Anyone for a little light vote rigging?
The extraordinarily obscure labourstart.org, 'Where trade unionists start their day on the net' apparently, is holding a ballot for trade union of the year. Unison fancies its chances, and has boosted them by including a click to vote for Unison link on its website. I'm tempted to see whether multiple voting is possible, but don't want to blow the only chance, if it is that, on Unison in case there's a more amusing set of syndicalists to vote for.
By a curious coincidence, the current leader, the IWW also has a 'vote for us' button atop its website. I had been led to believe that the wobblies had been consigned to the dustbin of history, but not quite. According to Wiki "Today it is actively organizing and numbers about 2000 members worldwide, of whom roughly half (approximately 900)are in good standing (that is, have paid their dues for the past two months). IWW membership does not require that one works in a represented workplace, nor does it exclude membership in another labor union".
And all 900 of them, paying between $6 and $18 a month for the privilege, subscribe to this: "Instead of the conservative motto, "A fair day's wage for a fair day's work," we must inscribe on our banner the revolutionary watchword, "Abolition of the wage system." It is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism. The army of production must be organized, not only for everyday struggle with capitalists, but also to carry on production when capitalism shall have been overthrown. By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new society within the shell of the old". I cannot say that I wish them well in this endeavour.
By a curious coincidence, the current leader, the IWW also has a 'vote for us' button atop its website. I had been led to believe that the wobblies had been consigned to the dustbin of history, but not quite. According to Wiki "Today it is actively organizing and numbers about 2000 members worldwide, of whom roughly half (approximately 900)are in good standing (that is, have paid their dues for the past two months). IWW membership does not require that one works in a represented workplace, nor does it exclude membership in another labor union".
And all 900 of them, paying between $6 and $18 a month for the privilege, subscribe to this: "Instead of the conservative motto, "A fair day's wage for a fair day's work," we must inscribe on our banner the revolutionary watchword, "Abolition of the wage system." It is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism. The army of production must be organized, not only for everyday struggle with capitalists, but also to carry on production when capitalism shall have been overthrown. By organizing industrially we are forming the structure of the new society within the shell of the old". I cannot say that I wish them well in this endeavour.
Labels: Extreme Left, Unions
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on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 4:00 pm.
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I wonder if that mission statement was written by Bob Piper..?
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try again with better spelling....
At least you can understand that last paragraph C. I have no idea what they are trying to say!
It is a sort of revolutionary syndicalism. I thought it had died out, but clearly not.
"I cannot say that I wish them well in this endeavour." I really don't think you have any cause for concern, Croydonian. Cherie would never stand for it. If no one is producing goods, there are no free frocks, no free Donna Karen jewellery, no free trips. Bummer.
There is something most amusing about the juxtaposition of grand ambition and the clear inability to achieve it.
I do agree! Nine hundred little nitty-witties are going to change human nature. Although,we shouldn't forget the other 1100, who haven't paid their dues but are presumably still up for the fight.
Yes, Croydonian, very amusing. What's with the bonkers slogans: "It is the historic mission of the working class to do away with capitalism."? Then who is the "working class" (which doesn't exist any more, anyway, as we're all basically middle class now, thanks to Maggie) going to work for? What's the plan?
I'd just like to add, as an aside, that we are all middle class except for David Cameron and the Queen, and the new class - the welfare class.
Could you please let me know what Dizzy says about this Spanish because it is beyond irritating. I should be able read instructions on an English-language blog in my native tongue!
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