So I'm posting this here because I need to ask for help. I just got a job offer from the steel mill, and expect to start working there next month. It's a blue-collar job, and I expect there to be plenty of disparity between what value the workers produce and how much we are paid. So, I want to unionize. I'm currently in Australia, and last time I posted a question to the subreddit (My uncle is a politician, how do I convince him?), I got way more answers suggesting I unionize my workplace rather than try to flip a career-long conservative politician in a conversation. Unfortunately the subreddit got removed, and all the resources they gave me for unionizing your workplace got removed with it. So yeah, I'm here asking for them again, knowing that this time I'll use them, for unionizing, and especially unionizing in South Australia.

  • SickleRick [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I would suggest getting in contact with IWW Australasia: https://iww.org.au/

    While you may not be a syndicalist, the IWW isn't really either anymore. Having been through the Organizer Training 101, it's pretty invaluable, and I would suggest getting in on it as soon as you can. I'm not aware of the specifics with regard to the culture and laws in South Australia, so they would be of help more specifically, but I can offer a few pointers:

    • Don't say "union" if you can help it
    • Be friendly and personable with all of your coworkers
    • Map out the social connections people have at work
    • Get a list of all of your coworkers and their contact info as early as you can
    • Focus on small victories at first. Small victories help you gather momentum and keep organizer morale up
    • Disperse the workload as soon as you find fellow workers who are able to help shoulder the load
    • And, most importantly, keep it secret as long as you can. As soon as the bosses get wind of a union forming they'll crack down hard and fast, so you'll want to be as strong as you can before that happens.
    • CptKrkIsClmbngThMntn [any]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Good bit of advice. Remember, OP, you're going in there to unionize but you have to LISTEN first and foremost to your coworkers. They've been there a lot longer and know what needs to change, and no human being is going to take kindly to someone coming in with the clear intention of using them for a particular political outcome.

  • SolidaritySplodarity [they/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I wanna emphasize the "small victories" part in @SickleRick's excellent message. Have a concrete and popular ask. Something everybody wants. Then get another one. And another one. A dedicated break room. Some safety equipment. Some "minor" wage theft thing. Figure out what people don't like about the place and get a small victory. You can and should organize for workplace improvements before you have a union and use that experience and the connections you build to have credibility and support when it comes time to use the big "U" word.