Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 21:32:29 -0700 (PDT) From: Steve <intexile-AT-bari.iww.org> Subject: Re: [anarchism] Tree Spiking On Mon, 11 Jun 2001, Michael A. Lewis wrote: > Exactly! Unions are, or have become, centralized authoritarian > structures not in keeping with anarchist principles. We can organize in the > workplace, but only from worker initiative. > > Michael Have you ever been in a union dude? What your saying is a blanket generalization. While most mainstream unions do suck, to a large extent, I don't by the argument that unions are *inherently* centralized authoritarian structures. The CNT in Spain sure wasn't, and the IWW isn't either. As far as maintream unions go, there is a shitload more decentralized tendencies and the freedom to use them in the ILWU than, say, the UFCW or SEIU. Methinks you don't know what you are talking about. I would choose union work over non-union work any day. Unions aren't the be-all and end-all, but a revolutionary union can be part of the solution. Sabotage without some organized strategy is not likely to lead to very much. Keep in mind that anarchists tried all this over a century ago and many of them concluded that workers organizations were needed. I don't buy the anti-union anarchist / council communist line. In practics it hasn't accomplished much. Meanwhile, the IWW was able organize timber workers in 1917 and actually won the eight-hour day. This was done with direct action ("sabotage" and "monkeywrenching" yes, but it was *organized*). -- In Solidarity, -Steve Ongerth, IWW Join the One Big Union! -- http://www.iww.org/ East Bay IWW -- http://bari.iww.org/eastbay/ ORGANIZE YOUR WORKPLACE: http://bari.iww.org/homesites/organize.html
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