I thought it might helpful to get a beginner’s perspective since people struggle so much with figuring out how to get started and imagining the first steps
I thought it might helpful to get a beginner’s perspective since people struggle so much with figuring out how to get started and imagining the first steps
Good luck. Everyone I know (including myself) who has tried to unionize a workplace has gotten fired. Blah blah blah, 'in x location you cant get fired for unionizing'. Okay well they'll find some other bullshit reason and ratfuck you.
So you're doing awesome work but cover your ass and find a backup plan to keep a roof over your head. Start planning finances like you're unemployed. I support the IWW but considering most locals are basically a book club that does OT101 trainings once a year it's not like they're going to have your back in any real legal or material capacity beyond offering a bit of advice. Sorry to be a bummer. But I'm cheerin for ya
edit: I read in a comment thread that your IWW local has a cash stockpile; thats great, but again, don't get ahead of yourself - for all you know they wont have enough meeting attendance to make quorumwhen they need to vote on releasing funds. Again, sorry to be a bummer. Just don't plan for anyone to save you, and I'd bet the majority of us here are 1 missed paycheque away from not being able to pay rent. Slow and steady wins the race even if it isn't exhilarating.
My bro lost his job after trying to lead unionization at his workplace; after two months of very tense struggle (lots of power abuse, lies and threats and yadda) other workers - who couldn't handle that pressure anymore - started turning backs on him; I know from the experience (tho I managed to keep my job- different place, different time, different story) that is the most painful part when people you are fighting for start leaving you...
PS He went totally nuts, having what appears to be a nervous breakdown... in the end they didn't even fire him but demoted to most humiliating - in fact physically dangerous but who cares! - workplace and after couple more months of harassment he quit; the point was that (according to Serbian laws) he gets even less money and rights if they don't fire him.
Yeah I’m putting together my CV and trying to balance the union work with actively applying for jobs. There’s a decent chance I end up quitting before this gets off the ground purely out of self preservation. But we’ll see