The purpose was to share experiences of conflict against employers and, thus, helping
others to act more effectively. It is the first time we used this form of presentation and
discussion and the result is very positive. In the video participated in the organization
of both Europe and the United States, specifically the ZSP (AIT Poland), Portland
Solidarity Network (Red de Solidaridad of Portland), Seattle Solidarity Network (Seattle
Solidarity Network), Solidarity Federation - Brighton (AIT UK), ARS (AIT Bulgaria), PA
(AIT Slovakia), ASI (AIT Serbia) and Mass (Croatia). The matter was extremely practical
and discussions may be useful for most of the members of organizations that do not have
much experience in organizing conflict.
Solidarity Federation
Brighton teammates focused on the conflicts that have remained the Brighton Hospitality
Workers, a union initiative of the SF in the hospitality sector. They explained how they
had proceeded to the conflict. They noted that, while maintaining contact with the
workers, always emphasize that the conflict requires commitment and say and explain to
workers that they are an anarcho-syndicalist organization, but do not ask people to become
members and to share the political views. Video (which you can see here: It showed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KarZHesUi-k ), which was also part of his presentation at
the conference "? Problems at work" in October 2014 in Bratislava (
http://www.iwa-ait.org/content/international-conference-bratislava ).
Portland Solidarity Network
The Portland Solidarity Network member conferred on specific problems in conflicts with
leaders (for example, sometimes it is not easy to define the exact amount he / the worker
/ s must / n sue the employer). He also noted the importance of having a strategy from the
beginning of the conflict, organizing an effective first action and being able to follow
progressively increasing pressure on the leaders. There is a large Latino community living
in Portland, so the Solidarity Network must also take into account the linguistic and
cultural peculiarities. Gentrification is another aspect that shapes the network and also
one of the significant issues facing workers is oppression based on gender difference.
Another important issue was the threat of lawsuits by the bosses and how to build a
campaign so that this threat is minimized (eg working with proven information, facts ...)
the question of using the labor inspectorate also emerged in the conflict, which mate
Portland responded that they do not use (although it is not excluded as such), because the
inspection act too slowly, the results do not help to achieve the desired result and
starting the Network do not want to rely on this organization of state but in their own
strength and direct action.
Seattle Solidarity Network
The Roommate "Seasol" focused more on the topic of strategy and tactics. Seasol kept a lot
of campaigns that demonstrate that either the conflict is easy and fast or too long (when
heads -these are stubborn fellow recommend act as follows: "when the heads are stubborn,
we have to be even more stubborn ") Sometimes bosses act harshly but is not above his way
to hide that direct actions cause them many problems. The member also mentioned Seasol
what to do when the heads lie publicly and try to deny responsibility. He spoke about the
continued fight today against a company in the construction sector where workers are
employed as contractors, resulting in specific challenges. Also, participants shared their
experiences in video performances in similar conflicts.
ZSP, Poland
One topic of his presentation was the work abroad and the importance of combining direct
action, media pressure and have sufficient verified information for campaigns. Regarding
the first, the campaign against the practices mentioned OTTO Workforce. As for the rest,
there was talk of several campaigns including explanation of how claims are managed
(sometimes even within a day or two). The member of the ZSP spoke critically about tactics
begin the first action after politely and go climbing. He said workers behaved well before
contacting the union but the boss did not listen. Speaking of the media, another colleague
said that the campaign must be credible and work with tests if the goal is to get the
information to the media. However, of primary importance to establish the media themselves
and they reach the workers.
Autonomous Workers Union
The presentation companion Bulgaria dealt with a conflict that AWU continues today against
one of the resort Golden Sands, where bosses refuse to pay the salaries of the staff (in
some cases these wages 2 hotels or 3 and even 6 months). After an article about the
practices of the hotel was published, received a threatening call from the telling
direction to cease their activities because it was not their problem, they would be sued,
etc., but, anyway, Comrade organized the picket. Again peers contributed their ideas about
how to act on and mentioned the possibility of international cooperation.
Discussion
The discussion that followed the presentations was dominated by the issue of membership of
an organization, which can be generalized to the question "How to find a viewpoint that
leads to the situation where people who have given finished their conflicts remain in
contact with the organization and help other workers in the future, or to join the
organization? "There are different types of obstacles and the reality is that most workers
showed a different political consciousness to ours not have experience in working in
organizations and not very well imagine what it represents (since organizations will not
only organize direct action) can have different personal commitments (family, work
schedule, etc. ) can not attend all meetings and actions, etc. On the other hand, it is
important to explain that the organization is not a charity, however, the option of
helping only those who join was commented as inappropriate. The key to start an
organization is to have conflicts and be victorious, not necessarily gain new members.
Upcoming video
This first attempt worked very well and in the near future, there will be another
international videoconference, this time dedicated to building anarcosindicalistas
organizations.
Michal Tulik,
Priama akcia - Bratislava
http://www.iwa-ait.org/node/680
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