The general strike is back!
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Matthew Andrews
Feb 26, 2017, 12:34:36 PM2/26/17
to workers-internation...@googlegroups.com
Fellow workers,
So much has happened since this email list was active. I'm curious
whether people have been involved in the recent upsurge of activity
since Trump's election? In particular, it looks like women's groups and
migrant rights groups are talking about the general strike - or at least
"a day without women" or "a day without immigrants." In my estimation,
conditions are the best I've ever seen for industrial unionism. The
questions we face are 1) will there be a broad working class unity, or
will we remain divided by identity politics? and 2) can we build
organizations beyond a one day action that will function in the workplace?
Here in Boston, the IWW's GEB smashed our branch with the help of some
provocateurs. They made wild accusations about sexism, then made off
with about $5,000 from our treasury. Some of us stood firmly on the
side of transparency, due process, democracy, and member rights. We
continue to organize, now as the Boston Labor Solidarity Committee. The
actual politics of the group is still mostly anarcho-syndicalist. For
example, we hosted a talk by Jon Bekken, editor of the
Anarcho-Syndicalist Review, which I find ridiculously sectarian toward
the Marxist tradition. But they tolerate me and seem to be open to
building a more ideologically diverse group. We are networking with
others, particularly in the northeast, who have been purged or otherwise
left the IWW in disgust.
Trying to start a union by proclamation, particularly under the sleepy
spell of Obama, was premature. But now that thousands of people are in
the streets, we may be able to build organizing committees and even
industrial unions just by collecting contact and employment info, and
providing some basic training.
If folks are interested, I'd suggest organizing local Labor Solidarity
Committees. Let's develop a plan for supporting strike activity by
non-union workers, doing one-on-one outreach at rallies, and building
organizing committees that can take action in workplaces and link
workers by industry. These local efforts could produce the building
blocks for a future WIIU. The time is right!
In Solidarity,
~Matt A.
So much has happened since this email list was active. I'm curious
whether people have been involved in the recent upsurge of activity
since Trump's election? In particular, it looks like women's groups and
migrant rights groups are talking about the general strike - or at least
"a day without women" or "a day without immigrants." In my estimation,
conditions are the best I've ever seen for industrial unionism. The
questions we face are 1) will there be a broad working class unity, or
will we remain divided by identity politics? and 2) can we build
organizations beyond a one day action that will function in the workplace?
Here in Boston, the IWW's GEB smashed our branch with the help of some
provocateurs. They made wild accusations about sexism, then made off
with about $5,000 from our treasury. Some of us stood firmly on the
side of transparency, due process, democracy, and member rights. We
continue to organize, now as the Boston Labor Solidarity Committee. The
actual politics of the group is still mostly anarcho-syndicalist. For
example, we hosted a talk by Jon Bekken, editor of the
Anarcho-Syndicalist Review, which I find ridiculously sectarian toward
the Marxist tradition. But they tolerate me and seem to be open to
building a more ideologically diverse group. We are networking with
others, particularly in the northeast, who have been purged or otherwise
left the IWW in disgust.
Trying to start a union by proclamation, particularly under the sleepy
spell of Obama, was premature. But now that thousands of people are in
the streets, we may be able to build organizing committees and even
industrial unions just by collecting contact and employment info, and
providing some basic training.
If folks are interested, I'd suggest organizing local Labor Solidarity
Committees. Let's develop a plan for supporting strike activity by
non-union workers, doing one-on-one outreach at rallies, and building
organizing committees that can take action in workplaces and link
workers by industry. These local efforts could produce the building
blocks for a future WIIU. The time is right!
In Solidarity,
~Matt A.
unionsocialist
Jun 2, 2017, 12:37:04 PM6/2/17
to Workers' International Industrial Union
socialism will happen. I think there was never any "general strike" of any sorts and while the radical left is rising it is either "pure and simple socialism" in the form of leninism (even If I respect Comrade lenin and those turning to him I belive they lack theory of a industrilised nation) or go to the utopian class traitors of anarchism. more are class councious, but not many do have the proper theory for revolutionary action. but if any time is right it is after trumps victory to organize in the US. if local unions can form and unite into a rival of the anarchists in the radical labour movement. and From your story I see a great potential. I can sadly not do much from across the sea I encurage all action for revolution. (this came very late but still a good subject)
best regards
Scott Wallace
Jun 5, 2017, 11:41:14 AM6/5/17
to workers-internation...@googlegroups.com
Sounds good Matt. I'm glad to hear that you're feeling inspired. Are you on the WIIU facebook page? Could you post this or something similar there?
I need to move somewhere where there is some action going on.
socialism will happen. I think there was never any "general strike" of any sorts and while the radical left is rising it is either "pure and simple socialism" in the form of leninism (even If I respect Comrade lenin and those turning to him I belive they lack theory of a industrilised nation) or go to the utopian class traitors of anarchism. more are class councious, but not many do have the proper theory for revolutionary action. but if any time is right it is after trumps victory to organize in the US. if local unions can form and unite into a rival of the anarchists in the radical labour movement. and From your story I see a great potential. I can sadly not do much from across the sea I encurage all action for revolution. (this came very late but still a good subject)
best regards
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