The Workers' Paradise

August 22, 2011

The Open Door Policy of Worker Co-operatives

Filed under: Pensimientos — Tags: , , , , , — John McNamara @ 7:00 am

The 6th Principle of Co-operatives is called, somewhat reflexively, “Co-operation Among Co-operatives.” I have talked about this in a previous post. Today, I want to focus on it from a different perspective provided to us by the spiritual guide of Mondragon, Father Arizmendiaretta. He wrote: “It is risky to make each co-operative into a closed world.We have to think of the inter-cooperative solidarity as the only solution to other problems of growth and maturity. We must think about a vital space appropriate to our circumstances.” (Reflections, 488)

In difficult economic times, it is tempting to close our doors and focus internally. Sometimes the argument is made that very survival of the co-operative is at stake. This is exactly the wrong time to close doors. It is the most important time to open them. It is only through solidarity that we find our strength as workers. This is true to for the entire labor movement whether they are using the traditional Wagner labor union (in the west) and social labor unions elsewhere, or the collective and cooperative model. We need each other to survive. Don’t think that the people who actually control the economy don’t know this–they engage in their own form of solidarity and destroy ours. They take great pains to convince our fellow workers to act against their class interest.

We need to engage each other more than at the regional, national and international conferences; however, these are important events. These events help us to start talking and formulating the physical structures that we will need to make cooperation among cooperatives more than a marketing tool. Why is that important? Look at the so-called P6 Cooperative Trade Movement. It sounds nice. It sounds co-op. It even uses the .coop internet suffix. But notice how the definition turns the co-operative movement into something else–the way that a product gets a P6 designation isn’t by being produced by a co-operative:

“Any P6 member can nominate products that meet at least 2 of our 3-point criteria:

  1. Small farmer or producer
  2. Locally grown or produced
  3. From a co-operative or non-profit organization”

Under this concept, privately owned farms (and what constitutes a small farmer or producer) or locally grown products  have an equivalence with co-operatives. More importantly, non-profits, which are notoriously undemocratic, have an equal stature with co-operatives. While this may work as a marketing tool for the food co-ops and the coffee roaster (a worker co-op) involved, it unnecessarily waters down the co-operative identity which, in the long run, allows Nestle and other corporations to easily co-opt the movement by creating non-profits to compete (and even join the P6 movement) with bona fide co-operatives. In my community, each and every one of my co-operative’s competitors would qualify despite not being a co-op.

The P6 model works for the consumer co-op world (and those providing it with goods) despite its inherent flaws; however, what should worker co-ops do to promote solidarity amongst ourselves in a way that builds our movement not sow the seeds of our destruction? Here are a few ideas:

  • Join your apex organization: in the United States, it is the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives. In Canada, it is the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation.
  • Get involved in your organization: form work groups, communicate with directors, ask them to speak at your co-operative meetings.
  • Join the Worker Co-operative Federal Credit Union (unchartered). This has an incredible potential for our movement. When a worker co-operative joins, then all of its members may join as well. This could become our Caja Popular Laboral.
  • Shop Worker Co-op: I can tell you that I only buy Worker Co-op Coffee (Just Coffee and Equal Exchange). In Madison, I can buy worker co-op bread and granola, shop at a worker co-op pharmacy (Community Pharmacy), support a worker collective community supported radio station (WORT-FM), buy books from a multi-stakeholder bookstore (Rainbow Bookstore Coop).
  • Join your local network of worker co-operatives or help to create one.
  • Work with the WCFCU and local, regional and national networks to create a solidarity fund. Imagine if the 80 member co-ops of the US Federation committed 10% of their annual surplus to a solidarity fund and another 10% to a development fund as the Mondragon co-operatives do? Our co-ops would be able to navigate the tough times and take advantage of development funds to expand when the market beckons.

The co-operative community sees solidarity at a value. Workers see solidarity as a value, but also as an integral part of building a better world. We don’t support each other because we want to make money or define a difference between us and Whole Foods. We support each other because we are trying to build a better world, because we are engaged in social transformation and because, ultimately, our movement (whether you consider it part of the labor movement or the co-operative movement) is ultimately about the individual humans in our lives and helping each other to survive and expand, not just be cooler capitalists.

June 6, 2011

Wisconsin Workers Aren’t Going Away

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: , — John McNamara @ 4:58 am

I spent last Friday night with the Canadian Industrial Relations Association. They were holding their 48th annual meeting in Fredericton and asked me to be part of a panel about the attack on public sector unions. It was clear to me that given the recent elections in Canada, that these professional HR practitioners, labor leaders, and academics see Wisconsin as the “canary in the mineshaft”. It gives them hope, I think, to see that the people of Wisconsin aren’t giving in. It must also be giving the Walker administration and his cronies heartburn to see that the protests haven’t stopped. In fact, this week, they are escalating with the official establishment of Walkerville ringing the State Capitol.

Over 20,000 recently showed up at the Capitol to protest the next budget which includes attacks on Wisconsin micro-breweries (at the behest of Miller/Coors), attacks on Credit Unions (at the behest the banks who donated heavily to Walker) and further attacks of private sector unions. The last one is interesting, if unsurprising. Throughout the protests in February, right-wing hacks kept claiming that they had “no problem” with private sector unions but even “FDR didn’t think public workers should unionize.” So, why take away the prevailing wage language? Why not continue a time-honored practice of requiring those who contract with the state to pay the prevailing wage?

This has turned into a battle with many fronts. The Governor continues to be followed by a truth squad which even managed to show up at an annual fishing trip:

The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

In addition to the marches, protests and Walkerville, people have also brought the civil disobedience back to the capitol. Meanwhile, the Republicans got caught on tape discussing how to run a fake democrat in a recall race!

Wisconsin Workers aren’t sheepishly going back to work. They continue to stand up for their rights. They news trucks may have gone away (especially since they realized that we aren’t going to throw rocks at the People’s House), but Wisconsinites still stand against the corporatist take-over of the State. July 12th is coming. The sad part is how much damage this group of kleptocrats will do before the day of reckoning.

Wisconsin, know that the world is still watching.

April 11, 2011

Progressives Should Embrace Co-operatives

Filed under: Movement — Tags: , , — John McNamara @ 7:00 am

I was asked to speak to the Wisconsin Wave last Saturday. I missed my first chance, because I thought that I was supposed to speak at the part of the rally in front of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce building (a trade organization that pushes a corporatist agenda in the state). I didn’t have anything prepared, but this is what I remember saying:

“I work for Union Cab of Madison, a worker co-operative and I also serve as President of the US Federation of Worker Co-operatives. The US Federation of Worker Co-operatives is a trade organization but we are nothing like the Wisconsin Manufacturers of Corruption. Our Federation ‘envisions a democratic society in which workers are in control of the management, governance and ownership of their places of work. Workplaces will uphold the values of empowerment, equity, dignity and mutual respect for all workers without discrimination. Workplaces will offer long-term stable jobs, a living wage and the opportunity for ownership for every worker.’ We believe in building a democratic economy.

We know that we need a better economy. However, we don’t need to invent it. A better economic model already exists. It is called co-operation. The International Co-operative Movement has over 800 million members of co-operatives and credit unions. One in three people in the United States, Canada, and the UK are members or either a co-operative or a credit union. Theses are people who have chosen to put their neighbors and community over profits. It is the only economic movement that has an international set of values, ethics and principles. These values are familiar to all of us who believe in a just society: mutual self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. This economic movement also believes in openness, honesty, caring for others and social responsibility. Isn’t this the sort of economy that we want?

Why do we need to build this economy? Voting can only take us so far. We need to keep working on the recall, and the recount, but we need to recognize the limitations of voting. I’ve been voting since 1982, in every election, two years after the “Reagan Revolution”. It seems to me that voting has been little more than an organized retreat. We need to move forward. The reality is that as long as the commanding heights of the economy (energy, food production, communication, information, and transportation) are controlled by investor-owned, profit-driven enterprises, our government institutions will always be under attack. We need to seize the commanding heights of our economy through people driven enterprises–co-operatives.

We need to start now. On Monday, if you aren’t a member of a credit union, move your money out of the bank and join a credit union. Start shopping at co-ops as much as you can. Quit participating in their economy and make our economy the first choice. Let’s start building our economic movement now!

I know that this seems daunting. We are dispersed and the corporations are huge and powerful. However, and I will end with this, as I was walking down the hill just know, I was thinking of what happened in Spain. Shortly after the civil war, a young priest was on death row. The Pope told Franco that he had to quit killing priests, so they sent this young priest to a small industrial town in the foothills of the Pyrenness presumably to never be heard from again. When this priest got there, he found a town divided by class. The children of the workers had no school. Only the bosses kids got to go to school. He went to the bosses and asked them to let the worker’s kids go to school. They said “No. The schools are for our children.” This priest then began collecting pesos from the workers–whatever they could spare–and established a school for the children of the workers. 12 years later, five of those children went to University. When they returned, they went to work as engineers in the factories. They came back to the priest and said, “our work has no value, we want our work to be in line with the values that you taught us”. Those five workers and the priest started ULGOR Co-operative. Today, it is known as Mondragon Co-operative. It employs 180,000 worker owners. It has its own Social Security system, its own Kindergarten through University educational system and produces one-third of the Gross Domestic Product for the Basque region of Spain!

If five college kids and a priest can do this under the Iron Heel of Franco, then what can we do?!

If five college kids and a priest can fundamentally change their economy, then so can we. We need to say, ‘Yes We Can!’”

I tend to be a little somewhat of an introvert, but I was glad that I spoke. As I was getting ready and thinking of what to say, I kept remembering Mother Jones’ admonition to “speak even if your voice shakes!” I hope that people reading this will take some action. For instance, those of you with web domains could easily move your host to a co-operative host, as I do. Electric Embers would be happy to host your domain. Ask you co-op to start using the .coop domain suffix. It does cost a little more, but it helps promote co-operatives world wide and provides a strong brand.

April 4, 2011

Wisconsin Co-operators Need to Vote on April 5th

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — John McNamara @ 4:28 pm

Tomorrow, people who live in Dane County and believe in co-operatives have 3 great reasons to vote tomorrow.

The first is JoAnne Kluppenburg who is running for Supreme Court–she will provide a better balance on the court by being an independent judge who considers the law, not the politics. File this vote under the Co-operative Principle of Autonomy and Independence.

The second is Joe Parisi for County Executive. I haven’t said much about Joe because I consider his race a slam dunk. However, he is known for being an effective manager and has committed himself to defending Dane County against the onslaught of the Corporatist attack. He also was a drummer for what I consider to be Madison’s best band in the 1980′s Honor Among Thieves.

The third is a county-wide referendum seeking to amend the US Constitution to correct the mistake of Citizens United. Corporations, like Co-operatives, are not people. Our government must be based on the rule of humans, not capital.

For those of us in Madison, we have two more reasons to vote tomorrow.

Paul Soglin is running for Mayor. He has promised to rebuild Madison’s economy with co-operatives as part of the mix. He has even proposed a City-wide Co-operative conference to assist the City planners and administrators to engage with the area co-operatives.

A city referendum to seek an amendment to the US Constitution similar to the County referendum.

For those of us in the 6th District, we have the opportunity to re-elect Marsha Rummel. In addition to her ability to facilitate the discussion in a very vocal (and somewhat contrarian district), she is also the manager of Rainbow Bookstore Co-operative. She is the only member of the Common Council who truly understands co-operatives inside and out.

Regardless of the outcome, however, we have to continue to push our agenda. Electoral politics only goes so far. Elected officials exist to ratify the consensus of the community, we need to build that consensus. Co-operators need to vote tomorrow and then stay engaged. Make co-operation a force. Demand that our economy mirror our values. Vote, then agitate!

March 29, 2011

No Business As Usual–Allen Ruff on the Battle of Wisconsin

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: , , — John McNamara @ 2:44 pm

The following speech was delivered by Allen Ruff on the steps of the Capitol Building in Madison WI, on March 26, 2011 at the Co-operatives for Labor Rally. In addition to being a student of mass movements, he writes at Ruff Talk and has published several books including a history of the Charles H. Kerr Publishing House, We Called Each Other Comrade and a memoir of New Haven, Save Me, Julie Kogon. Please contact Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative for ordering.

A video of this transcript can be viewed on youtube: Allen Ruff (UNCUT)

Allen Ruff Speaking at Co-operatives for Labor Rally 3/26/2011

Why do I believe in coops? Because coops are the self-generating defensive organizations of people placed under siege by capital and that has always been the case. In the heart of the 19th century, in every country of the world where capital had it its claws, its talons, worker co-ops, consumer co-ops and producer coops rose up to defend the living conditions of people living under the monster.

Coops were not a gift from some benevolent middle-class reformers, handed down from on high, but self-generated from the bottom up, created by people determined to take charge of what they ate, what they consumed, what they bought and what they produced-a creation of the working class, and not some middle class movement.

Now, we have to understand. I am going to ask you a question here. What was Scott Walker’s campaign slogan? “Open for Business” They are saying to their corporate backers and investors that this state is open to maximize profits off of the backs, the sweat and labor of the entire state, of every working person, whether employed or underemployed, the unemployed and poor and disabled. All of us.

{People yell Shame! Shame!}

It’s not a question of moralistic guilt. I don’t want to hear “shame”! I say “out with the bastards!” We cannot shame them. They know no shame. So I don’t want to hear shame, shame from you–to hell with that.

Now—when they say “open for business,” they are saying “we will privatize schools and make them for profit”. That is why this has nothing to do with how much teacher’s make. It’s a fact that public education as a right and a guarantee can not be exploited and raped in the fashion that these bastards want to do.

When they say decertify and destroy unions, they are saying they want to get rid of unions because they are the one organized force of the working class in this state that has the capacity to collectively resist.

I said I am a historian. My entire adult life I have studied the history of mass movements from below. We have a lot to learn, to relearn to re-take, to regain, to re-educate ourselves on. On what generations ago people in this state, this nation and the world taught us about how to fight these bastards.

{Someone in the crowd yells something about the Robber Barons}

That’s right—they want to take it back to the 19th century to the age of the Robber Barons. We have to re-discover and re-learn the tactics of the popular movement that fought the robber barons. What are the tactics? The Strike, the Recall, Direct Action.

{someone yelled something about “recall”}

Somebody said recall. Understand that there is a direct relationship between the mass movement and initiative within the parliamentary electoral system for recall [of the Republican senators] It is the mass movement, this popular movement, that energizes that recall initiative. In the State of Wisconsin, what became known as La Follete Progressivism,  had it origins as a “push from below”. It wasn’t born of the geniuses sitting on top of Bascom Hill, but initially was one of the demands, a part of the platform of Socialist movement of Milwaukee. Wisconsin had the first recall legislation in the entire country.

What became known as the “Wisconsin Idea” that they are currently trying to dismantle not only had meaning in this state, but it set an example to the rest of the country. “Ah, the people of Wisconsin have a good idea!”

At a time when every legislature and statehouse in the country was run by boss political machines, bought and paid for by corporate interests, the good state of Wisconsin, the people of Wisconsin said “Hell, No! We are going to actualize, we are going to revitalize, we are going to give real meaning to “democracy”!

I said before that I been a student of popular mass movements. I’ve never seen anything like this before in my life and I am so fucking happy!

Now listen very carefully because we are right on the cusp. These movements start at the level of protest. “Protest” means petitioning your government, your leaders for redress, for reform. We could cover this building with a million people, right, sort of like a swarm of ants a popsicle dropped on a sidewalk on a summer day and they, walker and his backers would say, “We’re not concerned. They’re not exerting power.”

Every serious movement that we know of that has called for redress and reform through the system, a change of the status quo, has been thwarted by the arrogant, the rich, and those who don’t give a damn. Every movement that we know of has called for redress and reform, for substantive change has had to move to a different higher level. That of “resistance.”

Resistance means actualizing the mass boycott of companies through direct action, through pickets. We must identity and get to know every corporate sponsor of Walker and his clique. And we tell them: “We not only say that we aren’t buying your crap, but we are going to shut you down.” The mass action, the pickets, the be-ins, the sit-ins, the occupations of corporate officers, of corporate headquarters of rapacious banks must go on. It will push and energizes the recall movement. It pushes the electoral movement. Remember that the good Democrats who did good  and honest and moral things in the past month and a half would not have done so without the movement, the push from below.

Now those you who are going to focus on recall-do what you must. Do what you must—we are all part of the same movement. Those of you who are serious about exerting real social and political power must move to a level of resistance. When they say “Wisconsin is open for business” we must say “No Business as usual.”

No Business as usual.

No business as usual.

Brothers and sisters, this not just about Madison, not just Dane County, nor just the State of Wisconsin. The entire nation and good part of the world is looking to see what we do here. And we say, “To Hell with you. To hell with you Scott Walker! To hell with you Scott Walker’s Darling, the Alberta Clipper! To hell with you the Boss Tweed Ring revived as the Fitzgeralds, poppa cop and his corrupt sons. To hell with Glen Grothman that pre-Enlightenment man. To hell with you and your corporate backers who will take everything, every last dime out of our hides and all those of who have a dime that they can rip off…

Let’s talk about those tax privileges…

How is it that at the same time that they give unimaginable tax breaks to the utmost pinnacles of privilege, those that already suck us dry, tax breaks to the very wealthy in this country, that they can blame all of us for the deficit.

Again, we must organize. We have to organize ourselves. One final thing and then I’ll shut up.

Big Bill Haywood, that great leader of the Industrial Workers of the World, the most militant working class organization of the pre-WWI era said two connected things: 1. “The brains of the boss are under the worker’s cap.” What he meant is that those who would exploit, and own and beat and jail and kill us if we resist—they don’t know crap. That everything that they know — not only do they render their wealth from our hides but they also extract the knowledge of the working class and expropriate it as their own. There are hundreds of thousands of public service employees in this state who hold the brains, the knowledge of the operations of this state under their caps. Haywood said a second thing that is real important for service sector, public service workers and those unions under siege the public sector — the teachers, technicians, the administrators of those offices that they aren’t currently dismantling. Haywood said that the most effective method of resistance for workers assailed by the boss and the supervisor or foreman is to fold your arms. Put your hands in your pockets. They think that they can pass regulations threatening that if you miss a day and don’t have some doctor’s legitimate excuse that you could get your ass fired. We say, hell no. We say, “Slow the shit down.”

No business as usual!

No business as usual!

No business as usual!

Thank you brothers and sisters.

March 28, 2011

Battle of Wisconsin

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: , — John McNamara @ 11:43 am

There hasn’t been a lot of mainstream news out of Madison lately which might lead some to think that this battle is over–far from it. On Saturday, Union Cab led a rally calling on Co-operatives in the region to stand in solidarity with labor.

Here is a great speech by historian Allen Ruff. He was a member of Union Cab for 20 + years and a member/worker at Rainbow Bookstore Co-operative for 14 years. He has recently releisured to focus on his writing.

Allen Ruff on the Battle of Wisconsin

The Government of Fitzwalkerstan (as we have come to call it) has chosen to believe its own hype.

This gets a bit complicated. The Fitzgerald brothers called a special meeting in violation of the State’s Open Records Law and passed only the parts of the Budget Repair Bill that strip collective bargaining rights. However, laws can’t be effective until published by the Secretary of State. The District Attorney of Dane County went to court and won a temporary restraining order against the Secretary. Last Friday, the leaders of Fitzwalkerstan ordered the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish the law. It is unclear if this has any legal meaning but it is clear that the Fitzgerald’s purposely violated a TRO! Now the Secretary of the Department of Administration is claiming that the law is in effect regardless of what the court says.

Tomorrow, Judge Sumi will hear the case on whether the law is void due to the failure to fallow the law in its drafting.

Meanwhile, the Capitol has been on an essential lockdown with prostesting limited to a small space. The Sargent kids violate the Administrative Code (not a law, mind you, but a code) that prohibits signs. Their mother is an elected representative in Dane County.

Sargent Boys Stand Up for 1st Amendment

There is now a call for a Free Speech Fight to begin on March 29 inside the Capitol.

Most dramatically, Matthew Shauenburg has entered his fourth week of a hunger strike in protest:

Hunger Strike

If the despots of Fitzwalkerstan think that they have won because the Capitol isn’t flooded with protesters every day, then they are sadly mistaken. As Allen Ruff says, Wisconsin is not “Open for Business”, Wisconsin is “No Business as Usual.”

What can those of you outside Wisconsin do? Send letters of support to those organizations in the fight: Wisconsin Wave, Wisconsin Action, etc. Send letters to the Governor, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and let them know you won’t be spending your money in Fitzwalkerstan. Let the  Wisconsin companies that support Fitzwalkerstan (Sargento Cheese, Johnsonville Brats, Miller Brewing) that they need to explain why they support these actions. Let them know that this isn’t a private fight–it is every worker’s fight.

March 15, 2011

Why Public Workers Need Labor Unions

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: , — John McNamara @ 7:00 am

Yesterday, on Facebook, one of my reactionary friends argued the tired argument that public sector workers shouldn’t be unionized because they are essentially organizing against the public, the tax-payer. This argument has been thrown around a lot lately (even citing FDR’s belief that public sector workers shouldn’t organize). It made me realize that no one has really taken up the challenge to discuss why public sector workers need the protection of the union.

Part, if not all, of this argument rests in the belief that the role of unions is to maximize wages and benefits for their members. This simply isn’t true. Unions are not parasites. They exist to protect workers (and ensure that workers receive fair compensation for their labor). I would argue that the primary role of a labor union is to ensure a safe, humane and equitable workplace. Yes, they are also going to help their members get a fair wage and benefit package. So far, everything that I have read, has correctly pointed out that WI pensions were deferred wages and that Wisconsin is right in the middle for pay and benefits.

When I was at University, I worked at the Wisconsin Union. Students workers were exempted from the state’s labor law in 1972 (as a reaction against the organizing of the teaching assistants, Wisconsin Union workers and workers at Gordon Commons). We kept our union even though we could not negotiate wages. We did negotiate working conditions. We made sure that our workers had a fair and equitable workplace even if the money wasn’t great. This allowed a number of people to work their way through school by using their seniority to arrange a full-time work schedule around a full-time class schedule. It also meant that discipline was handled in a uniform and fair manner as well.

That is really the point of public sector unions. They prevent petty tyrants from ruling their turf in the civil service system as if it were their fiefdom. It protects workers from the capricious acts of bad managers. It protects whistle blowers when they expose fraud and waste. It allows, as MULO did, the union to suggest more efficient ways of working. These stories need to get out.

Right before my time at Union South, a manager decided that she need to control her payroll. Her decision was to dock 15 minutes from everyone’s shift after they had worked their shifts. Management ignored complaints until the union stepped in.

When I was a steward, I helped workers everyday with disputes between management and even between workers. The role of a union goes far beyond wages.

Another myth worth dispelling is that unions allow workers to slack off. They don’t. Unions ensure that the disciplinary process is both fair and equitable. This means that a worker should only be disciplined for “just cause” not “just ‘cuz”. Management is the only group that can direct workers actions in the work place–if they allow laxity, that is there choice as long as all workers get treated the same.

Unions don’t defend “bad workers”, they defend a “fair process.” Tom Clearly, the former Personnel Manager of The Wisconsin Union once told me that he supported MULO because it helped on two issues: 1) stopped wild cat work stoppages–which was of concern given the 18-22 year olds who made up the work force and 2) helped him identify managers who either more needed training or needed to be removed. Labor unions do not stop managers from disciplining or firing workers, they only stop managers from acting unfairly or inequitably.

By removing collective bargaining from public workers, the state is opening upan era of favoritism, bribery and a host of other vices into the workplace.

I would ask those reading (especially those on Facebook) who are public employees to post a note (either here or on your page) on how you have seen your union improve your workplace, protect a fair and equitable workplace, or even simply defend you.

March 14, 2011

A Wisconsin General Strike?

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: , , — John McNamara @ 10:57 am

The following is a report of sorts on the energy that I am seeing towards a General Strike. However, I need to say, that the most important thing that Wisconsin can do will be to elect JoAnne Kloppenburg to the WI Supreme Court on April 5th. If we can’t organize to remove a justice to has already stated he will defend Walker, then what hope do we really have to manage or win a General Strike?

The energy for a General Strike in response to the attack on working men and women committed by the corporatist controlled government (as well as the attacks on their children and the environment that are being proposed in the budget). It isn’t just the radicals letting some really well made beer do the talking. Organizations are actively preparing for a complete shut-down.

The UW-Madison recently sent out a message to students regarding a general strike. This was aimed at a group that volunteers at area schools. Students were told that the program may shut down; however, if it didn’t that they should be aware that no one can force them to cross a picket line (i.e. threaten with a bad review of their work). Further, the volunteers were also instructed that they may not act in the place of a certified or licensed teacher (i.e., they can’t scab). I don’t know about you, but that sort of letter coming from the major institution in Madison says something more that just talk is in the air. Both Mayoral candidates have pooh-poohed the idea of the General Strike, but that it is even part of the campaign issues is remarkable. Last weekend, the IWW and a committee of the South Central Federation of Labor held a community meeting to discuss a General Strike (which SCFL has already endorsed).

Part of the reason that the General Strike has received so much support is that the bill Walker signed into law would prohibit municipalities and school boards from entering into contracts. This makes a strike against the school board or the city useless. A strike, if it takes place, has to be against the state government. The only way to do that is to shut down the entire state. Walker threatened to call out the National Guard on the day that he announced this bill, so we know that he is ready.

A month ago, I would have doubted that even 20% of the people at the protests understood the full impact of a general strike. However, the benefit of the protests has been that people have been educated and had their sense of class consciousness heightened. A lot of people who saw themselves as “professionals” a month ago, now call themselves workers. The knowledge of what a general strike is has increased along with the talk of calling one.

What should worker co-ops do in a general strike?

We own our capital and democratically control our labor. However, we are also part of our community and the labor movement. Unlike many of the labor unions, we don’t have strike funds (not that those provide for a lot). In some cases, we may not be able to get supplies to operate anyway (if gas deliveries can’t be made for instance).

It is an important debate for worker co-ops to have. Each membership will need to make its own decision (as will the membership of each union and every worker). However, they can’t have this discussion internally. They need to have this discussion with the rest of the labor movement. There might be good reasons to keep Union Cab running to assist with striker logistics. Nature’s Bakery might keep operating, but supply bread to the strikers (who might not have a lot of money for food). Lakeside Press will also be vital during a strike. So will many of our other worker co-operatives. It will be important for each co-operative to explain its action to the community.

My personal preference would be for our co-ops to put down our tools and join our fellow workers. However, I would follow our membership consensus.

Part of the difficulty in this discussion is that no one knows how the “strike” will happen or when it will happen. I would imagine that it will start with small stoppages of 1-2 hours a day in order to build momentum. Perhaps a Statewide “sick day” might get called. In all of this, there might be a proviso that if someone needs to go to work (nurses, emts, or people who simply need to feed their family and fear the risk), that the engage in “work-to-rule”. Work-to-rule (known as an “Italian Strike” in Europe) is a great strategy because it allows workers to continue to earn their income while shutting down the system. As you might guess, it means following every federal, state and local law regarding your job as well as every internal rule. It prevents workers from being fired, but slows the machinery of profit down (sometimes to a trickle).

I think that the talk of a General Strike is real–at least as real as I have ever heard it. It isn’t coming from wild-eyed youngsters anymore, but from the establishment. How it gets prosecuted will still need to be decided. However, as I started this piece, I need to reiterate:

Vote JoAnne Kloppenburg for WI Supreme Court Justice on April 5th. If we can pull together to do this, then what has the last 5 weeks at the Capitol really been about?

March 9, 2011

Sun Setting on Democracy in Wisconsin

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: , — John McNamara @ 7:35 pm

Today is a truly horrible day in Wisconsin. Without proper, legal notice, the Republican members of the Assembly and Senate convened a special committee to separate the union-busting aspects of the Budget Repair Bill into its own bill. This “nuclear option” was then rushed through the Senate with the Democratic Senators still absent and passed on an 18-1 vote. It is now in the Assembly where the minority party hopes to at least convince enough Republicans who care more about their state and our democracy than party. I have little hope.

One of the absent Senators, Julie Lassa, posted this statement to her Facebook Page:

“This is truly a sad night for Wisconsin democracy.  In the dark of night, in blatant violation of open meeting laws, and without even having a bill in front of them, the Republican leaders of the Assembly and Senate used a shady procedural move to end fifty years of workers’ rights in Wisconsin.  Deaf to the pleas of the overwhelming majority of Wisconsin citizens, Governor Walker and Republican legislators have demonstrated absolute contempt for the democratic process.  They should be ashamed of themselves.”

Ashamed is “Wisconsin Nice”, this act will be challenged in the courts, but currently, the GOP holds a 4-3 majority in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In addition to attacking labor unions, denying collective bargaining rights, this bill will also allow the Governor and his henchmen to amend legislation through administrative rule. It doesn’t just end 50 years of worker rights, it ends 163 years of honest government in Wisconsin.

This may end up being a ploy to force the Democrats to return–but what will they return to? If the Democrats do return, the only honorable act in this dishonorable institution will be to resign and join the people outside.

The sun hasn’t set yet, but it is getting quite dark in Wisconsin.

As I write this, thousands of workers descended upon the Capitol. The police refused to let people despite a court order. They even had the audacity to accuse the prostestors of violating a court order. The crowd started finding their way in through open windows and any other means while thousands chanted and pounded on the doors of the People’s House. I read reports that reporters on the second floor could feel the vibrations of the pounding. A veritable human earthquake of righteous anger.

Eventually, the police gave way and the Capitol is now filled “to the rafters” with people. Madison High School students will be leading a walk-out tomorrow. I can only hope that every worker in Wisconsin will follow them.

 

March 7, 2011

Creating a New Economy

Filed under: Worker Rights — Tags: — John McNamara @ 6:48 pm

Yesterday, I talked about the potential reality that the Budget Despair Bill and the Corporatist Agenda (the 2011-13 Budget) will become a reality. We need to think about how to deal with this.

Steve Herrick, from the Interpretor’s Co-operative offered this comment:

“There are three things we need to do, in broad terms, and they all dovetail. My approach is to make re-entry into the corporate economy optional.

First, we need to ramp up use of existing community resources. Strike funds are important, but we should really focus on resources that are self-replenishing. The TimeBank is a good example. Community gardens are another. Community Car is a third.

Second, we should be teaching each other how to live extremely frugally. We need to learn gardening, cooking and baking, fermenting, and so on. We should also learn the basics of carpentry, first aid, sewing, fixing household objects, etc.

Third, we should be actively creating paying work outside the corporate economy. People need help setting up sole proprieterships and worker co-ops close to home, or even in their homes.

To put it another way, the general strike should become a way of life. When we walk out, or get booted out, we shouldn’t be thinking of how to get back in, but how to build a new economy.”

The reality of the bill may so mess up the ability of organic farming that the consumer co-operatives will have to find a different source of organic foods. If Wisconsin ceases to be a “fair trade” state, then it is unlikely that the Organic farms will find a sustainable market that can support them. It may mean that people sell their excess vegetables and fruits to the Co-op.

Of bigger concern will be the basic city services. If Madison loses 20% of Shared Revenue (as projected, about 11 million dollars) and the School District loses about 22 million, and Madison Metro loses 10% or more of its State funding, the ability to provide basic transportation and other services will be severely limited. How could the City use the co-operative model to address this?

I don’t know what law might prevent this, but it does seem that the Governor is in love with “private-public partnerships”. I would suggest the following concepts:

  • We would need to revision city services on a concept where the city provides a “base level service” and consumers pay for added services.
  • Every stakeholder group should have an equal voice on the board
  • Every “member” would have one-member one vote
  • Any organization providing city services with City equipment/capital would need to be a mutual or co-operative organization (Ch. 185).
  • Labor unions would be able to interact as both the collective bargaining agent for the workers, but also as an institutional member whose capital could help the co-operative providing services meet consumer demand.
  • When possible, whole departments could be outsourced to the mutual organization: EdVisions is a great example of a school system run by a worker co-operative. Could we find a way to make this the Madison Model?

Here is an example concept:

Madison Metro Co-operative

  • Member Classes: 1) Riders 2) Workers 3) Institutions
  • A board of 15 with each membership class electing 5 directors.
  • The City leases the capital equipment on a $1/year basis for a long-term lease (say 20 years).
  • The City “buys” basic service. This would be the essential routes to serve cross town city traffic (the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 routes plus certain others).
  • The Bus Company creates premium routes (The 10 and 38 comes to mind)
  • Each membership class would have their own capital buy-in rate, and standard fare rate. For instance, East Towne could buy their membership (say $20K) and then the people who work at East Towne would be able to purchase monthly passes at that rate.

The real point is that we are in for a world of hurt. We should expect, should these bills pass, that they ability of government to provide services will be severely limited. The bills need to be stopped, however, if they succeed, we should figure out a way to make Madison’s economy and co-operative economy and not let the corporations raid our assets and destroy what Madison is.

Steve offered some really great ideas–i hope people like mine–we are anxious to hear yours.

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