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MilitantAnarchist
12th May 2010, 23:59
Right, with the Tories in now, it has made me get my act together and look into forming a union at work... But, I cant find a retail workers union anywhere (I found USDAW but it by looking at its site, it seems shit).
So I was wondering if I can start one from scratch for myself.
I found some info and it says I have to get in touch with the NLRB, but what else do I need? Does anyone have any info that would be useful for me?

Cheers
Sam_b
13th May 2010, 01:24
I found USDAW but it by looking at its site, it seems shit

It is.


So I was wondering if I can start one from scratch for myself.


Wouldn't the IWW be up your street?
Foldered
13th May 2010, 05:11
Yeah, I'd recommend the IWW.
No pasarán
13th May 2010, 05:26
Wouldn't the IWW be up your street?

Just what i was gonna suggest
MilitantAnarchist
13th May 2010, 21:40
Wouldn't the IWW be up your street?
Cheers mate, i never thought of that. I've heard of them but assumed the 'industrial' would count me out.
Had a quick read and they seem pretty sound... I'll contact them to get more info.
Cheers again buddy. And i'll let you know how it goes at work getting it all sorted.
Foldered
13th May 2010, 22:02
Cheers mate, i never thought of that. I've heard of them but assumed the 'industrial' would count me out.

I actually felt the same way, but then did some research, and it certainly doesn't count you out.
MilitantAnarchist
13th May 2010, 23:43
I still feel that I want to start one from scratch so it can be 100% for us and get other people envolved in my town. A couple of things bother me about IWW, the news section doesn't get updated often, and I can't find anything about the election on the website, I would of thought it would be big news on how the tories have got in for the Unions.
MilitantAnarchist
14th May 2010, 00:07
Basically, I guess what I'm getting at, is that is there any way we can form a union of our own, or do I have to join an established one? If we can create one of our own, how the hell do we do it?
The Grey Blur
14th May 2010, 00:27
http://www.gmb.org.uk/about_gmb.aspx

GMB are the a 'general workers union' which I believe incorporates retail workers. The IWW have a great line but are tiny to the point of insignificance - the point of a union is strength in numbers and the IWW don't have that.
Spawn of Stalin
14th May 2010, 00:34
I still feel that I want to start one from scratch so it can be 100% for us and get other people envolved in my town. A couple of things bother me about IWW, the news section doesn't get updated often, and I can't find anything about the election on the website, I would of thought it would be big news on how the tories have got in for the Unions.

If these are the only things stopping you then just join, IWW are very radical and there are lots of anarchists in it. However as the Grey Blur said, they are tiny, and would probably do better as a historical society or discussion group or something. I don't know what you're really expecting to achieve by starting your own union, people would rather join established ones, so I would probably join GMB or USDAW, be really active in the branch and try to get as many new local people on board as possible, plus it means you'll have the resources of a big union at your disposal
Bitter Ashes
19th May 2010, 22:22
Well, it depends how you look at it. If you're prepared to put the work in to organise your own workplace, then you'll get help from other Wobblies to do it and it's a proper legal union. It works out about 3 times cheaper than any of the other unions and you and your co-workers have full control over the job branch, rather than some overpaid union beurocrats somewhere.

If you want to take the "easy" option then yes, join GMB. It's still got the top-down hericarcy, but at least right now, it's nice and militant, although that can easily change with the leaders.

Up to you which you do, but whatever you do, don't fall into the USDAW trap. I have used them in the past and can personaly testify that they're totaly and utterly worthless and class traitors.
Fietsketting
24th May 2010, 19:23
Well, it depends how you look at it. If you're prepared to put the work in to organise your own workplace, then you'll get help from other Wobblies to do it and it's a proper legal union. It works out about 3 times cheaper than any of the other unions and you and your co-workers have full control over the job branch, rather than some overpaid union beurocrats somewhere.

If you want to take the "easy" option then yes, join GMB. It's still got the top-down hericarcy, but at least right now, it's nice and militant, although that can easily change with the leaders.

Up to you which you do, but whatever you do, don't fall into the USDAW trap. I have used them in the past and can personaly testify that they're totaly and utterly worthless and class traitors.

Isn't SolFed an option? There the IWA section in England aint they? Or are they more of a propaganda group then a union?
Bitter Ashes
24th May 2010, 19:39
Isn't SolFed an option? There the IWA section in England aint they? Or are they more of a propaganda group then a union?
SolFed's "revolutionary unions" are a good idea for a revolution, but you don't have the legal protection you have with the IWW and there are none of these SolFed unions around just yet.
Fietsketting
24th May 2010, 19:57
SolFed's "revolutionary unions" are a good idea for a revolution, but you don't have the legal protection you have with the IWW and there are none of these SolFed unions around just yet.

Ah, is this to be expected in the coming years you think? Big step to make tho to become a full fledged union. They appear to be quite active aint they?
LckDav
20th June 2010, 01:54
Useless
Seven
Days
A
Week