Help with local union creation

[ComradeOfJoplin]

I am apart of the IWW, but I live about three hours away from my local branch. My fellow comrades commented that I should help build up a branch at my home city.

Does anyone have any tips and tricks on how to create a branch from scratch?

[KurtFF8]

Well I suggest first to begin with talking to your co-workers and building relations with them. From that point on you can see where they're at and hopefully (depending on your judgement of course) move towards talk of unionizing your workplace. That process requires a lot of strategy of course, and advise about how to go about it really depends on the nature of your workplace.

[GoddessCleoLover]

Starting a branch from scratch is tough. Doing it by oneself is IMO such a daunting task that I would advise against it. What type of support and assistance does the other branch intend to provide?

[ComradeOfJoplin]

Starting a branch from scratch is tough. Doing it by oneself is IMO such a daunting task that I would advise against it. What type of support and assistance does the other branch intend to provide?

My "parent" branch is going to provide money and web support for me.

Now I work at a public school, so I believe the majority of my fellow workers are or would only be interested in the teacher union.

I currently live in an area that was recently hit by a tornado. As a result, there is a large FEMA trailer park that is full of people who cannot afford a house or rent at this time. I was going to spread some flyers and see who would bite.

[GoddessCleoLover]

My "parent" branch is going to provide money and web support for me.

Now I work at a public school, so I believe the majority of my fellow workers are or would only be interested in the teacher union.

I currently live in an area that was recently hit by a tornado. As a result, there is a large FEMA trailer park that is full of people who cannot afford a house or rent at this time. I was going to spread some flyers and see who would bite.

I am sure you parent branch is well-meaning but union organizing is not so easy. Just attended a meeting today that included three Walmart workers from Our Walmart and two UFCW members who are helping them. Try to get some real assistance from union members who have experience. It might make a big difference. I applaud your desire to do something in the real world. Real world organizing is so much better than internet Marxism, although internet Marxism is certainly better than nothing at all.

[KurtFF8]

Indeed it is tough. I just recently went through a union drive at my workplace, and we ended up losing the vote by quite a large margin because we didn't really put on a big campaign (this was a drive supported by the union, but that union didn't do much until the very end).

So even when things are "done right" it can be difficult. There's a reason that most workplaces are non-union and it isn't just because "workers' don't want it"

But some starting questions:
-Is your current workplace organized?
-Do you have folks right now you think you would be able to approach about it and trust?

[Thelonious]

Indeed it is tough. I just recently went through a union drive at my workplace, and we ended up losing the vote by quite a large margin because we didn't really put on a big campaign (this was a drive supported by the union, but that union didn't do much until the very end).

So even when things are "done right" it can be difficult. There's a reason that most workplaces are non-union and it isn't just because "workers' don't want it"

But some starting questions:
-Is your current workplace organized?
-Do you have folks right now you think you would be able to approach about it and trust?

Very true.

I was involved with a group of three people who were responsible for unionizing the location where I work. It is a very tricky thing. In my case, the employer did everything it could to obstruct us. To authorize a vote we needed 50% plus one worker to sign cards. There was someone (a rat) involved with us who would report back to management with every detail. Management would then turn around and approach anyone who they thought was "on the fence" and promise them the world.

Most people are very confused about unions and would be scared to take the step in authorizing one at their workplace. The first step is to educate the workers by inviting someone from another local to dispel any myths or misconceptions fellow workers may harbor.

[ComradeOfJoplin]

But some starting questions:
-Is your current workplace organized?
-Do you have folks right now you think you would be able to approach about it and trust?

I work in a public school, so it is decently organizable. The majority of the people working are in the teacher union and probably would not be interested in switching a union that is not specialized in there vocation.

I have a few friends that I am gently molding to a constant Left idea. Further more, I was recently told that there was wobblies that have moved from there original branch and live relatively close to me.

[KurtFF8]

Ah yes, trying to switch unions is a "raid" and that can be quite messy (especially if you're not sure what you're doing)

[cm1165]

Don't forget, you don't need to get people to switch. You can hold dual cards, both the AFT/NEA and the IWW.

Also, if you are interested in IWW work, what about your local Starbucks or Jimmy Johns? They are actively organizing in these places now, so there might be some support from beyond your local area.

Just some thoughts.

[NoOneIsIllegal]

Also, if you are interested in IWW work, what about your local Starbucks or Jimmy Johns? They are actively organizing in these places now, so there might be some support from beyond your local area.
He's in Joplin, MO. Wobblies in his parent branch are actively pursuing other campaigns. The IWW campaigns for Jimmy John's and Starbucks isn't widespread. It's more common in cities like NYC, Chicago, etc.
I would recommend to the OP to get in contact with his parent branch and ask about the upcoming OT101 happening in the region in a few weeks. This will help a lot, trust me. There are a handful of people with the same occupation in the union struggle in the surrounding states/cities. Getting in contact with these people, sharing experiences, and getting advise on how to conduct one-on-one's is crucial.

[subcp]

KurtFF8 brings up an important point: getting off the on the wrong foot and agitating for a decertification of the existing bargaining agent (AFT or NEA) will likely be divisive, and alienate you from the more gung-ho pro-union workers at your job. I think it's in, "The First 100 Years of the IWW," where a worker in the Pacific Northwest said: 'I carry my yellow card [American Federation of Labor membership] for my job; I carry my red card [IWW] for my conscience'. Which gets into the bigger question as to whether the IWW should act like a 'red UE', like a traditional union by becoming the exclusive bargaining agent, or if it is more about the application of syndicalist tactics and revolutionary consciousness at your workplace. The 'Direct Unionism' paper discusses these issues (the Industrial Worker has published responses to it as well).

I'd recommend getting in touch with the other dual-carders in the IWW, and reading up on dual-carding articles.