How to support a strike as a student?

[TheCuriousJournalist]

There's a strike at my school now by non academic workers. The organization represents 1700 of these workers. They're striking because they get paid less than other workers with similar jobs at universities in the city, must work for a greater time to reach this wage ceiling, and have had pensions attacked.

My question is, what are some creative ways for students to show solidarity beyind picketing with these workers?

One suggested way I've heard was to "Unshelve" the library, basically disorganizing it to disrupt the flow and put an extra burden on the system.

Any others?:

[Susurrus]

Make snacks and refreshments for the strikers, make speeches for the strikers, pass out pamphlets in favor of the strikers, etc.

[Susurrus]

And while the book-lover in me advises against dis-shelving the library, try other forms of sabotage, maybe cut some wires or hide equipment and paperwork or something.

[thesadmafioso]

You could always organize fellow like minded students into a solidarity protest on campus, or perhaps if you got enough support you could even try to host a teach in of sorts on the struggle and how it relates to the broader failings of capitalism.

[Die Rote Fahne]

Organize a student walk out in support of the strike?

[Q]

As the media will most likely try and divide the support for the strikers (I can already see the headlines: "students exams sabotaged by strikers"), it is also a good idea to let strikers and students talk to eachother. So, organise a debate. I'm sure that getting a room for it won't be too hard.

[pastradamus]

You can support it by simply joining in with the crowd. It bulks up the numbers and sends a stronger message. The more people you can recruit the better. :)

[Leftsolidarity]

Post up fliers and posters around school, student walk-out, student strike, sabotage, talk to others, student sit-in, go with them, make a speach in the lunch room or something, etc. There's a lot of things you can do if you get creative. Just never let the media or administration split the students and workers and make sure you repeat the message that your goals are not counter to theirs' but in full support and solidarity.

[TheCuriousJournalist]

Thanks for the amazing ideas so far.
On a more theoretical level, you guys would say it's fair for students to have to deal with reduced service, and even aid in reducing service, so that the workers can have their demands met. Right?

[Leftsolidarity]

Thanks for the amazing ideas so far.
On a more theoretical level, you guys would say it's fair for students to have to deal with reduced service, and even aid in reducing service, so that the workers can have their demands met. Right?

I would say it is just.

[TheCuriousJournalist]

I would as well. I can just see it being a source of conflict as people see the students as being the reason why the school exists (which is true), as the ones that essentially provide jobs for those who work at the school (which is also true). But at the same time I think people will realize the unjust conditions of the workers, and realize they can sacrifice for a short period of time to help the workers?

Also, it will be critical to have students avoiding blaming the strikers for causing inconveniences, as the inability of the administration to give in to their reasonable demands is what has caused the problem. Agreed?

[Sam_b]

One suggested way I've heard was to "Unshelve" the library, basically disorganizing it to disrupt the flow and put an extra burden on the system.

Make sure not to do stuff like this, because the likelihood is that doing this sort of stuff:

a) means that other workers will have to do it on top of their normal duties (in response to another poster - who do you think is going to have to repair those cut wires?).

b) It divides support further. A lot of the time anti-union laws stop wildcats and thus workers who are in another union but work at the same workplace cannot go out and strike with the other union, and a lot of these people still have sympathy for their colleagues. This happens a lot in Higher Academical institutions. Don't do stuff that will undermine support.

[Die Rote Fahne]

Make sure not to do stuff like this, because the likelihood is that doing this sort of stuff:

a) means that other workers will have to do it on top of their normal duties (in response to another poster - who do you think is going to have to repair those cut wires?).

b) It divides support further. A lot of the time anti-union laws stop wildcats and thus workers who are in another union but work at the same workplace cannot go out and strike with the other union, and a lot of these people still have sympathy for their colleagues. This happens a lot in Higher Academical institutions. Don't do stuff that will undermine support.

Making scabs do extra work? Problem how?

[Susurrus]

Make sure not to do stuff like this, because the likelihood is that doing this sort of stuff:

a) means that other workers will have to do it on top of their normal duties (in response to another poster - who do you think is going to have to repair those cut wires?).

b) It divides support further. A lot of the time anti-union laws stop wildcats and thus workers who are in another union but work at the same workplace cannot go out and strike with the other union, and a lot of these people still have sympathy for their colleagues. This happens a lot in Higher Academical institutions. Don't do stuff that will undermine support.

a. Exactly: if the workers are on strike the mounting pressure of the unrepaired sabotage will bring them to bend more easily to the strikers' demands.

b. Interesting, but I don't see how the support is divided by sabotage.

[RED DAVE]

Avoid all acts of sabotage. Anyone talking about sabotage is politically crazy.

If the purpose of sabotage is to bring support to the strike, it will fail in this regard. it will bring a backlash. We are dealing with consciousness as it is now, not as we would like it to be.


a. Exactly: if the workers are on strike the mounting pressure of the unrepaired sabotage will bring them to bend more easily to the strikers' demands.Exactly the opposite will happen. There will be attacks on the strikers and their supporters in the media.


b. Interesting, but I don't see how the support is divided by sabotage.This issue becomes not strike or not strike, support or don't support, but the sabotage itself.

RED DAVE

[Zav]

Make snacks and refreshments for the strikers, make speeches for the strikers, pass out pamphlets in favor of the strikers, etc.
This. Strikers love sandwiches.

Custodians, the caf. staff, the school nurse, etc. all contribute to your academic experience. Join the strike.

[Sam_b]

Making scabs do extra work? Problem how?

Strikers become scabs at the end of a one-day? You think it's solely scabs that have to deal with 'sabotage'? My institution is represented by UCU, Unison, Unite and EIS. What you seem to naively assert is that somehow a strike in these places are completely blanket.

[bricolage]

If people want to be more 'hands on' there are things you can do, like banner drops, boosting numbers on picket lines where laws prevent high numbers (incidentally those on pickets that are not actually on strike have more leeway to be 'active', yet best to do this in line with what those on strike actually want, there is a difference between showing support via action and performing actions totally divorced from the events - for example during the june 30th public sector strike in the uk a bunch of people wanted to camp in trafalgar square to show 'support'... ignoring the fact this would mean they couldn't be at picket lines and meant anyone on a picket line wouldn't be able to be there).


My institution is represented by UCU, Unison, Unite and EIS. What you seem to naively assert is that somehow a strike in these places are completely blanket.
Encourage supportive members of non-striking unions to call in sick or at the very least make sure they are not forced into doing extra work, and so forth.

[bricolage]

This is a good, universal, leaflet.

http://solfed.org.uk/?q=dont-cross-picket-lines

[TheCuriousJournalist]

Make sure not to do stuff like this, because the likelihood is that doing this sort of stuff:

a) means that other workers will have to do it on top of their normal duties (in response to another poster - who do you think is going to have to repair those cut wires?).

b) It divides support further. A lot of the time anti-union laws stop wildcats and thus workers who are in another union but work at the same workplace cannot go out and strike with the other union, and a lot of these people still have sympathy for their colleagues. This happens a lot in Higher Academical institutions. Don't do stuff that will undermine support.

No, it dosen't mean that they will have to do it. Well, they will, but it's illegal for the employers to ask them to work more hours, and it is illegal where I am to hire scabs. So, they can only work let's say, 6 hours a day, regardless of the demand put upon them. So the system can really be backed up.

To your second point, alot of the other unions on campus have already expressed their solidarity with the union striking.

[TheCuriousJournalist]

Avoid all acts of sabotage. Anyone talking about sabotage is politically crazy.

If the purpose of sabotage is to bring support to the strike, it will fail in this regard. it will bring a backlash. We are dealing with consciousness as it is now, not as we would like it to be.

Exactly the opposite will happen. There will be attacks on the strikers and their supporters in the media.

This issue becomes not strike or not strike, support or don't support, but the sabotage itself.

RED DAVE


I think there's a difference between sabotage and putting extra stress on the system?

From my understanding a strike is used to remove the services of the workers from the workplace, to make the proper function of the workplace difficult. This can lead to the workplace losing money, customers, etc, until administration must give in to the demands of the workers.

With this logic, by adding extra stress to the system (such as deshelving, or booking appointments that aren't needed, etc) more pressure is put on to the system because students begin to be inconvenienced by the strike. While some people will put the blame for this inconvenience on the strikers, it is clearly the administrations fault, as the strikers are asking for equality, not even something above and beyond. So, beyond support like joining the picket lines, giving out food, etc, wouldn't placing extra stress upon the system be effective?

[TheCuriousJournalist]

Also, just to add, it seems as if any extra work created falls into the hands of managers, and "casual employees". So not students, but the actual managers haha. This makes it more tempting.

[Sam_b]

alot of the other unions on campus have already expressed their solidarity with the union striking.

So why would you endanger that by doing petty acts of sabotage in their name?

[Kornilios Sunshine]

Simple.Go into the strike.You know not many students go in strikes.But if you do,the workers would be real happy to see that students support them.;)

[RED DAVE]

I think there's a difference between sabotage and putting extra stress on the system?You think. But it's not a matter of what you think: it's a matter of what other people think. Truth is there's often a fine line, and it's best not to go near it.


From my understandingYour understanding. Always consider what experience or historical precedent you are bringing to bear?


a strike is used to remove the services of the workers from the workplace, to make the proper function of the workplace difficult. This can lead to the workplace losing money, customers, etc, until administration must give in to the demands of the workers.Broadly speaking, okay.


With this logic, by adding extra stress to the system (such as deshelving, or booking appointments that aren't needed, etc) more pressure is put on to the system because students begin to be inconvenienced by the strike.That might happen. But what, based on historical experience, is more likely to happen is that students will have sympathy for the administration and lose sympathy for the strike.


While some people will put the blame for this inconvenience on the strikersYou bet your ass they will.


it is clearly the administrations faultThis is by no means clear. It may be clear to you, but to large numbers of people, the opposite view, that the strikers are at fault, is just as clear or clearer.


as the strikers are asking for equality, not even something above and beyond.Remember, this is your logic and perception. You cannot assume that such logic and perception are universal.


So, beyond support like joining the picket lines, giving out food, etc, wouldn't placing extra stress upon the system be effective?No, it wouldn't. I strongly suggest that you stop recommending such actions and you examine your own methodology.

RED DAVE

[TheCuriousJournalist]

So why would you endanger that by doing petty acts of sabotage in their name?

I don't think that would cause them to drop their support...
The other unions are in solidarity mostly because they will strike at some point soon as well.

[TheCuriousJournalist]

Dave, while see your point, what is the purpose of strike? If the union did not want to put pressure on the students to force the admin into their demands, they wouldn't have striked. When they do declare a strike, they cross the line between not letting it interfere with the students day to day life, and letting it interfere.

With more of a burden, the students become more discontent, and so the pressure upon the administration becomes more. Although I am calling for students to create additional pressure, it would be foolish to think it would go on anyone else but other students. If students were fine with the inconveniences, what kind of strike would that be? The admin would not be forced to do anything.

I think the mix of creating an extra burden + showing public support in large numbers is essential because

1) It shows that the strike is effecting the students, all of the more reason to get it over with

2)That the students support it being ended, but want it to be done in favour of the strikers, and sympathize with them

So while the strike could become more serious, more and more blame falls upon the admin.

And about the conditions, I know you're not aware of the cause in the way I am, but the way the workers are being treated simply isn't fair. My university is a world class instituion, and these workers are being paid less, have lower wage ceilings, require more than 20 years more to get to this wage ceiling, are having pensions attacked, do not get bonus weekend pay, etc ,etc. And I compare this to other universities in my area that have less funding, less ranking, etc.

Also, my university pays huge amounts to administration figures in the name of competition, but fails to do so for these non academic workers.


I think this is what makies the huge difference in the cause. These people had 23 negotiations with the administration since january, and the offer they have been given is worse than what they have now. It's embarassing.

I think this alone will lead most people to support or be neutral towards the strike.

[Leftsolidarity]

Dave, while see your point, what is the purpose of strike? If the union did not want to put pressure on the students to force the admin into their demands, they wouldn't have striked. When they do declare a strike, they cross the line between not letting it interfere with the students day to day life, and letting it interfere.

With more of a burden, the students become more discontent, and so the pressure upon the administration becomes more. Although I am calling for students to create additional pressure, it would be foolish to think it would go on anyone else but other students. If students were fine with the inconveniences, what kind of strike would that be? The admin would not be forced to do anything.

I think the mix of creating an extra burden + showing public support in large numbers is essential because

1) It shows that the strike is effecting the students, all of the more reason to get it over with

2)That the students support it being ended, but want it to be done in favour of the strikers, and sympathize with them

So while the strike could become more serious, more and more blame falls upon the admin.

And about the conditions, I know you're not aware of the cause in the way I am, but the way the workers are being treated simply isn't fair. My university is a world class instituion, and these workers are being paid less, have lower wage ceilings, require more than 20 years more to get to this wage ceiling, are having pensions attacked, do not get bonus weekend pay, etc ,etc. And I compare this to other universities in my area that have less funding, less ranking, etc.

Also, my university pays huge amounts to administration figures in the name of competition, but fails to do so for these non academic workers.


I think this is what makies the huge difference in the cause. These people had 23 negotiations with the administration since january, and the offer they have been given is worse than what they have now. It's embarassing.

I think this alone will lead most people to support or be neutral towards the strike.


While I understand what you are saying think of this. You just had to right all that to try to justify your side. The media and administration simply have to say "They are now breaking things" and you have a majority of the people on their side. Your logic and reasoning (while even if it is correct and just) is not the same as the average American worker.

[RED DAVE]

Dave, while see your point, what is the purpose of strike? If the union did not want to put pressure on the students to force the admin into their demands, they wouldn't have striked. When they do declare a strike, they cross the line between not letting it interfere with the students day to day life, and letting it interfere.Yes, but in the current level of consciousness in the US, a strike is barely tolerated. Any kind of sabotage is going to produce a strolng negative reaction. Get that through your head.


With more of a burden, the students become more discontent, and so the pressure upon the administration becomes more.And if that burden is caused by sabotage the students will turn against the strike.


Although I am calling for students to create additional pressure, it would be foolish to think it would go on anyone else but other students. If students were fine with the inconveniences, what kind of strike would that be? The admin would not be forced to do anything.A strike and sabotage or two different things. Stop equating them.


I thinkYou think.


the mix of creating an extra burden + showing public support in large numbers is essential becauseIt would be detrimental because it will turn people against the strike.


1) It shows that the strike is effecting the students, all of the more reason to get it over withAnd the best way to get it over with on the part of the administration is to break the strike. Sabotage will help them do that.


2)That the students support it being ended, but want it to be done in favour of the strikers, and sympathize with themAll it shows is that some fools engaged in sabotage. It will not show support. Support is done by picket lines, leafleting, public meetings, use of the media.


So while the strike could become more serious, more and more blame falls upon the admin.Sabotage will cause blame to fall on the strikers and their supporters.


And about the conditions, I know you're not aware of the cause in the way I am, but the way the workers are being treated simply isn't fair.That goes without saying. And this in your mind justifies sabotage?


My university is a world class instituion, and these workers are being paid less, have lower wage ceilings, require more than 20 years more to get to this wage ceiling, are having pensions attacked, do not get bonus weekend pay, etc ,etc. And I compare this to other universities in my area that have less funding, less ranking, etc.So they're exploiters of labor in the year 2011. And this in your mind justifies sabotage?


Also, my university pays huge amounts to administration figures in the name of competition, but fails to do so for these non academic workers.Big surprise. And this in your mind justifies sabotage?


I think this is what makies the huge difference in the cause. These people had 23 negotiations with the administration since january, and the offer they have been given is worse than what they have now. It's embarassing.And this in your mind justifies sabotage?


I think this alone will lead most people to support or be neutral towards the strike.The strike perhaps; sabotage, absolutely not.

Get over it; put it out of your mind. No responsible revolutionary advocates the use of sabotage under conditions you are describing, a university strike.

I suggest you take a long look at how you are thinking and ponder why you are so adamant about this? Are you genuinely trying to help the strikers, or are you looking for a little excitement?

RED DAVE

RED DAVE

[The Douche]

Make sure not to do stuff like this, because the likelihood is that doing this sort of stuff:

a) means that other workers will have to do it on top of their normal duties (in response to another poster - who do you think is going to have to repair those cut wires?).

b) It divides support further. A lot of the time anti-union laws stop wildcats and thus workers who are in another union but work at the same workplace cannot go out and strike with the other union, and a lot of these people still have sympathy for their colleagues. This happens a lot in Higher Academical institutions. Don't do stuff that will undermine support.

Honoring a picket is not the same as a wildcat strike.

Virtually all unions will protect their workers in the event that they refuse to cross a picket. The issue is getting other workers to understand that they ought not to cross a line.

For instance, in the recent verizon strike, UPS workers did not make deliveries to verizon locations with pickets at them. This doesn't amount to a wildcat, or a strike at all. Yes, wildcats and sympathy strikes are usually against the rules and the union bureaucrats will not support them. But specific instances of refusal to cross a line, while still performing your other required duties is still acceptable.

[Sam_b]

I don't think that would cause them to drop their support...
The other unions are in solidarity mostly because they will strike at some point soon as well.

Yet you are willing to risk that for an act of sabotage that has been completely unconsulted and possibly against the wishes of workers who have risked a lot to go on strike?

[Sam_b]

Virtually all unions will protect their workers in the event that they refuse to cross a picket. The issue is getting other workers to understand that they ought not to cross a line.

I agree with this. I don't think it particularly undermines the point being made here, however.

[The Douche]

Your logic flies in the face of my strike experience.

I'm not gonna tell some kid who is not connected to the struggle to go engage in sabotage, that wreaks of elitism and isolation.

But I have seen, even recently in the verizon strike I mentioned earlier, acts of sabotage occur, and they are generally supported by the strikers, despite the media condemnation.