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Socialist Progressives

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Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
Thu Dec 22, 2011, 11:47 PM Dec 2011

Industrial Workers of the World | One Big Union! [View all]

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!

56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Even as a commie, I love the IWW.......... socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #1
It's for commies, too, comrade! Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #2
IWW in it's charter is non political Taverner Jul 2012 #31
I was being tongue-in-cheek. Fantastic Anarchist Jul 2012 #32
I know - hard to smile in type :) Taverner Jul 2012 #33
:) Fantastic Anarchist Jul 2012 #34
Stop Comm Fibbing srjmsbnd Nov 2012 #38
Can be a problem when one knows from "hearing". Go to a meeting yourself, then decide. <G> n/t jtuck004 May 2015 #52
I'll let Starry make the decision on un-pinning TBF Dec 2011 #3
Hi TBF ... Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #4
Yeah, I hadn't thought too much about the pinning thing socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #5
That seems like a good idea. Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #6
You're all right. We're ALL feeling our way around socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #7
Whenever you get a chance. Starry Messenger Dec 2011 #9
Thank you ... Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #10
"Resource Post" - love that idea TBF Dec 2011 #8
I think that it's a MUST for us since we've STILL got a lot socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #12
Sounds great to me - Welcome & Resources - agree completely. TBF Dec 2011 #13
as a reader, I like this being pinned.. ellenrr Sep 2013 #47
There are some who are not eligible for membership. Scruffy1 Dec 2011 #20
Good to see you here, Scruffy socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #21
Okay, I requested white_wolf add this to his resource list. Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #11
Are you still in school, FA? TBF Dec 2011 #14
I work as a productivity analyst (ironic, eh?) and resource planner ... Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #16
sahm is stay at home mom TBF Dec 2011 #18
My real goal is to win the lottery. ;) Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #19
This message was self-deleted by its author auspicious Jan 2012 #22
Unpinned because I just added the link to the Resource thread and we decided to only have two sticky white_wolf Dec 2011 #15
Thank you, white_wolf. nt Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #17
I felt it was only fair to repin this post since there was not enough room in the resource thread. white_wolf Jan 2012 #23
Good call wolf........ socialist_n_TN Jan 2012 #24
Occupy the DOE ChalkFace Jan 2012 #25
Hey ChalkFace why don't you make this a separate post? socialist_n_TN Jan 2012 #26
I'm a member! WOTWU! Taverner Jan 2012 #27
I like it libodem Feb 2012 #28
Spam deleted by Ian David (MIR Team) Global Teach-In Mar 2012 #29
Are retired workers included? jwirr Jun 2012 #30
Certainly yes limpyhobbler Oct 2012 #36
T-Bone Slim (Matti Huhta) and Hiski Salomaa tama Sep 2012 #35
Excellent! I watched the girl playing chords. Fantastic Anarchist Nov 2012 #40
One of my all time favourites . . . Unca Adverse Jul 2014 #50
I want a Dues Rebate srjmsbnd Nov 2012 #37
I'll bring it up at the next meeting ... Fantastic Anarchist Nov 2012 #39
Violence of the most violent sort is the only way we will ever prevail in this struggle. jtuck004 Dec 2012 #41
First condition of joining - "You are a worker (not an employer);" jtuck004 Jan 2013 #42
Like Alvarado Street Bakery in Santa Cruz? Well then yes, the owner would be worker... Taverner Sep 2013 #43
Exactly. Since that time I did some reading and the IWW does charter groups where jtuck004 Sep 2013 #44
If the IWW blesses it, I bless it nt Taverner Sep 2013 #45
Yup. n/t. jtuck004 Sep 2013 #46
re: IWW history in the U.S.A. TheGoodNews Mar 2014 #48
Documentary on the IWW! TheGoodNews Mar 2014 #49
Hi. I don't think I am Socialist. Not yet, anyway. But I am pro- merrily Sep 2014 #51
Love it dump2020trump Sep 2018 #53
Last Night Y-T Jan 2019 #54
Dues paying member checkin in. Devil Child Feb 2019 #55
Card Carrying Member! nt RFCalifornia Oct 2021 #56
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