Industrial Workers of the World | One Big Union!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

This discussion thread is pinned.

I figured I would post this and pin it - anyone can join. Power in numbers. They don't believe in craft unionism which pits worker vs. worker, nor the collaborationists like the AFL-CIO.

I think it's a pretty good resource.

If any other host in here feels it shouldn't be pinned, please unpin it for me and accept my apologies. Thank you.

Industrial Workers of the World - One Big Union

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About the IWW

The IWW is a member-run union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the job, in our industries and in our communities. IWW members are organizing to win better conditions today and build a world with economic democracy tomorrow. We want our workplaces run for the benefit of workers and communities rather than for a handful of bosses and executives.

We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially.

This means we organize all workers producing the same goods or providing the same services into one union, rather than dividing workers by skill or trade, so we can pool our strength to win our demands together. Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have made significant contributions to the labor struggles around the world and have a proud tradition of organizing across gender, ethnic and racial lines long before such organizing was popular.

We invite you to become a member whether or not the IWW happens to have representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, and recognize that unions are not about government certification or employer recognition but about workers coming together to address common concerns.

Sometimes this means refusing to work with dangerous equipment and chemicals.

Sometimes it means striking or signing a contract. Other times it mean agitating around particular issues or grievances in a workplace or industry.

The IWW is a democratic, member-run union. That means members decide what issues to address, and which tactics to use and we directly vote on office holders, from stewards to national offices. Why wait? Join the IWW and organize for a better future.

The Preamble to the IWW Constitution - This is the IWW's Mission Statement and call to arms.

Official IWW Literature - Official IWW literature is any literature, written by or about the IWW, that has been approved by the IWW's General Executive Board (who are elected to one-year terms by a democratic vote of the dues paying membership), or by a direct vote of the IWW's general membership.

Industrial Unionism - The IWW organizes industrially rather than by trade. These Industrial Unions are to be grouped together into six Departments. Our goal is to organize all industries into One Big Union. here we explain this concept.

Solidarity Unionism - is the term we use for the guiding strategic principles of the IWW as opposed to 'Business Unionism.' We strive to build unions based on the direct strength of workers on the job, without regard to government or employer 'recognition.' It also refers to a strategy that eschews traditional contracts as our end goal. Instead we seek to win gains and build power through direct action tactics, rejecting concessionary bargaining and the prevalent 'no-strike' and 'management rights' clauses most traditional trade unions are all too willing to accept. Here you can find out more about our the IWW's unique and innovative organizing strategy, Solidarity Unionism.

How the IWW Differs from Business Unions - The business unions foster a state of affairs which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry, thereby helping defeat one another in wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions aid the employing class to mislead the workers into the belief that the working class have interests in common with their employers. The IWW offers a different vision

The IWW Stance on Political Parties and Anarchism - To the end of promoting industrial unity and of securing necessary discipline within the organisation, the IWW refuses all alliances, direct or indirect, with any political parties or anti-political sects, and disclaims responsibility for any individual opinion or act which may be at variance with the purposes herein expressed.

The IWW's Stance on Ecology - Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the workers of the world organize as a class, take possession of the means of production, abolish the wage system, and live in harmony with the Earth.

Join or die!

[socialist_n_TN]

1. Even as a commie, I love the IWW..........

always have. It's what a union SHOULD be.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

2. It's for commies, too, comrade!

It's for all workers.

If you're a worker, then you're welcome.

[Taverner]

31. IWW in it's charter is non political

It's all about the worker and the worker's rights

[Fantastic Anarchist]

32. I was being tongue-in-cheek.

Pretty much saying it's for all workers regardless.

[Taverner]

33. I know - hard to smile in type :)

[Fantastic Anarchist]

34. :)

It's definitely hard to convey emotion over the internets.

[srjmsbnd]

38. Stop Comm Fibbing

I heard those wobbly debates they never achieved consensus as to the definition of the words used so it was agreed that none of the participants knew anything about what they were talking about as was stated in Finnish.

[jtuck004]

52. Can be a problem when one knows from "hearing". Go to a meeting yourself, then decide. <G> n/t

[TBF]

3. I'll let Starry make the decision on un-pinning

personally I would only have a welcome thread pinned - once folks start pinning things it's harder to see the new things posted and frankly there are a lot of socialist/communist groups out there.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

4. Hi TBF ...

My only intention was that this Union is available to everyone (of all socialist tendencies, or no tendency at all). I felt it would be beneficial to pin so that members, lurkers, or new members could avail themselves of the resources, and join if they wish to do so.

Again, I'll defer to the other hosts here, and if the determination is made that this is not warranted, please accept my apologies.

[socialist_n_TN]

5. Yeah, I hadn't thought too much about the pinning thing

myself until it was brought up about people ignoring it when there are too many pinned. Although I DO like the idea of pinning the "Resource" post, along with a "Welcome" post.

Remember on pinned posts, they should be ones that are used over and over again. Maybe the Wobblies post should be in "Resources". You could also put some of the anarchist resources you've posted in individual threads in the Resource post too after the floating post has run it's course. Check with wolf if you want to add them to his initial post.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

6. That seems like a good idea.

When I get a chance, I'll try to get it worked out. Stressed and overworked here.

[socialist_n_TN]

7. You're all right. We're ALL feeling our way around

here.

[Starry Messenger]

9. Whenever you get a chance.

I liked seeing it up here, but eventually we'll want to add this valuable addition to the "Reading List" or "Resources" so if people want to lay a link on people of things to read, this will be included. But this lets people get a chance to check out something new too. I don't really have a "pin policy", I just know from other forums that when they stack up, people tend to mentally scroll past them.

I hope you get some rest soon! Good posts FA!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

10. Thank you ...

Hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday Season (as well as you).

I'm at a friend's house watching her dog while she's out of town. I love the peace and quiet!!

Goes off to snooooooooze.

[TBF]

8. "Resource Post" - love that idea

that could include recommended reading & different groups everyone is affiliated with.

[socialist_n_TN]

12. I think that it's a MUST for us since we've STILL got a lot

of agitation and education to do. It just makes sense to put them all in one place for easy access. And wolf's "Resource" post that already pinned is a good start. It would be like our DU socialist's library.

I DO think that FA's posts on the history and theories of anarchism (including this IWW post) should be included in the Resource post.

[TBF]

13. Sounds great to me - Welcome & Resources - agree completely.

Two pins shouldn't overwhelm anyone.

[ellenrr]

47. as a reader, I like this being pinned..

caught my attention, as I did not think views like this were allowed expression at DU. Glad I'm wrong about that. I love the Wobblies.

Anybody see the movie "The Wobblies"? It is wonderful. Just average working Americans standing up to repression. Something I don't see a lot of these days.

[Scruffy1]

20. There are some who are not eligible for membership.

Generally speaking self employed, union officers and bosses are excluded. But then this is left up to each Branch to decide in practice.

[socialist_n_TN]

21. Good to see you here, Scruffy

Welcome comrade!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

11. Okay, I requested white_wolf add this to his resource list.

Feel free to unpin when necessary. Thank you all!

Hope you all are enjoying your Holiday Season!



I'm relaxing finally.

[TBF]

14. Are you still in school, FA?

I'm a SAHM now, so my times to relax are when my children are at school/activities. Holidays are always hectic. This year we are in Florida for Christmas, and it has been pretty quiet, so I've been able to get on my laptop a fair amount.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

16. I work as a productivity analyst (ironic, eh?) and resource planner ...

... for a clinical research organization. But, that's not what I want to do when I grow up. I'm actually going to school in February to get my CCNA certification. Then after that, I'm going to get my MCITP. That's the goal anyway.

I'm just a single bachelor. I'm actually watching a friend's dog at her house while she's out of town. So, it's total peace and quiet for me; just like I like it.

Edit to add: What is SAHM?

[TBF]

18. sahm is stay at home mom

My masters is in human resource development ... I like to recruit and train but not crazy about other HR functions

[Fantastic Anarchist]

19. My real goal is to win the lottery. ;)

[white_wolf]

15. Unpinned because I just added the link to the Resource thread and we decided to only have two sticky

[Fantastic Anarchist]

17. Thank you, white_wolf. nt

[white_wolf]

23. I felt it was only fair to repin this post since there was not enough room in the resource thread.

[socialist_n_TN]

24. Good call wolf........

Nm

[ChalkFace]

25. Occupy the DOE

To whom it may concern:

On March 30th to April 2nd, 2012, the grassroots education reform organization United Opt Out National (http://unitedoptout.com) will be holding an event in Washington, DC called Occupy the DOE. As a collection of teacher educators, K-12 teachers, and parents from around the country, we ask for your participation and support.

For more than a decade, the reform narrative in education has been dominated by test-based accountability, competition, and punishment. Large foundations and other corporate entities have propagated market-based principles like school choice, pay-for-performance, and for-profit management of schools. Consequently, large amounts of private wealth go towards influencing legislators and other public officials to dismantle public education, ultimately in favor of a private system that can be run for profit.

The key lever is the vaunted score on high-stakes state standardized tests, used to justify a slew of controversial decisions. As a result of ten years of this kind of reform, we are experiencing schools just as segregated by race and social class as they were in the 1950s. We in the United States are also experiencing a teaching profession that is constantly undermined and under attack. The culture of punishment and competition created under No Child Left Behind and now Race to the Top has proven to be a massive failure. Yet, private entities still push for test-based accountability measures despite near-universal opposition from educators and the pile of evidence against it.

In order to grind this failed reform climate to a screeching halt, we at United Opt Out National feel that an ultimate act of civil disobedience is all that we have left. We therefore call upon educators, leaders, parents, and students across our vast public education system to withhold the data by opting out of their state’s standardized tests. If policy-makers, legislators, and other officials cannot make responsible decisions based on quantitative data, and if they refuse to appreciate evidence to the contrary, then the only arrow left in our quiver is to simply refuse to hand over the data.

We at United Opt Out National certainly understand the potential consequences of refusing state standardized tests. We appreciate the reluctance of teachers and administrators to engage in an opt-out measure. Various state departments of education and their officials falsely claim that parents do not have the legal right to opt-out, that their refusal to concede to the tests will unfairly punish their children and their schools. While officials might be able to fire teachers, they cannot fire parents. If school systems wish to continue their obsession with test scores, then they must also be prepared to offer alternatives for the growing wave of parents who see test preparation violating their consciences and robbing their children of meaningful educational experiences.

Our Occupy the DOE event will include numerous teach-ins, social events, and actions in protest against test-based and corporate driven education reforms. In preservation of a free and equitable public education, and to support a new direction in education reform, we ask that you strongly consider participating in our event. If you would like any other information, feel free to contact any one of our administrators through our site at http://unitedoptout.com, which provides direct links to our myriad social media accounts, endorsements, readings, and other documentation.

Thank you for your consideration,

United Opt Out National
http://unitedoptout.com

[socialist_n_TN]

26. Hey ChalkFace why don't you make this a separate post?

It might get lost in this thread. Unless you guys are Wobblies.

[Taverner]

27. I'm a member! WOTWU!

[libodem]

28. I like it

My grandad was a wobbly. And even tho he was a Mormon he said no church was going to tell him how to vote or dictate whether he could belong to a union.

[Global Teach-In]

29. Spam deleted by Ian David (MIR Team)

[jwirr]

30. Are retired workers included?

[limpyhobbler]

36. Certainly yes

http://www.iww.org/en/membership/3/1

http://www.iww.org/en/membership

[tama]

35. T-Bone Slim (Matti Huhta) and Hiski Salomaa

I took a look how international the (in)famous wobblie gang is, and although it's functioning (currently) just in English-speaking countries, I found some very nice connections...

&feature=related

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrialisti

[Fantastic Anarchist]

40. Excellent! I watched the girl playing chords.

Very talented. Nice voice.

[Unca Adverse]

50. One of my all time favourites . . .

A classic Joe Hill poem made into a more modern song:

[srjmsbnd]

37. I want a Dues Rebate

I want a dues rebate from the IWW since: 1. none of them are nice enough to visit 2. After all encounters with them it was decided they are radical ET aliens who argue dogmatically too much for a political/worker organization as what I thought I joined instead of the debating club of wind bags they are 3. Since I am a nice enough earthling to not hold it against them that they are all spies agitators or something or another with no sense of humor, too much humor or simply long winded,

[Fantastic Anarchist]

39. I'll bring it up at the next meeting ...

... when you become funny. Only if and when.

[jtuck004]

41. Violence of the most violent sort is the only way we will ever prevail in this struggle.

So said Bill Haywood, and I concur.

"The IWW advocates violence of the most violent sort. Violence that consists of keepin our mouths shut, and our hands in our
pockets. In doin' this and stayin' on strike we are committin the most violent of acts. Cuttin' off our labor. Let them weave cloth with
bayonets."

Until we, labor, own the means of producing wealth we will always be second class citizens. The only way that stops is when we can stand together, quit operating it for our opponents, buy the assets or develop our own and run it for ourselves.

Because if you aren't seated at the table, you are on the menu.

[jtuck004]

42. First condition of joining - "You are a worker (not an employer);"

Last edited Sat Sep 14, 2013, 04:39 PM - Edit history (1)

What about democratically run co-operative business? Are they all seen as workers? Those are worker-owners, yet they have interests that are the same as workers everywhere. They are the embodiment of what Bill Haywood knew this movement and power could achieve, and where he parted with what I see as the traditional "government ownership" meme associated with "socialism". So just wondering...

Is there anything like an auxiliary of unemployed, craft-less people as an arm of the IWW?, Maybe subsidized, no dues, or $1 a year, get them in the fold so to speak, offer them education they can't get anywhere else?

We live in a different time. When Haywood was organizing people were were shot, hung, jailed, imprisoned for not helping the wealthy take their money, in a time before organizing got some legal protection, and before Gompers and his crew sided with the wealthy. Now people are sent food stamps, income tax subsidies, unemployment, many of those put in place to keep them from seeking to join with others or march in the streets, or because they did. Now that motivation that would have driven them to seek out the IWW is gone, so there is really no reason that _they_ see, (which is the most important thing for motivation). They will never hear any of this stuff in school beyond a few meaningless dates, largely no critical discussion, and even less chance if they go to most colleges.

Is there an effort to bring these ideas to that crowd?

[Taverner]

43. Like Alvarado Street Bakery in Santa Cruz? Well then yes, the owner would be worker...

Since all workers are owners over there

[jtuck004]

44. Exactly. Since that time I did some reading and the IWW does charter groups where

the workers are the owners in a real cooperative.

And given the future for 100 million or more Americans, they might want to avail themselves of the advantages of such associations, I'm thinkin', because it's becoming increasingly clear that they are becoming just the food supply for finance, and nothing more. A cooperative, and a union of cooperatives, might offer them some chance at not having to live on the plantation.

[Taverner]

45. If the IWW blesses it, I bless it nt

[jtuck004]

46. Yup. n/t.

[TheGoodNews]

48. re: IWW history in the U.S.A.

"Around the turn of the century, the Wobblies and other anarchists played the central role in winning workers the 5-day week and 8-hour day." Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology by David Graeber

So the next time you're off on the weekend or don't need to work 10-12 hour days, thank a Wobbly. Ⓐ

[TheGoodNews]

49. Documentary on the IWW!

BRING BACK THE WOBBLIES!

[merrily]

51. Hi. I don't think I am Socialist. Not yet, anyway. But I am pro-

international workers' solidarity. And would like to learn more.

I think everyone celebrating the same Labor Day would be a step in the direction of uniting workers worldwide more.

I recently learned that workers in a number of nations outside the US celebrate on May 1 (knew that) because of an event that happened in the US (did not know that). The event is in wiki as the Haymarket Affair but is also referred to as the Haymarket massacre (of strikers), which happened early in May.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair

Supposedly, President Cleveland did not want US workers associating their day off with the Haymarket Massacre. So, we observe it in September (and associate it with backyar hammocks and grilling).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/labor-day

Shouldn't Labor Day be associated with some event that actually reminds and teaches us something connected to the labor movement? And, if we want some kind of international affiliation, why not with nations who observe it on May 1 in honor of the martyrs of our very own US labor movement?

Also, who teaches the history of labor and labor movements to the general public, especially workers who are not going to go to college? How about unions joining together for the purpose of acquiring a cable network, on which they can do that, as well as informing workers about the unions that own the network and aabot what is going on in labor around the nation and the world?

[dump2020trump]

53. Love it

Thank you for sharing. I will be sharing with a family member of mine.

[Y-T]

54. Last Night

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you or me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
I never died, says he

In Salt Lake, Joe, says I to him
Him standing by my bed
They framed you on a murder charge
Says Joe, But I ain't dead
Says Joe, But I ain't dead

The copper bosses killed you, Joe
They shot you, Joe, says I
Takes more than guns to kill a man
Says Joe, I didn't die
Says Joe, I didn't die

And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Joe says, What they forgot to kill
Went on to organize
Went on to organize

Joe Hill ain't dead, he says to me
Joe Hill ain't never died
Where working men are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side
Joe Hill is at their side

From San Diego up to Maine
In every mine and mill
Where workers strike and organize
Says he, You'll find Joe Hill
Says he, You'll find Joe Hill

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you or me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
I never died, says he

[Devil Child]

55. Dues paying member checkin in.

Hello, and solidarity to all the fellow workers here.

[RFCalifornia]

56. Card Carrying Member! nt