(en) IWA, Slovania, Bratislava, The International Conference of direct actions "Problems at work?"

The second weekend in October in Bratislava held an international conference devoted to 
problems in the workplace. In the public section, we discuss the Saturday activities and 
activities of organizations in the internal part of Sunday was the main topic of sharing 
the experience of organizational work and finding ways to improve the operation of our 
organizations. The conference was primarily to share experiences of organizing direct 
action to draw attention to problems in the workplace. ---- SATURDAY ---- The Sabbath 
members of the public spoke of four organizations: Mostecka solidarity networks (Czech 
Republic), direct actions (Slovakia), the Union of Syndicalists Poland (Poland) and the 
Solidarity Federation (UK). ---- Bridge solidarity network (MSS) - MSS view into practice 
---- Thanks presentation MSS member we had the opportunity to learn what the mindset of 
starting the organization. Summarize all existing disputes MSS and presentation cleverly 
animating and videos of shares. The greatest attention was paid to the current proceedings 
against the restaurant ??zk?rna in Prague , where the achievement of an unpaid wages. He 
mentioned, however, conflicts with the company Zepter , to whose victorious end also 
helped direct action, and the ongoing dispute over the official bullying child .

Direct Action (PA) - Who's direct action and what the findings brought six months of 
activity Problems at work?

Direct action chosen by a brief presentation focusing mainly on the years 2010-2014 and 
the recovery half-year-long activity "Problems at work?" , under which was named the 
conference. The first mention of a member of PA important moments in the development of 
the organization (members of PA problems, which we wrote about here and here ), an 
international campaign against the practices of the agency OTTO Work Force and campaign're 
going to the job? Member of PA then presented in the second part of the activity Problems 
at work ?, whose basic objectives are defined as follows: encourage workers to actively 
solve their problems in the workplace; to support each other in addressing these issues; 
share experiences, helpful tips and recommendations. Did we mention the problems they turn 
to us humans, but also the difficulties we encountered. Thanks relatively decent promotion 
conference in the streets of Bratislava and Facebook came to the conference and workers 
who approached us during a break with the fact that they have problems with bosses and are 
interested to deal with them, which was pleasing and unexpected side effect of the conference.

Solidarity Federation (SF) states Brighton Hospitality Workers - Network of workers 
employed in sectors related to accommodation and meals

Members of Brighton Hospitality Workers Solidarity Federation spoke about the campaign 
among workers hotels and restaurants. Members BHW clearly explained the situation in 
Brighton, where are regular open meetings of workers in this sector, mentioned several 
successful settlement and also reflected funny video from one of them.

Zwi?zek Syndykalist?w Polski (ZSP) states, "When we act to achieve their"

As the last one spoke Saturday ZSP member, the presentation linking the theoretical basis 
of the anarcho-syndicalist organization with current campaigns and major issues working in 
Poland. She explained how the ZSP and the methods used during disputes. As in the case of 
MSS, presentation videos added by litigation and clarify, making the finished successfully.

SUNDAY

On Sunday the non-public part of the agenda were discussions on the problems faced by the 
anarcho-syndicalist and similar organizations. Discussions also took part in the Austrian 
member of the relatively new organization called the Vienna Workers' Union (WAS), which 
only gaining experience, and therefore its members chosen not to be part of Sabbath own 
presentation. Agenda of the meeting consisted of items relating to the organization and 
building confidence, improving internal processes of the organization (task rotation, 
etc.), The situation geographically isolated members, problems with traditional large and 
smaller unions functioning in the same location etc. We could hear different experiences 
from different countries and the discussion was so comprehensive that some points are not 
to leave the time.

Thanks

Organize such an international event was not at all easy. Our thanks go to the many people 
who helped even small things such aid was in place or renting equipment. Without them it 
would be all tiring. We would especially like to thank the people of the community center 
Zora, who allowed us to use the premises of the former cinema and provide everything 
needed for the smooth running of the conference. The team vegan feast took care of 
excellent food for more than six hours of public proceedings of the conference, but also 
during Sunday's internal parts.

Conference, which was also available publications Nakladelstv? breakpoint ( 
www.nbz.priamaakcia.sk ) closer to visitors in a broader context, how the organization 
using direct action. Brought together people who have problems in the workplace and were 
interested to solve them. For the PA was a valuable experience in terms of skills to 
organize this type of event and brings a variety of incentives to improve both inwardly 
organization, but also in terms of externally-oriented activity.

As the conference report on the website of the International Workers Association , we all 
agreed that "the conference we learned a lot of interesting things and worthwhile organize 
and participate in such events." There was also the possibility to organize similar events 
in other Central European countries, on a regular basis. We believe that it was not only 
enthusiastic statements and conference showed that such meetings are really crucial for 
progress in organizing the workers at the international level.