IWW Strike Victory

[Forward Union]

Some good news to report



Dear Fellow Workers,

Today's Walkout and Protest by IWW IU640 Cleaners Industrial Union Branch marked a special day in London for the workers' fightback against unscrupulous sub-contracted management companies and the 'arms length' owners who ignore worst practise. Today's early morning action involving affected workers, fellow IWW workers and solidarity from other trade union branches, students and sympathisers forced Ocean management not only to cough up all monies owed, but also to open up collective bargaining negotiations with the Workers Union IWW. This means the workers will be in a position to be able to better fight for better collective workplace rights and 'living' wages. Also, this in effect could mean the IWW helping, as the recognised Workers' Union, to collectively organise hundreds, if not, thousands of abused workers ,working as cleaners in London.

Special thanks to all the wobblies who turned up. This just the start. Now we go after all the other exploiters!

In solidarity,
Tawanda,
Branch Secretary,
London IWW General Membership Branch.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227638_10150175591871548_610366547_7295566_5001717 _n.jpg

[Binh]

Any folks on Revleft in the I.W.W.?

[Madslatter]

Theres a number of us Wobblies on revleft, including the OP. I'm not sure if there are any UK members on the board though. Libcom has a pretty good writeup on the strike.



A participant's report on Friday's strike and picket by cleaners at Guildhall (City of London), in protest at late and unpaid salaries going back months.



We met at 5:30am at Guildhall. Many people went to give solidarity, and the cleaners, who work for the subcontractor Ocean Contract Cleaning, shouted slogans such as "No pay, no work". They painted their hands with the word stop and with their hands up shouting "Stop the Abuse."
The police approached us and told us we could not protest in an undercover area immediately facing the reception, but we could do so outside in front of the art gallery because it was a public space. Solidarity came from cleaners from other sites, Colombian solidarity campaign, UCL and SOAS workers and students, Unison, and representatives from other IWW branches.The local priest offered coffee and use of the church toilet to the strikers and their supporters [N.B. this was the same priest the police told us we were disturbing whilst using loud speakers. A local resident also joined our picket].
After 8am the Guildhall management who hire Ocean called us in to negotiate with them and Ocean, the. Two workers and two IWW union representatives went in. Guildhall asked us to move the demonstration, supposedly because it was private property (unlike what the police had told us earlier). In order to facilitate the negotiation and with the approval of the workers the demonstration moved to the street entrance to the Guildhall.
People remained firm and resolute, always chanting and singing. This clearly irritated the Guildhall management, who sent representatives to invite us to go and wait inside a conference room and stop the protest. The workers refused and continued shouting slogans in Spanish and English.
Over five hours after the picket began and long negotiations, Ocean finally provided us with evidence that they were solving the problem of unpaid wages, worker by worker and with figures. We took this to be a small victory.
The best thing about this protest was the determination and unity of the workers - despite intimidation from managers they remained solid throughout. This is just the beginning of this struggle. The workers, currently paid the minimum wage, are determined to go on to fight for the living wage.
Thanks to all who supported us, both at the protest and with solidarity messages.
"VICTORIA COMPAÑEROS" VENCEREMOS

[NoOneIsIllegal]

Any folks on Revleft in the I.W.W.?
Yes. Quite a few actually.
We have a "Wobblies" group near the bottom of the main forum page, which is a place for Wobblies and those sympathetic to the IWW. However, the Groups feature is severely underused.

[Red And Black Sabot]

Any folks on Revleft in the I.W.W.?

Wobbly through and through!
In fact I'm about to go celebrate my town's new branch in a few hours. Just chartered.

[x359594]

...I'm about to go celebrate my town's new branch in a few hours. Just chartered.

Three cheers fellow worker!

[Iraultzaile Ezkerreko]

Wobbly through and through!
In fact I'm about to go celebrate my town's new branch in a few hours. Just chartered.

I will be there as well.