco and Vanzetti), in a few dreadful oppressive system. Accordingly Flynn closely with Karl Liebknecht. When he movement.” instances (like that of Wobbly Frank resisted Haywood’s imperious decision to consented in her absence to a premature Two years later, Flynn was obliged Little) murdered by vigilante violence, all ask indicted Wobblies all over the United insurrection, however, she rebuked him; to confront the terrible violence of the with minimal pretense at any kind of due States to surrender themselves and take but was unable to reverse the strategy Ludlow, Colo. miners’ strike, where three process. Instead of lamenting the fate of a part as passive spectators in the group that led soon after to her own brutal and strike leaders were killed in cold blood, nameless and impersonal collectivity, such witch-hunt administered by federal judge untimely death. and two women and 11 children burned as “immigrants,” or a particular category of Kenesaw Mountain Landis in Chicago. She Lara Vapnek untangles the histori- to death in tents where they had sought workers, like “the miners,” Flynn focused, would have preferred an effort to make cal threads that made up the tapestry of refuge. Anarchists planned to retaliate by just as she did on her endless speaking each Wobbly’s indictment the occasion for Flynn’s remarkable life. She helps us to killing John D. Rockefeller, Jr., owner of trips, on individual human beings, with a separate guerrilla skirmish. And viewed perceive the integrity and dedication that the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. In names and faces. In a similar spirit, within from the standpoint of the survival of the characterized Flynn’s journey until the another uncanny parallel with the 1960s, the Communist Party, Flynn opposed the IWW as a community, it did not help mat- very end. three men preparing a bomb for this pur- decision of the Party’s leadership in the ters when Haywood himself later jumped Vapnek highlights the following as- pose blew themselves up. 1950s to go underground. bail and fled to the Soviet Union. pects of Flynn’s advocacy. Flynn was asked to speak at a me- This same approach to social reality by For Flynn herself, of course, what Flynn had no interest in organizations morial service for the three. As Vapnek way of individual lives led to a profound history and the hope of ongoing human made up only of women. She insisted that sensitively describes the scene, Flynn had difference with Bill Haywood over judicial life required was a profound structural workingmen and women organize to- to “tread a fine line between honoring the strategy. Flynn had witnessed in Missoula change, from capitalism to socialism. gether, but that special attention be given dead and disavowing violence.” She did and in other free speech struggles else- Vancek stresses that even if Flynn’s po- to the needs of different groups within the so by describing one of the three dead where how it had tied the system in knots litical energies were devoted to two very class. Women, as one such group, needed men, Arthur Caron. Caron was a weaver to insist on a distinct judicial process, a different organizations, the IWW (1906- access to birth control. They must be able of French and Native American ancestry separate trial, for each member of a group 1916) and the Communist Party (1937- to choose motherhood. from Falls River, Mass. He had come of defendants. Repression of radicals in the 1964), “Flynn’s socialist vision stayed Flynn, who was born in 1890, gave her on hard times when he lost his job. His courts depended on the notion of a vast steady.” May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 11 Reviews Bridging Cognitive Psychology With Labor Studies Worthen, Helena. What Did You Learn At Worthen addresses these ideas fully, enough, been disciplined enough, or Work Today? The Forbidden Lessons of directly and with an urgency of showing perhaps we just are not good enough Labor Education. Brooklyn, NY: Hard Ball how they function in real-life organiz- on some level. This disempowering Press, 2014. Paperback, 278 pages, $15. ing campaigns. Far too often employers theory of how we learn is pushed abuse workers and workers are left asking, onto us, reinforced in our workplace By Matt Meister “How can they get away with that?” This training, and over time we internalize Helena Worthen’s “What Did You seemingly simple question threads the it. Worthen’s deconstruction of this Learn at Work Today?” is an important narrative of the work as Worthen unpacks bad, ineffective and wrong theory book that brings together the disparate abstracts such as “oppositional knowl- of learning is both refreshing and fields of cognitive psychology and labor edge,” “resistance” and “consciousness.” reassuring. Knowledge is not only studies. While this might seem like an odd By showing us how workers learn together, collective and shared by its nature; it combination, it is anything but. As a union these concepts become very concrete and is varied and abundant. Workers are of organizers, we learn how to teach our usable. In understanding how workers smart. We know our jobs better than fellow workers about empowering them- are made compliant, workers can guard just about anyone, yet we are made to Helena Worthen. Photo: moderntimesbookstore.com selves and one another. We do not learn against it more effectively. As workers feel less than intelligent. Even good and no one really teaches us how it is that begin to understand how ideas form, they organizers can fall into this trap. Worthen empowered. In workplaces, there is a people construct knowledge. Worthen of- become more effective organizers, teach- provides a solid inoculation against it. regular back-and-forth where employ- fers a practical application through case ers and fellow workers. In short, this is an In applying this idea, Worthen points ers want high productivity and low studies of how workers come together to exciting book. out that asking “How did you learn to worker empowerment. This paradoxical learn, to understand their workplaces and What might be Worthen’s strongest do your job?” is really asking “How did arrangement leads to the bosses organiz- ultimately to help one another overcome. chapter for organizers in workplaces might you learn to survive your job?” The noting against workers constantly. Workers “What Did You Learn at Work To- be what she terms the “Tarzan Theory” of so-subtle difference between these two need to understand that there is no such day?” is an accessible work with a format how we learn. In the racist and imperialist nearly-identical inquiries is in the former thing as an unorganized workplace, but not too far removed from the model that Tarzan novels, an infant of “good breed- the worker as a passive recipient while there are disempowered and unorga- Labor Notes has utilized with similar ef- ing” discovers books and then language the latter is one of an active construction nized workers. Worthen explores what fect. Worthen is taking on heady concepts completely on his own, simply through of worker knowledge. In considering that that looks like and encourages workers like Lev Vygotsky’s “constructivist model” hard work, innate potential and self-dis- better question, workers realize they regu- to think about how they survive their and Paolo Friere’s “Pedagogy of the Op- cipline. As organizers, especially those of larly create better ways to do work, both jobs. It is difficult to read this book and pressed,” while making them relevant for us forming a committee at an early stage, formally and informally. When workers not consider one’s own workplace and workers in the context of the workplace. this model might feel familiar. When we come to understand the ways in which experience. That alone makes the book Far from dumbing down these concepts, fail, it is because we have not worked hard they modify their tasks, they become worth the time. Dos Passos Writes Of Early Socialists, Wobblies Dos Passos, John. U.S.A.: The 42nd Par- Democracy”—World the 1935 Wagner Act. deterrent for people who “get out of line.” allel / 1919 / The Big Money. New York: War I. Sound famil- “All we want [is] our “Nineteen Nineteen” focuses a lot on The Library of America, 1996. Hardcover, iar? Seems we’ve had constitutional rights the senselessness of World War I. Dos 1312 pages, $40. quite a few of those of free speech,” one Passos reports on anti-war intellectual since then. of the Wobblies Randolph Bourne (1886-1918). Bourne fa- By Roger Karny Wobblies, so- shrieks. But the mously declared, “War is the health of the Ordinary men and women, workers cialists, and paci- agents close in with state”—ironical unless you consider health oppressed by the capitalist society around fists roam in and out guns and clubs. This to be accumulated corporate wealth. The them, form the focus of John Dos Passos’ of “Nineteen Nine- is free speech? government jailed many pacifists during “U.S.A.” trilogy published in the early teen.” “Little Red Compton is this time. 1930s. One of America’s “Lost Generation” Songbook” song- against war-killing One person who went to war, though, post-World War I (WWI) writers and a writer Joe Hill en- as well. “The capi- was the “Unknown Soldier.” They buried Leftist, the Harvard University graduate ters briefly, touted talist governments his remaining scraps in Arlington Ceme- Dos Passos esteemed everyday laborers for his IWW union are digging their tery. “Where his chest ought to have been,” from rail-riding Wobblies to firebrand efforts and his con- own graves by driv- Dos Passos writes, “they pinned medals.” socialists. But while Dos Passos had a Jef- troversial execution ing their people to The last words of “Nineteen Nineteen” are: fersonian belief in the common worker, he by the Mormon state slaughter in a crazy “All the Washingtonians brought [the Un- ultimately trusted educated, intellectual of Utah in Novem- unnecessary war that known Soldier] flowers. Woodrow Wilson elites to bring needed political change. ber 1915. Dos Pas- nobody can benefit brought a bouquet of poppies.” And this They are both essential to reform and sos writes satirically, from except bankers was the “War to End All Wars.” remake the worker’s world. “The angel Moroni and munition mak- The author skillfully weaves fictitious “The 42nd Parallel,” “Nineteen Nine- didn’t like labor or- ers,” he says. Comp- and historic characters into the fabric of teen,” and “The Big Money” are the three ganizers any better Artist David Crunelle’s Graphic: doedemee.be ton is tried under WWI and after. But where does that leave interpretation of the “U.S.A.” trilogy. books of his trilogy. In “The 42nd Paral- than the Southern the WWI Espionage us for today? You know, times and people lel,“ a foot-loose Wobbly heads south of Pacific [Railroad] did. The angel Moroni Act. Dos Passos has him declare the final don’t really change all that much. Free the border and becomes embroiled in the moved the hearts of the Mormons to de- words of “The Communist Manifesto”: “In speech remains a myth for those who are 1910 Mexican Revolution. Numerous IWW cide it was Joe Hill [who] shot a grocer place of the old bourgeois society, with its not spouting the white, establishment, cap- members at this time did the same, seeking named Morrison.” Many still believe Joe classes and class antagonisms, we shall italist or corporate line. Radical ideas have solidarity with fellow insurgents. Aroused was framed; his only “crime” being that he have an association, in which the free always been suspect and their proponents by the writings and example of Mexican had “read Marx and the IWW Preamble development of each is the condition for persecuted. Wars continue to be started by revolutionary Ricardo Flores Magón, and dreamed about forming the structure the free development of all.” Compton, the rich and fought by minorities and the many joined the fight, including legendary of a new society within the shell of the age 23, is sentenced to prison. “He had to working class. And guess who wins? Joe Hill who fought in Juarez. “The Big old,” says the author. To many, rocking keep telling himself: those are the people Increasing the minimum wage, some Money,” on the other hand, pictures the the established order is the worst crime who sent [Socialist Eugene] Debs to jail, try to say, will only decrease workers’ earn- post-war “Roaring Twenties” as the time imaginable and an unpardonable sin. those are the people who shot Joe Hill, ings, since prices will be forced upward. when money and the lust for it ruled all. Witness the murder of four unarmed Kent who murdered [IWW organizer] Frank Corporations like Walmart and McDon- I want to choose some people and State University students by the Ohio Little, those are the people who beat us ald’s are grudgingly lifting wages a little, events from the middle book “Nineteen National Guard in the late 1960s. They up in Everett, who want me to rot for ten enough to stifle the outcry for a higher Nineteen” in order to draw parallels and were protesting the Vietnam War. Joe’s years in jail,” wrote Dos Passos. minimum wage. But this will only be long conclusions for the United States today. spirit lives on. Dos Passos introduces Wesley Ever- enough to make it look capitalism is the The year 1919 marked the signing of the Then as now, law enforcement author- est as another agitator, a historical IWW worker’s friend. armistice to end the butchery of WWI, giv- ities could act with prejudice, violent and figure who logged the northwest during Those like Wisconsin Governor Scott ing a reprieve to war-weary Europe. When unjust, if the occasion warranted. Who early 1900s. Everest, the author writes, Walker are hell-bent on breaking unions will we Americans of 2015 also get such a killed the miners, women and children believed the IWW was right when they now that they have an opening. They reprieve? That same year witnessed Presi- during the 1914 Ludlow strike if not the said the forests belonged to everyone. He invoke the Taft-Hartley Act, declaring all dent Woodrow Wilson’s futile struggle to Colorado National Guard? Who busted believed he should be paid cash rather should have a “right to work,” especially bring the United States into his nascent heads in Michigan during the desperate than script. Script could only be used in if that “right” involves lower pay and not dream-child, the League of Nations—fore- automobile workers strikes of the 1930s if the logging company’s store at inflated having the benefits that union representa- runner to the United Nations. not the police? So in “Nineteen Nineteen,” prices. He believed that he worked hard tion and bargaining bring. Granted, the Fictional characters—sailors, loggers, fictional radical Jewish intellectual and so- and deserved an eight-hour day and major, established unions have brought U.S. and foreign soldiers, and Red Cross cialist agitator Ben Compton, attending an decent food. But some considered this some of this trouble on themselves. But workers—bounce in and out of the novel. IWW meeting in Everett, Wash. along with “Communism.” Commie-hunters after what other recourse do workers have But the author also brings in sketches other Wobblies, pays the price. The local WWI viewed Wobblies as “Reds.” These than to unionize, strike and boycott? of significant, real-life individuals of the sheriff and deputies beat them pitifully. “patriots” raided IWW halls, beat and Circumstances have changed. Will some time, from Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt to While this account is not historical in itself, lynched Wobblies and did away with their other method arise for workers to pro- Hill and Randolph Bourne. Of course, the it represents numerous similar incidents “subversive” literature. According to Dos tect themselves in lieu of these tried and war is on everyone’s mind. But which war of union busting by “legal” authorities. Passos, a mob castrated Wesley Everest proven ones? Or are grassroots, worker- this time? Why the “War to End All Wars,” Unions were not officially recognized and (although this is not certain) and lynched organized, solidarity movements such as the “War to Make the World Safe for given the right to strike and bargain until him. Lynching has always been a favorite the IWW the only way? Page 12 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 13 Wobbly Arts “Journalism”

Sculpture by IWW Art Gallery Ferydoun Mahinfarahmand I made this sculpture to represent journalists, writers and those who are in this field. Governments abuse them in the name of national security or other excuses, some kill them to proof some kind of stupid point or just to shut them off. But these great and brave people, they have their lives in one hand and the pen in the other, they need to be appreci- Photo: Ferydoun Mahinfarahmand ated and recognized. Graphic: J. Pierce Graphic: John Fleissner Carl Sandburg, The Worker’s Poet By Steve Thornton complete justice of the strikers.” He was In Chicago, Sandburg frequented the Salvadoran poet and revolutionary 10 years old. Dill Pickle Club, a bohemian center for Roque Dalton once wrote, “poetry, like When he was 15, Sandburg read the radical culture and politics founded by bread, is for everyone.” Today, we need proclamation of Illinois Governor John Jack Jones, ex-Wobbly and former hus- more people like Dalton, but you won’t Altgeld pardoning three of the Haymarket band of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. The club get rich being a worker-poet. More likely, anarchists who had been executed in 1887. attracted avant-garde artists, anarchists you will drop out of middle school, hop The men were (and still are) considered and birth control advocates. It was there boxcars, and work at any job where you innocent martyrs by the labor movement. he met and learned from Emma Gold- can earn a buck: fruit picker, firefighter, Altgeld reviewed their cases and, despite man, Margaret Sanger and many others. dishwasher, house painter, milk wagon the personal cost to his career, exonerated By the time he published his first poetry driver, block ice carrier and traveling the men. Sandburg agreed, “The hanging collection, Sandburg was performing and salesperson. Those jobs helped define of those men was a great injustice.” sponsoring events at the club. poet Carl Sandburg’s early life. “I’m either While still a young man he traveled to As far as the poet was concerned, there going to be a writer or a bum,” Sandburg revolutionary Russia, interviewed Big Bill was a straight line from the early populist wrote. Haywood, rode the rails across the United builders of the American nation to the Carl Sandburg was first recognized States, and landed in jail with an assort- early 20th century revolutionaries with as a poet of the working class in an IWW ment of workers who taught him a lot whom he identified. After winning acclaim newspaper. A 1916 review of his poetry about the impact of capitalism on his class. for his six-volume study of Abraham Lin- described him as “a people’s poet; one In his 20s, Sandburg was a regular coln, Sandburg wrote, “For the writing of who pictured with strokes of truth their contributor of news and poetry to the the Lincoln I knew the Abolitionists better; Carl Sandburg. Photo: english.illinois.edu existence.” International Socialist Review (ISR) and for having known the IWW I knew Gar- Sandburg’s focus on labor struggles other prominent liberal and radical maga- rison better for having known Debs.” In Communist Party dinners celebrating spoke to the early IWW in a profound zines. Hired by the Chicago Daily News, Sandburg’s view, rebels of his time would well-known authors and illustrators. way. Ralph Chaplin, Wobbly organizer he honed his skills as a reporter who wrote become tomorrow’s heroes. He was listed in 1938 as a friend of the and writer, read Sandburg’s collection in the language of workers. Sandburg’s political views were not Abraham Lincoln Brigade (American vol- ”Chicago Poems” in the courtroom while In true muckraking tradition, Sand- just quirks of youthful rebellion. The Fed- unteers who fought the fascists in Spain) he was on trial for espionage with 100 burg exposed for the ISR the 1915 Eastland eral Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investi- and a supporter of the 1948 World Youth other revolutionary unionists in 1918. steamer ship tragedy in Lake Michigan. gated the poet for 40 years. A newspaper Festival in Prague. Born in 1878 to Swedish immigrants, The ship capsized, killing 800 workers on exposé in 1987 revealed how J. Edgar “I am an I.W.W. but I don’t carry a red Carl Sandburg was a working-class boy their way to a company picnic. Sandburg Hoover kept tabs on all of Sandburg’s af- card,” Sandburg declared. “I am with all who never forgot his roots. His father discovered that the seamen’s union had for filiations that could be considered “com- the rebels everywhere. Against all those was a blacksmith for the Chicago railroad years protested the lack of safety regula- munist front” activities. Sandburg was in who are satisfied.” who took part in labor causes, including tions and quality inspections. He further good company: the FBI also had files on Steve Thornton is a retired union or- strikes. Sandburg recalled these forma- revealed that the “picnic” was a mandatory Ernest Hemingway, Pearl Buck, William ganizer, a member of Education Workers tive events and considered himself a event: you bought a ticket or you might Faulkner and 130 other famous writers. IU 620, and writes for ShoeleatherHis- “partisan” who “took a kind of joy in the lose your job. The files note that Sandburg attended toryProject.com. Harvard Workers Got The Cold Shoulder This Winter HUCTW grievance process is not function- closed. To tell security guards not to report for ing effectively. Harvard dining hall workers reported their regular shifts when the university For security guards who work at Har- for duty even on days when the storms is closed and then dock their pay seems vard, dual employees of the university and made it impossible to return to their miserly and unfair. President Drew Faust Securitas, and members of the Service Em- homes for the night. Some dining hall should use her considerable influence to ployees International Union (SEIU), the workers ended up sleeping on couches or award at least three additional personal situation has been even worse. Recently, mattresses on the floor, some even six to days to members of HUCTW, to confer a when the university closed due to severe a room. Workers who were assigned hotel similar benefit on non-salaried workers weather, guards—who were scheduled to rooms weren’t always told they would be who are not members of labor unions, work—report having gone unpaid. The staying with another person, which made and to pay SEIU members for all their past practice has been that when the uni- some uncomfortable. Workers report regularly scheduled shifts when Harvard versity is closed due to inclement weather, being issued taxi vouchers that were not has closed or will close due to inclement and security guards are told not to work always accepted (apparently one person weather. Dining hall workers who weren’t their scheduled shifts, they have still re- walked to work in severe weather because offered adequate accommodations dur- ceived their regular pay. This year, when of this). Some dining hall staff were told by ing the blizzards should be compensated. the university closed on Feb. 6, 9 and 10, managers to sign a list if they’d be willing Harvard can offer its employees who work at least some security guards went unpaid to stay overnight in a hotel; but then after hard to make the institution function more (the university also failed to pay security signing up were told there was no bed for than a cold shoulder during emergency guards for work on Jan. 2, after the winter them during one of the blizzards. weather. recess was expanded to include that date). As the world’s richest university with Geoffrey P. Carens is a representa- Students protest. Photo: FW Le Le LeChat Guards have filed a union grievance over an endowment of roughly $36 billion, tive of the Harvard Union of Clerical management’s failure to pay them what Harvard can afford to give its workers and Technical Workers and a delegate Continued from 1 they’re owed; to date management has some paid time off during extreme, dan- of the IWW. concern for safety makes travel inadvis- reportedly made no offer to resolve the gerous weather conditions, rather than This piece originally appeared in able, a paid absence may be appropriate”). grievance. Similarly, many campus work- expecting them to use up their vacation the March 31, 2015 issue of The Harvard Over a year later, that grievance remains ers who do not belong to labor unions time. Better accommodations for din- Crimson. It was reprinted with permis- largely unresolved, indicating that the have gone without pay when the university ing hall workers are certainly possible. sion from the author. Page 14 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 Anti-War Looking Back At The Vietnam War: By Andy Piascik America as early as 1980. But because This spring marks 40 years since the the United States was unable to send end of the Vietnam War. At least that’s troops, the kind of bloodletting they in- what it’s called in the United States: the flicted on Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia Vietnam War. In Vietnam, it’s called the did not occur in Central America. One American War to distinguish the phase result is that the popular movements involving the United States from those in- and revolutionary forces were able to volving other aggressors and colonizers— carry on the struggle, to a point where a China, France and Japan most notably. one-time revolutionary guerrilla is today The occasion has been marked by president of El Salvador, and longtime widespread commentary, reminisces and Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega is again what passes for history in the corporate president of Nicaragua. media. The U.S. Pentagon has chimed in This is not to say a horrible number with a fanciful account posted on its web- of deaths and incalculable damage was site that evokes the propaganda it spun not inflicted on those countries; the during the actual fighting of the war: U.S. United States was especially determined imperialism good, Vietnam bad. On a more to destroy the revolutionary experiment positive note, peace and veterans groups in Nicaragua—an effort that was largely around the country have held events and successful. More ominously, though the otherwise tried to put forward analysis of hell of the military terror of the 1980s the horrific nature of U.S. aggression that is in the past, Guatemala remains in haunts Vietnam to this day. the grips of wealthy elites tied to the A more mixed aspect is the degree to United States and is one of the most which the war still hovers over our own class-stratified, repressive societies in country like a cloud. Several decades back, the hemisphere. mainstream commentators regularly re- But the damage inflicted on Central ferred to the “Vietnam Syndrome,” which America does not compare to what was Graphic: James Mlaker, jmlakerartworks.com until the 1991 Persian Gulf War served to done in Indochina, which was due in keep U.S. imperialism in check to some no small part to the efforts of millions of Sporadic opposition within the United (large sections of which were included extent. Media elites referred to the reluc- everyday Americans. Unlike in Indochina, States to aggression in Indochina, by word for word) to a massive assembly in tance of our political class to go to war for solidarity efforts with the people of Cen- contrast, popped up in 1963 and 1964, Vietnam that was also directed at Wash- fear of getting bogged down in “another tral America began early and in earnest. but it was very small and isolated. What ington, and people around the world. Vietnam.” What they were unwilling to say In Nicaragua, these efforts began soon we know as the anti-war movement did It was at this point that the United openly is that the Vietnam Syndrome is re- after the United States moved against the not take shape until 1965, more than a States made the crucial decision to reject ally the gulf in opinion between elites and popular revolt that overthrew the hated decade after the United States unleashed Ho Chi Minh’s overtures and throw in with the public on the matter of U.S. aggression. Somoza dictatorship in 1979. In El Salva- its murderous puppet Ngo Dinh Diem on Vietnam’s long-time colonizers, France. In short, the United States has found dor, solidarity work began in the wake of the southern part of Vietnam, and a full Most of the French colonial administra- it extremely difficult since Vietnam to the murder by paramilitary terrorists of four years after President John F. Kennedy tion and army had run away when Japan count on significant public support for its Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1980 and began major escalation. invaded Vietnam, ceding the country to wars. Throughout the 1980s, for example, grew ever larger over the next 10 years. More recently, the United States has the invaders. Those who remained collabo- the United States desperately sought to That work included demonstrations, sit- invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and, at the rated with the Japanese. Yet in its imperial impose its will on Nicaragua, El Salvador ins, teach-ins, medical aid, Sister City time of this writing, is contemplating send- wisdom, France decided it was entirely and Guatemala, to name just three, utiliz- projects, accompaniment by doctors, elec- ing troops elsewhere in the Middle East. within its rights to recolonize Vietnam, ing proxy armies to defend landed elites tricians and others with skills to offer, as Just as in Indochina, the efforts in Iraq which it did, with crucial arms, money and against the people of those countries. If not well as making available sanctuary, usually and Afghanistan have in important ways diplomatic support from the United States. for ongoing public opposition, U.S. troops in churches, to people fleeing the violence been failures. And because of the massive The Vietnamese, not surprisingly, were not would likely have been fighting in Central to the United States. use of superior military force, the United so enthusiastic about being invaded yet States has become something of a pariah again and resisted just as they had resisted internationally—feared, but extremely colonization and occupation for centuries. isolated. Again, domestic organizing has As the French inflicted horrific vio- contributed significantly to that isolation. lence in a failed attempt at re-conquest This is no small feat, and one that is im- that lasted nine years, the United States portant to recognize both because of the bore more and more of the war’s burden. suffering that would have resulted from When the Vietnamese achieved final vic- the use of greater force, as well as for what tory by annihilating the French at Dien it teaches about the impact the public can Bien Phu in 1954, there was again the have on imperialist war. There’s still much possibility that they had achieved inde- to do, and for ourselves and those who pendence. It was not to be, though. With suffer bombardment done in our names, Vietnam looking on skeptically, the United we need to get to it. States, other Western powers, and the So- Combating the official, distorted histo- viet Union brokered the Geneva Accords ry of Vietnam can assist us in those efforts, that stipulated, among other things, that and this admittedly cursory background national elections unifying all of Vietnam is offered in that spirit. One aspect of that be held within two years. The division of distorted history spun in some recent com- the country into North, where revolution- mentaries is that the war began in Febru- ary forces had won complete victory, and ary 1965 when North Vietnamese and U.S. South, which except for Saigon and the troops clashed for the first time, the result surrounding area was under Viet Minh of an unprovoked North Vietnamese at- control, was rightly seen by the Vietnam- tack (so it’s claimed). One doesn’t know ese as a ploy by U.S. imperialism to buy whether to laugh or cry at the arrogance time, and as a sell-out by the Soviet Union. required to claim that point as the start of Though they had no faith that the the war, when probably hundreds of thou- United States would live up to the agree- sands of Vietnamese were already dead by ment, the Vietnamese had little choice but that time. Such is the level of dishonesty to go along. Their fears were justified in and subservience to power in American no time, as the United States made clear political culture. that the Geneva Accords were nothing Pinpointing where U.S. aggression in but paper that could be shredded into a Vietnam began depends on how one deter- million worthless pieces. As in dozens of mines how a war begins, but 1945 is a good other cases over the past 100-plus years, place to start in order to best understand the United States opposed democracy in what transpired over the ensuing 30 years. favor of aggression. Elections are all well It was in the summer of that year that and good but only if the right people win; Vietnamese revolutionary forces grouped if the wrong people win, then out come the around the Viet Minh defeated Japan, machine guns. whose army had invaded their country So in 1954, the United States threw four years before. Like so many around its considerable weight behind Ngo Dinh the world who suffered greatly under the Diem, an expatriate living at the time in forces of fascism and militarism during the a New Jersey seminary run by the arch- World War II, the Vietnamese considered reactionary Francis Cardinal Spellman, their victory the dawn of a new day. In and installed him as dictator of what was that spirit, Viet Minh leader Ho Chi Minh now known as South Vietnam. During read a proclamation inspired significantly Diem’s nine years in power, the United by the U.S. Declaration of Independence Continued on next page May 2015 • Industrial Worker • Page 15 Anti-War Building A New Anti-War Movement Continued from previous page and a fabrication. Still, Tet remains a bone even a little about the war knows that embargo essentially doomed hundreds of States looked on approvingly as he waged of contention for the most extreme sup- 58,000 U.S. soldiers died in Vietnam. thousands to death by starvation. That’s a war of terror against the people of the porters of the war who claim the United Only a tiny percentage, however, come an unpleasant truth, though, and it is so South. Resistance continued and eventu- States capably defeated the uprising only anywhere near the correct number of much easier to blame everything bad that ally grew, though for a time Washington to be sabotaged by anti-war media and Indochinese killed when polled. Noam happened in Cambodia after April 1975 on shifted its regional attention to neighbor- Democratic politicians. Chomsky has written of one poll where the despotic Khmer Rouge. ing Laos, where there was also a strong In reality, the Tet Offensive followed the average number of deaths given by However, though neither Vietnam nor insurgency fighting against a U.S.-backed the NLF strategy of never engaging the respondents was 200,000 and likens this Laos experienced the post-war cataclysm dictatorship. United States in a battle, as that word to people believing that 300,000 Jews of Cambodia, the war was so destructive That changed under the Kennedy is traditionally understood. It was a hit- were murdered in the Holocaust, as in that it could be argued that the United administration, however, as the United and-run operation with the purpose of both cases the count is off by a factor of States won in the sense that an alternative States expanded its aggression in Viet- inflicting great damage, yes, but designed 20. Such a gross misunderstanding under- mode of social organization was rendered nam and the resistance rapidly grew. The primarily to display once and for all that scores the effectiveness of the intellectual impossible (much like 1980s Nicaragua). resistance was led largely by the National its forces were formidable and the will of class in propagating a self-serving, highly The United States views all societies that Front for Liberation—successor group to the people unconquerable. In short, the distorted nature of the war—who suffered, put people before profits as a threat, par- the Viet Minh and known by its French goal was not to win a battle of Tet; the goal who died, who the wronged are. ticularly if they’re in the global South. It acronym NLF—but it was made up of a was to show anyone who still doubted that Even the largely accepted figure of 4 is the only way to understand the 50-plus broad cross section of Vietnamese society the United States could not win. I recall million Indochinese dead is probably low, years war of terror against Cuba, today’s including, significantly, a large number of reading years ago something said around possibly dramatically so, though the truth bellicosity directed at Venezuela and the Buddhist monks. the time of Tet by a Vietnamese elder who will most likely never be known. Those continuation of the war in Indochina in the Though Kennedy is often portrayed had probably seen as much death and best equipped to make that determination 1970s long after the United States knew it as desiring peace in Vietnam—something destruction as anyone who ever lived (I’m are the very ones who either waged the could not win. In large part because of the the Camelot mythmakers claim he sup- paraphrasing): “We can settle this now or war or have a vested interest in burying scale of destruction, Vietnam today is well posedly would have accomplished had he we can settle it a thousand years from now. its truths. As a U.S. general speaking of integrated into the global economy with not been assassinated—the sordid facts It’s up to the Americans.” a more recent conflagration put it: “We all the negatives that that entails, full of reveal the opposite. At every point where One group who became convinced don’t do body counts.” Not, anyway, when sweatshops, venture capitalists and major peace or even de-escalation could have after Tet that the Vietnamese were right the dead bodies are victims of American disparities in wealth and power. been achieved, Kennedy opted instead for in their assessment was the U.S. business violence. Discussions of Vietnam are hardly escalation: through saturation bombing, community. As always, their view, unlike Also completely ignored here is the academic exercises: the United States is through the widespread use of napalm generals, policy wonks and national poli- Vietnamese experience of Agent Orange currently on a global rampage and falsi- and other chemical weapons, through the ticians, was sober and geared to the long and post-traumatic stress disorder. Take fying history is part and parcel of the ef- organization of strategic hamlets (such a run. What they saw were war expenditures the terrible suffering of U.S. soldiers and fort to whip up support for the next war. great phrase, strategic hamlets: kind of that were a huge economic drain, attention multiply their numbers 10,000-fold or Because of the domestic gulf between like calling Auschwitz a country getaway), to Indochina that would have been better more and we get a sense of the damage rulers and ruled on the question of U.S. and, finally, through the introduction of placed in outdoing global competitors in to the Vietnamese. Additionally, Vietnam aggression, we have the United States go- ground troops. the expansion of markets, an army increas- and the rest of Indochina (the official ing ahead with a second invasion of Iraq Though a despot, Diem revealed ingly reluctant to fight, and the spread of histories generally and conveniently leave in 2003, destroying Libya, supporting himself to be a despot with something domestic insurgencies from the isolation out the wars waged against Laos and Cam- war-hungry neo-Nazis in Ukraine, threat- of a conscience in 1963 when, weary of of college campuses to crucial points of bodia) are full of un-exploded ordinances ening Venezuela and engaging in a proxy the fighting tearing apart his country, he production, most notably the Revolution- that regularly cause death and injuries, to war designed to destroy Syria, all despite independently made peace overtures to ary Union Movement sweeping the auto this day. And though Vietnam and Laos opposition from a majority of the public the NLF and unification overtures to the industry. were able to avoid catastrophic famine, on every count. Put simply, that means we North. It was a fateful decision, as Wash- One of the business elite’s first moves Cambodia was not. This is not surpris- will have to more effectively do our work ington soon ordered that he be taken out, was to push Johnson aside in favor of ing given that it’s a small country whose of building an anti-war, anti-imperialist and he was assassinated just three weeks Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy. countryside was bombed back to the Stone movement toward a day when we may live before Kennedy himself was murdered. Kennedy was a long-time Cold Warrior Age. Destruction on such a scale combined with the people of the world in something (It was this sequence of events that the going back to his days working with Joe with an ironclad U.S.-imposed post-war approximating harmony. great Malcolm X referred to as “chickens McCarthy and Roy Cohn whose plans for coming home to roost,” precipitating his Vietnam, much like his brother’s, were break with the Nation of Islam). predicated on victory first, and then peace. Kennedy’s successor Lyndon Johnson McCarthy, meanwhile, had no connection May Day Greetings 2015 was only in office nine months before he to the anti-war movement before or after fabricated the Gulf of Tonkin incident in his thoroughly opportunistic six-month ef- To my fellow members of August 1964, another Vietnam turning fort to cash in as the new Peace Candidate. point. The 1968 election serves as well as any The Friends of the Modern School. Simultaneously, Johnson—dubbed the example of the disparity between rulers “Peace Candidate” by some—was warning and ruled: a majority of the population in the nation that Barry Goldwater, his op- favor of immediate withdrawal having to ponent in that year’s presidential election, choose between candidates who all favored was a dangerously unhinged war monger. continuing the war. That theme produced the most memorable Richard Nixon’s Vietnamization— moment of the campaign, a TV ad featur- shifting the burden of the war to the South ing a little girl counting the petals she picks Vietnamese army—was Washington’s last off a flower that morphs into a countdown failed act. The killing continued and the to Armageddon. war was expanded to Laos and Cambodia, Once he secured re-election and with but still the United States could not win. the Gulf of Tonkin incident as justifica- Before the end, in 1973, the United States tion, Johnson, in early 1965, expanded perpetrated another fraud, the Paris Peace aggression to all of Vietnam via a massive Accords, every tenet of which Nixon vio- bombing campaign against the North lated before the ink on the document was (though the bulk of U.S. destruction was dry. By the time the revolutionary forces always directed at the South). Parentheti- took Saigon on April 30, 1975, the United cally, Johnson would later that year order States had been involved in Vietnam for an invasion of the Dominican Republic to 30 years. keep from power moderate reformer Juan The list of outstanding books about Bosch and provide the usual substantial Vietnam is a long one and mention will arms, money and diplomatic support be made only of recent scholarship by to a murderous coup in Indonesia that Christian Appy, who, among other contri- brought the butcher Suharto to power. butions, has meticulously documented the At least 500,000 people were killed dur- working-class nature of the war and the The NYC Modern School, Photo: wikimedia.org ing the coup and its aftermath; Amnesty domestic opposition to it. That flies in the circa 1911–1912. International, generally blind to crimes face of the official history, as elites prefer committed by the United States and its to foster the notion that the movement proxies, puts the figure at 1.5 million. The consisted exclusively of privileged white Keeping alive the memory of the Stelton Peace Candidate, indeed. college students. In reality, workers and So it remained in Vietnam for three the poor opposed U.S. aggression in higher Modern School, and dedicated to education years, a yin and yang of escalation and numbers from start to finish, and not only for rational thinking, to end ethnic preju- heightened resistance, until the Tet Of- because sons of the working class were far fensive in January 1968. Before Tet, the more likely to do the fighting. Ineluctably, dices and ending war, atrocities, genocide, United States had largely gotten away with it was overwhelmingly working-class ac- lying about the progress of the war, the tive duty resisters and recently returned and worship of The State and State-ism. burgeoning anti-war movement notwith- veterans whose opposition to the war ulti- standing. After Tet, it was clear that the mately proved decisive on the home front. Raymond S. Solomon promised victory at hand was delusional Virtually every American who knows Page 16 • Industrial Worker • May 2015 International News Briefs Strikes, Worker Revolts Worldwide ficials have pushed back against the demands of the power- ful union. That same day, The IWW formed the International Solidarity Commission to help the union build the Chilean airline the worker-to-worker solidarity that can lead to effective action against the LATAM canceled bosses of the world. To contact the ISC, email [email protected]. flights within Ar- gentina as well as international flights A Salute To The Workers to and from Argen- tina. The ongoing transportation strike Of The World On May 1! for higher wages and The International Solidarity Commission (ISC) sends revolutionary greetings lower taxes affected to friends, comrades, and fellow workers around the globe for this year’s May 1 both international celebration. and domestic flights 2015 is a special year for us as it marks the 110th anniversary of the Industrial across Argentina, as Pou Yuen Vietnam shoe factory workers strike. Photo: rfa.org Workers of the World’s founding by delegates and leaders of radical North Ameri- airport workers can unions in Chicago in the summer of 1905. We are proud of our 110 years of Compiled by FW Bill B. joined the strike. LATAM flights into struggle for a better world, but we know that we still have a long way to go to real- and from Buenos Aires’ Jorge Newbery ize our vision of the global workers’ revolution. Vietnam: Shoe Factory Workers Airfield, as well as in Cordoba and Men- Over the past decade we have seen struggles intensifying; so, too, is the brutali- Strike For Six Days doza, were canceled. Some international ty of the state and its capitalist masters in their response. All over the world, people Factory workers went on strike in Ho LATAM flights to and from Ezeiza Inter- are fighting to expand their labor rights and better their conditions. Chi Minh City at the end of March 2015. national Airport also faced cancellation or From the platinum mines of South Africa where workers occupied and battled Workers gathered in and around the Pou rescheduling. state violence to the factories of Saveh Steel Rolling in Iran, where workers struck Yuen Vietnam shoe factory to protest a and won improvements, the ISC salutes the bravery and sacrifice of those fellow change in social insurance coverage. Turn- Greece: Anarchists Occupy Public workers who have given their all for humanity. out was estimated in the hundreds, and no Buildings During Protests The ISC assists and supports these struggles as much as possible by building in- incidents of violence were reported. Hun- On April 1, approximately 20 anar- ternational solidarity all year round. Workers have chosen May 1 the world over as dreds of workers gathered both inside and chists gained access to the parliament a symbol for international solidarity. So let’s stand together as workers, celebrate outside the facility to carry out protests as building’s courtyard in central Syntagma the May Day inspired by international solidarity, and work to better our global part of the strike. The owner of the com- Square in Athens while protesting high- movement. pany, Taiwan’s Pou Chen Corp., indicated security prisons as well as demanding the that the company was working to resolve release of several Marxist prisoners. Mean- Solidarity Forever, the issue but was limited by the fact the while, other small groups of anarchists J. Pierce, Yusuf C., Florian H. (ISC Chair), and Anders M. (European workers were protesting a national labor occupied multiple government offices in Regional Administration) law. An estimated 80,000 people work at the southern town of Patras, the office the factory. The workers concluded their of a government employee in Heraklion strike on April 2, after six consecutive days. and the town hall of an Athens suburb. The strike ended after Vietnamese officials Furthermore, protesters began occupying Polish Miners Strike, Clash With Police stated that no changes will take place until parts of a Thessaloniki University; they By John Kalwaic the end of 2015. also began occupying multiple offices of In January and February 2015 miners an Athens university. went on a volatile strike in Poland. The Moldova: Hundreds Of Farmers Polish miners went on strike because of Protest Throughout Country Benin: Government Grants Conces- “cost cutting measures” mining companies On March 27, hundreds of farmers sions To Public Sector Workers were demanding of their employees that gathered throughout the country to pro- According to reports, the government would include layoffs. The Polish govern- test the government’s decision to increase recently granted a number of concessions ment voted in favor of the “Governmental the goods and services (GST) tax on farm to workers of the education, health and ju- Recovery Act,” designed by the Boston products from 8 to 20 percent. In addition, dicial sectors in an effort to end a series of Consulting Group, which provides services the farmers also demanded an increase in strikes that have plagued the country since to such corporations as IBM, Google, Tata state subsidies, cheaper bank loans and 2012. The government agreed to increase Group and the Russian Ministry of Energy. Photo: politicalcritique.org compensation for increased gas prices. salaries of all teachers and to disburse The “restructuring plan” included the been one of Poland’s largest strikes since The farmers parked tractors on the sides subsidies for the schools’ budgets. For the privatization and closure of many state- the 1980s when Lech Walesa was head of of major roads during the protest. health sector workers who agreed to end a owned mines. When the restructuring plan the NSZZ trade union movement, which strike that began on March 27, the govern- was announced, thousands of miners from brought down the government. Poland Belgium: Protest Causes Transpor- ment agreed to hire an additional 7,000 across Poland went on strike. Many held is also currently experiencing unrest and tation Delays In Brussels personnel for the health centers that are demonstrations and blockaded railways. protests from farmers, who are objecting On March 30, between 17,000 and short on staff. The government also agreed The two main labor federations that rep- to the importation of genetically modified 20,000 people gathered in central Brus- to hire more judges and to disburse a fuel resent miners—Niezależny Samorządny foods. Of course, unlike the 1980s protest sels to protest the government’s austerity allowance to the judicial workers. Związek Zawodowy (NSZZ, also known against the “communist” government, measures, which include cuts in public as Solidarność) and the Ogólnopolskie much of the Western press has been silent funding. Public transportation staff par- Brazil: Small Protest Against Olym- Porozumienie Związków Zawodowych about the protest in this Western allied ticipated in the protest, causing transpor- pic Construction Causes Major Traf- (OPZZ)—agreed to go on strike. nation. Although coal mining is incred- tation delays in the city. Both metro and fic Jam In Rio De Janeiro On Feb. 10 Polish miners clashed with ibly destructive to the environment as an tram services were running at 50 percent On April 1, approximately 30 residents police who shot rubber bullets at them. industry, we should support our fellow capacity. Bus services were also affected, from the Vila Autodrom favela, located One of the main companies, Jastrzebska workers in the industry who are striking but to a lesser extent. near the Olympic Park, blocked the main Spolka Weglowa (JSW), was financially against the company. The bosses right now Abelardo Bueno Avenue that leads into hurt by the strike. The two sides finally have no intention of abandoning fossil Algeria: Air Algeria Cabin Crew Rio de Janeiro during morning rush hour. came to halt on Feb. 16. The miners agreed fuels and helping laid-off miners transfer Stage Strike The roadblock occurred as the residents to work Saturdays and to have their bonus- to better safer jobs. At approximately 5 a.m. on March protested against the government’s inten- es tied to the companies’ earnings. This has With files from Political Critique. 30, cabin crew members of Air Algeria tion to raze the Vila Autodromo in order to launched a strike over poor working con- build an access road to the Olympic Park. ditions. However, the strike was called The residents are refusing to leave, even off at 3 p.m. following negotiations with though the favela is not equipped with Guest Workers Protest In United Arab Emirates authorities. The strike was reportedly basic services such as water and electricity. countries like India, Pakistan, Ban- widely followed and caused the suspension The protest caused at least three miles of gladesh, Sir Lanka and Nepal, these of at least 15 international flights at Houari traffic in Rio de Janeiro’s southern Barra workers are in the UAE temporarily Boumediene Airport; however, normal de Tijuca neighborhood. While the protest on work visas. Riot police showed up operations resumed later in the day. was relatively small, it was the first one and allegedly negotiated between the to be held directly against the Olympics. boss and the workers. The construc- Argentina: Nationwide tion workers wore green uniforms Transportation Strike Italy: Nationwide Public with green hard hats as they cheered Argentina’s transportation unions Transport Strike when the dispute was resolved. Guest called a nationwide strike on March 31 On March 30, public transportation workers in the Gulf region experience Photo: aljazeera.com to protest high inflation and income tax workers in major cities across Italy staged By John Kalwaic poor conditions and low pay. In some rates. Many businesses across the country a four-hour strike. Buses, metro, trams In Dubai, the capital city of United of the Gulf countries, including the UAE, closed as the small yet critical part of the and trains in Rome halted services at 8:30 Arab Emirates (UAE), hundreds of strikes and unions are illegal. So it is up Argentine workforce shut down trains, a.m. Both Bologna and southern Naples South Asian construction guest workers to the workers to have creative, sponta- buses and subways. Because the trans- held transport strikes from 9:30 a.m. to gathered outside the Dubai Mall near neous actions, and many times they face portation union represents many airport 1:30 p.m. The Unione Sindacale di Base the world’s tallest building on March 10 repression. workers, airports canceled many domestic cited cuts to local welfare and social ser- to demand a pay bonus. Coming from With files from Al Jazeera. and international flights. Government of- vices as the reason for the work stoppage.