Log in

View Full Version : Buy a Bike, Support a Strike!



Forward Union
21st September 2007, 17:46
Staff of occupied bicycle factory in the Thuringian Nordhausen take up production in self-management again!!

The 135 colleagues of the bicycle factory Bike Systems GmbH in the Thuringian Nordhausen, who keep the factory occupied since 10th of July 2007, decided to resume the production of bicycles in self-management. For this aim 1,800 binding orders on bicycles must be received till 2nd of October. So the collegues are working together with the anarcho-syndicalist union FAU (Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter-Union – Free Workers-Union), which formed for this campaign the internetpage www.strike-bike.de. Since more than two month the staff keep the factory in the south of Harz Mountains in three shifts occupied. They want to prevent the definite dismantling and sale of the factory. The file for bankruptcy from 10th of august is against long odds: The factory is exploited and ran down, the hall was emptied except for the coating line. The staff receives unemployment compensation and hopes for a new concept and a new investor.


TheStrike Bike- Solidarity-Bikes from Nordhausen

In the time of occupation and in the wake of discussions during the visits of solidary people, the colleagues of the factory developed the idea to initially take up the production in self-management for a short time. Because it's not the point to only prevent the evacuation of the last machines and to wait for a new investor, the idea of an own ”Strike-Bike“ meet with more and more response. Now the opportunity arises to show the ability to develop an own concept and to self-manage production and distribution. If it goes well to collect 1,800 advance orders for the bicycles produced in self-direction, we spread solidary ideas and bolster the colleagues in similar situations, not to let themselves easily being restructured to zero. By whomsoever!

The staff gets assistancy by the solidary members of anarcho-syndicalist union Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter-Union (Free workers-union), which will become active in whole germany to spread the knowledge of the struggle of the bycicle-workers and to support the sale of the Strike-Bike.

More Informations can be received at: www.strike-bike.de
for background informations and history of the occupation www.labournet.de/branchen/sonstige/fahrzeug/bikesystems.html

http://www.strike-bike.de/1/uploads/images/fauiaa.jpg
---------------------------
To get in contact with the staff and to take orders:

»Bikes in Nordhausen e.V.«
c/o. André Kegel,
Bruno-Kunze-Str. 39 - 99734 Nordhausen
Telefon: 03631 - 622 124 and 03631 - 403 591
Fax: 03631 - 622 170
eMail: fahrradwerk (ät) gmx.de

For further informations about the campaign of the FAU-„Strike Bike“-Solidaritygroup:
Spokesperson:
Folkert Mohrhof
- mobile 0179-4863252 and ...
respectively monday till friday from 10 am till 3 pm:
+49 40 - 20 90 68 96
presse (ät) strike-bike.de

Rainie
21st September 2007, 18:55
With the way people drive these days I will not ride a bike although I would like to.

An archist
21st September 2007, 20:17
I could use a new bike.

blackstone
21st September 2007, 20:27
Is there anyway us in American can place an order?

Forward Union
26th September 2007, 11:25
Originally posted by [email protected] 21, 2007 07:27 pm
Is there anyway us in American can place an order?
Im sure they will deliver it to the US if you are willing to pay for the P&P (which could be expensive). Getting orders from as far as America is bound to give them a strong sense of solidarity though, and will help prove the point that they don't need a boss to run the factories, and organise distribution, etc.

I can phone up and find out what the P&P is if you would like?

blackstone
26th September 2007, 14:51
Yeah, find out and post the price quote here so other US comrades can view it and if not too expensive maybe a few of us can place an order seperatly or find a way where we can combine funds and donate the bike to a charity.

Bilan
26th September 2007, 15:06
bwah, I'd love to support this, but I don't think I can afford it (as I'm in Aus).
:(

Any other means of solidarity we can take?

Forward Union
26th September 2007, 15:29
Originally posted by Tierra y [email protected] 26, 2007 02:06 pm
bwah, I'd love to support this, but I don't think I can afford it (as I'm in Aus).
:(

Any other means of solidarity we can take?
Just send them an email or letter expressing your solidarity, it can go a long way. If you can translate it to German that would be nice aswell, if you can't I'mm sure they'll be able to.

Maybe look into buying one between a few friends? It's worth it. Not everyday an Anarchist Union facilitates a factory occupation in Europe! Workers that take these actions need to be shown that we're right behind them! and hopefully, they'll return the favour oneday!

RedAnarchist
26th September 2007, 15:51
If I could afford it, I would. Great idea of theirs, and I hope it s successful. :)

Bilan
26th September 2007, 16:31
Originally posted by Urban Spirit+September 27, 2007 12:29 am--> (Urban Spirit @ September 27, 2007 12:29 am)
Tierra y [email protected] 26, 2007 02:06 pm
bwah, I'd love to support this, but I don't think I can afford it (as I'm in Aus).
:(

Any other means of solidarity we can take?
Just send them an email or letter expressing your solidarity, it can go a long way. If you can translate it to German that would be nice aswell, if you can't I'mm sure they'll be able to.

Maybe look into buying one between a few friends? It's worth it. Not everyday an Anarchist Union facilitates a factory occupation in Europe! Workers that take these actions need to be shown that we're right behind them! and hopefully, they'll return the favour oneday! [/b]
That's actually a fucking good idea.
I'm going to get on to that for sure.


I'll also send them an email. I can speak a little german, but I'll save myself the embarrassment. :lol:

Forward Union
27th September 2007, 12:58
Bad news for those in the states I'm afraid.


"Hello, ******

thank you for your request and interest in Strike Bike.

Sadly we must inform you, that we don´t dispatch the bikecycle in the USA.
The shipping costs more than 500 Euro (transport cost,customs charges and tax).
That is too expansive and it is beyond the price of the Strike Bike.

Thank you for your solidarity !!!

Best regards

Eric Schillat
"

If you want, it could be possible for me to order it to the UK and then ship it to you myself. As long as you give me the money beforehand. Let me know.