Introduction
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is a radical labor union known for its inclusive and transformative approach to organizing. Founded in 1905, the IWW aims to unite all workers into “One Big Union” regardless of occupation or industry. With a focus on direct action and grassroots democracy, the IWW challenges existing power structures and advocates for revolutionary industrial unionism. It emphasizes solidarity, internationalism, and fighting against discrimination, offering workers a platform for collective action and worker empowerment.
What is a Union?
A union, also known as a labor or trade union, is an organisation formed by workers to collectively represent their interests and improve their working conditions. It negotiates with employers on behalf of its members, advocating for fair wages, benefits, and better working conditions. Unions often engage in collective bargaining, strike actions, and legal support to protect workers’ rights. They play a crucial role in the labor movement, fostering solidarity and fighting for worker empowerment and social justice.
Industrial Unionism
To the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), industrial unionism is a core principle and a fundamental aspect of its approach to labor organising. The IWW seeks to establish “One Big Union” that unites workers across industries, transcending traditional craft divisions. By organising workers on an industry-wide basis, the IWW aims to build collective power, promote solidarity, and address systemic issues that affect workers across the entire industrial landscape.
Solidarity Unionism
Solidarity unionism” is the guiding strategic principle of the IWW, differentiating it from “Business Unionism.” It prioritises building worker strength without relying on government or employer recognition. This approach rejects traditional contracts and instead focuses on gaining power through direct action tactics, resisting concessionary bargaining and restrictive clauses. Solidarity Unionism is the IWW’s innovative organising strategy for building worker power and fostering solidarity.
How we Differ From Other Unions
The business unions foster a state of affairs which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry, thereby helping defeat one another in wage wars. Moreover, the trade unions aid the employing class to mislead the workers into the belief that the working class have interests in common with their employers. The IWW offers a different vision.
Our Stance on Political Parties
To the end of promoting industrial unity and of securing necessary discipline within the organisation, the IWW refuses all alliances, direct or indirect, with any political parties or anti-political sects, and disclaims responsibility for any individual opinion or act which may be at variance with the purposes herein expressed.
Our Stance on Ecology
Climate change exacerbates inequalities and exploitation. History has demonstrated that when a significant amount of the labour force organises for industrial action they can bring the bosses to the negotiating table and extract real gains for the workers. Likewise the environmental movement has demonstrated that community-led organising and direct resistance to natural exploitation can successfully defend ecological and social justice.By uniting these movements, ending self-destructive participation in the techno-industrial complex, and resisting infinite growth, we can change the system and prevent global catastrophe.
