organizing a union [Archive]

che_phoenix

28th January 2005, 12:24

i work at a grocery store, one of the only non unionised in the area, and i dont know how to go about organizing one. its the kinda thing people allways talk about but never actually do, but the big problem is that the store is a chain, and we have no contacts with people at the other stores, and i know they will fire me if i speak up

little advice?

thanks in advance

-Che_Phoenix

The Feral Underclass

28th January 2005, 12:38

Contact the International Workers of the World and ask them for advice. You can find their contact details on their website: http://www.iww.org/

Let us know how you get on.

SonofRage

28th January 2005, 14:47

Originally posted by The Anarchist [email protected] 28 2005, 08:38 AM
Contact the International Workers of the World and ask them for advice. You can find their contact details on their website: http://www.iww.org/

Let us know how you get on.
Better yet, contact the Industrial Workers of the World since we, unlike this mystical "International Workers of the World" actually exist :P (it's a common mistake so no worries).

The Feral Underclass

28th January 2005, 15:04

Sorry about that :unsure:

T_SP

28th January 2005, 16:50

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2005, 02:24 PM
i work at a grocery store, one of the only non unionised in the area, and i dont know how to go about organizing one. its the kinda thing people allways talk about but never actually do, but the big problem is that the store is a chain, and we have no contacts with people at the other stores, and i know they will fire me if i speak up

little advice?

thanks in advance

-Che_Phoenix
I think you need to get a feel for what the others workers gripes are etc. If you and a couple of other like minded employees get together you may be able to get something going, just listen to your co-workers for now and try to get an understanding of how they feel in the workplace, suprisingly some will just be happy to have a job and not want to moan about anything so they don't get fired!
The other thing is to join an already established trade union yourself and encourage others to join it ( though don't let the boss know you joined it!) if 50% of the workforce in your workplace are all signed to the same union they have to listen to you!!

Hope this helps
T_SP

anarchocommie

28th January 2005, 18:39

I am in the same situation as you comrade..I too work at a non union grocery chain, and would love to organise but fear id lose my job,(actually afraid the entire store would shut down) if I tried anything. It makes matters worse that we in NC are a "right to work" state..meaning that my employer doesnt have to have a reason to fire me...and while technically they cannot fire me for organising they can and will fire me and not have to give a reason...therefore making it a tool for union busting, which was its intent. The Afl Cio union that would relate to your area is the United Food And Commercial Workers. The only advice I can give is what ive thought about myself..if you are going to organise a chain you have to organise not in one store..or even two or three...but across as many stores as you possibly can. if you are in a non right to work law state itll be alot easier, but if youre like me its an uphill battle. Good luck and keep us posted.

fuktheworld

28th January 2005, 20:01

che_phoenix

28th January 2005, 20:06

see, to me this job is pointless, and it would make me stronger (seeing im getting into human resources) that attempting to form a union would benifit me, not make me look bad

yes i am ready to make a difference

The Feral Underclass

29th January 2005, 07:27

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2005, 09:06 PM
see, to me this job is pointless, and it would make me stronger (seeing im getting into human resources) that attempting to form a union would benifit me, not make me look bad

yes i am ready to make a difference
Contact IWW and ask them for advice!

http://www.iww.org/

che_phoenix

29th January 2005, 13:55

i cant find an email on their website...

The Feral Underclass

29th January 2005, 14:03

Read this page and then use the email there to contact them: http://www.iww.org/organize/

American_Trotskyist

30th January 2005, 01:24

Communists, Anarchists, and political cynics alike. At this day in age, it is imparitive that we do not quarrel, our nubers are quickly decreasing, and so is our power. In order to attain the dream of our former comrades we must ban together and strive for our common goal. Do not bring your idealists fantisies along, leave them be, for the world in which we live in is an imperfect one, and if we fight for perfection then we will be fighting for nothing. There are steps we must meticulously follow to bring about social and political change. I do not ask for you to follow me but respond if you are ready to make a difference.

Number one: Our numbers on the Left, the real Left that is, are far from decreasing. Capitalism is rapidly falling into decay and people are seeing the traditional philosophies for what they are, capitalist tools. Your argument might have been taken seriously in 91, but it is far from the truth now.

Number two: You sound like a bourgeois socialist, let’s just come together and be friends, I assume you think that is possible with the state and the ruling class, too. We have ideas, which are our plans for the future, and they are irreconcilable, we are appealing to the working class, not creating a third party with leftists. We are actual revolutionaries; we know that we need to appeal to the working class to get a PERFECT world. I personally think you are a fool for believing that there can be no better world so we must accept capitalism and forget our beliefs. You probably still think that things can be changed within the system, which is impossibility. We know that revolution can be created by a disciplined party, or organization, that will gain the support of the masses. A class-less world is entirely possible and we are preparing the best way to get there; there can be no collaboration with the classes. Your argument maybe good stoned with your friends listening to Rage, but it has not value here. Please go back to the Young Democrats of America and tell them your cliché because we are REAL socialists, of all kinds.

By the way, the hell does this have to do with unionizing?

American_Trotskyist

30th January 2005, 01:30

I don't think the IWW does a good service of the workers. AFL-CIO are reactionary, but the workers are united. If you divide the workers you further revolution, but since anarcho-syndicists want a major stike to settle things, I guess to you it isn't division.