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Occupied Greek Factory Begins Production Under Workers Control
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Dan Clore
Feb 12, 2013, 9:29:55 PM2/12/13
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News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
http://www.zcommunications.org/occupied-greek-factory-begins-production-under-workers-control-by-thessaloniki-solidarity-initiative
Occupied Greek Factory Begins Production Under Workers Control
By Thessaloniki Solidarity Initiative and Brendan Martin and Dario
Azzellini and Marina Sitrin
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
�We see this as the only future for worker�s struggles.�
Makis Anagnostou, Vio.Me workers� union spokesman
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 is the official first day of production under
workers control in the factory of Viomichaniki Metalleutiki (Vio.Me) in
Thessaloniki, Greece. This means production organized without bosses and
hierarchy, and instead planned with directly democratic assemblies of
the workers. The workers assemblies have declared an end to unequal
division of resources, and will have equal and fair remuneration,
decided collectively. The factory produces building materials, and they
have declared that they plan to move towards a production of these goods
that is not harmful for the environment, and in a way that is not toxic
or damaging.
�With unemployment climbing to 30% - sick and tired of big words,
promises and more taxes - not having been paid since May 2011, the
workers of Vio.Me, by decision of the general assembly of the union
declare their determination not to fall prey to a condition of perpetual
unemployment, but instead to take the factory in their own hands to
operate themselves. It is now time for worker�s control of Vio.Me.!�
(Statement of the Open Solidarity Initiative, written together with the
workers of Vio.Me � full statement: Viome.org)
Workers in Vio.Me stopped being paid in May of 2011, and subsequently
the owners and managers abandoned the factory. After a series of
assemblies the workers decided that together they would run the factory.
Since then, they have occupied and defended the factory and the
machinery needed for production. They have continued to reach out to
other workers and communities throughout Greece, receiving tremendous
support. The solidarity and support of all of these groups, communities
and individuals, has made an important contribution towards the survival
of the workers and their families thus far.
This experience of worker�s occupation to workers recovery and control
is not new � either historically or currently. Since 2001 there are
close to 300 workplaces that are run democratically by workers in
Argentina, ranging from health clinics and newspapers and schools, to
metal factories, print shops and a hotel. The experience there has shown
that workers together cannot only run their own workplace, but can do it
better. The example of Argentina has spread throughout the Americas, and
now to Europe and the US. In Chicago, workers of New World Windows have
begun production under workers control after years of struggles with
former owners and bosses. And now in Greece, workers are again showing
that the way forward � out of unemployment � refusing the crisis � is
workers control and directly democratic self-management.
�We urge all workers, the unemployed and all those who are affected by
the crisis to stand by the workers of Vio.Me and support them in their
effort to put in practice the belief that workers can make it without
bosses! To participate in the struggle and organize their own fights
within their work places, with directly democratic procedures and
without bureaucrats.� (Union�s website: biom-metal.blogspot.gr)
As with all factory recuperations, the question of initial financing is
central. While solidarity has been able to maintain the lives of the
workers of Vio.Me and their families, the capital needed to continue
production is huge. The workers� union has a business plan that is
sustainable, but will take time to get off the ground. These first
months are crucial. Financial help can make all the difference. Any
contribution is helpful.
Direct financial support can be sent to the Vio.Me workers� union in
Thessaloniki through the International Solidarity Website: viome.org
Solidarity Statements as well as questions can be sent to:
protbi...@gmail.com
Signed,
Thessaloniki Solidarity Initiative, Brendan Martin (Working World),
Dario Azzellini and Marina Sitrin
Supporters of this initiative include:
David Harvey, Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, John Holloway, Silvia Federici,
George Caffentzis, David Graeber, Mag Wompel (labournet.de) and The
Cooperativa de Trabajo lavaca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
--
Dan Clore
New book: _Weird Words: A Lovecraftian Lexicon_:
http://tinyurl.com/yd3bxkw
My collected fiction: _The Unspeakable and Others_
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-unspeakable-and-others/6124911
Lord We�rdgliffe & Necronomicon Page:
http://tinyurl.com/292yz9
News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
"From the point of view of the defense of our society,
there only exists one danger -- that workers succeed in
speaking to each other about their condition and their
aspirations _without intermediaries_."
--Censor (Gianfranco Sanguinetti), _The Real Report on
the Last Chance to Save Capitalism in Italy_
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
http://www.zcommunications.org/occupied-greek-factory-begins-production-under-workers-control-by-thessaloniki-solidarity-initiative
Occupied Greek Factory Begins Production Under Workers Control
By Thessaloniki Solidarity Initiative and Brendan Martin and Dario
Azzellini and Marina Sitrin
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
�We see this as the only future for worker�s struggles.�
Makis Anagnostou, Vio.Me workers� union spokesman
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 is the official first day of production under
workers control in the factory of Viomichaniki Metalleutiki (Vio.Me) in
Thessaloniki, Greece. This means production organized without bosses and
hierarchy, and instead planned with directly democratic assemblies of
the workers. The workers assemblies have declared an end to unequal
division of resources, and will have equal and fair remuneration,
decided collectively. The factory produces building materials, and they
have declared that they plan to move towards a production of these goods
that is not harmful for the environment, and in a way that is not toxic
or damaging.
�With unemployment climbing to 30% - sick and tired of big words,
promises and more taxes - not having been paid since May 2011, the
workers of Vio.Me, by decision of the general assembly of the union
declare their determination not to fall prey to a condition of perpetual
unemployment, but instead to take the factory in their own hands to
operate themselves. It is now time for worker�s control of Vio.Me.!�
(Statement of the Open Solidarity Initiative, written together with the
workers of Vio.Me � full statement: Viome.org)
Workers in Vio.Me stopped being paid in May of 2011, and subsequently
the owners and managers abandoned the factory. After a series of
assemblies the workers decided that together they would run the factory.
Since then, they have occupied and defended the factory and the
machinery needed for production. They have continued to reach out to
other workers and communities throughout Greece, receiving tremendous
support. The solidarity and support of all of these groups, communities
and individuals, has made an important contribution towards the survival
of the workers and their families thus far.
This experience of worker�s occupation to workers recovery and control
is not new � either historically or currently. Since 2001 there are
close to 300 workplaces that are run democratically by workers in
Argentina, ranging from health clinics and newspapers and schools, to
metal factories, print shops and a hotel. The experience there has shown
that workers together cannot only run their own workplace, but can do it
better. The example of Argentina has spread throughout the Americas, and
now to Europe and the US. In Chicago, workers of New World Windows have
begun production under workers control after years of struggles with
former owners and bosses. And now in Greece, workers are again showing
that the way forward � out of unemployment � refusing the crisis � is
workers control and directly democratic self-management.
�We urge all workers, the unemployed and all those who are affected by
the crisis to stand by the workers of Vio.Me and support them in their
effort to put in practice the belief that workers can make it without
bosses! To participate in the struggle and organize their own fights
within their work places, with directly democratic procedures and
without bureaucrats.� (Union�s website: biom-metal.blogspot.gr)
As with all factory recuperations, the question of initial financing is
central. While solidarity has been able to maintain the lives of the
workers of Vio.Me and their families, the capital needed to continue
production is huge. The workers� union has a business plan that is
sustainable, but will take time to get off the ground. These first
months are crucial. Financial help can make all the difference. Any
contribution is helpful.
Direct financial support can be sent to the Vio.Me workers� union in
Thessaloniki through the International Solidarity Website: viome.org
Solidarity Statements as well as questions can be sent to:
protbi...@gmail.com
Signed,
Thessaloniki Solidarity Initiative, Brendan Martin (Working World),
Dario Azzellini and Marina Sitrin
Supporters of this initiative include:
David Harvey, Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, John Holloway, Silvia Federici,
George Caffentzis, David Graeber, Mag Wompel (labournet.de) and The
Cooperativa de Trabajo lavaca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
--
Dan Clore
New book: _Weird Words: A Lovecraftian Lexicon_:
http://tinyurl.com/yd3bxkw
My collected fiction: _The Unspeakable and Others_
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-unspeakable-and-others/6124911
Lord We�rdgliffe & Necronomicon Page:
http://tinyurl.com/292yz9
News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
"From the point of view of the defense of our society,
there only exists one danger -- that workers succeed in
speaking to each other about their condition and their
aspirations _without intermediaries_."
--Censor (Gianfranco Sanguinetti), _The Real Report on
the Last Chance to Save Capitalism in Italy_
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