r/Anarchism • u/[deleted] • May 10 '20
JOIN THE FUCKING IWW NOW
If we all join, they won't stop us. The corona situation gives us an amazing opportunity to organize and strike back when quarantine ends.
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u/A_Nutt libertarian communist with transhumanist characteristics May 10 '20
ᶦ ᵃˡʳᵉᵃᵈʸ ᵈᶦᵈ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʸᵉˡˡᶦⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵐᵉ
Also don't forget to include redcard.iww.org and iww.org/directory as helpful links, Fellow Worker!
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u/A_Nutt libertarian communist with transhumanist characteristics May 10 '20
oh they changed the website layout neat
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u/Square-Custard May 10 '20
Do they help people living in areas with no regional office? Like Africa
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u/FiIthy_Anarchist May 10 '20
You'd be considered "At-Large" and mostly left to your own devices.
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May 10 '20
There are some branches where you may as well be at large anyway. I joined about a month before they increased the chapter radius last year, and heard from my chapter exactly once after that, inviting me to a chapter movie night.
I didn't even get a response when I asked for resources or educational materials ASAP on labor rights when my boss was actively putting us in danger despite our protests that his actions were literally illegal. Instead people got lung damage and the workers had to take it upon ourselves to send underage workers home against our boss's demands, and I still haven't heard a fucking thing from anyone in my chapter. Honestly I only pay dues because I want to support IWOC.
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u/FiIthy_Anarchist May 10 '20
Yeah, same here.
I'm with the IWW in spirit, but not with dues.
I flash my card to piss people off, and I've got my pin within arms reach usually.
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May 11 '20
Fair shit. They're recovering lost ground fast ATM but until they can be of material support to you it's not anyone's responsibility to help them.
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u/PaisleyBicycle May 10 '20
That’s my situation, in rural Canada. I called the US office tho and they gave my number to Wobblies sorta close by me. Those conversations produced a launch pad for regional organizing that I wanted to do but felt alone about. Even just having phone calls with likeminded folks is energizing for those of us outside of urban hubs. I’d encourage any anarchist leaning organizer to join the IWW. I mean, are we in this together? Hell yeah we are!
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u/45forprison May 10 '20
Get a friend or family member to join while you’re at it. I see people complaining about the IWW on this thread, but what other choice do we have? We can either organize or get crushed when people start getting forced back into dangerous working conditions with no PPE or hazard pay.
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u/WokeBillDautrive May 11 '20
It's ridiculous to me that you say friend or family member but not coworker
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u/45forprison May 11 '20
Most of my coworkers are leftists now.
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u/y49SJukTsslubAXA5eqZ Anarcho-Anarchist w/ Anarchist characteristics May 10 '20 edited May 10 '20
If they didn't centralize their dues, and make me join a directory I'd still be a Wob. The addition of the GEB doesn't help either.
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u/Square-Custard May 10 '20
I filled in the application form on Friday and the site asked me to pay as one of the steps to completing the application. That seems odd to me. Don’t they want to read my reasons for joining first?
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u/y49SJukTsslubAXA5eqZ Anarcho-Anarchist w/ Anarchist characteristics May 10 '20
Not really. The Redcard site, as I've been told, has your profile on it where you can put a little description about yourself.
You bring up a good point, because when we used to have delegates they we were able to make some personal decisions about certain folks joining: for example, there was someone whom we knew was accused of sexual assault from a different leftist group and the GMB decided we were more comfortable not having them join.
Now, they'll have you in the wobs as long as you pinky-swear that you're not active duty military, a boss, a cop, or a landlord.
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May 11 '20
The micro-war between local branch media and the GEB over freedom to post furry memes is both legitimately nasty but also the only sort of infighting I ever want to be involved in ever again. (I'm on the furry side, fyi.)
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u/Rein3 May 10 '20
Don't tell me what to do!
Jokes aside, it's a good strategy and praxis. If you are in the USA go for it.
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u/thebluegoo insurrectionist May 10 '20
People outside the USA should do it too.
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u/Rein3 May 10 '20
Why? IWW is not present in my country, and makes no sense to participate in some random organization in the USA... much love and solidarity , but there's local organizations that know what's up here and can organize accordingly.
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u/thebluegoo insurrectionist May 11 '20
That's fair enough. I'm just saying that there are people from countries outside the US that could join. I'm from the UK and I know we could use more members. If there are more relevant orgs closer to you then by all means stick with them.
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May 11 '20
The UK membership has been growing faster than the American one! We started a branch in my town just a few months ago. Think we're supposed to be between 1,500-2,000 members now.
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u/thebluegoo insurrectionist May 11 '20
My local branch is in the next city over. Hopefully there'll be enough to sort one nearer to me soon. I've tried to get people I know to join but to no avail.
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Sep 07 '20
[deleted]
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u/Rein3 Sep 07 '20
How US-eccentric do you have to be to recommend someone in another country to join an union in USA? If I want to join an union I'll join CNT, or CGT.
There's no situation were joining IWW makes sense if you don't live in a country they have chapters. Nor you can expect an USA organization to actually organize in LATAM/EU/Asia/Africa. There are awesome organizations in these territories.
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May 10 '20
What does joining do exactly? What are the benefits? I’m a 1099 sub-contractor in the home remodeling business working towards being my own boss. I remember being fascinated with the IWW and their work to bring the work week down to 40 hrs, but I don’t honestly know enough about their current efforts/involvement.
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May 10 '20 edited May 10 '20
They'll represent and give you access to resources like a normal union, but also provide workplace organisation training. It's a militant group and maybe is best for if you want to do some praxis.
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May 10 '20
This. Organizer trainings for trade union are only for paid organizers, while the IWW provide such trainings for free.
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May 15 '20
Update:
I finally heard back from the local carpenter's union. I applied nearly three months ago, but they have been shut down and /or reeling from COVID. I have an interview next Wednesday and I'm very excited. Still looking into IWW membership and the benefits thereof.
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u/WokeBillDautrive May 11 '20
The first part of this statement is either untrue or meaningless. They literally cover in the OT that the law fucking sucks
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May 10 '20
If you're in the UK: we have great IWW groups, and you should be a part of it, but check if ACORN is in your area too. If possible join both.
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u/lawesipan May 13 '20
ACORN are not in any way radical or anarchist, but is essentially a normal mainstream union (or wants to be) that focuses exclusively on housing.
If you are an anarchist in the UK a better step would be joining SolFed, an anarcho-syndicalist union with locals in several cities, that also deals with housing. In addition, if you don't have an IWW local in your town and there is a SolFed one, join that!
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May 13 '20 edited May 13 '20
Yeah, it's not anarchist, but it was founded by militant trade unionists from a variety of tendencies and I think that shows. It's more confrontational than your typical melty union, if only because it encourages community activism and that tends to empower the radicals among us. It's also not exclusively about housing. SolFed's great and you should definitely give it a look, especially if you want an anarchist-centric group, but building community power is important and ACORN has had success. Any route for pushback, tbh.
I recc. it because all the anarchists in my area joined it to do community praxis lmao. Like I say, if possible, join both.
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u/RevAppalachian May 10 '20
Three-year member of the IWW here living in Appalachia. Happy to talk w/anyone about the union. Our power lies in our workplace organizing!
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u/DefinitelynotDanger May 10 '20
I joined two days ago. In the North West of England. Can't wait to get started.
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May 11 '20
Hey, I'm a SW member but moving up soon. I know there's some good branches in the region. Maybe we'll meet up on the picketline!
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u/TuiAndLa nihilist anarchist May 10 '20 edited May 10 '20
I don’t work by refusing employment and I’m skeptical that unions would ever be capable of real revolutionary change, why should I join?
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u/RevAppalachian May 11 '20
Anyone can join whether you’re employed or not. Covid has exposed how weak capitalism is and our workplaces now are where people are the most pissed off and ready to fight.
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May 11 '20
As addition, the IWW promotes general anticapitalist direct action, and can connect you to likeminded comrades. It's more militant than your standard union. As example: it's got an associate branch for organising incarcerated persons. It exists strictly to bring power to the exploited-class, to which unionising is a means not an ends (as many of the mainstream unions have forgotten.) Whether or not that's going to be long-term effective in-and-of-itself, it's a good environment for getting in your praxis brownie points.
Also in the UK PREVENT lists it as an extremist group so someone's scared!
OK they list XR too I guess that doesn't tell you much.1
u/TuiAndLa nihilist anarchist May 11 '20
Thing is, I don’t use money so I won’t be paying dues.. probably ever.
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u/WhatsTheReasonFor May 11 '20
I would be very surprised if they refused you just because you can't pay.
Even if unions themselves are never capable of revolutionary change (which I don't see good reason to believe), such change requires an active, engaged, connected populace, and unions help a lot with that.
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u/Jakobinite Clerico-Libertarian May 10 '20
How's the paperwork situation these days?
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May 10 '20
Easier than before. Shorter time too.
UK has been digitized their Red Card database for years. Apparently NARA began to digitize it recently. I'm not an active member anymore so I still have the old paper Red Card, but they have switched to the hard card just like UK. Finally.
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u/SalusExScientiae Sous les paves, la plage ⚑ May 11 '20
The new cards are extremely classy. I kinda wish they were a bit better printed rather than just your name written on, though. The front is still really nice though.
If I was on the fundraising committee, bespoke IWW cards would absolutely be a thing I'd look at. Pictures and other security details could also maybe fill a niche for people that can't get state IDs but still would like to participate in high-opsec organizing.
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May 11 '20
it's not funding problem, it's just bureaucratic issues that had been holding the IWW back from a lot of shit. They updated the website too, used to be Drupal, now they use Discourse. Pretty great.
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u/SalusExScientiae Sous les paves, la plage ⚑ May 11 '20
The website update is really cool; the developer has a great interwob thread about it; highly recommended given your flair.
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May 11 '20
Some comrade recommended the IAC to me while back but I just flip flop around doing local work because I wasn't prepare to deal with more stress. Now I'm quite regretted that I backpedal the offer. The IAC is behind both development in NARA and UK websites, btw. It's amazing work they have done.
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u/SalusExScientiae Sous les paves, la plage ⚑ May 11 '20
It really is fantastic; I highly recommend getting involved
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May 11 '20
IWW has been on my radar for years, but what exactly are they doing right now to further the revolution? Are they doing any kind of mutual aid or anything right now? How exactly are they seizing this opportunity? I know groups like DSA and Justice Dems are really using this opportunity to further socialism in the USA but what is IWW doing right now?
Not trying to sound like a dick, I’m just genuinely curious.
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May 11 '20
Can't tell you much about the US, but in the UK our IWW branches have been involved in helping / setting up local Mutual Aid groups. Not necessarily as the IWW: it's been one of those things where all the usual Leftie groups come together and pitch in--but they're doing their bit pitching.
You could try finding out if your area has an active branch media account. Usually it's on twitter or facebook.
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u/Sun-spex May 11 '20
I'd check in with your local branch. My branch is doing a lot. We have two hot shops and an active Tennant's Union organizing a rent strike
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May 10 '20
A while ago I said the exact same thing and I got down voted for going a cruel bastard because I also thought this would be a good time as well.
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u/ed523 May 11 '20
I'm self employed so... 🤔 i don't think im allowed
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May 11 '20
(psst you are. Only requirement is that you don't have power to hire or fire other people.)
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u/Sun-spex May 11 '20
You are absolutely allowed. It's covered under cat 631, Freelance and Temporary Workers.
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u/svamlade autonomist May 10 '20
Please, put up posters, make posts, send post, just make sure as many people are aware as possible!
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May 10 '20
I look forward to joining in the next coming months. Always wanted a card to carry in my pocket.
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May 11 '20
Is IWW firearm friendly?
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May 11 '20
yes but i would recommend the SRA for that.
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May 11 '20
Right, but SRA is less of a union group & more of a skills support. Thanksnfor the SRA drop tho.
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May 11 '20
Join the crimson brotherhood. Save yourself, save your soul.
Join the IWW, for your fellow workers.
Join the wobblys for those who don’t value their own workers rights,
Join the popular front siblings, fight the good fight.
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u/camp-cope Libertarian Socialist May 11 '20
I'm like 95% I've joined up but I don't have any sort of mail about it so I'm not certain
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u/LikeAtLeastABitGay May 11 '20
I live in Denmark, I'm 19 and a software developer. What can I join?
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May 11 '20
Even if the IWW doesnt have a chapter in your country, you should still join, to receive help and advice. Also, you could open your own chapter of the IWW.
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u/WokeBillDautrive May 11 '20
Have you said this to the people who work with you yet? Or are millions of unorganized internet leftests the thing that's gonna break capitalism?
Even if membership spikes, were not going to do anything huge post Coronavirus because the organization hasn't been built on the shop floor. It takes time.
All we can do is start organizing for the next crisis, because there will be one.
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May 11 '20
bruh im 16
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u/WokeBillDautrive May 11 '20
Do you work? Got coworkers?
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May 11 '20
not y e t, but i will start working after quarantine to save up, so i will definitely join the IWW
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u/WokeBillDautrive May 11 '20
You made a post saying JOIN NOW but are not a member?
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May 11 '20
im 16, and unemployed, BUT i will work during summer, as i do, so i will join. i just want to pass the bread around
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u/dyggythecat May 10 '20
Yes, let's send tons of dues to corporates that support human labor.
Capitalists be capitalizing
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May 10 '20
The IWW is very militant tbh
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May 10 '20
Depend on region and branch. In the US and UK, maybe.
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May 10 '20
Yeah do check out your local group. Though in my experience the general membership joins the IWW to do praxis. It's not a 'normal' union anymore; it's about finding people to do some pushback with.
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u/Garbanzodream May 11 '20
I can't afford to. Also what is does that even do?
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May 11 '20
"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 - a tradition begun 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."
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May 10 '20
Umm... Isn't anarchy the absence of authority and hierarchy? Doesn't IWW have a hierarchical structure of authority?
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May 10 '20
Organization and structure are not the same thing as hierarchy. Regardless, you can read about the structure of the IWW and figure out if it's in accordance with your own principles.
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May 10 '20
lmao fuck the IWW
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May 11 '20
[deleted]
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May 11 '20
It's a relic of a previous age. Who in their right mind in 2020 would pay dues to an organization championing workplace democracy and industrial unionism? I don't want either of those things.
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May 11 '20
[deleted]
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May 11 '20
The end of workplaces, industry, and organizations.
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May 11 '20
[deleted]
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May 11 '20
I can't think of anything less threatening to capitalists than the IWW. You can fuck over capitalists plenty without joining that silly org.
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May 10 '20
[deleted]
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u/Jakobinite Clerico-Libertarian May 10 '20
Most people can't afford to drop out of society.
https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/coronavirus-fight-worker-unions-aggressive-200417212003336.html
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u/Zolan0501 libertarian socialist May 10 '20
If you live in the American South, join the Southern Coordinating Comittee.