Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
Thu Dec 22, 2011, 10:47 PM Dec 2011

Industrial Workers of the World | One Big Union!

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

[img][/img]

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
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Industrial Workers of the World | One Big Union! (Original Post) Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 OP
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
 

srjmsbnd

(24 posts)
38. Stop Comm Fibbing
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:54 AM
Nov 2012

I heard those wobbly debates they never achieved consensus as to the definition of the words used so it was agreed that none of the participants knew anything about what they were talking about as was stated in Finnish.

TBF

(34,132 posts)
3. I'll let Starry make the decision on un-pinning
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 09:11 AM
Dec 2011

personally I would only have a welcome thread pinned - once folks start pinning things it's harder to see the new things posted and frankly there are a lot of socialist/communist groups out there.

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
4. Hi TBF ...
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 10:29 AM
Dec 2011

My only intention was that this Union is available to everyone (of all socialist tendencies, or no tendency at all). I felt it would be beneficial to pin so that members, lurkers, or new members could avail themselves of the resources, and join if they wish to do so.

Again, I'll defer to the other hosts here, and if the determination is made that this is not warranted, please accept my apologies.

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
5. Yeah, I hadn't thought too much about the pinning thing
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 10:56 AM
Dec 2011

myself until it was brought up about people ignoring it when there are too many pinned. Although I DO like the idea of pinning the "Resource" post, along with a "Welcome" post.

Remember on pinned posts, they should be ones that are used over and over again. Maybe the Wobblies post should be in "Resources". You could also put some of the anarchist resources you've posted in individual threads in the Resource post too after the floating post has run it's course. Check with wolf if you want to add them to his initial post.

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
6. That seems like a good idea.
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 11:58 AM
Dec 2011

When I get a chance, I'll try to get it worked out. Stressed and overworked here.

Starry Messenger

(32,375 posts)
9. Whenever you get a chance.
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 09:48 PM
Dec 2011

I liked seeing it up here, but eventually we'll want to add this valuable addition to the "Reading List" or "Resources" so if people want to lay a link on people of things to read, this will be included. But this lets people get a chance to check out something new too. I don't really have a "pin policy", I just know from other forums that when they stack up, people tend to mentally scroll past them.

I hope you get some rest soon! Good posts FA!

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
10. Thank you ...
Sat Dec 24, 2011, 11:26 AM
Dec 2011

Hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday Season (as well as you).

I'm at a friend's house watching her dog while she's out of town. I love the peace and quiet!!

Goes off to snooooooooze.

TBF

(34,132 posts)
8. "Resource Post" - love that idea
Fri Dec 23, 2011, 09:42 PM
Dec 2011

that could include recommended reading & different groups everyone is affiliated with.

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
12. I think that it's a MUST for us since we've STILL got a lot
Sat Dec 24, 2011, 11:35 AM
Dec 2011

of agitation and education to do. It just makes sense to put them all in one place for easy access. And wolf's "Resource" post that already pinned is a good start. It would be like our DU socialist's library.

I DO think that FA's posts on the history and theories of anarchism (including this IWW post) should be included in the Resource post.

ellenrr

(3,864 posts)
47. as a reader, I like this being pinned..
Mon Sep 23, 2013, 06:08 AM
Sep 2013

caught my attention, as I did not think views like this were allowed expression at DU. Glad I'm wrong about that. I love the Wobblies.

Anybody see the movie "The Wobblies"? It is wonderful. Just average working Americans standing up to repression. Something I don't see a lot of these days.

Scruffy1

(3,418 posts)
20. There are some who are not eligible for membership.
Sun Dec 25, 2011, 09:29 AM
Dec 2011

Generally speaking self employed, union officers and bosses are excluded. But then this is left up to each Branch to decide in practice.

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
11. Okay, I requested white_wolf add this to his resource list.
Sat Dec 24, 2011, 11:33 AM
Dec 2011

Feel free to unpin when necessary. Thank you all!

Hope you all are enjoying your Holiday Season!



I'm relaxing finally.

TBF

(34,132 posts)
14. Are you still in school, FA?
Sat Dec 24, 2011, 02:12 PM
Dec 2011

I'm a SAHM now, so my times to relax are when my children are at school/activities. Holidays are always hectic. This year we are in Florida for Christmas, and it has been pretty quiet, so I've been able to get on my laptop a fair amount.

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
16. I work as a productivity analyst (ironic, eh?) and resource planner ...
Sat Dec 24, 2011, 03:49 PM
Dec 2011

... for a clinical research organization. But, that's not what I want to do when I grow up. I'm actually going to school in February to get my CCNA certification. Then after that, I'm going to get my MCITP. That's the goal anyway.

I'm just a single bachelor. I'm actually watching a friend's dog at her house while she's out of town. So, it's total peace and quiet for me; just like I like it.

Edit to add: What is SAHM?

TBF

(34,132 posts)
18. sahm is stay at home mom
Sat Dec 24, 2011, 07:45 PM
Dec 2011

My masters is in human resource development ... I like to recruit and train but not crazy about other HR functions

Response to Fantastic Anarchist (Reply #16)

ChalkFace

(5 posts)
25. Occupy the DOE
Sat Jan 21, 2012, 02:28 PM
Jan 2012

To whom it may concern:

On March 30th to April 2nd, 2012, the grassroots education reform organization United Opt Out National (http://unitedoptout.com) will be holding an event in Washington, DC called Occupy the DOE. As a collection of teacher educators, K-12 teachers, and parents from around the country, we ask for your participation and support.

For more than a decade, the reform narrative in education has been dominated by test-based accountability, competition, and punishment. Large foundations and other corporate entities have propagated market-based principles like school choice, pay-for-performance, and for-profit management of schools. Consequently, large amounts of private wealth go towards influencing legislators and other public officials to dismantle public education, ultimately in favor of a private system that can be run for profit.

The key lever is the vaunted score on high-stakes state standardized tests, used to justify a slew of controversial decisions. As a result of ten years of this kind of reform, we are experiencing schools just as segregated by race and social class as they were in the 1950s. We in the United States are also experiencing a teaching profession that is constantly undermined and under attack. The culture of punishment and competition created under No Child Left Behind and now Race to the Top has proven to be a massive failure. Yet, private entities still push for test-based accountability measures despite near-universal opposition from educators and the pile of evidence against it.

In order to grind this failed reform climate to a screeching halt, we at United Opt Out National feel that an ultimate act of civil disobedience is all that we have left. We therefore call upon educators, leaders, parents, and students across our vast public education system to withhold the data by opting out of their state’s standardized tests. If policy-makers, legislators, and other officials cannot make responsible decisions based on quantitative data, and if they refuse to appreciate evidence to the contrary, then the only arrow left in our quiver is to simply refuse to hand over the data.

We at United Opt Out National certainly understand the potential consequences of refusing state standardized tests. We appreciate the reluctance of teachers and administrators to engage in an opt-out measure. Various state departments of education and their officials falsely claim that parents do not have the legal right to opt-out, that their refusal to concede to the tests will unfairly punish their children and their schools. While officials might be able to fire teachers, they cannot fire parents. If school systems wish to continue their obsession with test scores, then they must also be prepared to offer alternatives for the growing wave of parents who see test preparation violating their consciences and robbing their children of meaningful educational experiences.

Our Occupy the DOE event will include numerous teach-ins, social events, and actions in protest against test-based and corporate driven education reforms. In preservation of a free and equitable public education, and to support a new direction in education reform, we ask that you strongly consider participating in our event. If you would like any other information, feel free to contact any one of our administrators through our site at http://unitedoptout.com, which provides direct links to our myriad social media accounts, endorsements, readings, and other documentation.

Thank you for your consideration,

United Opt Out National
http://unitedoptout.com

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
26. Hey ChalkFace why don't you make this a separate post?
Sun Jan 22, 2012, 11:52 AM
Jan 2012

It might get lost in this thread. Unless you guys are Wobblies.

libodem

(19,288 posts)
28. I like it
Fri Feb 10, 2012, 01:17 PM
Feb 2012

My grandad was a wobbly. And even tho he was a Mormon he said no church was going to tell him how to vote or dictate whether he could belong to a union.

 

tama

(9,137 posts)
35. T-Bone Slim (Matti Huhta) and Hiski Salomaa
Fri Sep 28, 2012, 04:55 PM
Sep 2012

I took a look how international the (in)famous wobblie gang is, and although it's functioning (currently) just in English-speaking countries, I found some very nice connections...





&feature=related



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrialisti
 

srjmsbnd

(24 posts)
37. I want a Dues Rebate
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:51 AM
Nov 2012

I want a dues rebate from the IWW since: 1. none of them are nice enough to visit 2. After all encounters with them it was decided they are radical ET aliens who argue dogmatically too much for a political/worker organization as what I thought I joined instead of the debating club of wind bags they are 3. Since I am a nice enough earthling to not hold it against them that they are all spies agitators or something or another with no sense of humor, too much humor or simply long winded,

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
41. Violence of the most violent sort is the only way we will ever prevail in this struggle.
Sun Dec 16, 2012, 08:55 PM
Dec 2012


So said Bill Haywood, and I concur.

"The IWW advocates violence of the most violent sort. Violence that consists of keepin our mouths shut, and our hands in our
pockets. In doin' this and stayin' on strike we are committin the most violent of acts. Cuttin' off our labor. Let them weave cloth with
bayonets."

Until we, labor, own the means of producing wealth we will always be second class citizens. The only way that stops is when we can stand together, quit operating it for our opponents, buy the assets or develop our own and run it for ourselves.

Because if you aren't seated at the table, you are on the menu.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
42. First condition of joining - "You are a worker (not an employer);"
Sat Jan 5, 2013, 06:29 PM
Jan 2013

Last edited Sat Sep 14, 2013, 03:39 PM - Edit history (1)


What about democratically run co-operative business? Are they all seen as workers? Those are worker-owners, yet they have interests that are the same as workers everywhere. They are the embodiment of what Bill Haywood knew this movement and power could achieve, and where he parted with what I see as the traditional "government ownership" meme associated with "socialism". So just wondering...

Is there anything like an auxiliary of unemployed, craft-less people as an arm of the IWW?, Maybe subsidized, no dues, or $1 a year, get them in the fold so to speak, offer them education they can't get anywhere else?

We live in a different time. When Haywood was organizing people were were shot, hung, jailed, imprisoned for not helping the wealthy take their money, in a time before organizing got some legal protection, and before Gompers and his crew sided with the wealthy. Now people are sent food stamps, income tax subsidies, unemployment, many of those put in place to keep them from seeking to join with others or march in the streets, or because they did. Now that motivation that would have driven them to seek out the IWW is gone, so there is really no reason that _they_ see, (which is the most important thing for motivation). They will never hear any of this stuff in school beyond a few meaningless dates, largely no critical discussion, and even less chance if they go to most colleges.

Is there an effort to bring these ideas to that crowd?

 

Taverner

(55,476 posts)
43. Like Alvarado Street Bakery in Santa Cruz? Well then yes, the owner would be worker...
Sat Sep 14, 2013, 03:06 PM
Sep 2013

Since all workers are owners over there

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
44. Exactly. Since that time I did some reading and the IWW does charter groups where
Sat Sep 14, 2013, 03:46 PM
Sep 2013

the workers are the owners in a real cooperative.

And given the future for 100 million or more Americans, they might want to avail themselves of the advantages of such associations, I'm thinkin', because it's becoming increasingly clear that they are becoming just the food supply for finance, and nothing more. A cooperative, and a union of cooperatives, might offer them some chance at not having to live on the plantation.

TheGoodNews

(48 posts)
48. re: IWW history in the U.S.A.
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 05:34 PM
Mar 2014
"Around the turn of the century, the Wobblies and other anarchists played the central role in winning workers the 5-day week and 8-hour day." Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology by David Graeber

So the next time you're off on the weekend or don't need to work 10-12 hour days, thank a Wobbly. Ⓐ

merrily

(45,251 posts)
51. Hi. I don't think I am Socialist. Not yet, anyway. But I am pro-
Thu Sep 18, 2014, 06:20 AM
Sep 2014

international workers' solidarity. And would like to learn more.

I think everyone celebrating the same Labor Day would be a step in the direction of uniting workers worldwide more.

I recently learned that workers in a number of nations outside the US celebrate on May 1 (knew that) because of an event that happened in the US (did not know that). The event is in wiki as the Haymarket Affair but is also referred to as the Haymarket massacre (of strikers), which happened early in May.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair

Supposedly, President Cleveland did not want US workers associating their day off with the Haymarket Massacre. So, we observe it in September (and associate it with backyar hammocks and grilling).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/labor-day

Shouldn't Labor Day be associated with some event that actually reminds and teaches us something connected to the labor movement? And, if we want some kind of international affiliation, why not with nations who observe it on May 1 in honor of the martyrs of our very own US labor movement?

Also, who teaches the history of labor and labor movements to the general public, especially workers who are not going to go to college? How about unions joining together for the purpose of acquiring a cable network, on which they can do that, as well as informing workers about the unions that own the network and aabot what is going on in labor around the nation and the world?

 

Y-T

(19 posts)
54. Last Night
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 09:43 AM
Jan 2019

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you or me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
I never died, says he

In Salt Lake, Joe, says I to him
Him standing by my bed
They framed you on a murder charge
Says Joe, But I ain't dead
Says Joe, But I ain't dead

The copper bosses killed you, Joe
They shot you, Joe, says I
Takes more than guns to kill a man
Says Joe, I didn't die
Says Joe, I didn't die

And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Joe says, What they forgot to kill
Went on to organize
Went on to organize

Joe Hill ain't dead, he says to me
Joe Hill ain't never died
Where working men are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side
Joe Hill is at their side

From San Diego up to Maine
In every mine and mill
Where workers strike and organize
Says he, You'll find Joe Hill
Says he, You'll find Joe Hill

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you or me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
I never died, says he

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Socialist Progressives»Industrial Workers of the...