Possible European General Strike

[Tim Cornelis]

On November 14, there will possibly be a European-wide general strike declared by the


Madrid. Spain’s main labor unions, CCOO and UGT, plan to call a general strike for November 14 to protest the government’s austerity drive, just eight months after the last country-wide stoppage, Spanish El Pais reads.
The stoppage will be formally called at a top level meeting on Friday. This will be the first time two general strikes have been held in the same year. A meeting will also be held of the so-called Social Summit, which groups together some 200 social organizations opposed to the government’s economic policies.
The decision to go ahead with the stoppage came just hours after the European Trade Union Confederation called for strikes and demonstrations against the belt-tightening movement in Europe on November 14.
The Portuguese union CGTP has called for a national strike on November 14, while stoppages are also expected in Cyprus and Greece.

http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n290266

I do not expect the Dutch branch to do anything, but I hope they will.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

On September 14, there will possible be a European-wide general strike declared by the

Oh damn, that was a month ago! ;)
Just kidding!

I haven't heard about anything yet. Dutch commies are quiet.
A shame though. I'd love a good disturbance right now.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

Hopefully Saturday's TUC demo in London will be followed by a November general strike on the 14th. That'd be fucking wild. I'm interested in the likelihood of this reaching Germany though.

[Zealot]

I would love for this to happen.

[Tim Cornelis]

I've heard the Belgian ABVV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Federation_of_Belgian_Labour) will join the 14 November strike.

Are there any confirmations of actions in Slovenia, Italy, and France?

[Blake's Baby]

No confirmations I know of, but it was announced days ago (certainly before the TUC demos in the UK on 20th OCt) that confederations in France and Germany were disscussing it.

[Geiseric]

I would orgasm if this happened in the U.S...

[Yuppie Grinder]

I would orgasm if this happened in the U.S...

not gonna ;_;

[ckaihatsu]

This present crisis of capitalism is centered around the major European countries, regardless (of the U.S.) -- it's as if the historical clock is slumping back several centuries, pre-New-World, to settle in on old rivalries over power, since the current economic climate gives no promise or hope for anything resembling *progress*.

Ironically the U.S. now finds itself in the same economic camp as France, since, in an imploding and deteriorating environment, most countries worldwide are arguing for Keynesianism, against Germany's self-centered monetarism (though it's had to quietly redistribute trillions of Euros of its gains back to Europe).

Simple *exposure* to the Euro crisis pulls the whole world into the European black hole, an inevitability in our thoroughly globalized world economy.

[thriller]

not gonna ;_;

No, it will happen. One day, one day... :bored:

If this general strike does happen, it is a way for all of us to learn and grow from the experience, no matter the outcome. If it is successful in obtaining the demands of the workers in full (highly doubt that) other workers in other places can learn from this valuable tool that the working class possess. If it is met with heightened security, police intervention, and even military opposition (one of these three are likely if it is big enough) it is a way to show the world that the people who work will forever be silenced by the people who profit.

[Crux]

Here's the CWI statement:
14 November international action - a potential turning point (http://www.socialistworld.net/doc/6015)

[brigadista]

for one day???

[Os Cangaceiros]

I'll be pretty excited if this happens on a big scale. I might be getting some good fap-worthy riot porn from Barcelona and Athens, too. Hopefully everywhere! :drool:

[Os Cangaceiros]

There's some stuff on libcom's forum about this, if anyone's interested

http://libcom.org/forums/news/european-general-strike-14-november-19102012

[Blake's Baby]

There's also yet another LibCom thread - http://libcom.org/blog/european-wide-general-strike-november-14-how-real-how-relevant-22102012

It seems that there will definitely be strikes in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, and possibly Germany and Netherlands; there's no info about the UK though.

Even some of us who believe that the unions are part of capital are a bit excited about this. International co-ordination of strikes over much of Europe is not to be taken lightly I think.

[Tim Cornelis]

There's also yet another LibCom thread - http://libcom.org/blog/european-wide-general-strike-november-14-how-real-how-relevant-22102012

It seems that there will definitely be strikes in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, and possibly Germany and Netherlands; there's no info about the UK though.

Even some of us who believe that the unions are part of capital are a bit excited about this. International co-ordination of strikes over much of Europe is not to be taken lightly I think.

The only Dutch unions with a sizable membership, whom are incidentally also members of the ETUC, have so far shown little or no interest in a strike. Without mainstream trade unions or the Socialist Party backing a strike or even an action, it is incredibly difficult to arrange a (mass) demonstration. It is near impossible to get some publicity.

I've been contacting several far-left organisations, including the New Communist Party of the Netherlands, and they told me that a branch of the largest union, FNV, organised something in Rotterdam, but there are no details.

So probably some 50-100 people demonstrating in The Hague and some other cities, but by no means even close to a strike.

Additionally, I very much doubt German trade unions will partake in this strike.

[Rugged Collectivist]

for one day???

I think this is sort of a "test strike" to see how much support they can gather.

I wish America could get in on this...

[hetz]

I haven't heard of this anywhere.
I doubt anything major will happen.

[Thirsty Crow]

I think this is sort of a "test strike" to see how much support they can gather.

I wish America could get in on this...
I don't think this represents anything other than a tactic of letting off some steam that is clearly there.
Though I should probably add that by no means does this view entail some sort of an "opposition" to the action itself. I just think it is necessary to soberly assess the prospects of such actions and its relations to the existing unions (and by extension their function in capitalist society) if any kind of an enagagement with workers is to be conducted by revolutionary groups.

But suppose you were right, if this were a "test strike" and if it turned out great, what do you think the next step of the union federations could be?

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

Sorry to say, but here in holland shit ain't gonna happen...:(

[Blake's Baby]

I haven't heard of this anywhere.
I doubt anything major will happen.

I don't think there will be any spectacular result, if that's what you mean, but allegedly there are already going to be more than 10 million workers across 8 countries simultaneously coming out on strike, with some workers (and students and leftist groups) in at least 4 other countries demonstrating in support. That's not insignificant.

The TUC in the UK has been totally silent too, despite backing a call for a general strike little more than a month ago. They have failed to announce a date, even though 14th November seems kinda obvious. In some countries (particularly I think Italy and Portugal) different union organisations have been forced to move actions from other days to the 14th, sometimes having previously dismissed it; I can't think why unless it's the membership making them do it, which makes it significant I think.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I haven't heard of this anywhere.
I doubt anything major will happen.

I've seen some major news organizations here in the states report on the planned strike in the Iberian peninsula, haven't heard about stuff outside Spain/Portugal, though.

[Sanja]

In Slovenia there will be demonstrations on 17th of November. They said they didn't want to protest on 14th because people are at work so they put in on Saturday....Students, syndicates and pensioners will participate, maybe some other will join but it's not official yet.
It will be against our government and their ''solutions'' to save our country before we go bankrupt.

I bet there will be just few people protesting for two hours and that will be it. And everything will remain just the same. Young people won't go protesting because 'they want to sleep' (the protest would at 11 am) and will have other stupid reasons for not going.

And in two weeks we will have elections....for president....

Our government is awful....they are making decisions with the help of USA (I'm not against Americans but why do they ''rule'' our country :confused: ), spending money (buying tanks.....maybe they are getting ready for something more....) and drafting young men for military (that's the new law)

I wonder if these strikes/protests/demonstrations will bring any success. Let's hope for the best.

[Rugged Collectivist]

But suppose you were right, if this were a "test strike" and if it turned out great, what do you think the next step of the union federations could be?

If they had sufficient support, they could strike for a longer period of time. From what I know, a general strike can only be successful if a ton of people participate, and holding a small one for more than a day would probably just be a waste of time and resources.

Honestly I'm not even sure if this is a "test strike". I just assumed it was because I can't think of any other reason for a one day strike.

[Os Cangaceiros]

So I'm guessing, based upon what I've been reading on Libcom, that there will only actually be strikes in the Iberian peninsula, Cyprus and Greece. And maybe a minor one in Italy...? I guess that the CGIL has called a four-hour strike on that day.

There will probably be demos in a number of other countries.

[Q]

Meanwhile in the Netherlands there is an announced strike demo at one company (the HQ of Unilever)... (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYwcmlMxsXU/UA_ugRxYU2I/AAAAAAAAEVw/VzWvf9ucU8M/s1600/forever-alone-face.png)

[Tim Cornelis]

Meanwhile in the Netherlands there is an announced strike demo at one company (the HQ of Unilever)... (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYwcmlMxsXU/UA_ugRxYU2I/AAAAAAAAEVw/VzWvf9ucU8M/s1600/forever-alone-face.png)

That's simply not true. The Communist Party has organised an action in Amsterdam, and if I'm not mistaken the FNV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federatie_Nederlandse_Vakbeweging) has as well. The Anarchist Group Amsterdam organised something as well, so I hear.

There will be a demonstration around the Dutch parliament (circa 100 people will show up, but still) in The Hague, while a small student demonstration is planned in Utrecht in the city centre, near the University.

Some comrades have organised an action in Tilburg, and the FNV has organised an action in Woerden. There is also an action planned in Ede, but no one is going to show up it seems.

And then there is the demonstration in Rotterdam you mentioned.

[Q]

That's simply not true. The Communist Party has organised an action in Amsterdam, and if I'm not mistaken the FNV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federatie_Nederlandse_Vakbeweging) has as well. The Anarchist Group Amsterdam organised something as well, so I hear.

There will be a demonstration around the Dutch parliament (circa 100 people will show up, but still) in The Hague, while a small student demonstration is planned in Utrecht in the city centre, near the University.

Some comrades have organised an action in Tilburg, and the FNV has organised an action in Woerden. There is also an action planned in Ede, but no one is going to show up it seems.

And then there is the demonstration in Rotterdam you mentioned.

Of those you mention only the FNV demo might pull some numbers. And since I haven't received any note of that demo as a FNV member, I doubt they're putting a lot of effort in it.

The NCPN and the rest is just irrelevant besides the purely symbolical. I mean, 100 people at parliament? Oh noes, the ruling coalition must shiver in terror!

[Os Cangaceiros]

map of planned actions

http://www.etuc.org/r/1897

[red flag over teeside]

The problem at the moment at least in the UK is the low level of class militancy which allows the TUC left as well as right to come up with more militant rhetoric knowing that they will have to do nothing to build a genuine national strike. Nov 14th will probably in the UK be nothing more than the activity of a small minority and not a class wide response. What would be more realistic would be to support whatever struggle is taking place and try to put the idea of socialism back on the agenda.

[Blake's Baby]

I'm assuming where I am there will be me, and some home-made flyers in town, with a lot of people who have never even hear of the European General Strike/Day of Action Against Austerity.

I'm thinking of entitling my flyer

Treacherous
Useless &
Cowardly

or possibly

Traitor
Union
Congress

There are a few symbolic actions up and down the UK. Nothing radical at all that I've been able to find out about.

[red flag over teeside]

The lack of response from the unions in the UK is not surprising and just shows that the left union leaders are useless in organising a general strike even for one day. The only time we will get one will be when there is a network of militants implanted in the workplaces with a clear Marxist perspective and when they have won the argument with the majority of workers.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

Today is the day and i am glad to hear that at least some countries are striking.
I'm especially proud of Belgian Unions for striking out of solidarity with the southern european countries!:thumbup:

I just can't get why Dutch unions aren't on strike. Especialy now that the new parliament is making a new screw-up every two days or so.:(

[Os Cangaceiros]

Some pictures that were posted earlier on twitter, from Spain:

http://s10.postimage.org/tuq6n61mh/A7l_Md_Vv_CMAA9ihe.jpg

http://s10.postimage.org/q0wqe0kah/A7nr2ef_CMAAWBg_G.jpg

http://s10.postimage.org/f2lgvtvp5/A7nr_RHLCUAEd_ZTF.jpg

http://s10.postimage.org/tab5kh8e1/A7hu_u_CUAA3_Kv9.jpg

(vandalized Spanish government website; "no one works here")

Hope today goes well!

[GiantMonkeyMan]

7LN66s9b8CY
Police repress a picket in Spain.

V0AngZ-sfZE
Portugal.

1ptjt-8jAoM
Milan.

I know shit's kicking off in Greece as well but I've not found any good videos/pictures... seriously this is the most exciting thing to happen in a long time, in my opinion. Class struggle across borders. It's fantastic working class internationalism.

[brigadista]

sounds like spain is shut :):)

letter today in the guardian.....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/13/eu-day-of-action?fb=optOut

[red flag over teeside]

While the strikes that have swept southern Europe today is a sign of the anger against austerity for workers while wealth is handed out in bucketloads to the capitalists this is still not enough to stop the cuts from being implemented the day after the strikes. When will workers begin to organise independently from the unions and organise internationally to overthrow the respective capitalist states?

[thriller]

While the strikes that have swept southern Europe today is a sign of the anger against austerity for workers while wealth is handed out in bucketloads to the capitalists this is still not enough to stop the cuts from being implemented the day after the strikes. When will workers begin to organise independently from the unions and organise internationally to overthrow the respective capitalist states?

Not tomorrow. It is a process, and this is a step in the right direction. I wouldn't say the workers HAVE to organize separately from the unions. They either need to reorganize the union in a revolutionary manner OR organize separately. The union can be a very useful tool in creating class consciousness and getting workers out of the shops and onto the streets, case in point: TODAY.
Solidarity with all of southern Europe, fuck yeah!

[red flag over teeside]

The problem with relying on the unions to take any effective action which goes beyond one day actions is that it actually disempowers and restricts the independent organisation of the respective working classes.

I would qustion Thriller assertion that the unions are somehow responsible for creating class consciouness. I think that class consciosness arises from the day to day lived experiences of workers ourselves. The problem is not with workers having class consciousness the problem is that this consciouness needs to go beyond capitalism and embrace socialism/communism. I think that we can see this restriction in the general strikes over the past four years in Greece and now in Spain and Portugal.

Working class assemblies is the way forward which includes all workers and to turn general strikes into political insurrectionary movements which as Thriller says needs to be international.

[Blake's Baby]

I think the unions have actually in many cases hindered the process of coming together. OK, I'm not going to criticise the CNT or other Anarcho-syndicalist unions/groups but the 'piecard' unions have certainly tried to control these events in a way that is not conducive to workers' self-organisation. Originally in Portugal and Italy, at least in my understanding, different unions were dismissive of the 14N co-ordination attempts, and were only forced to change other strike days for the 14th by pressure from their members.

In countries like Britain - where the TUC was given a mandate to call a general strike only two months ago, but hasn't - there has been very little publicity given to this. I think in most of northern Europe, union federations have ignored it.

[Capital Resistance]

I've seen unconfirmed reports that protestors in Barcelona are getting shot at by police. Does anyone know if their is any validity to this?

[thriller]

The problem with relying on the unions to take any effective action which goes beyond one day actions is that it actually disempowers and restricts the independent organisation of the respective working classes.

I would qustion Thriller assertion that the unions are somehow responsible for creating class consciouness. I think that class consciosness arises from the day to day lived experiences of workers ourselves. The problem is not with workers having class consciousness the problem is that this consciouness needs to go beyond capitalism and embrace socialism/communism. I think that we can see this restriction in the general strikes over the past four years in Greece and now in Spain and Portugal.

Working class assemblies is the way forward which includes all workers and to turn general strikes into political insurrectionary movements which as Thriller says needs to be international.


Union's have the ability to create class consciousness, doesn't mean they always do. If one looks at the basic structure of almost any union, sure they will see bureaucrats at the top telling workers to be docile because the top dogs are working hard for them. However, the basic principle of collective bargaining and striking (most useful tools for a union IMHO) shows a class aspect, a large mass of workers either a) demanding a certain wage/benefit system/pension/etc from the bosses as a whole mass of workers or b) workers refusing to work in order to get a demand across to the bosses as a whole mass of workers. These are tools that can help the average worker see a class relationship in their workplace if they have no previous understanding of class in society and in the economic system. But you are correct insofar as the ability to create any long lasting, revolutionary, gains for the workers. I completely agree that the consciousness must go beyond capitalism and into socialism. And yes I believe it must be international, but not sure where I said that?

[Blake's Baby]

Union's have the ability to create class consciousness, doesn't mean they always do. If one looks at the basic structure of almost any union, sure they will see bureaucrats at the top telling workers to be docile because the top dogs are working hard for them. However, the basic principle of collective bargaining and striking (most useful tools for a union IMHO) shows a class aspect, a large mass of workers either a) demanding a certain wage/benefit system/pension/etc from the bosses as a whole mass of workers or b) workers refusing to work in order to get a demand across to the bosses as a whole mass of workers. These are tools that can help the average worker see a class relationship in their workplace if they have no previous understanding of class in society and in the economic system...

None of this necessitates 'unions' though. Mass asemblies and strike committees can run a strike, mass assemblies and factory committees can run a factory, factory committes and delegate councils from the workplaces can run a city, delgate councils from the cities can run a country.

No unions necessary.



... I completely agree that the consciousness must go beyond capitalism and into socialism. And yes I believe it must be international, but not sure where I said that?

Maybe RFOT is extrapolating from the bit where you said "solidarity with Southern European Workers! Fuck yeah!"

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

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