I've been debating joining the IWW for years, and your instagram post that foreshadowed this piece lit a fire under me to finally get it done. However, I'm hesitating for one reason, the one you allude to here in talking about 20th century more liberal trade unions. I'm part of what I guess is a trade (lol) that IMO is extremely ripe for organizing -- I'm a career assistant in the entertainment industry.
On the one hand, maybe individually joining the IWW and strategically connecting up with other people in my situation could get other folks in similar roles connected up with the IWW, and organize that way. On the other hand, there are people in my same role at other studios who are part of OPEIU. And maybe it would be more strategic to network with them with the goal of organizing all the assistants here in one trade union. I can join the IWW individually, but I don't have a lot of faith that this really does anything.
Even as much as, politically, I'm much more aligned with the goals of the IWW and industrial organizing over trade union organizing. Especially having seen the way the AMPTP plays the various guilds against each other, and the way guild membership is held out as a way to disrupt labor organizing among assistants. Why join a union of "office and professional workers" when you came to Hollywood to join the DGA or WGA? I realize all this is long and rambly, and probably an excuse for inaction on my own part. But ugh. Maybe via the IWW I'd meet like-minded assistants and we could actually do something together, even if it meant ultimately organizing more folks into a stronger trade union.
I honestly don't know! I do know a lot of people who are part of other unions also work with the IWW, since it's such an underdog union right now and it also makes sense to work with your trade unions if they're the organizing that's happening around you. Myself, I'm mostly a cheerleader for the IWW than any kind of organizer, but I bet there are folks who'd have better answers for what to do in your situation!
Ah, I have a long expired red card somewhere, I'll probably go look at it after this. I was so geeked at the time bc they had a sex worker category. I feel like I haven't rejoined because of my current stereotypes of modern wobs, but that's not actually a great reason, is it? Hmmmm.
Ain't a good reason I suppose but the modern wobs certainly are stereotype worthy. When I was living in Missoula, I went to an IWW led meeting about organizing your own workplace and overall the meeting went well and I learned alot but the guy they brought in to lead it was too memeable. They brought in a game developer from Seattle that was about what you'd expect and had little in similarity to those of us gathered. It's odd, they ain't a majority but alot of them mfs in the org.
I too found myself in Portland Oregon in 2004. I'm so happy I don't live there anymore. I worked in a food cart and made friends with everyone who was living in st francis park at the time. If anyone who reads this knows a man named Zombie and can get me back in touch, I'd be eternally grateful. Cheers everyone.
I've been debating joining the IWW for years, and your instagram post that foreshadowed this piece lit a fire under me to finally get it done. However, I'm hesitating for one reason, the one you allude to here in talking about 20th century more liberal trade unions. I'm part of what I guess is a trade (lol) that IMO is extremely ripe for organizing -- I'm a career assistant in the entertainment industry.
On the one hand, maybe individually joining the IWW and strategically connecting up with other people in my situation could get other folks in similar roles connected up with the IWW, and organize that way. On the other hand, there are people in my same role at other studios who are part of OPEIU. And maybe it would be more strategic to network with them with the goal of organizing all the assistants here in one trade union. I can join the IWW individually, but I don't have a lot of faith that this really does anything.
Even as much as, politically, I'm much more aligned with the goals of the IWW and industrial organizing over trade union organizing. Especially having seen the way the AMPTP plays the various guilds against each other, and the way guild membership is held out as a way to disrupt labor organizing among assistants. Why join a union of "office and professional workers" when you came to Hollywood to join the DGA or WGA? I realize all this is long and rambly, and probably an excuse for inaction on my own part. But ugh. Maybe via the IWW I'd meet like-minded assistants and we could actually do something together, even if it meant ultimately organizing more folks into a stronger trade union.
I honestly don't know! I do know a lot of people who are part of other unions also work with the IWW, since it's such an underdog union right now and it also makes sense to work with your trade unions if they're the organizing that's happening around you. Myself, I'm mostly a cheerleader for the IWW than any kind of organizer, but I bet there are folks who'd have better answers for what to do in your situation!
Ah, I have a long expired red card somewhere, I'll probably go look at it after this. I was so geeked at the time bc they had a sex worker category. I feel like I haven't rejoined because of my current stereotypes of modern wobs, but that's not actually a great reason, is it? Hmmmm.
Ain't a good reason I suppose but the modern wobs certainly are stereotype worthy. When I was living in Missoula, I went to an IWW led meeting about organizing your own workplace and overall the meeting went well and I learned alot but the guy they brought in to lead it was too memeable. They brought in a game developer from Seattle that was about what you'd expect and had little in similarity to those of us gathered. It's odd, they ain't a majority but alot of them mfs in the org.
I've been putting off joining and so did so just now! And then was shocked to find Baltimore/MD doesn't have a local group and DC is the closest. 🙃
Damn that shits crazy as hell. Tis a shame the IWW ain't like it used to be.
I too found myself in Portland Oregon in 2004. I'm so happy I don't live there anymore. I worked in a food cart and made friends with everyone who was living in st francis park at the time. If anyone who reads this knows a man named Zombie and can get me back in touch, I'd be eternally grateful. Cheers everyone.
So looking forward to your visit to Ithaca next month!!!