INDUSTRIAL Official newspaper O f T h e I n d u s t r i a l w O r k eWORKER r s o f t h e w O r l d A pril 2010 #1724 Vol. 107 N o . 3 $1/ £ 1/ €1

Obituary: A Bangladesh Special: Int’l. Update on FAU’s personal reflection Garment Workers Women’s Day struggle at Babylon on Howard Zinn 5 speak out 6 Report 7 Cinema 12 German IWW Campaigns Against Ford Motor Company First “Eurest Day of Action” for Canteen Workers’ Rights By Elmar Stuhlfauth the canteens run by the subcontractor The four millionth Ford car pro- Eurest are paid minimum wages and duced in Germany rolled off the assem- are severely harassed and bullied. The bly line on Feb. 5. The car was a silver canteen managers try to kick the work- Ford Fiesta, and the assembly hall in ers’ council representatives out of the Cologne was prepared for a big celebra- canteens by means of legal and illegal tion. The German Minister of Economic tricks, such as false accusations, threats, Affairs, Rainer Bruederle, was present, and psychological terror. as was Ford Europe boss John Fleming, The protesters spread about 1,100 who praised the Cologne plant as the leaflets to the Ford workers demand- biggest Ford facility for production and ing that Ford immediately fire Eurest as development outside of the U.S. In com- their catering subcontractor and urging bination with the Belgian plant in Genk, the workers to not eat Eurest meals until the German Ford locations in Cologne humane working conditions are estab- and Saarlouis produce about one mil- lished. They carried a banner and gave lion cars a year, 80 percent of which are away stickers saying “Compass leaves a exported to about 60 countries. foul taste!” referring to Compass Group Only three days later, before sun- PLC, which owns Eurest. rise on Feb. 8, Cologne Wobblies and Eurest is the largest canteen and friends from local social movements and catering company in Europe. In Ger- anti-fascist groups hit the scene. They many they employ 8,400 people at about gathered at the parking lot in front of the 700 locations. The Compass Group PLC, Ford Development Center in Cologne- listed on the London Stock Exchange Merkenich with the goal of illuminating amongst the Top 100, has an estimated the dark side of the Ford success story 388,000 employees around the globe. Photo: x 355622 in Cologne: that the people working in Continued on 7 Feb. 8: London IWW picket at University College Hospital’s Eurest staff location. What’s Next For The British Royal Mail Dispute? By X365825 millionaire Football Association failure Brownie points and brown tongues were over the deal they will be asked to vote When Communications Work- and Royal Mail Chief Executive who said once again the order of the day for the on in four months. Rumors abound that ers Union (CWU) members voted for postal workers were underworked and Communication Managers Association extra payments for delivering unad- industrial action last summer, many of overpaid; and local delivery office man- section of the Unite union. Royal Mail al- dressed leaflets will be abolished and us were surprised by the level of sup- agers who had spent the two years since ways uses its managers as a pool of scabs that later start times will be introduced, port given the total letdown by the union the previous strikes honing their bully- during disputes. At vast expense it flies meaning mail will be delivered up to tea hierarchy after the 2007 strikes. Most ing and harassment skills. As one CWU these people around the country and time including Saturdays. Considering of us knew the leadership would let us representative put it, “I don’t have to say puts them up in hotels for days on end, there used to be a Royal Mail standard down again, and we were not wrong. As anything. The way the DOM [Delivery so they can clear any backlog of mail that of delivering the last letter of the first they had done in 2007, the Executive Office Manager] treats people will make has built up during a strike and prevent delivery by 9:30 a.m., this is quite a slide Committee called off the strikes just as sure they vote for industrial action.” any postal worker from booking an hour in performance. The Executive Commit- they were taking effect. In one sense, the Royal Mail played its usual trick of or two in overtime. tee of the CWU and their “partners” at 2009 letdown was worse because, with telling the media that the strikes were Picket lines were well supported, as the top of Royal Mail management don’t Christmas on the way, Royal Mail were not well supported by counting work- photographs on various internet sites work Saturdays. They’ll still be able to really coming under pressure. ers off as ill, on holiday or on their day show, but just as the strikes were begin- follow their football team, spend time Three of the best assets the CWU off, and not being on strike. Managers ning to bite, the Executive Committee of with their families, and pursue a hobby had in the buildup to industrial action were shunted around the country in the the CWU called them off for “meaningful of some sort, so this won’t affect them. were Peter Mandleson, who was playing usual massive scabbing exercise despite negotiations.” Royal Mail likes to see itself as “family- the role of mouthpiece for senior Royal being instructed by their own union, As I write this, the membership of friendly,” but the term obviously doesn’t Mail management; Adam Crozier, the Unite, not to break CWU picket lines. the CWU have been kept in the dark Continued on 11

Industrial Worker Periodicals Postage Kati Moore Inspires Starbucks District Managers PO Box 180195 PO Box 180195 PAID Chicago, IL 60618 Chicago, IL 60618, USA Cincinnati, OH To Expose High-Level Sexual Harassment and additional By Starbucks Workers Union a favorite of ISSN 0019-8870 mailing offices In a risky departure from the normal top company ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED chain of command, a group of Star- brass, and state bucks district managers has authored an that they were impassioned letter to top executives in compelled to act Seattle demanding that action be taken after a widely- against a company vice president alleg- watched “20/20” edly engaged in pervasive sexual harass- television seg- ment. ment aired on The letter, which was made available Starbucks barista Graphic: starbucksunion.org to the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, Kati Moore who was repeatedly raped alleges that New York Regional Vice by her supervisor and then subjected President Andrew Alfano has created to intimidation tactics from Starbucks' an unsafe work environment with his lawyers. behavior and is responsible for the de- The SWU has made the letter avail- parture of two female regional directors, able on its website at: http://www.star- among many other troubling charges. bucksunion.org/files/dmletter.pdf. The district managers are demand- For full background, check out “SWU ing disciplinary action against Alfano, Solidarity With Kati Moore” on page 3. Page 2 • Industrial Worker • April 2010

NFL Players Are Not Workers Too ers greedily feed: the groundskeepers, court in January, but the court upheld Howdy Fellow Workers, janitors, concession sellers, etc…do NOT its earlier ruling. The FAU’s lawyer says The decision to publish the series share in the football trough, since it is to they will appeal to the Federal Constitu- of articles entitled “Football Through the players’ advantage NOT to pay them tional Court, if necessary. Labor’s Lens,” which appears on page 9 a fair wage. These “union” football play- Another error in that piece is the of the February/March and April issues ers could show real solidarity with the statement that Berlin has a “red-green” of the Industrial Worker, is significantly fellow workers by refusing to play unless coalition government. In fact the local disturbing on several levels. ALL stadium employees receive fair and government is a coalition of the Social None of these football players, under equitable wages and benefits. But don’t Democratic Party and a socialist party, any circumstances, would be consid- hold your breath for that to happen. Die Linke (The Left). Die Linke appar- Letters Welcome! ered “working class.” They are overpaid Let’s maintain our focus on the ently has connections to the manage- Send your letters to: [email protected] professional celebrities, many of them real labor movement, and no a bunch ment of the theater. Last September Die multi-millionaires, who earn more in of spoiled millionaire cry babies. Brett Linke held its pre-election campaign with “Letter” in the subject. one year than most workers will ever Favre is no Joe Hill. party at the cinema despite the fact that Mailing address: earn in their entire lifetimes. None of Up the revolution! the workers at the cinema had organized IW, PO Box 7430, JAF Station, New them would ever serve as likely role X365465 a boycott. York, NY 10116, United States models for the IWW. Tom Wetzel Furthermore, many of them are of Corrections To FAU Berlin Story May Day Announcements the employer class themselves, rather Dear IW, New IWW Branch Forms In Bristol than being simple union workers. They I see you published my piece on the The IWW, a union for all workers, Announcements for the annual have retinues or drivers, ground keep- FAU Berlin struggle for union freedom, has started a new branch in Bristol. We Photo: iww.org “May Day” Industrial Worker deadline ers, business agents, managers and so entitled “Fight For Union Freedom In have been active for several months and is April 2. Celebrate the real labor day on, who are employed by the individual Germany: Workers Struggle At Babylon were prominent in support the CWU with a message of solidarity! Send an- players to enhance their exorbitant Cinema” which appears on page 1 of strike before Christmas. This is a proper nouncements to [email protected]. lifestyle. the February/March IW. Unfortunately rank and file union. All decisions are Much appreciated donations for the Finally, there is no sense of work- you published an earlier version which made by the members, and there are no following sizes should be sent to IWW ing class solidarity in the mindset of contained some errors. paid officers, nor is there any link to any One error in that piece is the state- GHQ, PO Box 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 these “union” football players, in that political party. Keep an eye open for a they have no qualms whatsoever about ment that the ver.di trade union was massive poster campaign, and support USA. crossing picket lines of other unions. In a party to the lawsuit to get the FAU work against the excesses of capitalism. $12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide addition, they are of a similar parasite banned as a union. In fact ver.di did not Come and join! Contact us at bristoli- $40 for 4” by 2 columns consciousness when it comes to the intervene in court at all. The legal action [email protected] or 07506592180, or PO $90 for a quarter page demands concerning wages and hours against FAU was entirely the work of the Box 4, 82 Colston Street, BS1 5BB. An of the non-union employees upon whom lawyers for the New Babylon cinema. injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity both the players’ union and the own- Also, the FAU finally did get it’s day in is strength!! Industrial Worker IWW directory The Voice of Revolutionary Industrial Unionism Australia Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 3L7, Hawaii Upstate NY GMB: PO Box 235, Albany 12201- IWW Regional Organising Committee: PO Box 1866, 705-749-9694, [email protected] Honolulu: Tony Donnes, del., [email protected] 0235, 518-833-6853 or 518-861-5627. www. Organization Albany, WA www.iww.org.au Toronto GMB: c/o Libra Knowledge & Information upstate-nyiww.org, [email protected], Education Sydney: PO Box 241, Surry Hills. Svcs Co-op, PO Box 353 Stn. A, M5W 1C2. 416-919- Idaho Rochelle Semel, del., PO Box 172, Fly Creek 13337, 7392. [email protected] Boise: Ritchie Eppink, del., PO Box 453, 83701. 607-293-6489, [email protected]. Emancipation Melbourne: PO Box 145, Moreland 3058. Québec (208) 371-9752. [email protected] Hudson Valley GMB: PO Box 48, Huguenot,12746, Montreal: [email protected] British Isles Illinois 845-858-8851, [email protected], http://hviww. Official newspaper of the IWW Regional Organising Committee: PO Box 1158, Europe blogspot.com/ Newcastle Upon Tyne NE99 4XL. [email protected], Chicago GMB: 2117 W. Irving Park Rd., 60618. Industrial Workers Ohio www.iww.org.uk Finland 773-857-1090. of the World Baristas United Campaign: baristasunited.org.uk Helsinki: Reko Ravela, Otto Brandtintie 11 B 25, Central Ill GMB: 903 S. Elm, Champaign, IL, 61820. Ohio Valley GMB: PO Box 42233, Cincinnati 45242. 00650. [email protected] Post Office Box 180195 National Blood Service Campaign: nbs.iww.org 217-356-8247 Textile & Clothing Workers IU 410, PO Box 317741 Chicago, IL 60618 USA Bradford: [email protected] German Language Area Freight Truckers Hotline: 224-353-7189, mtw530@ Cincinnati, OH 45231. [email protected] IWW German Language Area Regional Organizing iww.org Bristol: PO Box 4, 82 Colston street, BS1 5BB. Tel. Oklahoma 773.857.1090 • [email protected] Committee (GLAMROC): Post Fach 19 02 03, 60089 Waukegan: PO Box 274, 60079. www.iww.org 07506592180. [email protected] Frankfurt/M, Germany [email protected] Tulsa: PO Box 213 Medicine Park 73557, 580-529- 3360. Burnley: [email protected] www.wobblies.de Indiana Oregon Cambridge: IWW c/o Arjuna, 12 Mill Road, Cam- Austria: [email protected], www.iwwaustria. Lafayette GMB: P.O. Box 3793, West Lafayette, IN General Secretary-Treasurer: bridge CB1 2AD [email protected] wordpress.com 47906, 765-242-1722 Lane County: 541-953-3741. www.eugeneiww.org Joe Tessone Dorset: [email protected] Frankfurt am Main: [email protected]. Iowa Portland GMB: 2249 E Burnside St., 97214, 503- Eastern Iowa GMB: 114 1/2 E. College Street 231-5488. [email protected], pdx.iww.org General Executive Board: Dumfries: [email protected] Goettingen: [email protected]. Iowa City, IA 52240 [email protected] Monika Vykoukal, Koala Largess, Hull: [email protected] Koeln: [email protected]. Portland: Red and Black Cafe, 400 SE 12th Ave, Maine 97214, 503-231-3899, redandblackbooking@ London GMB: c/o Freedom Bookshop, Angel Alley, Munich: [email protected] Robert Rush, Ryan Gaughan, Evan Barry Rodrigue, 75 Russell Street, Bath, ME 04530. 84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX. Tel. Luxembourg: [email protected] , 0352 691 31 99 71 riseup.net Wolfson, Slava Osowska, Bob +44 (0) 20 3393 1295, [email protected] (207)-442-7779 Switzerland: [email protected] Pennsylvania Ratynski London Building Workers IU 330 Branch: c/o Adam Maryland Lancaster GMB: PO Box 796, Lancaster, PA 17608. Lincoln, UCU, Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH Greece Baltimore IWW: PO Box 33350, Baltimore MD 21218, [email protected] Editor & Graphic Designer : Athens: Themistokleous 66 Exarhia Athens Philadelphia GMB: PO Box 42777, Philadelphia, PA Leicestershire GMB and DMU IU620 Job Branch: 19101. 215-222-1905. [email protected]. Union Diane Krauthamer Unit 107, 40 Halford St., Leicester LE1 1TQ, England. [email protected] Massachusetts [email protected] Hall: 4530 Baltimore Ave., 19143. Tel. 07981 433 637, [email protected] www. Netherlands: [email protected] Boston Area GMB: PO Box 391724, Cambridge leicestershire-iww.org.uk Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: papercrane- United States 02139. 617-469-5162. Final Edit Committee : [email protected], 610-358-9496. Leeds: [email protected] Cape Cod/SE Massachusetts: PO Box 315, West Manchester: [email protected] www.iww- Arizona Pittsburgh GMB : PO Box 831, Monroeville, Maria Rodriguez Gil, Tom Levy, Barnstable, MA 02668 [email protected] Nick Jusino, Slava Osowska, FW manchester.org.uk Phoenix GMB: 1205 E Hubble, 85006-1758. (602) PA,15146. [email protected] Western Mass. Public Service IU 650 Branch: IWW, D. Keenan, Mathieu Dube, Joseph Norwich: [email protected]. www.iww-norwich. 486-9014 or (480) 946-2160. [email protected] Rhode Island org.uk Po Box 1581, Northampton 01061. Pigg, Ryan Boyd Arkansas Providence GMB: P.O. Box 5795, 02903. 508-367- Nottingham: [email protected] Fayetteville: PO Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859, Michigan 6434. [email protected] Detroit GMB: 22514 Brittany Avenue, E. Detroit, MI Printer: Reading: [email protected] [email protected]. Texas 48021. [email protected]. Saltus Press Sheffield: [email protected] DC Dallas & Fort Worth: 1618 6th Ave, Fort Worth, TX Grand Rapids GMB: PO Box 6629, Grand Rapids MI Worcester, MA DC GMB (Washington): 741 Morton St NW, Washing- 76104. Somerset: [email protected] 49516. 616-881-5263 Tyne and Wear: c/o Philip Le Marquand, 36 Abbot ton DC, 20010. 571-276-1935. South Texas IWW: [email protected] Central Michigan: 5007 W. Columbia Rd., Mason Next deadline is Court, Gateshead NE8 3JY. [email protected]. Utah uk. California 48854. 517-676-9446, happyhippie66@hotmail. April 2, 2010. Los Angeles GMB: PO Box 811064, 90081. (310)205- com. Salt Lake City: 801-485-1969. tr_wobbly@yahoo West Midlands: The Warehouse, 54-57 Allison Street 2667. [email protected] .com Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5TH [email protected] Minnesota US IW mailing address: www.wmiww.org. North Coast GMB: PO Box 844, Eureka 95502-0844. Vermont 707-725-8090, [email protected]. Twin Cities GMB: 79 13th Ave NE Suite 103A Burlington GMB: P.O. Box 8005,Burlington, VT, IW, PO Box 7430, JAF Sta- York: [email protected] Minneapolis MN 55413. [email protected]. tion, New York, NY 10116 San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Buyback 05402. 802-540-2541 Scotland IU 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Fabrics Red River IWW: POB 103, Moorhead, MN 56561 Job Shop and IU 410 Garment and Textile Worker’s 218-287-0053. [email protected]. Washington ISSN 0019-8870 Aberdeen: aberdeen@ iww.org.uk Industrial Organizing Committee; Shattuck Cinemas) Missouri Bellingham: P.O. Box 1793, 98227. BellinghamI- Periodicals postage Clydeside GMB: c/o IWW PO Box 7593, Glasgow, G42 PO Box 11412, Berkeley 94712. 510-845-0540. [email protected] 360-920-6240. paid Cincinnati, OH. 2EX. [email protected] http://iwwscotland. Kansas City GMB: c/o 5506 Holmes St., 64110. Tacoma IWW: P.O. Box 2052, Tacoma, WA 98401 wordpress.com. Evergreen Printing: 2335 Valley Street, Oakland, CA 94612. 510-835-0254 [email protected]. 816-523-3995. [email protected] Dumfries and Galloway GMB: [email protected] Olympia GMB: PO Box 2775, 98507, 360-878-1879. Postmaster: Send address Edinburgh IWW: c/o 17 W. Montgomery Place, San Jose: [email protected]. Montana changes to IW, Post Office Box EH7 5HA. 0131-557-6242, [email protected] Colorado Two Rivers GMB: PO Box 9366, Missoula, MT 59807, [email protected] [email protected] 406-459-7585. Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934. 180195 Chicago, IL 60618 USA Canada Denver GMB: c/o P&L Printing Job Shop: 2298 Clay, Denver 80211. 303-433-1852. Construction Workers IU 330: 406-490-3869, 206-339-4179. [email protected] [email protected]. SUBSCRIPTIONS Alberta Four Corners (AZ, CO, NM, UT): 970-903-8721, Wisconsin Edmonton GMB: PO Box 75175, T6E 6K1. edmon- Individual Subscriptions: $18 [email protected]. New Jersey [email protected], edmonton.iww.ca. Madison GMB: PO Box 2442, 53703-2442. www. International Subscriptions: $20 Florida Central New Jersey GMB: PO Box 10021, New Bruns- madisoniww.info. Library Subs: $24/year British Columbia Gainesville GMB: 1021 W. University, 32601. 352- wick 08906. 732-801-7001 [email protected] Lakeside Press IU 450 Job Shop: 1334 Williamson, Vancouver IWW: 204-2274 York Ave., Vancouver, BC, Union dues includes subscription. 246-2240, [email protected] New Mexico 53703. 608-255-1800. www.lakesidepress.org. V6K 1C6. Phone/fax 604-732-9613. gmb-van@iww. Pensacola GMB: PO Box 2662, Pensacola, FL 32513- ca, vancouver.iww.ca, vancouverwob.blogspot.com Albuquerque: 202 Harvard Dr. SE, 87106. 505-227- Madison Infoshop Job Shop: 1019 Williamson St. #B, Published monthly with the excep- 2662. 840-437-1323, [email protected], 0206, [email protected]. www.angelfire.com/fl5/iww 53703. 608-262-9036. tion of March and September. Manitoba Just Coffee Job Shop IU 460: 1129 E. Wilson, Madi- Winnipeg GMB: IWW, c/o WORC, PO Box 1, R3C 2G1. St Petersburg/Tampa: Frank Green,P.O. Box 5058, New York Gulfport, FL 33737. (727)324-9517. NoWageSlaves@ Binghamton Education Workers Union: bingham- son, 53703 608-204-9011, justcoffee.coop Articles not so designated do [email protected], garth.hardy@union. org.za. gmail.com [email protected] GDC Local 4: P.O. Box 811, 53701. 608-262-9036. not reflect the IWW’s NYC GMB: PO Box 7430, JAF Station, New York City Ontario Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455- Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. official position. 6608. 772-545-9591 [email protected] 10116, [email protected]. www.wobblycity.org [email protected]. Ottawa-Outaouais GMB & GDC Local 6: PO Box Starbucks Campaign: 44-61 11th St. Fl. 3, Long 52003, 298 Dalhousie St. K1N 1S0, 613-225-9655, Georgia Island City, NY 11101 [email protected] Milwaukee GMB: PO Box 070632, 53207. 414-481- Press Date: March 22, 2010. [email protected] French: [email protected]. Atlanta: M. Bell, 404.693.4728, [email protected] www.starbucksunion.org 3557. April 2010 • Industrial Worker • Page 3 Starbucks Workers Union Solidarity With Kati Moore By the IWW Starbucks Workers from sexual abuse, in addition to the made was that what happened was a once more (since it paid his legal fees in Union laws surrounding sexual harassment “consensual relationship.” This state- the earlier case where he was convicted Kati Moore is a hero. in the workplace. As with many claims ment is not only false in more ways than of statutory rape) and framing Moore as We, as workers at Starbucks, stand of sexual harassment at Starbucks, the one, but de-criminalizes the actions “wanting it.” in complete solidarity with former baris- person being harassed (in this case, Kati) of Tim Horton and re-victimizes the Furthermore, in a sexual relation- ta, Kati Moore. Kati, at 20 years old, has was transferred to another store while experience of Kati Moore and others that ship between a worker and a boss, the far more integrity than the Starbucks’ the perpetrator received no repercus- have experienced sexual abuse. boss is the one held accountable in the CEO, Howard Schultz. She has taken a sions for what they had done. As defined by California penal code relationship, because they are in a posi- fierce stand on behalf of every worker The law proclaims what Horton did 261.5, sex with a minor (under age 18) tion of power. Thus, according to the who has been made to feel that they were was wrong, so why doesn’t Starbucks? is illegal and considered statutory rape. first Supreme Court decision on sexual merely the sexual property of an abusive, When the company got word that “Rape,” by definition, is NEVER con- harassment: “The question is not wheth- manipulative employer. When Kati came Kati’s story—which has been public sensual. Under the law, Tim Horton er the employee’s conduct was voluntary forward, we felt that she did so in an ef- knowledge for years—would be aired raped Kati Moore and he is held respon- but whether the boss’s conduct was fort to protect each and every barista at on national television, Starbucks is- sible for having sex with a minor. This unwelcome…An employer can be held Starbucks, and every underage employee sued several company-wide memos relationship was by no means consen- liable for sexual harassment committed working in retail, from experiencing her that reeked of lies and deception. The sual, and by saying it was, Starbucks is by supervisors if it knew or should have pain. We hope that her courage will give most disgusting assertion the company effectively stating its support of Horton known about the conduct and did noth- others the strength to speak up, and the ing to correct it.” (Meritor Savings Banks strength to fight back when they feel they v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57, 40FEP Cases are at their weakest. Kati’s experience 1822). Therefore, even if Kati’s part in shows us that we CAN stare down corpo- the relationship was “voluntary,” the rations like Starbucks and declare that relationship is NOT consensual. Under we deserve to feel safe at work, that we the law, Kati experienced sexual harass- deserve respect, and that we, if victim- ment and assault. Kati herself describes ized, are not alone. the relationship as coercive, saying she Kati Moore filed a lawsuit against feared for her job. Starbucks is respon- Starbucks in 2007 because of the com- sible for their inaction, because under pany’s failure to act when she told her Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employ- manager about the abuse she was going ers are liable to prevent and stop sexual through. She is rightfully suing for mon- harassment of their employees. etary damages due to Starbucks’ failure Therefore, Kati is not responsible to comply with the law when her superi- for her actions in the eyes of the law, ors in the company obtained knowledge but Horton and Starbucks definitely are of sexual assault between a minor and an responsible. adult, as well as a worker and a boss. Whether Kati wins or loses, our main At the age of 16, Kati was introduced concern as workers is Starbucks’ poor to the workforce with her first job as a treatment of employees who come for- barista at a Starbucks in Orange County, ward with cases of sexual harassment. Calif. She was quickly taken advantage of At Starbucks, sexual harassment by her then 24 year old shift supervisor, issues are often joked about. Many who Tim Horton. Horton coerced Kati into come forward do so through accessing a sexually abusive relationship. As the the supposedly confidential “Ethics Hot- situation worsened, Kati bravely sought line” only to have the information spread help by disclosing the abuse to her as- throughout the store, to get transferred sistant store manager. without their consent, or to be told that By not doing anything to stop the they are lying. In several instances, abuse or hold Horton accountable for claims are said to be under investiga- his actions, the manager violated various tion but are never discussed again and laws that are in place to protect minors meanwhile an abused or otherwise vio- Graphic: Tom Keough lated worker must work alongside their IWW Constitution Preamble perpetrator. In that time, the worker Join the IWW Today may experience retaliation for coming The working class and the employing he IWW is a union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the forward or be pushed into quitting in class have nothing in common. There can job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions order to feel safe. We have even heard be no peace so long as hunger and want today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and of circumstances where perpetrators are found among millions of working T distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire popu- of sexual harassment at Starbucks who people and the few, who make up the em- lation, not merely a handful of exploiters. ploying class, have all the good things of were seen as favorites were promoted We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially ­– life. Between these two classes a struggle in order to have them transferred away that is to say, we organize all workers on the job into one union, rather than dividing must go on until the workers of the world from their victim(s). organize as a class, take possession of the workers by trade, so that we can pool our strength to fight the bosses together. No one should ever have to choose means of production, abolish the wage Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have recognized the need to build a truly between their livelihood and their per- system, and live in harmony with the international union movement in order to confront the global power of the bosses sonal safety and well being. earth. and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fellow In Kati’s case, one could make a We find that the centering of the man- workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. decent argument that Starbucks’ poor agement of industries into fewer and fewer We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have training for managers on sexual harass- hands makes the trade unions unable to representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- ment is to blame. Regardless of who is cope with the ever-growing power of the nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition at fault for the actual offenses, or for the employing class. The trade unions foster but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes creation of the environment that made a state of affairs which allows one set of this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with them commonplace at Kati’s store, Star- workers to be pitted against another set an unsafe machine or following the bosses’ orders so literally that nothing gets done. bucks is most certainly to blame for their of workers in the same industry, thereby Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific disgusting choice of legal representation. helping defeat one another in wage wars. workplace, or across an industry. By using Akin Gump, the same law firm Moreover, the trade unions aid the employ- Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what issues that Starbucks employs to attempt to de- ing class to mislead the workers into the to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. stroy the union organizing efforts of its belief that the working class have interests in common with their employers. employees, it becomes abundantly clear TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation how Starbucks feels about their workers. 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 Time and again, Starbucks ferociously 60618, USA. defends its fortune and public image at only by an organization formed in such Initiation is the same as one month’s dues. Our dues are calculated a way that all its members in any one in- the expense of common decency. “They according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues dustry, or all industries if necessary, cease are trying to defend themselves by call- are $9 a month. If your monthly income is between $2000 and $3500, work whenever a strike or lockout is on in ing me a slut,” said Kati. “It’s intimida- any department thereof, thus making an dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues tion. It’s harassing to sit though deposi- injury to one an injury to all. are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional tion and just be re-victimized.” Instead of the conservative motto, “A Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). When Kati decided to go public with fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” we __I affirm that I am a worker, and that I am not an employer. her name and face through an interview must inscribe on our banner the revolu- __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution. with “20/20,” Starbucks retaliated by tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage petitioning Federal Judge Anthony J. system.” __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. Guilford to allow her past sexual history It is the historic mission of the work- Name:______to be revealed in court, despite the fact ing class to do away with capitalism. The that someone’s past sexual history has army of production must be organized, Address:______zero bearing on whether or not they were not only for the everyday struggle with City, State, Post Code, Country:______sexually abused. This blame the victim capitalists, but also to carry on production Occupation:______when capitalism shall have been over- mentality is unacceptable, especially for thrown. By organizing industrially we are Phone:______Email:______a company that spends so much money forming the structure of the new society Amount Enclosed:______trying to convince the public that they within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker. are “socially responsible.” Page 4 • Industrial Worker • April 2010 We Are All “Amigos” By J. Pierce were hired and I treated them as com- In most of my experiences in the pañeros and ignored the boss’s intended working world, I have felt as if the bosses hierarchy. We enjoyed relatively stress- expected me, a college-educated white free working conditions, won expensive guy, to relate only to them. I’m supposed jackets, and orchestrated raises and to want what they want and believe equal pay—all out of our collaboration. what they believe. Many of my previ- The thing I have learned from my ous employers, often despite their own time in the IWW is that I, myself, am backgrounds as people of color, were an “amigo.” I am the cheap and vulner- willing to express some pretty racist and able laborer who the bosses chase after. anti-worker sentiments. They expected As a white guy, I have better access to me to agree. jobs and I enjoy When they better treatment, find that I have relatively speak- befriended ing. But if I don’t co-workers of play their racist color on the job, game, I quickly they are usu- become the “lazy ally dismayed. American” who At the cafeteria, wants more befriending leisure time, safer Abraham, an and more mean- older African- ingful work, and American, made Jean (the “hatchet lady” thinks everything ought to be free. (Wait brought in to do the firing) quite angry. ‘til they hear how the IWW intends to get Soon enough, both of us were fired in the it!) When the grocery bosses ask me to bosses’ quest to break up our informal help save on “labor,” it is code for cutting control of the pace of work. back my hours so I can barely pay the Before I got hired at the recycling rent. When the widget boss goes on an yard, the bosses asked me, “Are you impromptu rant about how “the unions” sure you can take orders from a Span- screwed up the country, he’s scolding ish speaker? These guys aren’t even the people who comprise his “labor,” from Mexico. They’re from, like, Guate- entreating us to expect a grim future for mala!...[insert more racist blather].” But our children. befriending all the Latinos (95 percent Every night before bed, the capital- Mexicanos, by the way) made Ted, Andy, ists pray that we continue to identify and Chaz pretty red in the face. After with the rich instead of uniting with our refusing a “promotion” to a supervisor fellow workers. They want us to con- position and building trust among my tinue on the path of racial segregation, co-workers, management canned me exclusion (ostensibly) based on “citizen- after three months. Before that, because ship” status, and delusions of joining the of our friendship, however, we enjoyed upper crust. But despite the bosses’ best the only supervisor-free department and efforts, IWW members in half a dozen had some fun to boot! countries insist on identifying with the “When we get bigger, and start oppressed ranks of labor. We insist on to hire some amigos,” joked the wid- building links across color lines as we get boss, “I’m going to need you here fight to bring the new society into exis- managing them.” Eventually new people tence. But that’s just what friends do. The Defiant Spirit: News from your General Defense Committee By x361737 row. This year workers advertised for The GDC has temporarily suspended the summit in a workplace where we regular publication of the Defiant Spirit. have an organizing drive, and we signed We are so pleased that the editor of the up new IWW members at the gathering. Industrial Worker has agreed to work Fellow Workers Kenneth Miller and Jim with us on a “Defiant Spirit” column. Maskew worked with Krystal Mitchell of Please send your Defense news to the United States Student Association [email protected] or put and Richard from the Intern Cultural “Defiant Spirit” in the subject line of House to conduct a “Support Jordan your submission to the IW. Miles Strategy Session.” This session contributed to 50 of Miles’ classmates Pittsburgh Man Beaten By Police, showing up at Pittsburgh City Council IWW Shows Solidarity two days later! Pittsburgh Police Officers Richard Ewing, Michael Saldutte and David Ottawa Panhandler Hammered by Sisak may very well go to jail for beating Police Harassment, then Slammed the pulp out of Jordan Miles on Jan. 11. with Legal Fees Police claim that they stopped Miles and Faced with a possible constitutional beat him because they thought he was challenge to the city’s removal of home- carrying a gun. Then they claimed that less shelter in one of Canada’s coldest they mistook a bottle of Mountain Dew cities, prosecutors from the City of Ot- for a gun. Now it is clear that there was tawa dropped the charges against Fellow no gun or Worker Mountain Andrew Dew. The Nellis police ac- recently. cused Miles FW Nellis Graphic: Mike Konopacki of resist- had tried ing arrest. to cut a access to disability funding, so he cannot C/O GST Tom Kappas Then on padlocked pay these bills on his own. This is where P.O. Box 317741 March 4, gate on our funding appeal comes in—to support Cincinnati, OH 45231 the charges a fence his outstanding organizing work and to against that was settle accounts with the lawyer so that 2010 Steering Miles were put up to he, too, can engage in future defense Committee dismissed. prevent work. Members: It is clear the home- GDC Local 6 has raised a significant and not Photo: trueslant.com Photo: gatheringforjustice.ning.com less from amount of money to help this Fellow - Ant Ince, billybo- Jordan Miles before and after the police beating. surprising sleeping Worker. The GDC Steering Committee [email protected] that our local District Attorney Stephen under a downtown underpass. recently allocated an additional $50 - Marie Mason, Marie Mason #04672- Zappala—yes, an elected democrat—is To date, GDC Local 6 has raised from our Central Fund. You can send 061, FCI WASECA, Federal Correctional going to resist prosecuting the police. one-fifth of the funds needed to pay FW additional support to FW Nellis through Institution, P.O. Box 1731, Waseca, MN Members of the Pittsburgh IWW Nellis’ legal bills, but we still need to the GDC at the following address: 56093 supported the 13th annual Summit raise another $1,200 (CAD). FW Nellis General Defense Committee of the - Kenneth Miller, nosweatshopsbuc- Against Racism for the sixth year in a cannot work and is fighting the city for Industrial Workers of the World [email protected], 412-867-9213 April 2010 • Industrial Worker • Page 5 Ending Wage Theft in Florida MUNI Workers And Riders United By Interfaith Worker Justice to combat this crime, and demonstrates By Bill Hackwell MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — On that there’s widespread political will Hundreds of San Francisco Mu- Feb. 19, the first county-wide ordinance when people are made aware of the ex- nicipal Railway (MUNI) workers from in the country to combat wage theft was tent of the crisis.” the Transport Workers Union (TWU) passed, making it easier for workers to “Recovering back wages owed work- Local 250-A, riders and community bring legal action against employers who ers will put more money in the local organizations rallied and marched in fail to pay, or underpay, them. economy, send a message to crooked downtown San Francisco on March 1 “This is momentous,” said Jeanette employers and create a more level play- to oppose the Municipal Transporta- Smith, Executive Director of South ing field for honest employers,” read a tion Agency’s (MTA) proposed budget Florida Interfaith Worker Justice Miami Herald editorial endorsing the cuts and threatened layoffs. The march (SFIWJ). “The passing of this legislation ordinance, which the newspaper argued began at Powell and Market Streets, and MUNI operator protests. Photo: Bill Hackwell will make a difference for every worker would “fill a vacuum” and “be a future went down Market to rally in front of the economic climate, which is affecting in Miami-Dade County and, hopefully, deterrent.” MTA offices. Instead of cutting funding public services across the country, work- will encourage groups all over the coun- “When raising the minimum wage from workers, protesters called for cuts ers and the poor are being forced to bear try to establish similar mechanisms for was blocked at the federal level for 12 in the salaries of overpaid, Mayor Gavin the brunt of the crisis. While banks are workers in their communities.” years,” said IWJ’s Smukler, “people Newsom-appointed executive managers. bailed out, essential services are cut. The The vote was the culmination of over took action at the state level and were The march then went to City Hall for a San Francisco MTA has waged a vicious a year of work by SFIWJ and the South successful in winning state campaigns spirited spontaneous forum led by TWU campaign against the TWU in attempt to Florida Wage Theft Task Force. Similar that raised the minimum wage above cable car driver and union organizer weaken the union and to cover their own initiatives are being considered by states the federal level in a majority of states Eric Williams, who explained what the mismanagement in creating MUNI’s and cities across the country, including in the country, creating the momentum workers are forced to put up with and financial mess. They have called for cuts Los Angeles and New Orleans. that eventually led to raising the national called for unity between MUNI workers in service, hikes in fares and the firing of “This victory is a spark that will minimum wage in 2007. We believe that and riders. The overwhelming sentiment 176 TWU operators. At the rally in front help ignite a wave across the country,” victories like this can similarly inspire a of the protest was in solidarity with the of the MTA offices the union was asking said Ted Smukler, Public Policy Direc- wave of policy changes and legislation TWU workers. for independent accountability of the tor of Interfaith Worker Justice. “It is at the local, state, and ultimately federal The MUNI is a vital service to the money. The MTA has a budget of $783 a shining example of many initiatives levels, with the goal of ending wage theft people of San Francisco, serving over million, of which only $200 million is underway at the state and local levels in America.” 700,000 riders a day. In the current spent on operational costs. UE Workers Reach Settlement “The Wobblies Show” Debuts By UE Local 1174 Quad City Die Casting announced By Jim Del Duca an FM radio show, but got only the cold MOLINE, Ill.—A settlement has they would be closing in May 2009 BILLINGS, Mont.—“The Wobblies shoulder from the local National Public been reached between former workers of because Wells Fargo would not provide Show: Exploring Economic and Social Radio station. However, the community Quad City Die Casting and the Assignee the credit necessary to keep the business Justice Issues” debuted on the city’s access cable channel was immediately in charge of the company’s assets that open. Workers and their allies pressured community access cable channel. It encouraging, with the result being a will ensure workers receive the pay and the bank to save approximately 100 jobs was produced by local members with show to air on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. benefits they have earned. United Elec- and fought to make sure workers would the assistance of the Two Rivers IWW Community access cable is funded trical, Radio and Machine Workers of be paid what they had earned. of Missoula. The show will potentially through the franchise agreement be- America (UE) members will be paid for High demand for the product and reach over 30,000 households in the tween the city and the cable network. vacation that they were due in 2009 and a dedicated, skilled workforce kept the metro area. The show’s producers hope The station operates for the education enough funds to settle the outstanding plant open throughout the summer, to present the show to an even wider and service of the citizenry. This meshes medical bills employees incurred when earning Wells Fargo, the company’s audience through rebroadcast on other perfectly with the One Big Union policy the company retroactively cancelled primary creditor, an extra million dol- area community access channels across of “Educate, Organize, and Emancipate.” their insurance. lars. Despite this unexpected windfall, the state. A new full-power public access radio sta- “We’re glad to get paid our vacation Wells Fargo refused to pay the workers’ The show was a result of the desire tion is also under development, and they and medical bills. We stuck together vacation pay and health insurance bills. to reach more workers with the IWW have been notified that when they are up and didn’t give up and in the end we Bravely, the workers and their union, revolutionary message. The usual meth- and running, we want a show there too! won! We would have been paid sooner UE, didn’t give up, and instead pick- od of flyers, posters, and coffee shop Other Wobblies who are interested if Wells Fargo had not been so greedy!” eted Wells Fargo and filed several legal meeting simply wasn’t working effec- in using cable TV outreach are encour- said Deb Johann, Secretary of UE Local charges to win what they were due. This tively to grab the attention of workers. aged to contact Delegate Jim Del Duca at 1174. settlement resolves the legal charges. Initially the Billings group considered [email protected], or 406-860-0331.

Obituary A Personal Reflection On Howard Zinn By Paul Buhle cal delivery. Then, look out: he over- a bit beyond it. Why beyond? Because onstrations, the man who worked at a Whoever wants to know more whelmed with eloquence. It was easy to when it comes to the concept of “Em- defense plant, went into the war, and about Howard Zinn's life and accom- get a catch in the throat while listening pire,” the “American Empire.” William got the upward mobility of the G.I. Bill. plishments can find the details easily to him. Appleman He had been through it all by the time on the Web. I only want to add my own Howard Williams, he went south as a teacher in the 1950s. little bit: how I misunderstood and once told me who was His life experiences were embedded in underestimated his popular histories that he was the master everything he did. Being able to see it for years, how I grew to admire him as surprised radical his- all on paper in the form of comic art— I came to understand their importance, his “People's torian of the thanks to scriptwriter Dave Wagner and and how I was lucky enough to work History” was 1950s/60s, artist Mike Konopacki—was one of the with him on the comic art version of his so popular. It didn't great pleasures of my intellectual life. book “A People's History of American might not even grasp race I knew that we had created something Empire.” have been his and hardly that would find an audience and set an Howard was always a bit larger best book. But grasped example for what comic art can do to than life, and perhaps for that reason it went to the class, but offer simple but necessary truths. a bit distant to the New Left historians heart of the he had That was my “Zinn Moment.” Since coming of age in the late 1960s and issues of U.S. “Empire” then, my collaborators and I have pon- early 1970s. He had a legendary life, history and down cold. dered how to understand and explain from the Depression to the Second proved to be So his work the concept of “Empire” as a bipartisan, World War to the civil rights move- exactly what became a ongoing operation at the very center of ment to the antiwar movement. In young people supplement American political life. We know that Boston especially, but far beyond, he (and many of sorts—an Howard, to the very end, was delivering was a speaker everyone wanted to hear not-so-young) amend- the essential message. We will be hear- in an era when appealing white radical needed to un- ment—to ing him, in one form or another, so long speakers were not all that numerous. derstand. My the guiding as the quest for imperial power—that There was always something generation was ideas in is, imperial dominance of the planet—is about Howard. If a speaker like Noam great at dis- Zinn's work. the prevailing logic of our rulers. It is Chomsky was best at Q&A’s, answer- covering and Graphic: themormonworker.files.wordpress.com I did one not a message about “Evil Americans,” ing point-for-point and elaborating, elaborating details. Howard was better more thing that was useful: insisting that but about those who assumed too much Howard had such an aura about him at explaining them. Incredibly better. Zinn's own life be part of the graphic about their own mostly good fortune that the proverbial pin could drop as So it was my not-so-brilliant idea, af- narrative. The child of impoverished and those in power, who now must audiences small or large listened for ter the creation of “Wobblies: A Graphic immigrants with a brother dead from an come to understand the dilemma that his words. Sometimes, like my political History of the IWW,” to create a book ailment that middle class families might we all face together as humans: the mentor, C.L.R. James, he would start that encompassed the ideas in Howard's have had healed, the working-class teen- survival of the empire versus our own a little quiet as he built up his physi- classic book and, in a sense or two, went ager who took part in 1930s radical dem- survival. Page 6 • Industrial Worker • April 2010 South Asian Garment Sweatshop Workers Speak Out By Jonathan Christiansen and Erik to murder workers. party. Like the IWW, they Davis In Bangladesh, 99 years after the take pride in their indepen- The last time a large number of Triangle Shirtwaist tragedy, 21 work- dence. people lost their lives all at once in New ers died in a factory fire on Feb. 25, In 2007, IWW member York prior to Sept. 11, 2001, was on 2010. Thirteen of the dead were women. Jason Fults visited Dhaka, March 25, 1911, when 146 garment fac- Fifty more were rushed to the hospital the capital of Bangladesh, tory workers, almost all female, died in with serious injuries. Globally, in spite to meet with the secre- a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory of the so-called “advances” of today’s tary of the NGWF, Amirul Fire. The workers weren’t able to escape institutionalized wage slavery system, Amin. They discussed a va- the building because managers habitu- industrial “accidents” are increasingly riety of concrete means by ally locked them in to prevent them from acceptable to the global elite; one news- which the two unions could “wasting time” with cigarette breaks paper account remarked that “Clothing forge a stronger relation- or fresh air. Those who didn’t die from factories in Bangladesh are prone to fires ship, such as having NGWF smoke inhalation died from their at- as a result of poor safety standards.” members submit articles tempts to jump to safety. What it didn’t mention was that these to the Industrial Worker The tragedy of the Triangle Shirt- “poor safety standards” include locking and sending bundles of waist Factory Fire, and its clear origins workers inside sweatshops. IW issues to Bangladesh. in the dangerous practices of manage- These discussions helped ment, led to an outcry over factory International Solidarity Means strengthen our relationship conditions in the United States. Today, Real Relationships and led to specific plans for sweatshops are not permitted in the The IWW has worked for several continued communication, United States (although there are plenty years to strengthen our relationship but there was not much nonetheless), and few of the clothes with garment workers in Bangladesh. follow-up until FW Jona- American workers wear today are made The organization we have the strongest than Christiansen’s move in the America. They are made in places ties with in Bangladesh is the National to Bangladesh last year. like China, Pakistan, Cambodia, Hondu- Garment Workers Federation (NGWF). FW Christiansen ras, and Bangladesh, places where simi- NGWF is one of the largest garment moved with his family to Graphic: Tom Keough lar factory tragedies, caused by the same worker unions in Bangladesh, and one Dhaka last summer and universal connection related to their predatory managerial practices, continue of the few that are not tied to a political will stay until July 2010. From Dhaka, struggle and demonstrated their own he contacted FW Fults and Amirul Amin leadership—as collective members of the with the aim of building upon what had IWW, NGWF, BCWS, and as members been accomplished previously. These of the international working class—by efforts were further empowered by the demanding change. involvement of FW Kenneth Miller from In closing the program, FW Chris- Pittsburgh, a member of the Pittsburgh tiansen reminded folks that Dr. King Anti-Sweatshop Community Alliance had a dream and encouraged people (PASCA) who has worked on sweatshop to share their own dreams by writing issues for many years. Kenneth quickly them on a poster board that said, in both formed a working group and scheduled English and Bangla, “I have a dream.” conference calls for this purpose. One NGWF organizer excitedly grabbed the pen and asked people to share their Martin Luther King, Jr. Day In dreams as she wrote them down. It was Dhaka an inspiring scene, with people shouting The working group decided that a out their dreams for her to write. The good first step was to build increased dreams of the workers ran the gamut, cultural understanding between work- and were incredibly moving in both their ers in the United States and workers in honesty and aspirations. Some of the Bangladesh. With the plan of appropriat- dreams that were recorded include: “I ing what we do in the United States on want to make my future life better,” “I Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Bangla- want to see that there is no discrimina- desh, FW Christiansen went to all U.S. tion between rich and poor,” “I want to embassy-sponsored MLK Day celebra- get my monthly salary on the first day of tions with as many Bangladeshi garment the following month,” and “My dream workers as possible to confront the U.S. is a safe working place and a safe life in mission in Dhaka with the fact that mil- society.” lions of workers in Bangladesh are being The dreams of the garment workers denied their civil and human rights. in Bangladesh expressed what are deal- The working group felt that any ing with, often times basic issues like discussion of Dr. King’s legacy in Ban- getting their salary on time. But they are gladesh must include people who are also battling severe discrimination and, currently fighting against the evils about because of the combination of their class which he spoke. Thanks to the efforts of and sex—the vast majority of garment the Fellow Workers in the United States, workers are women—they are rarely safe who pressured senators to contact the from assault, both at work or in society embassy in Bangladesh about the condi- in general. tions of garment workers in Dhaka, the The jointly-organized, well-attended Political Affairs Officer of the U.S. mis- event did much to build a stronger re- sion met with a sizable group of Bangla- lationship between the working women deshi workers on MLK Day. As there was and men within our two unions, but no formal embassy event scheduled, they much more work is needed. We need organized their own. Representatives to assess ways in which our unions and from the Bangladesh Center for Workers other organizations can work together to Solidarity (BCWS), a nongovernmen- build stronger international labor soli- tal organization (NGO) that provides darity. The working group has several support for garment workers, was also plans in place, but we need the help of invited. all our Fellow Workers to make these The MLK Day event was a great suc- efforts more meaningful and lasting. cess. FW Christiansen spoke about who We are planning a May Day exchange Dr. King was and led a discussion about between groups in Bangladesh and the the history of U.S. civil rights struggles, United States and need more FWs to drawing many parallels to the current help us make this exchange meaningful. situation in Bangladesh, including the FW Christiansen plans on working with fact that Rosa Parks was a seamstress. the NGWF as well as the BCWS as much He also discussed what King’s legacy as possible while in Dhaka. His goal is meant and why it could be important to to have a strong and sustainable rela- workers in Bangladesh. Famous IWW tionship built with these organizations slogans such as “Solidarity Forever” and before he leaves in July. Discussions are “An Injury to One is An Injury to All,” ongoing regarding ways to better con- as well as several Martin Luther King nect consumers with worker struggles, as quotes, were translated into Bangla. As well as connecting Bangladeshi workers Dr. King himself said, “Injustice any- with other workers in the Global South. where is a threat to justice everywhere… A great opportunity for the IWW to We are caught in an inescapable network connect with workers from Bangladesh of mutuality, tied in a single garment of and Pakistan will present itself this destiny… Whatever affects one directly, April, when workers from those coun- affects all indirectly.” tries will begin touring the United States Participants expressed how this (see left sidebar for tour dates). April 2010 • Industrial Worker • Page 7 Towards Class Struggle Feminism By the ZSP Solidarity in Struggle? But for port for the neoliberal agenda Members of the Związek Syndyka- what and against what? are drowned by the chorus of listów Polski (ZSP)—or Union of Syndi- The slogan of this year's Manifa (In- moderate conformists who calists—from Warsaw, Olsztyn and Wro- ternational Women’s Day), “In Solidarity insist that women don't push claw took part in International Women’s in the Crisis, In Solidarity in the Strug- such “divisive” issues as the Day marches on March 7. Members gle,” is meant to be a clear reference to class struggle. organized radical blocks in Wroclaw and the labor struggle and an allusion to the Another project which has Warsaw. history of the Women's Day march. As become one of the feminist In Wroclaw, people had a banner participants of this march who have each movement’s main activities, with a scale that said “women's work year come to the demonstration call- but is surely a diversion, is does not pay,” in reference to both wage ing for women's greater participation in the call to introduce parity on differences between men and women workplace organizing and anti-capitalist electoral lists. At a time when and the fact that in many low-paid social movements, it would seem we working women are facing service sectors and “feminized” profes- should be delighted that such a slogan increasing hardship and need sions, women are stuck doing hard jobs would appear this year. to organize effective, fight- for little money. Many of the slogans Unfortunately we are faced with ing social movements, the were chanted in response to the lib- a different reality when coming to the project of political parity is an eral feminists in the march who want a Manifa: large parts of the dominant astounding waste of resources certain liberal feminist leader to become figures in the feminist movement are and activist’s time. We do Photo: zsp-iwa.blogspot.com president. They chanted “No patriarchy, in solidarity with the neoliberal project not believe that gender ZSP march on International Women’s Day in Warsaw. no capitalism” and “We don't want par- or reformist social democracy. This is determines the political line of women Much as we are opposed to sexism ity, we want revolution,” among other just a dangerous distraction from the and the existence of powerful women in in all its aspects, the patriarchy can be things. real struggle: the struggle of building a government or political life is no conso- significantly toppled and still leave the In Warsaw, ZSP marched for the grassroots social and labor movement, lation to us. The fate of the Thatchers, system of exploitation and slavery intact. third year in a row with WRS (Free- independent of the bosses and politi- Albrights and Rices of the world should Fighting the patriarchy is simply not dom, Equality and Solidarity), this year cians. Only such a movement can break be the same as the Berlusconis, Sar- enough. calling itself "the revolutionary block." free from their agenda and threaten to kozies and Obamas. Although we can support goals to The Warsaw demonstration, unlike the topple their power. There is no getting around it: women change the politics of single issues (for Wroclaw one, had some union delega- Besides holding the occasional one- are part of the oppressive system, even example, eliminating laws that interfere tions and the revolutionary block was off lecture at some university on “wom- if to a lesser degree than men. If one with women's reproductive choices), we joined part of the way by the teachers' en's role in labor,” we wonder what the recognizes the postulates of capitalism are not excited by a women's movement union Związek Nauczycielstwa Polskiego mainstream of the women's movement to be the main factor in the dire situa- which stops at any issue that may not (ZNP). The attempt to make a more pro- has been doing to show working class tion of working women, then changing be to the liking of the bourgeois, statist social demonstration, however, seems women that they are in solidarity with over from capitalist bastards to capital- or neoliberal feminists. For this reason, to have alienated many marchers; the them. Surely they cannot show solidar- ist bitches is no progress. Selling it as we do not go to your “breakthrough demonstration was less than half the size ity by continuing to insist that neoliberal “progress” is just another liberal diver- congresses” dominated by elites, or vote it was last year. women like Henryka Bochniarz, head of sion to keep people from getting to the for the “Women's Party,” or stand on The march in Warsaw was also met a powerful business lobby and CEO of root of the problems or waging any corners collecting signatures for parity. by fascists of different sorts, notably the Boeing in Poland which sold F-16s to the struggle which may threaten what the Instead, we call for women to be more Falanga and all-Polish youth. government, are somehow in the same system really must maintain: not the active in the grassroots social revolution- The following is part of the text of a struggle as “women in general.” The patriarchy, but capitalism and political ary struggle. For a world without bosses critical leaflet handed out in Warsaw: voices of feminists who claim no sup- power over the people. or masters, bureaucrats or patriarchs. International Women's Day, 2009 To 2010 By Katherine McFatridge Inheritance,” I suggest you do so sooner International Good News the doctor with their husbands' permis- We here at the Edmonton GMB rather than later. In April 2009, the president of sion, that they cannot refuse their hus- Women's Committee felt like it was time In brighter news, unions are good Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (The first band sex, and grants custody of children to take stock of the past year. The world for women? Who knew? April 28, 2009 black woman elected to run any country) to fathers and grandfathers only. The is a big, wild, wondrous place full of so was Fair Pay Day in the United States came out with her autobiography “This last time I checked, this law had still not many events that it can make a person's and with that in mind Child Will Be Great.” been formally published due to technical head spin. While taking this into con- here are some amazing In July, the Indian Su- problems. sideration we figured we should do a facts from the Center preme Court struck down a run-down of some major world events for Economic and Policy colonial-era law criminalizing Reproductive Rights that pertained specifically to women and Research! intercourse between people of Shall we start this on a low note? women's rights in a more global theater. • On average, union- the same sex. Yes, why not. In mid-September, the Do- Some of these are going to be news items ization raised women’s Dec. 17, 2009 was the minican Republic passed a constitutional that make you smile. Some really give wages by 11.2 percent— International Day to End Vio- change completely outlawing abortion. you hope that the world is moving in the about $2.00 per hour— lence Against Sex Workers. Closer to home, Dr. George Tiller, direction of equality among the genders. compared to non-union Sex workers are still workers, one of only three doctors offering late Others are going to make you shake your women with similar Graphic: Diane Krauthamer a fact some people would do term abortions in the United States, was head. Some might even make you tear up characteristics. well to remember. murdered on May 31, 2009. The one a little tiny bit. Never claim that I prom- • Among women workers, those in Take Back the Night (March 27, positive aspect (if you can see anything ised you a “feel good” article. unions were about 19 percent more likely 2009) and the Stolen Sisters Aware- positive in this story) was that Scott Ro- to have employer-provided health insur- ness March (June 18, 2009) were both eder, the anti-abortion activist respon- Labor ance and about 25 percent more likely to attended by members of the Edmonton sible, was found guilty of first-degree Starting out on a low note, Crystal have an employer-provided pension. IWW. murder and two counts of aggravated Lee Sutton passed away on Sept.11, • For the average woman, joining a assault on Jan. 29, 2010. 2009, from meningioma. She had been union has a much larger effect on her International Not-So-Good News While there were obviously some involved in an ongoing struggle with her probability of having health insurance Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, wonderful events over the course of insurance providers to cover her treat- (an 18.8 percent increase) than finishing signed a law in early March 2009 that is the past year, I think that one thing we ment. Sutton was the inspiration for the a four-year college degree would (an 8.4 believed to contain articles which state can all take away from this is that there 1979 movie “Norma Rae.” If you've never percent increase, compared to a woman women cannot leave the house without is still work to be done if we want to had the chance to watch this movie, or with similar characteristics who has only their husbands' permission, that they achieve equality between the sexes. Here read the book “Crystal Lee, a Woman of a high school diploma). can only seek work, education or visit is hoping for a great year to come. German IWW Campaigns Against Ford Motor Company Subscribe to the Continued from 1 The IWW has an Industrial Union the conflict to a higher level in 2010. paring further action until Ford resolves Industrial Worker (I.U.) 460 shop group at a Eurest-run For that purpose they invited other lo- all contracts with Eurest and the Com- Raise eyebrows! Get ideas! Commerzbank canteen in Frankfurt. cal groups and individuals to create the pass Group. The Cologne Wobblies have twice “Kitchen Committee Cologne” to put Ford has to finally realize that their 10 issues for: before addressed Ford workers with leaf- pressure on Ford. The committee asked brand image can be seriously damaged • US $18 for individuals. lets explaining the severe problems at groups and branches in other cities to by allowing their subcontractors to abuse • US $20 for internationals. the canteens. Although the situation was join in the first Eurest-Ford Day of Ac- their workers. Our Day of Action against • US $24 for institutions. not resolved satisfactorily, Eurest at least tion on Feb. 8. Eurest was prepared on the quiet, but Name: ______moved the abusive kitchen executive The result was protests against next time we will promote it worldwide Address:______Hans-Werner Steinbach to the neigh- Eurest in front of the Ford Saarlouis so that every Ford car dealer will be a bouring canteen at the Ford replace- Plant and at several bank canteens in potential target of protests. State/Province:______ment-part store, where he continues to downtown Frankfurt. In addition, Lon- The Wobblies are calling for an Zip/PC______abuse workers. And now Eurest is push- don Wobblies talked to Eurest canteen international email-protest campaign ing for the nomination of the universally workers at the University College Hospi- to the following addresses: hplankem@ Send to: PO Box 180195, loathed “Kitchen General,” Steinbach, as tal, and fellow workers in New York City ford.com, [email protected], media@ Chicago IL 60618 USA candidate in the coming election of shop delivered a letter of protest to a Ford ford.com, [email protected]. stewards this April! Motor company dealer in Manhattan. You can use the form letter at http:// Subscribe Today! The Cologne IWW wants to push The Kitchen Committee is now pre- www.wobblies.de/?p=481 Page 8 • Industrial Worker • April 2010 Reviews One More Ride: Folk Musicians Pay Tribute to Utah Phillips Various musicians. “Singing Through ions Kendall and Jacqui Morse, Schatz, Banjo player and singer Rik Palieri Hard Times” is that Utah Phillips was the Hard Times: A Tribute to Utah Phil- a Unitarian minister and musician, is one of the musicians featured on this unconcerned with celebrity and awards, lips.” Righteous Babe, 2009. $16.99 decided to put together a benefit CD album and he believes that the album and he would most certainly have to help an ailing Utah Phillips pay for is a testament to the many ways in avoided the commercial pomp and cer- By Nathan Moore his mounting medical expenses. They which Utah Phillips acted as a mentor to emony of the Grammy Awards. Accord- “There’s no such thing as a career enlisted the help of noted singer Gordon younger musicians. Palieri remembers ing to his son Brendan Phillips (featured move in folk music”—Utah Phillips Bok, came up with some initial tracks, fondly how Phillips took him under his on the album with his band Fast Rat- Bruce Duncan Phillips, known to and the project began to grow as Ani wing, helped him navigate the world tler), “My dad wasn’t a fan of the award generations of fans as Utah Phillips, was DiFranco lent the resources of her label of folk performance and festivals, and industry…but he would have loved the one of folk music’s legendary charac- Righteous Babe Records. introduced him to other musicians and idea of people coming together to make ters. A storyteller, songwriter, anarchist, The album features a wide variety new audiences. a record and pay tribute to the music.” humorist, labor organizer, and pacifist, of artists who were directly or indirectly “He was such a generous man,” Brendan Phillips also stresses that the he was also known for his fiery and influenced by Utah Phillips. Some like Palieri says, “and the coolest thing is the lasting importance of his father’s music pun-laden stage presence and for his Emmylou Harris, Pete Seeger, and Tom idea that the album can give a helping is not in the awards that it wins, but life-long commitment to social justice. Paxton are famous folksingers, but many hand to all of Utah’s friends. It’s like in the homage that it pays to “working On May 23, 2008, Utah Phillips passed of the artists are not as well known. he’s reaching out from the unknown and folks—the folks who brought us the eight away at the age of 73, but his poignant Tracks by Will Brown, Mark Ross, Eliza- providing the experience.” hour day.” songs will continue to be sung by future beth Laprelle and others create a real Eugene, Oregon’s own Mark Ross While “Singing through the Hard generations of folksingers and fans grassroots feel to this album and em- spent years playing and singing with Times” did not win a Grammy at the alike. Recently, Righteous Babe Records phasize Phillips’ dedication to what Dan Utah Phillips, and his recording of 2010 awards ceremony, the songs of released a double album entitled “Sing- Schatz refers to as “homegrown music “Look for Me in Butte” is included on Utah Phillips will continue to be cher- ing Through the Hard Times: A Tribute played by homegrown musicians.” the album. “It’s an honor to be in such ished and sung long after the pop-music to Utah Phillips.” It includes versions “Utah cared about finding the people distinguished company,” Ross says. “My industry has crumbled to dust. The of Utah’s classic songs performed by in society who had been dispossessed only regret is that it didn’t come out in album, with its wide variety of tracks friends, family members, and fellow mu- and telling their stories and giving them time for Bruce to hear it.” He also notes from a host of musicians young and old, sicians, and it has since earned a Gram- their humanity back,” says Schatz. that Utah’s greatest hope was that his testifies to this fact. For those of us in my-nomination for Best Traditional Folk There’s plenty of those “people’s songs” songs would enter the folk music tradi- the labor and folk movements, the life Album and received widespread critical on “Singing Through the Hard Times”— tion. He believes that this is happen- of Utah Phillips is honored every time acclaim. songs about hobos, workers, immigrants, ing both in the creation of projects like we raise our voices together in song and It was in Dan Schatz’s living room and brown-shoed soldiers. Schatz hopes “Singing through the Hard Times” and protest for fair wages, better working that “Singing Through the Hard Times” that these recordings will prompt new in the fact that Phillips’ songs are sung at conditions, and a decent and peaceful began its long journey from a humble listeners to seek out Utah’s own albums festivals, workshops, and on picket lines society. idea among friends to a 39-song tribute and to learn about the social justice by people who have never heard of the Nathan Moore is a freelance writer to Phillips’ life and legacy. Along with movements that were so profoundly artist himself. and a member of the Low Tide Drifters, Phillips’ long-time musical compan- influential on Phillips’ work. The irony of “Singing Through the a folk band from Eugene, Oregon “False Profits” Explores The Current Economic Crisis Baker, Dean. “False Profits: Recovering should have seen the loss of demand the economy. The elite response was to "bogeymen...to scare the public," says from the Bubble Economy.” Polipoint coming; the total hit is “between $1,030 play the “insider game” and buy votes Baker. Press, 2010. 174 pages, paperback, billion, and $1,430 billion annually, and with promises of pork. The Congress Baker says that stimulus can get $15.95 amounts to almost 10 percent of GDP.” handed over $700 billion, and the Fed people working, or working less. Sources The Fed similarly failed monetarily. another $1.6 trillion from “special lend- are getting money to states and lo- By John Maclean By July 2009 more than 15 percent ing facilities,” further subsidy came from cal governments, immediately dealing Dean Baker says, in “False Profits: of the workforce was without a wage, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corpora- with the national health care scandal, Recovering from the Bubble Economy,” underemployed, and more seem poised tion (FDIC) and its Temporary Liquidity publicly funding drug trials and avoid- that the people who wrecked the econ- to join them. In times like these “those Guarantee Program, and finally, through ing copyright abuse, directly subsidiz- omy, over a trillion dollars in annual who are most disadvantaged get hit American International Group (AIG), ing public transportation, supporting demand, “are desperately working to the hardest.” As a rule, Baker says, for the government poured another $150 creative workers as did the New Deal, re-write history.” Elites do not want unemployment to fall one percent, GDP billion in taxpayer largess. It should be and funding open source software and their corruption and incompetence to must rise at least two percentage points, clear that the TARP is “the least im- making it freely available. Policy could be known, and are trying to “confuse” and currently the economy is operat- portant route through which taxpayers also encourage working less, and in this people concerning the complexity of ing well below capacity. Some thinkers subsidized failed banks and bankers.” way “we could have the whole workforce these matters. Real policy solutions, see the “pain” of all this as a “virtue” Baker calls the gains homeowners employed, but working ten percent fewer needed deficits and a devalued dollar, and they warn against efforts to lift the reaped, as the bubble advanced, counter- hours.” This could be accomplished are not up for discussion, because they economy, or help. This “pain causes no feit; it was a transfer from non-owners, by providing “a tax credit to employ- go "directly against [elite] financial in- gain” and government is irresponsible if in the bubble, to owners. This policy ers to give their workers paid time off, terests and indict the policy agenda they not acting. The housing bubble created reality was “directly at odds with” the which can take the form of paid family have promoted for more than a decade." $8 trillion in “illusory” wealth, and dur- stated intention of promoting home leave, paid sick days, paid vacations or a It is simply a “falsehood” that political ing the second half of 2009 foreclosures ownership. From 1996 to 2006 house shorter workweek.” This could address and financial elites are not to blame for were at two million a year. The current values rose 80 percent, according to the unemployment, and is appropriate, the current situation, and the Fed needs recession is a “humanitarian disaster” Case-Schiller index, and rental prices because it was government policy which to be democratized so as to end its domi- and without doubt competent “economic went up by only four percent. A rent- initially pushed in the opposite direction. nation by private banks. The frame here policy could easily have prevented it.” based appraisal of a homes’ value would Next, the financial system must be should be that conservatives, of both U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paul- limit speculation and avoid huge losses reformed; he proposes restructuring the parties, are not interested in less govern- son, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben from “bad business judgment.” A “sharp Fed, and imposing a financial transac- ment, but in using it to harm the many. Bernanke Paulson, and media “cheer- drop” in bubble home values would tion tax (FTT). The monetary policy People in high places, and posi- leaders” sought to scare the Congress “benefit the overall economy” and give of the Federal Open Market Commit- tions to inform, “ignored” an $8 tril- and the public into support for the Trou- owners a truer sense of their wealth. If tee (FOMC) must be wrested from the lion housing bubble, and the financial bled Asset Relief Program (TARP); the the Obama administration continues to financial industry; at present “12 of the industry amassed great fortunes. These difficulties coming out of the mistrust ignore the housing bubble, our losses 19 members of the FOMC, and 5 of the same failures are charged with making between banks, and in commercial paper will be greater still. The “balance of 12 voting members” are installed by the things right, and Baker says, “instead markets, connected to payrolls, could power” between “banks and homeown- industry, not by elected officials. Baker if inquests and exposes we get cover- have easily been dealt with by the Fed- ers” can be altered by giving judges the says: “in no other sector is the regulator ups.” From the 1800s to the 1900s home eral Reserve Board. Dean Baker says that ability to change mortgages in bank- as much under the control of the indus- prices nationwide “tracked the overall members of Congress “were responding ruptcy, and allowing for the right to rent try it regulates.” The Fed should also not rate of inflation” and major trends like to political pressure” and “not making over foreclosure. Banks would oppose be allowed to do its business in secret. this “should be taken seriously.” In 1995, reasoned judgments about the state of changes like this. An FTT would “reduce the size and prof- when these prices broke with infla- the economy.” The two main arguments The loss of demand going into 2009- itability of the financial industry” and in tion, nothing in supply or demand, the in favor of the TARP were lies. Free 2010 approached $1.3 trillion, says Bak- this way lessen its political power, mak- fundamentals, could explain it. Home marketeers were in Washington, D.C. er, and the stimulus made up only about ing effective regulation more likely; this prices rose, sales spiked, and “lending with their hands out, and Congressional one-tenth of this. There were also cuts could also dampen destructive gambling, standards” collapsed. This activity was leadership made sure that their mem- in aid to states and local governments; and allow finance to fulfill its productive being sold in “secondary markets” and bers only heard from TARP supporters; and Obama's people didn't make clear purpose. Wall Street pushed Freddie and Fannie the Democratic leadership was especially the difference between TARP and the The “bubble perpetrators” con- Mac out of the way. After losing much zealous in this regard. The initial defeat stimulus, or “give us the basic economics tinue unmolested in their careers, and of its market share these government- of the TARP was “remarkable” and Baker lesson” we sorely need. For Baker, debt their failure, and ideology pass “un- supported entities got involved, and this recalls being on a public radio show and is a poor measure of inter-generational challenged.” These same people have had nothing to do with political demands listening to the host complain, during equity, harming the environment and “airbrushed the real story away and filled on their having to serve minority com- a break, about “ignorant constituents forcing children to suffer the unemploy- the media with accounts of how compli- munities. Baker calls this a “myth” along strong-arming members of Congress...” ment of their parents are truer ones, and cated it all was.” The bosses stand before with commentary on the Community Making policy based on stock market U.S. “debt-to-GDP ratios” are nowhere us failed, and our slavish devotion allows Reinvestment Act (CRA). The “CRA had happenings is “incredibly foolish” in near what they were after World War II. it all to linger; as Wobblies we should almost nothing to do with” the explosion that all this activity reflects is “the future Those who would block more stimulus, joyfully shake them from their wasteful of bad loans, says Baker. Policymakers value of profits.” The stock market is not or see suffering as a good, have created promontories. April 2010 • Industrial Worker • Page 9 Football Through Labor’s Lens, Part 2 By Neil Parthun and automobile crashes” in over 25 years of The New CBA Negotiations Hockey League during the longest work Dann McKeegan playing football at the high school, col- In 2008, the NFL owners chose to stoppage in sports. This is the second part of a two part lege and professional levels. exercise their “opt out” clause in the col- Smith said the latest NFL offer to the series about football, health and labor • Justin Strzelczyk: NFL offensive lective bargaining agreement (CBA) with players would reduce their share to from issues. tackle that committed suicide by crash- the NFLPA. The two sides were unable about 59 percent of applied revenues Part one of this article, which ap- ing his car into a tanker truck during to come to terms on a new contract prior to 41 percent. He emphasized that the peared on page 9 of the February/March a high speed chase with police. Post- to the March 5 start of “free agency” for teams take $1 billion off the top of the Industrial Worker, covered the history mortem medical studies indicated that the 2010-2011 season. With no contract, estimated $8 billion the league gener- of the National Football League Players he had suffered from brain damage due the NFL is operating under the following ates. In subsequent interviews, Smith Association’s (NFLPA) labor struggles. to concussions. rules: said the sides have had 12 general bar- It is an extensive history marked by • Wayne Chebret: New York Jets • Unrestricted free agency is only gaining sessions to discuss issues related organizing and the struggle to retain the receiver had at least six concussions available to players with six years of to developing a new CBA. He added that wealth that their labor generates. While during his career from 1995 to 2005. He experience in the NFL, rather than the there have been more than 30 overall the NFLPA has seen past successes, occasionally returned to games in which four years found in the now-dead CBA. bargaining sessions with the league in there are still a number of issues facing he had been knocked unconscious. He Some veterans with less than six years the past six months. the union. The two primary issues are: recently acknowledged that he has de- in the league have become restricted “While we have made progress in how the league will deal with concus- pression and suffers memory problems free agents, meaning that their current some areas,” Smith wrote, ”we con- sions, and negotiations for a new collec- such that he cannot make a routine drive club will have the right to match another tinue to have significant disagreement tive bargaining agreement. without a global positioning system. team’s offer sheet or receive compensa- with the NFL over their desire to have After Arizona Cardinals quarterback tion for the loss. This rule change has players take an 18 percent reduction in The Concussion Conundrum Kurt Warner, Pittsburgh Steelers quar- affected over 200 players. their share of revenues given the NFL’s A concussion is defined as a bruise terback Ben Roethlisberger, running • There will be no salary cap or salary failure to provide meaningful financial to the brain tissue, often the result of a back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver floor for the 2010-11 season. In 2009, data to support the assertion that their violent blow. Due to the jarring impacts DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia the cap was $128 million and the floor costs have increased significantly since inherent to the sport, brain injuries have Eagles and others suffered concussions was $111 million. This means that teams the capped system was put into place long been a part of football. However, during the 2009-2010 season, the teams, are allowed to spend as much or as little in 1993...Their demand that the play- as significant improvements have been NFLPA and the NFL have enacted poli- money as they want on players. ers take such an historic pay cut is even made in public health and nutrition, cies to be more judicious about concus- • The eight teams that made the di- more disturbing given the NFL’s con- these same improvements have drasti- sions. These policies are due, at least in visional playoff round will have limits on tinuing economic growth despite the cally increased the raw power on the part, to Congressional hearings about the number of unrestricted free agents worst recession in recent history.” The field. The mantra of “bigger, faster, the dangers of concussions to players. they can sign. NFLPA also reportedly made another stronger” has made for what is widely NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a • The 32 teams will not be obligated offer for a salary cap for the 2010-2011 considered a more exciting game, but at memo to all major league teams, say- to fund player benefits programs includ- season but it was rebuffed by the owners. great physical risk for the players. While ing that a player who got a concussion ing retirement, player annuity, severance All the talk of historic pay cuts and some athletes like Steve Young and Troy should not return to action if he shows pay and tuition assistance. This will save the restrictions of free agency have Aikman have suffered multiple concus- certain signs or symptoms. The league owners over $7 million. infuriated some players. “I don’t see sions and currently have notable and has partnered with the union to find mu- • The supplemental revenue sharing [NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell] out successful post-football careers, that is tually agreed upon independent physi- pool, valued at $220 million for 2010, there getting hit or nothing like that. The not true for all players. cians to enact this new policy. will remain in place despite the owners Commissioner makes $9 million, so you Multiple studies have shown that On the same day that the new memo trying to dismantle the program. This tell me where the balance is? He doesn’t repeated concussions are linked to the was issued, the heads of the NFL’s program, consisting of the centralization put his life on the line. He pushes a pen,” symptoms of clinical depression. One head injury studies resigned from their and redistribution of league revenue, said Minnesota Vikings defensive end 2007 study by the University of North positions. As the New York Times allows teams in smaller media and Ray Edwards. Players like Edwards real- Carolina’s Center for the Study of Re- elaborated: “Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. population markets to compete with the ize that it is their labor which is produc- tired Athletes examined 2,500 retired David Viano, members of the commit- large markets such as Dallas or Chicago. ing the wealth for the NFL, and that NFL players and found that those who tee since 1994 and co-chairmen since It also eliminates the have/have-not their careers are at risk every time they had suffered at least three concussions 2007, co-authored most of the group’s dichotomy of Major League Baseball and step onto the field. As Tennessee Titans were three times more at the risk of de- published research papers whose conclu- the pocketing of revenue sharing money center and President of the NFLPA veloping clinical depression than those sions regarding head injuries were met endemic among that sport’s profitable Kevin Mawae said, “The players are who had not suffered brain injuries. with considerable criticism from medi- but uncompetitive underclass. more united than ever before and we’re The players with one or two diagnosed cal peers. Casson has been the league’s The main issue dividing the union preparing for a lockout.” concussions were 50 percent more likely primary voice discrediting all evidence and management is money. Despite to be diagnosed with depression. linking football players with subsequent fantastic TV ratings and an average An Injury to One is an Injury to All Frequent concussions may also be dementia or cognitive decline, drawing team value of $1 billion, the owners In a time in which unions nationwide tied to chronic traumatic encephalopa- criticism from fellow scientists, play- are demanding substantial concessions are being asked to make concessions due thy (CTE), a disease similar to dementia ers and ultimately Congress.” Further from the players, including a cut in the to the economic crisis, we must defend pugilistica, caused by frequent concus- evidence of the league’s changes on the guaranteed percentage of revenue going the lives and well-being of all workers, sive and sub-concussive brain traumas. issue of concussions was seen with the towards players. The owners argue that including professional athletes. As for- According to the New York Times, CTE NFL’s partnering with Boston University their franchises are not generating profit mer player Dave Meggysey said, football “affects the parts of the brain that con- brain researchers who had criticized the at a rate commensurate with investment players are compensated for giving up trol emotion, rage, hypersexuality, even league’s prior stance on brain trauma. given the evolving economic playing their middle age by playing in the league. breathing, and recent studies find that The NFL has donated over one million field, and that the financial shortfall Obviously, pro athletes are among those CTE is a progressive disease that eventu- dollars to the Boston University Center could create long-term problems for the whose professional existence is a pre- ally kills brain cells.” CTE can eventu- for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopa- league. Much of the problem stems from existing condition for health care provid- ally progress to dementia with loss of thy and is requesting that former players the teams being unable to have taxpay- ers. The short duration of the average both memory and emotional control, and their families to donate the retired ers subsidize infrastructure and stadium career, the difference between contract increased and pervasive agitation and players’ brains to the BU study upon developments in the midst of the eco- value and “guaranteed money,” the the presence of delusions/hallucinations. their deaths. nomic crisis. So, franchises have had to relatively low median salary of border- Although the science is relatively new, The changes signal a divergence use more of their own funds and cut into line players, and the comparatively high examples of this trend of early onset from past practices that may substan- their profit margins. health risks involved, all call to mind dementia are unfortunately growing: tively improve the lives of players after The contentious negotiations have extremes of labor conditions everyday • Tom McHale: NFL player who was they leave the gridiron, but there are most sports fans believing that a strike workers face, well, every day. The own- found dead on May 25, 2008. An exami- also revisions being made to prevent or a lockout will occur at the conclusion ers’ desire to shift salary from unproven nation of his brain at Boston University’s players while they are on the field. The of the 2010-2011 season. NFLPA Execu- rookies to proven veterans, dismissing School of Medicine diagnosed McHale NFL rules regarding “defenseless play- tive Director DeMaurice Smith spoke their initial draft status, would be a posi- with CTE. ers” may be expanded to better protect about the upcoming contract negotia- tive step toward meritocracy within the • Terry Long: NFL player whose athletes from jarring tackles. There are tions, and said that on a scale of 1 to 10, NFLPA. But a growing body of medi- autopsy showed brain damage consis- also anti-concussion helmets and mouth the likelihood of a lockout is a 14. cal evidence suggests that players have tent with CTE, likely inflicted during his pieces. While these are more expensive “The simple fact is the [owners] more health risks than ever before. The playing career that contributed to his than traditional helmets, if the NFL have engaged in a concerted course of NFLPA and NFL owners have long been depression and subsequent suicide. chose to lead the way, the prices could conduct where anybody looking at it at odds over pensions, disability com- • Andre Waters: NFL player who lower for college and high school football will see that they have done more to pensation in later life, and other issues committed suicide. At his autopsy, the teams due to the amount of equipment prepare themselves to not play football that will be affected by any change in pathologist stated: “the condition of needed by the league. However, there is than to play football. On the one hand, salary, revenue or inflation. Injuries are Waters’ brain tissue was what would some resistance from the players to the you have a collective bargaining process the ultimate leveler of the playing field. be expected in an 85-year old man, and new helmets because they are heavier that is designed to have two equal par- Both now and later, they wreak havoc on there were characteristics of someone and more uncomfortable than traditional ties negotiating over issues. On that side lives and savings. being in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.” helmets. Some are willing to risk the po- you have concerted action designed to The celebrity status of these athletes The doctor believes the brain damage tential medical dangers because they feel severely restrict and critically enhance can provide openings to discuss the had come from or had been quickened that the helmets inhibit their ability to your bargaining leverage,” Smith said. rights of all workers to own the fruits of by successive concussions. play on the field. But, the science corre- When asked if the intent of the owners’ their labor and have appropriate health • Mike Webster: Pittsburgh Steeler lating concussions to early onset demen- strategy is designed to break the union, care coverage. The outcome of the NFL- great and Hall of Famer who died in tia is quickly becoming an issue that a Smith responded that the owners hired PA’s negotiations may have repercus- 2002. He was diagnosed with CTE after growing number of players and families “the guy who orchestrated the hockey sions outside of the gridiron, not just in his death. Neuroscientists estimated he fear. Player treatment is also in flux due lockout in 2007,” attorney Bob Bat- the arenas of entertainment and culture, had been in the equivalent of “25,000 to the upcoming labor negotiations. terman, who represented the National but also in employer/worker relations. Page 10 • Industrial Worker • April 2010

Celebrate May Day button 1.5” button, black & red Women’s Cut IWW T-shirts 5 for $5.00 Sabo-cat design printed on union-made taffy pink or olive green shirt Sizes S-XL $15.00 The Industrial Workers of Sizes run small, order up a size for a looser fit. From Here To There: The the World: Its First 100 Years Specify color and size when ordering. Staughton Lynd Reader by Fred W. Thompson & Jon Edited by Andrej Grubacic Bekken forward by Utah Phillips From Here To There collects unpublished The IWW: Its First 100 Years is the most talks and hard-to-find essays from legendary comprehensive history of the union ever activist historian Staughton Lynd. published. Written by two Wobblies who The first section of the Reader collects lived through many of the struggles they reminiscences and analyses of the 1960s. A chronicle, it documents the famous second section offers a vision of how struggles such as the Lawrence and historians might immerse themselves in Paterson strikes, the fight for decent popular movements while maintaining their conditions in the Pacific Northwest obligation to tell the truth. In the last section timber fields, the IWW's pioneering Lynd explores what nonviolence, resistance organizing among harvest hands in the Utah Phillips: Starlight on the Rails to empire as a way of life, and working class 1910s and 1920s, and the war-time Boxed CD Set self-activity might mean in the 21st century. repression that sent thousands of IWW This four CD set contains 63 stories and 61 Together, they provide a sweeping overview members to jail. But it is the only general songs, spanning over 40 years of Utah's of the life, and work—to date—of Staughton history to give substantive attention to performing career. $38.95 Lynd. the IWW's successful organizing of Both a definitive introduction and African-American and immigrant dock Labor Law for further exploration, it is bound to educate, enlighten, and inspire those new to his work and those who have been following it for decades. workers on the Philadelphia waterfront, the Rank and the international union of seamen the Filer: Building “Staughton Lynd’s work is essential reading for anyone dedicated to implementing IWW built from 1913 through the 1930s, Solidarity social justice. The essays collected in this book provide unique wisdom and insights smaller job actions through which the While Staying into United States history and possibilities for change, summed up in two tenets: IWW transformed working conditions, Leading from below and Solidarity.” —Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz Wobbly successes organizing in Clear of the 320 PAGES, $22.00 manufacturing in the 1930s and 1940s, Law and the union's recent resurgence. BY STAUGHTON LYND AND DANIEL GROSS One Big Blend Coffee Extensive source notes provide guidance Have you ever felt your blood boil at A Celebration of the I.W.W. to readers wishing to explore particular work but lacked the tools to fight back and While you’re plotting your wake-up call to the employing campaigns in more depth. There is no win? Or have you acted together with your class, wake yourself up with coffee roasted by your fellow better history for the reader looking for co-workers, made progress, but wondered workers! A blend of light and dark roasted shade-grown, an overview of the history of the IWW, what to do next? Labor Law for the Rank fair trade, organic coffee from Peru and Mexico, made by Just and for an understanding of its ideas and and Filer is a guerrilla legal handbook for Coffee, an I.W.W. job shop located in Madison, Wisconsin. tactics. 255 pages, $19.95 workers in a precarious global economy. Just Coffee Co-op’s mission is to work with small grower co- Blending cutting-edge legal strategies for The Wobblies DVD operatives in true partnership, using the language and mechan- winning justice at work with a theory of This documentary from ics of market economics to turn the market on its ear. We source dramatic social change from below, 1979 takes a look at the the finest green coffee on earth, air-roast it to perfection, and to Staughton Lynd and Daniel Gross deliver IWW's early days, with a deliver the highest quality beans proving to our customers that a practical guide for making work better combination of a better model can also deliver higher quality products. We aim while re-invigorating the labor movement. interviews and archival for total transparency, sustainable business practices, and long- Illustrative stories of workers’ struggles footage. term relationships with all of our partners while providing a fun and meaningful co- make the legal principles come alive. 90 minutes, $26.95 operative workplace for the people we work with. Oh, and we also seek to change 110 pages, $10.00 global social and economic inequality by practicing REAL fair trade in direct opposi- tion to gluttonous “free trade” and corporate fair trade. We recognize fair trade as one strategy for change within a larger movement for global social justice. Order Form 12 OZ. PER BAG, $10.00 Mail to: IWW Literature, PO Box 42777, Phila, PA 19101 Name:______You Don’t Play Address:______With Revolution City/State/Zip Code:______by C.L.R. James This new collection of essays by radical activist/critic QUANTITY ITEM PRICE C.L.R. James (perhaps best known today for his Every Cook Can Govern) features eight never-before-published lectures delivered in Montreal in 1967 and 1968, on sub- jects ranging from Shakespeare and Rousseau to Carib- bean history and the Haitian Revolution. Editor David Austin contributes a historical introduc- tion to James’ life and work. The book also includes two interviews from James’ stay in Canada, selected correspondence from the period, and an *Shipping/Handling In the U.S., please add $3.00 for first item Sub-Total:______appendix of essays including Marty Glaberman’s “C.L.R. James: The Man and His Work.” & $1.00 for each additional item * This book is essential reading for everyone who has grappled with James’ contribu- Canada: Add $4.00 for the first item, Shipping :______tions to radical theory, in particular his efforts to fuse radical Marxism with an approach $1.00 for each additional item Overseas: Add $5.00 for the first item, Total Enclosed:______focused on supporting autonomous stuggles by the dispossessed. $2.00 for each additional item 333 PAGES, $18.95 April 2010 • Industrial Worker • Page 11 Wobbly Arts ByThe Francis Working W. Cooke Classes ByThe Joe GrimMaking Feinberg of Wobbly Songs I am not a laboring man but I am the son and grandson of laboring men. I didn’t I have spent the last six months on a committee to re-edit the “Little Red Songbook” know my grandfather but my father was a member of the International Brotherhood of of our IWW. The committee has read and listened to hundreds of songs, a collective Electrical Workers and was active in the labor movement from his early teens. He often testament to a working class that will not be beaten or bored. As we put finishing touches told me that it took two generations of blue collars to put the third generation in a white on the new, 38th edition of the songbook, I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on the his- collar. I am proud that I was able to fulfill his dream for me by working for 50 years as an tory and future of our song tradition, which has been so often emulated but never quite engineer in a white collar. This poem is dedicated to my father, Bill Cooke. copied. When the bosses do their jobs They’re sitting on their asses Part I. Origins But you and I we have to stand Before the Wobbly Song emerged as a genre of its own, IWW writers based their Cause we’re the Working Classes lyrics on earlier models of poetic rebellion and anthemic affirmation. Romantic poets William Morris and Percy Shelley were both included in the first IWW song-cards, and And when the bosses get their checks Shelley’s “Song—To the Men of England” (1819) remains an unsurpassed expression of They get more dough than Crassus proletarian anger: But you and I, we get the change The seed ye sow another reaps; Cause we’re the working Classes The wealth ye find another keeps; The robes ye weave another wears; They say the boss creates the jobs The arms ye forge another bears. That employ the nations’ masses While all we do is all the work Sow seed, but let no tyrant reap; We’re just the Working Classes Find wealth, —let no imposter heap; Weave robes, —let not the idle wear; But when it’s time to disemploy Forge arms, in your defence to bear. And pass out those pink passes (verses 5 and 6) There’s always plenty to go around Graphic: DJ Alperovitz Among the Working Classes This lyrical zeal was combined with the earnest, direct, and grandiose declarations of “The Internationale” and “The Red Flag” to provide a model for early IWW songs like And now our women have to work “Industrial Freedom” (a.k.a. “Freedom, Toilers!”), written by William R. Fox for the In- While the bosses make their passes dustrial Worker in January 1906, subsequently reprinted with piano accompaniment and And the girls just have to take it heavily advertised by the IW throughout 1906: They’re part of the Working Classes World-wide ringing goes the message, Tyrants quake with horrid presage, And our kids are drunks and druggies Freedom! Freedom! Freedom, toilers! And dropping out of classes Land and tools at last for users, Cause no American dream is left And the product to producers! For America’s Working Classes Unto him who works requital, But the idler has no title! “Any why should it be this way?” you ask Workers of the world, unite all! Why you bunch of horses asses World-alliance! You’re a cost of doing business Hurl defiance! Not human, the Working Classes Force compliance from the spoilers! Down with shirkers! Up with workers! What’s Next For The British Royal Mail Dispute? Freedom! Freedom! Freedom, toilers! Graphic: Ned Powell Continued from 1 (first verse; thanks to FW Evan Wolfson for bringing this song to my attention) extend to the families of those who actu- 24-hour contracts. ally do the work. Workers on 24-hour contracts do not In spite of its creative rhymes, however, Fox’s song was soon forgotten and was Royal Mail has plucked a figure of sort mail, and as their working hours are never included in a “Little Red Songbook.” Richard Brazier soon introduced an impor- 10 percent out of the air and informed so short, their mail has to be prepared tant innovation into IWW song tradition by writing all his words to popular commercial the media, who are only too willing to for delivery by a full-time worker who and religious tunes. This helped ensure his fellow workers would know the tunes, while believe it, that this is the amount of mail has been taken off their sorting duty. providing him with a variety of narrative motifs already found in the parodied songs. Still, they are losing each year. One way they This reduces the number of staff who in songs like “A Dream,” Brazier maintained the solemn attitude of his anthem-writing come up with this nice round number is sort through mail, so the job takes much predecessors: by lowering the average amount of mail longer to complete. The knock-on effect One day as I lay dreaming, this vision came to me: each tray of mail holds. Mail arrives in is to make deliveries leave the office later I saw an army streaming, singing of liberty; delivery offices in a grey tray. An agree- and later. Mail which used to arrive by I marked these toilers passing by, I listened to their cry. ment between Royal Mail and the CWU breakfast time now arrives at any time of It was a triumphant anthem—an anthem filled with joy; said that each tray holds an average of the day and sometimes the night. It was a triumphant anthem—an anthem filled with joy. 208 letters. Royal Mail later lowered this Part-time staff know that they have to 150 letters. We did a count at my de- no chance of ever becoming full-time One union, industrial union; livery office and not one tray contained and everyone knows managers are out Workers of the world unite, fewer than 200 letters, and frequently to get rid of as many full-time staff as To make us free from slavery trays contained as many as 280. Royal possible, using sick absence procedure And gain each man his right. Graphic: Ned Powell Mail and the Government have an agen- or issuing warnings for the slightest (first verse and chorus; first appeared in first Songbook edition, 1909; tune: “The da to sell off the business to a privateer, misdemeanor. Holy City”) and the “falling mail volumes” scam fits All of this causes much resentment. right in with it. Naturally, Royal Mail comes in for criti- It was Joe Hill who first used the genre of parody to its full potential to lampoon the The other big scam is known as cism, but the leadership of the CWU is priests and politicians and too-loyal workers who were lauded in popular music. Irrever- “Down Stream Access” or DSA. This seen as being complicit due to their ent wit was firmly established alongside triumphant earnestness, and a new model for is mail which postal workers have to reluctance to do anything about it. The labor songs was born. These are the songs that have made the “Little Red Songbook” deliver for private companies such as CWU admit to losing 15,000 members the best-loved work of labor literature. And there is no need to reprint examples here, TNT Express, DHL and Citipost. Royal in 2009 alone (there are now 27,000 because the new Songbook edition will be amply filled with them when it arrives at your branch this May. Mail was allowed by the government to non-unionized workers in Royal Mail) Next month: Part II, on the future of Wobbly song. set a rate for delivering this mail, which and expect losses of 1,000 members per meant they lose money on every letter month in 2010. The ratio of leavers to handled. Even CWU General Secretary joiners is two-to-one, and total member- Billy Hayes has stated a loss to Royal ship has fallen from 300,000 to 217,000. Subscribe to the Industrial Worker Mail of two pence on every single item This means a loss of around £250,000 Subscribe or renew your Industrial Worker subscription. delivered. Who pays? The taxpayer and per week from CWU coffers. postal workers who have not had a pay Postal workers have a reputation for Give a gift that keeps your family or friends thinking. rise since 2007. Will Billy Hayes start a militancy which is not matched by the campaign telling the taxpayer they are CWU leadership. If the deal with Royal Get 10 issues of working class news and views for: subsidizing Rupert Murdoch’s TNT? I Mail, which the workers are not deemed • US $18 for individuals. doubt it! worthy to know the details of, falls short • US $24 for library/institutions. The figure of 10 percent seems to be of expectations, a further tightening of one which Royal Mail has grown very belts in CWU headquarters at Wimble- • US $20 for international subscriptions. fond of. Last year it issued what they call don will become inevitable as more Name: ______“The Ten Percent Challenge.” It sounds members leave. Address:______like the title of a daytime TV game show, Can we expect the leadership to City/State/Province:______but it’s far more entertaining than that! lead? Experience says “no.” The Labour Royal Mail expects each delivery office to Party has constantly attacked the living Zip/Postal Code:______make budget savings of 10 percent year standards and employment rights of the Send this subscription form to: on year. One way this is achieved is by working class, yet Hayes and company managers bullying staff not to book over- persist in throwing cash at it. Industrial Worker Subscriptions, time on overloaded deliveries. Another Will the executives of the CWU sit PO Box 180195, Chicago, IL 60618 USA way Royal Mail makes savings—while back and watch the casualisation of the Subscribe to the Industrial Worker today! at the same time driving down stan- postal service, with its short-term con- dards—is by replacing full-time workers tracts and easily-disposable and replace- and, instead, hiring part-time staff on able staff? I wouldn’t bet against it! Page 12 • Industrial Worker • April 2010 Judge Upholds Boycott Ban On FAU Berlin By the FAU On Feb. 16, 2010, the regional labor court of Berlin confirmed that the Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter-Union (FAU) Berlin can’t call for a boycott of the Babylon Mitte Cinema. The same court had previously issued an injunc- tion in October 2009 against the boycott The IWW formed the International Solidarity Commission to help the union build at the behest of the cinema’s bosses. the worker-to-worker solidarity that can lead to effective action against the bosses The boycott was a part of a year-old of the world. To contact the ISC, email [email protected]. labor dispute between the Babylon and Photo: syndikalismus.wordpress.com FAU Berlin members who work there— workers which has a few members in By Nathaniel Miller their goal being better working condi- the Babylon, but that he did not have The International Solidarity Com- IWW in Palestine Website tions and labor contracts. The judge, the power to determine this. The judge mission is off to a great year. We are The IWW in Palestine Working Dr. Rancke, found that the FAU Berlin explained that German law—as opposed engaged in some important solidarity Group website is up and we are busy was not allowed to call for job actions to many other countries’—does not allow work: with workers in Bangladesh, rais- putting together an FAQ sheet and in labor disputes because it was not for “small, dexterous unions.” ing money for unionists in Haiti, giving strategizing how to best support the “mighty” enough. In Germany, unions Meanwhile, the case of the FAU presentations on past ISC delegations unions we met while there. Members of must display a certain degree of “social Berlin has reached a wider audience. The to Palestine and Haiti, and hosting a the delegation have given presentations might” (the amount of which is decided hearing at the regional labor court had tour by the National Garment Workers in Alaska,Philadelphia and Baltimore by judges) before they can sign labor to be moved to a bigger room because of Federation of Bangladesh. Also we are Wobfest, and Winnipeg branch members contracts and take job action without the crowd. Two days earlier—on Val- excited to announce that some autono- helped put together a series of events for fear of legal retribution. If a union’s entine’s Day—unionists and civil rights mous workers in Cuba wish to affiliate Israeli Apartheid Week at the University particular form of social might isn’t ac- activists launched a petition that calls with the IWW. of Manitoba. Check out http://www.iww. counted for in case law, which is true for for the workers’ freedom of association org/en/projects/isc/palestine for more the anarcho-syndicalist FAU, the union to be defended and the ban on the FAU Solidarity with Haiti information. must sue for the right to take job action Berlin’s union activities to be lifted. The Thanks to the generous support of and sign contracts—a lengthy and costly FAU Berlin staged a demonstration on Fellow Workers all over the globe we Bangladesh Garment Workers procedure. The judge admitted that the Feb. 20 in Berlin to highlight the fact have so far been able to raise nearly Tour the U.S. FAU Berlin’s might could have forced that workers should decide how they $3,400 for The ISC the Babylon to sign a labor contract with organize, not the state. workers in is supporting Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft To contact FAU Berlin please email Haiti. a U.S. tour by (ver.di ), a union representing service [email protected]. In April the National 2008, the ISC Garment Work- was part of an ers Federation Global Day Of Protest In Solidarity With FAU Berlin IWW delega- of Bangladesh By “robot” Ireland: Dublin tion to Haiti, in April. For On Jan. 29 & 30, 2010, there were Italy: Florence, Trieste where we met tour dates, see protests in at least 56 cities in 20 Sweden: Gothenburg, Katrineholm with workers “South Asian countries against a verdict that pro- Ukraine: Kiev and peas- Garment Sweat- hibits workers in Berlin from affiliat- Denmark: Copenhagen ants strug- shop Workers ing themselves with the union of their Norway: Oslo gling against Speak Out” on choice. The bosses at the Babylon Mitte New Zealand: Wellington neo-liberal page 6. Cinema managed to find a court to Austria: Vienna slavery. We ban the FAU Berlin from calling itself Japan: Fukuoka pledged our Solidarity a union and are now trying to get the We'd like to thank those of you in continued with Cuban FAU Berlin charged with fines or even Germany and all around the planet support to IWW affiliates have their members imprisoned. This who expressed your solidarity with their struggle, Finally we comes after a month-long labor dispute the FAU Berlin by making a statement and Fel- want to offer a between the FAU shop-floor and the about your disgust with the manage- low Work- warm welcome management. ment of the Babylon Mitte Cinema and ers donated to the workers in We received reports about protests the scandalous verdicts of the Berlin generously Cuba who wish in the following cities: courts. We are deeply touched that we to support to affiliate with Germany: Aachen, Berlin, Bonn, have been the cause of one of the big- their orga- the IWW. We Darmstadt, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, gest waves of international solidarity nizing, and are currently Graphic: International Solidarity Commission Frankfurt/M, Halle/Saale, Hamburg, within the anti-authoritarian workers’ again following trying to figure Hannover, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Kiel, movement in the past few years. We the hurricanes. Our delegation made out with them the most sensible way to Leipzig, Moers, Münster, Nürnberg, also would like to thank all those in a short video about our trip, “Haiti’s maintain this relationship given the diffi- Recklinghausen, Schwerin, Plauen, Germany and from other corners of Tourniquet,” which we’re selling for $15 culties of organizing independent unions Stuttgart; the planet who took action but did not (includes shipping) to raise money for in Cuba, but we will offer them solidarity Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, Bilboa, send in reports. And, of course, we ap- our comrades in Haiti, and any dona- in any feasible way. Jerez, Madrid, Malaga, Grenada, Valen- preciate those like the Freeters Gen- tions large or small are greatly appreci- cia, Zaragoza eral Union in Japan, who plan to take ated. You can purchase videos and send Get Involved with the ISC! United Kingdom: Leeds, Liverpool, action in the coming days. The struggle donations to: Nathaniel Miller, PO Box The 2010 ISC is seeking to expand London has just begun. We were therefore glad 31909, Philadelphia, PA 19104. You may our contact database and relation- France: Paris, Lille, Marseille to hear that many more unions and also Paypal donations to iwwhaitifund@ ships with international unions. If you United States: Philadelphia, Phoenix organizations—though they did not gmail.com. Please mark checks/Paypal are planning to travel to other parts of Greece: Athens, Thessaloniki manage to take action during this wave payments “IWW Haiti Fund,” and note the globe and would like to be an ISC Switzerland: Bern of protests—have announced that they if you want a video. Contact nathaniel@ delegate please contact solidarity@iww. Slovakia: Bratislava will take action next time. For reports iww.org for other questions. We will be org and we can try to put you in touch Belgium: Brussels and any further information please collecting money for a few more weeks with workers in the region. Feel free to Bangladesh: Dhaka contact [email protected]. before we send it down to Haiti. contact us if you have any questions. May Day is just around the corner!

Graphic: niu.edu Celebrate the real labor day with a message of solidarity! Send your May Day announcements to [email protected] by Friday, April 2.