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O f f i c i a l n e w s p a p e r oF T h e I n d u s t r i a l Wo r k e r s o f t h e Wo r l d
London IWW, Labor Activists Unite In Support Of Swedish SAC Union By X355622 from comrades in Germany from the
On Aug. 13, the Cleaners’ Defence FAU (Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbe-
Committee (CDC) of the London IWW iter-Union) and the IWW, who were
General Membership Branch were engaging in similar solidarity actions.
joined by supporters at a demonstration London Regional has so far denied
outside the offices of London & Regional all responsibility and association with
Properties (London Regional) in solidar- Berns, a Swedish nightclub/company re-
ity with the SAC (Sveriges Arbetares sponsible for severe mistreatment of its
Centralorganisation, or Central Orga- cleaning staff, having made some clean-
nization of the Workers of Sweden) for ers work up to 22-hour shifts, six or so
two hours, handing out information to days a week. The dispute between Berns
the staff and passersby. The turnout and the SAC continues, though London
was good as support came in from other Regional will not engage in dialogue with
groups, including branches of the Rail the IWW, CDC, or any of the individuals
and Maritime Transport Union (RMT) and groups who have phoned them with
Solidarity Federation, Feminist Fight- their complaints.
back, Latin American Workers Asso- But the message to London Region-
ciation, and London Coalition Against al/Berns is loud and clear: We will never
Poverty, amongst others. ignore the mistreatment of workers
London Wobblies and labor activists demonstrate on Aug. 13. Photo: Jose Sagaz Letters of support were read out Continued on 8
Support Alex Svoboda being victorious. Not only does this set
our standards low but it also plays into a
nothing inherently wrong with watching
or playing sports. Sure, they can be a dis-
Dear Readers of the IW, culture of misrepresentation that leads traction or even an anesthetic. But under
I'm grateful for the work FW Ken- people to be dismissive of publications capitalism, sometimes we need a bit of
neth Miller has been doing on the that claim progress in social movements. escapism to survive. And it’s not like
General Defense Committee (GDC), an Chris Agenda sports are going to disappear after the
important component of our union's Portland, OR revolution. There’s nothing objectively
Letters Welcome!
mission. Kenneth mentioned my situa-
tion in in the Defiant Spirit column on The Football Debate wrong or pro-capitalist about a bit of
“team spirit,” exercise, friendly rivalry,
Send your letters to: iw@iww.org page 4 of the August/September IW. Editor’s Note: Due to space limitations, or watching world-class athletes do what
with “Letter” in the subject. While it is true that the ramifica- the IW was unable to publish all re- they do best. If anything, working class
tions of the attack I experienced in 2007 sponses to the August/September Soap- power is about workers getting more of
Mailing address: continue, I am almost certainly more box letter, “NFL Players Are Not Work- “the good things in life” and this means
IW, P.O. Box 7430, JAF Station, New ers: The Debate Continues” by X365465, entertainment, like watching sports on
York, NY 10116, United States reasonably situated than FW Alex Svo-
boda, and would like to urge all support- but we will be publishing them in future your days off.
ers to send their monies, along with the issues. In the meantime, try to limit The third and most important point
In November We Remember militant support, to the GDC, earmarked further discussion of this topic in your is that income does not determine class.
Announcements for the annual “In for the support of FW Svoboda. Readers’ Soapbox submissions. Class is determined by one’s relationship
November We Remember” Industrial In solidarity, X365465 raised some worthwhile to the means of production. Hence, the
Worker deadline is October 8. Celebrate Erik Davis points in last month’s Readers’ Soapbox absurdity of X365465’s claim that indi-
the lives of those who have struggled for
Boron Was No Victory
(“The Debate Continues”). Foremostly, viduals like Henry Ford or John Rock-
the working class with your message of it’s right to criticize football players efeller could ever be considered workers.
solidarity. Send announcements to iw@ for crossing picket lines and generally Football players work for a wage.
I wanted to thank FW Steve Ongerth
iww.org. Much appreciated donations showing a lack of solidarity. However, Their labor creates wealth and they only
for making the point about claim-
for the following sizes should be sent to: there are three criticisms of “The Debate receive a certain percentage of it. In this
ing victories in struggles that haven’t
IWW GHQ, Post Office Box 180195, Continues” that need to be made. The case, marketing, advertising and spon-
resulted in victories in his piece “Victory
Chicago, IL 60618, United States. first is that lots of workers (no matter sorship grossly inflate the wealth gener-
In Boron? I Think Not,” which appeared
$12 for 1” tall, 1 column wide on page 4 of the August/September how narrowly we define the category) ated, but it’s still the labor of football
$40 for 4” by 2 columns IW. Much of the “the left,” and espe- cross picket lines, and generally show players—as workers—that enables the
$90 for a quarter page cially labor movements, are too quick a lack of solidarity. This doesn’t mean NFL to bring in so much revenue. The
to celebrate moments that are far from they’re not workers. Second, there’s Continued on 4
Industrial Worker
The Voice of Revolutionary
IWW directory
Industrial Unionism Australia fmaack@hotmail.com. Hawaii Starbucks Campaign: 44-61 11th St. Fl. 3, Long
Regional Organising Committee: P.O. Box 1866, Ottawa Panhandlers Union: Andrew Nellis, Honolulu: Tony Donnes, del., donnes@hawaii.edu Island City 11101 starbucksunion@yahoo.com
Albany, WA spokesperson, 613-748-0460. ottawapanhandler- www.starbucksunion.org
Organization Albany: 0423473807, entropy4@gmail.com sunion@sympatico.ca Idaho
Boise: Ritchie Eppink, del., P.O. Box 453, 83701. Upstate NY GMB: P.O. Box 235, Albany 12201-
Education Melbourne: P.O. Box 145, Moreland, VIC 3058. Peterborough: c/o PCAP, 393 Water St. #17, K9H 208-371-9752, eppink@gmail.com 0235, 518-833-6853 or 518-861-5627. www.
Emancipation 0448 712 420 3L7, 705-749-9694 upstate-nyiww.org, secretary@upstate-ny-iww.
Illinois org, Rochelle Semel, del., P.O. Box 172, Fly Creek
Perth: Mike Ballard, swillsqueal@yahoo.com.au Toronto GMB: c/o Libra Knowledge & Information
Svcs Co-op, P.O. Box 353 Stn. A, M5W 1C2. 416- Chicago GMB: 2117 W. Irving Park Rd., 60618. 13337, 607-293-6489, rochelle71@peoplepc.com.
British Isles 919-7392. iwwtoronto@gmail.com 773-857-1090. Gregory Ehrendreich, del., 312- Hudson Valley GMB: P.O. Box 48, Huguenot 12746,
Official newspaper of the 479-8825, labrat@iww.org
British Isles Regional Organising Committee (BI- Québec 845-342-3405, hviww@aol.com, http://hviww.
Industrial Workers ROC): PO Box 7593 Glasgow, G42 2EX. Secretariat: Montreal: iww_quebec@riseup.net. Paul Lespe Central Ill GMB: 903 S. Elm, Champaign, IL, 61820. blogspot.com/
rocsec@iww.org.uk, Organising Department Chair: ance, del., 7673 Saint-Denis, H2R2E7. 514-277- 217-356-8247. David Johnson, del., unionyes@
of the World south@iww.org.uk. www.iww.org.uk ameritech.net Ohio
6047, paule_lesperance@yahoo.ca Ohio Valley GMB: P.O. Box 42233, Cincinnati
Post Office Box 180195 IWW UK Web Site administrators and Tech Depart- Freight Truckers Hotline: mtw530@iww.org
ment Coordinators: admin@iww.org.uk, www. Europe 45242.
Chicago, IL 60618 USA tech.iww.org.uk Waukegan: P.O Box 274, 60079.
Finland Textile & Clothing Workers IU 410: P.O. Box 317741
773.857.1090 • ghq@iww.org NBS Job Branch National Blood Service: iww.nbs@ Helsinki: Reko Ravela, Otto Brandtintie 11 B 25, Indiana Cincinnati 45231. ktacmota@aol.com
gmail.com 00650. iwwsuomi@helsinkinet.fi Lafayette GMB: P.O. Box 3793, West Lafayette, Oklahoma
www.iww.org Mission Print Job Branch: tomjoad3@hotmail. 47906, 765-242-1722
German Language Area Tulsa: P.O. Box 213 Medicine Park 73557, 580-529-
co.uk IWW German Language Area Regional Organizing Iowa 3360.
Building Construction Workers IU 330: construc- Committee (GLAMROC): Post Fach 19 02 03, 60089 Eastern Iowa GMB: 114 1/2 E. College Street, Iowa
General Secretary-Treasurer: tionbranch@iww.org.uk Frankfurt/M, Germany iww-germany@gmx.net. City, 52240. easterniowa@iww.org Oregon
Joe Tessone Health Workers IU 610: healthworkers@iww.org. www.wobblies.de Lane County: Ed Gunderson, del., 541-953-3741.
uk, www.iww-healthworkers.org.uk Maine gunderson@centurytel.net, www.eugeneiww.org
Austria: iwwaustria@gmail.com. www.iw-
General Executive Board: Education Workers IU 620: education@iww.org.uk, waustria.wordpress.com Barry Rodrigue, 75 Russell Street, Bath, 04530. Portland GMB: 2249 E Burnside St., 97214,
www.geocities.com/iwweducation Frankfurt am Main: iww-frankfurt@gmx.net 207-442-7779 503-231-5488. portland.iww@gmail.com, pdx.
Monika Vykoukal, Koala Largess, Maryland
Recreational Workers (Musicians) IU 630: peltonc@ Goettingen: iww-goettingen@gmx.net iww.org
Ildiko Silpos, Ryan G., E. Wolfson, gmail.com, longadan@gmail.com Baltimore IWW: P.O. Box 33350, 21218. balti- Portland Red and Black Cafe: 400 SE 12th Ave,
Koeln GMB: IWW, c/o BCC, Pfaelzer Str. 2-4, 50677 moreiww@gmail.com
Slava Osowska, Bob Ratynski General, Legal, Public Interest & Financial Office Koeln, Germany. cschilha@aol.com 97214. 503-231-3899. redandblackbooking@
Workers IU 650: rocsec@iww.org.uk Massachusetts riseup.net. www. redandblackcafe.com.
Munich: iww.muenchen@gmx.de
Editor & Graphic Designer : Bradford: bradford@iww.org.uk Boston Area GMB: PO Box 391724, Cambridge Pennsylvania
Luxembourg: 0352 691 31 99 71, ashbrmi@pt.lu 02139. 617-469-5162
Diane Krauthamer Bristol GMB: P.O. Box 4, 82 Colston street, BS1 Switzerland: IWW-Zurich@gmx.ch Lancaster GMB: P.O. Box 796, 17608.
5BB. Tel. 07506592180. bristol@iww.org.uk, Cape Cod/SE Massachusetts: thematch@riseup.net
iw@iww.org Philadelphia GMB: PO Box 42777, 19101. 215-
bristoliww@riseup.net Netherlands: iww.ned@gmail.com Western Mass. Public Service IU 650 Branch: IWW, 222-1905. phillyiww@iww.org. Union Hall: 4530
Cambridge GMB: IWWCambridge, 12 Mill Road, United States P.O. Box 1581, Northampton 01061 Baltimore Ave., 19143.
Final Edit Committee : Cambridge CB1 2AD cambridge@iww.org.uk Michigan
Arizona Paper Crane Press IU 450 Job Shop: 610-358-
Maria Rodriguez Gil, Tom Levy, Dorset: dorset@iww.org.uk Phoenix GMB: P.O. Box 7126, 85011-7126. 623- Detroit GMB: 22514 Brittany Avenue, E. Detroit 9496. papercranepress@verizon.net, www.
Nick Jusino, Slava Osowska, FW Hull: hull@iww.org.uk 336-1062. phoenix@iww.org 48021. detroit@iww.org. Tony Khaled, del., 21328 papercranepress.com
D. Keenan, Joseph Pigg, J.R. Boyd, Leeds: leedsiww@hotmail.co.uk, leeds@iww. Flagstaff: Courtney Hinman, del., 928-600-7556, Redmond Ave., East Detroit 48021
Pittsburgh GMB : P.O. Box 831, Monroeville,
Mathieu Dube, Neil Parthun, org.uk chuy@iww.org Grand Rapids GMB: PO Box 6629, 49516. 616-881- 15146. pittsburghiww@yahoo.com
Leicester GMB: Unit 107, 40 Halford St., Leicester Arkansas 5263. Shannon Williams, del., 616-881-5263
Michael Capobianco Rhode Island
LE1 1TQ, England. Tel. 07981 433 637, leics@iww. Fayetteville: P.O. Box 283, 72702. 479-200-1859. Central Michigan: 5007 W. Columbia Rd., Mason
org.uk www.leicestershire-iww.org.uk nwar_iww@hotmail.com 48854. 517-676-9446, happyhippie66@hotmail. Providence GMB: P.O. Box 5795, 02903. 508-367-
Printer: London GMB: c/o Freedom Bookshop, Angel Alley, com 6434. providenceiww@gmail.com.
DC
Globe Direct/Boston Globe Media 84b Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX. +44 (0) 20 DC GMB (Washington): 741 Morton St NW, Wash- Minnesota Texas
3393 1295, londoniww@gmail.com www.iww. ington DC, 20010. 571-276-1935 Duluth IWW: Brad Barrows, del., 1 N. 28th Ave E., Dallas & Fort Worth: 1618 6th Ave, Fort Worth,
Millbury, MA org/en/branches/UK/London 55812. scratchbrad@riseup.net. 76104.
Nottingham: notts@iww.org.uk California Red River IWW: POB 103, Moorhead, 56561. 218-
Los Angeles GMB: P.O. Box 811064, 90081. South Texas IWW: rgviww@gmail.com
Next deadline is Reading GMB: reading@iww.org.uk (310)205-2667. la_gmb@iww.org 287-0053. iww@gomoorhead.com Utah
October 8, 2010. Sheffield: sheffield@iww.org.uk North Coast GMB: P.O. Box 844, Eureka 95502- Twin Cities GMB: 79 13th Ave NE Suite 103A, Min- Salt Lake City: Tony Roehrig, del., 801-485-1969.
Tyne and Wear GMB (Newcastle +): tyneand- 0844. 707-725-8090, angstink@gmail.com neapolis 55413. twincities@iww.org. tr_wobbly@yahoo .com
U.S. IW mailing address: wear@iww.org.uk www.iww.org/en/branches/ Missouri
UK/Tyne San Francisco Bay Area GMB: (Curbside and Vermont
IW, P.O. Box 7430, JAF Sta- Buyback IU 670 Recycling Shops; Stonemountain Kansas City GMB: c/o 5506 Holmes St., 64110.
West Midlands GMB: The Warehouse, 54-57 Allison 816-523-3995 Burlington GMB: P.O. Box 8005, 05402. 802-540-
tion, New York, NY 10116 Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5TH westmids@ Fabrics Job Shop and IU 410 Garment and Textile 2541
iww.org.uk www.wmiww.org Worker’s Industrial Organizing Committee; Shat- Montana Washington
ISSN 0019-8870 tuck Cinemas; Embarcadero Cinemas) P.O. Box Two Rivers GMB: PO Box 9366, Missoula 59807.
York GMB: york@iww.org.uk www.wowyork.org 11412, Berkeley 94712. 510-845-0540. bayarea@ 406-459-7585. tworiversgmb@iww.org Bellingham: P.O. Box 1793, 98227. 360-920-6240.
Periodicals postage Scotland iww.org. BellinghamIWW@gmail.com.
Construction Workers IU 330: Dennis Georg, del.,
paid Chicago, IL. Clydeside GMB: c/o IWW, P.O. Box 7593, Glasgow, IU 520 Marine Transport Workers: Steve Ongerth, 406-490-3869, tramp233@hotmail.com Tacoma GMB: P.O. Box 2052, 98401.TacIWW@
G42 2EX. clydeside@iww.org.uk, www.iw- del., intextile@iww.org iww.org
wscotland.org Billings: Jim Del Duca, del., 406-860-0331,
Postmaster: Send address Evergreen Printing: 2335 Valley Street, Oakland, delducja@gmail.com Olympia GMB: P.O. Box 2775, 98507. Sam Green,
Dumfries and Galloway GMB: dumfries@iww.org. 94612. 510-835-0254. dkaroly@igc.org del., samthegreen@gmail.com
changes to IW, Post Office Box uk , iwwdumfries.wordpress.com Nevada
San Jose: sjiww@yahoo.com Seattle GMB: 1122 E. Pike #1142, 98122-3934.
180195 Chicago, IL 60618 USA Edinburgh GMB: c/o 17 W. Montgomery Place, EH7 Reno GMB: P.O. Box 40132, 89504. Paul Lenart, 206-339-4179. seattleiww@gmail.com. www.
5HA. 0131-557-6242, edinburgh@iww.org.uk Colorado
del., 775-513-7523, hekmatista@yahoo.com seattleiww.org
Canada Denver GMB: 2727 W. 27th Ave., Denver 80211.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Lowell May, del., 303-433-1852. breadandroses@ IU 520 Railroad Workers: Ron Kaminkow, del., P.O. Wisconsin
Individual Subscriptions: $18 Alberta msn.com Box 2131, Reno, 89505. 608-358-5771. ronka-
Edmonton GMB: P.O. Box 75175, T6E 6K1. edmon- minkow@yahoo.com Madison GMB: P.O. Box 2442, 53703-2442. www.
International Subscriptions: $20 tongmb@iww.org, edmonton.iww.ca Four Corners (AZ, CO, NM, UT): 970-903-8721, madisoniww.info
4corners@iww.org New Jersey Lakeside Press IU 450 Job Shop: 1334 Williamson,
Library Subs: $24/year British Columbia Central New Jersey GMB: P.O. Box 10021, New
Florida 53703. 608-255-1800. Jerry Chernow, del., jerry@
Union dues includes subscription. Vancouver GMB: 204-2274 York Ave., Vancouver, Brunswick 08906. 732-801-7001. iwwcnj@gmail.
BC, V6K 1C6. Phone/fax 604-732-9613. gmb-van@ Gainesville GMB: c/o Civic Media Center, 433 S. com. Bob Ratynski, del., 908-285-5426 lakesidepress.org. www.lakesidepress.org
Published monthly with the excep- iww.ca, vancouver.iww.ca, vancouverwob. Main St., 32601. Jason Fults, del., 352-318-0060, Madison Infoshop Job Shop:1019 Williamson St.
gainesvilleiww@riseup.net New Mexico
tion of March and September. blogspot.com Albuquerque GMB: 202 Harvard Dr. SE, 87106. #B, 53703. 608-262-9036
Manitoba Pensacola GMB: P.O. Box 2662, Pensacola 32513- Just Coffee Job Shop IU 460: 1129 E. Wilson,
2662. 840-437-1323, iwwpensacola@yahoo.com, 505-227-0206, abq@iww.org.
Winnipeg GMB: IWW, c/o WORC, P.O. Box 1, R3C www.angelfire.com/fl5/iww Madison, 53703. 608-204-9011, justcoffee.coop
Articles not so designated do 2G1. winnipegiww@hotmail.com. Garth Hardy, New York
Hobe Sound: P. Shultz, 8274 SE Pine Circle, 33455- Binghamton Education Workers Union: bingham- GDC Local 4: PO Box 811, 53701. 608-262-9036.
not reflect the IWW’s del., garthhardy@gmail.com
Ontario 6608. 772-545-9591, okiedogg2002@yahoo.com toniww@gmail.com. http://bewu.wordpress.com/ Railroad Workers IU 520: 608-358-5771. railfal-
official position. con@yahoo.com.
Ottawa-Outaouais GMB & GDC Local 6: P.O. Box Georgia New York City GMB: P.O. Box 7430, JAF Station,
Press Date: September 24, 2010. 52003, 390 Rideau Street, Ottawa, K1N 5Y8 Atlanta: M. Bell, del.,404.693.4728, iwwbell@ New York, 10116, iww-nyc@iww.org. www. Milwaukee GMB: P.O. Box 070632, 53207. 414-
French: ott_out_fr@yahoo.ca. Fred Maack, del., gmail.com wobblycity.org 481-3557.
October 2010 • Industrial Worker • Page 3
tinuing disagreement between the union importantly, about the power dynam- further notice because of the potential with coordinated committees ensur-
and the district over issues related to ics between the workers and the board. strike. Board President Greene and the ing that picketers were transported,
employment. Board President Terry Throughout these previous struggles, it district unilaterally left the negotiations given water and fed. Others worked on
Greene said, “The MSEA president has appeared that Greene and the district without even looking at a proposal by producing press releases and speaking
been quoted as saying ‘[The district wanted to bust the union’s strength and the union. MSEA members were vis- to the media about the realities of the
school board’s] got the money and the prove that the administration and board ibly upset as Greene went to the media strike. The union was quite prepared and
power and we want some of both.’ The were running the district. demanding that the union accept the had a very effective presence. Outside
board of education has quite a different lowest offer seen in that district for of a few middle fingers or catcalls, the
view.” Although this quote was uttered The Contract years. The school board president also overwhelming reception to the strike
in the days before the strike, it aptly During the early negotiations, the wanted to make the agreement binding was positive as many honked horns and
encapsulated the heart of the struggle district’s offer was very negative. Union for two years. Some felt that the preemp- waved. Some students even joined the
between MSEA and the school board president Joan Jordan said “[the board tive canceling of school meant that the rallying workers with signs like “Our
prior to the strike. offering was offering] zero percent and district was not interested in negotiating teachers rock!”
In the summer of 2009, the Mahom- no vertical or horizontal movement. So, but rather in having the union settle for The negotiations at the end of the
et school board, led by President Terry we weren’t going to get any money for only the board’s proposals. strike’s first day failed to bring a settle-
Greene, had demanded that educational experience for being here another year The board contended that their $1.5 ment, as Board President Greene and the
staff perform medical procedures like nor were they offering any money if you million education fund and $3 million district unilaterally walked out of nego-
insulin shots and inserting catheters. had gotten more education. And we have in working cash fund were for “rainy tiations for the second time that week.
The board refused to negotiate the issue to pay for our own education, which we days,” but not for the largest economic Many observers noticed the irony of the
with MSEA despite significant pressure. need for our credentials and also to get meltdown since the Great Depression board demanding a settlement in the
Ultimately, the issue went to a mediator paid more.” does not apply. It was also recently press and then walking out of negotia-
who ruled against the union. After little to no movement by the announced that the district can expect tions multiple times.
With this victory fresh in mind and board throughout the spring and into nearly $700,000 from the Federal Edu- Day two of the strike continued the
upcoming contract negotiations looming the summer, despite the union’s good cation Jobs bill which is meant to pay successes of the first day. A rally was
at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, faith negotiations, the MSEA called for a teachers and support professionals. Any held prior to the start of negotiations as
the board announced in February that strike. This was overwhelmingly sup- of these revenue streams would have chanting cries for a fair contract echoed
the 2010-2011 school year would see ported with a 211-25 vote to authorize allowed the district to settle a fair and in the air. By 2:30 p.m. that day, a con-
$643,211 in pay cuts, and some staff that the work stoppage. equitable contract with the educators. tract settlement between the sides had
would be released. The district blamed Quickly, the union began organizing. The MSEA hit the ground running been reached.
IWW Constitution Preamble Join the IWW Today “It’s a Major Victory”
T
The working class and the employing he IWW is a union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the After negotiating one of the most
class have nothing in common. There can job, in our industries and in our communities both to win better conditions contentious contracts in her career,
be no peace so long as hunger and want today and to build a world without bosses, a world in which production and MSEA President Joan Jordan said “It’s
are found among millions of working distribution are organized by workers ourselves to meet the needs of the entire popu- a major victory for us. The victory came
people and the few, who make up the em- lation, not merely a handful of exploiters. in [the school board] understanding that
ploying class, have all the good things of
We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially – we are a union and we are going to stand
life. Between these two classes a struggle
that is to say, we organize all workers on the job into one union, rather than dividing up for ourselves and we will do what it
must go on until the workers of the world
organize as a class, take possession of the
workers by trade, so that we can pool our strength to fight the bosses together. takes to get some action out of the school
means of production, abolish the wage Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have recognized the need to build a truly board.”
system, and live in harmony with the international union movement in order to confront the global power of the bosses The union recognized that the con-
earth. and in order to strengthen workers’ ability to stand in solidarity with our fellow tract was about more than sick days and
We find that the centering of the man- workers no matter what part of the globe they happen to live on. money. It was also about the power re-
agement of industries into fewer and fewer We are a union open to all workers, whether or not the IWW happens to have lationship between the union and board
hands makes the trade unions unable to representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, recog- over the conditions of employment.
cope with the ever-growing power of the nizing that unionism is not about government certification or employer recognition “Part of it was personal. The chief
employing class. The trade unions foster but about workers coming together to address our common concerns. Sometimes negotiator and I have been active union
a state of affairs which allows one set of this means striking or signing a contract. Sometimes it means refusing to work with members our entire careers and [the
workers to be pitted against another set an unsafe machine or following the bosses’ orders so literally that nothing gets done. school board] just wanted to make the
of workers in the same industry, thereby Sometimes it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a specific rest of the union know that you shouldn’t
helping defeat one another in wage wars. workplace, or across an industry. be following them,” said Jordan.
Moreover, the trade unions aid the employ- Because the IWW is a democratic, member-run union, decisions about what issues The struggle of Mahomet educators
ing class to mislead the workers into the to address and what tactics to pursue are made by the workers directly involved. marks another victory for organized
belief that the working class have interests
labor and educators within the state of
in common with their employers. TO JOIN: Mail this form with a check or money order for initiation
These conditions can be changed and Illinois.
and your first month’s dues to: IWW, Post Office Box 180195, Chicago, IL
Subscribe to the
the interest of the working class upheld 60618, USA.
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-
dustry, or all industries if necessary, cease
work whenever a strike or lockout is on in
according to your income. If your monthly income is under $2000, dues
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dues are $18 a month. If your monthly income is over $3500 a month, dues
any department thereof, thus making an
are $27 a month. Dues may vary outside of North America and in Regional
Raise eyebrows! Get ideas!
injury to one an injury to all.
Instead of the conservative motto, “A Organizing Committees (Australia, British Isles, German Language Area). 10 issues for:
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. • US $18 for individuals.
must inscribe on our banner the revolu- • US $20 for internationals.
tionary watchword, “Abolition of the wage __I agree to abide by the IWW constitution.
• US $24 for institutions.
system.” __I will study its principles and acquaint myself with its purposes. Name: ________________________
It is the historic mission of the work- Name:_________________________________
ing class to do away with capitalism. The Address:______________________
army of production must be organized,
Address:_ ______________________________
State/Province:_______________
not only for the everyday struggle with City, State, Post Code, Country:________________
capitalists, but also to carry on production Occupation:_ ____________________________ Zip/PC________________________
when capitalism shall have been over- Send to: PO Box 180195,
Phone:_____________ Email:________________
thrown. By organizing industrially we are Chicago IL 60618 USA
forming the structure of the new society Amount Enclosed:__________ Subscribe Today!
within the shell of the old. Membership includes a subscription to the Industrial Worker.
Page 4 • Industrial Worker • October 2010
Wobs Return To The Boss’s House Labor Day Pineapple Protest By John Kalwaic The march culminated with workers
Labor Day in the city of Philadel- from the International Longshoremen’s
By Benjamin Ferguson
phia was more interesting than usual Association (ILA) Local 1291 dumping
On Aug. 8, the New
this year. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Del Monte pineapples into the Delaware
York City IWW and com-
Nutter was booed at the annual Labor River. The ILA union members are furi-
munity supporters went
Day rally on Sept. 6. Usually, AFL-CIO ous at the Del Monte Fruit Company for
to the home of the owner
unions receive Philadelphia’s Demo- moving their business from union ports
of Flaum Appetizing, a
cratic Party mayors warmly, but this year across the river in Camden, N.J., to
sweatshop in Brooklyn
was a different story. Several city unions nearby Gloucester Terminals LLC, which
which fired 17 workers
are working without a contract and are is privately owned by Leo Holt and his
who were unionizing to
angry with the mayor for laying-off their family. Their workers receive less pay
stop wage violations.
fellow workers. Mayor Nutter seemed than they do at the plant in Philadelphia,
Despite the boss’ refusal
unmoved by the doings saying, “It’s all a which is publicly owned and unionized
to hire them back and give
part of the job” and that the Philadelphia with the ILA. The pineapple tossing was
them the stolen overtime
Photo: Benjamin Ferguson economy was “going good.” the finale of the Labor Day march.
pay as ordered by the
courts, workers have joined
Correction: The group photo which appeared under “Cel-
the IWW and are leading the protests several times a week at a supermarket
ebrating 105 Years Of Industrial Unionism” on page 5 of the
which carries Flaum products. The influential blog “FailedMessiah.com” has
August/September IW was inaccurately credited to “NYC
covered the campaign in several articles and has curiously inflammatory and
IWW.” The photo was taken by David Buccola, who was also
supportive comments from readers.
cropped out. The original photo appears here.
Special
Special
Political Repression
International News
Reviews
Wobbly Arts
Verse 2
We need to take the power back
And give our bosses the sack
Let’s make this world work for you and for me
Chorus
0/2
We’re right – yeah!
1/3
We’re free – yeah!
2/4
We’ll fight – year!
7/9 x7
We’re the Wobblies!
Chorus!
Help The Work Along…On Youtube! Above and below are parts 2-4 of a series of one page comics by Wobbly artist
Tom Keough about the food system in the U.S. with specific examples from New
As an extension of the work York City, called “We All Need To Eat.” It is a continuation of the comic page
of the 2010 Songbook Commit- published in the Wobbly Arts section on page 11 of the July 2010 IW.
tee, we are now trying to fol-
low through on trying to make
many of the songs of the IWW
available to everyone online (of
course, we still recommend you
purchase hard copies of albums
put out by Wobbly musicians!)
What we have in mind here is
amassing an archive, an arse-
nal really, of IWW songs on our
own Youtube channel: http://
www.youtube.com/user/Wob-
blysongs. We are just getting
started but we need some volun-
teers to help the work along.
Here’s what we need: folks
who are good at video editing
(i.e. Windows Movie Maker or
the Mac equivalent); those who
feel like they could record a song or two (or more—songs from the
Songbook or originals), either just audio or using a webcam or digital
camera, and then pass these along (if you just want a short audio/vid-
eo clip of the verse and chorus and then a link to a website—that is cool
too); and those who have rare Wobbly songs in MP3 format that could
pass them along to be made into a Youtube clip.
If you would like to help and bring the fighting songs of the IWW to
an online audience (and get them out there for people to hear so they
can learn to play them)—please email scarleton@riseup.net.
We All Need To Eat - Part 4
Page 12 • Industrial Worker • October 2010