Sounds like a solid set of things to move the union forward. Glad to see this.
Women's Caucus Introduces Exciting Projects for 2007/08!
because it's a load of shite, as revolutionary as a United Colors of Benetton advert.
Whilst this just makes me want to vomit.
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Compile a booklet of writing in which women, queers, and people of color share personal anecdotes from their experiences in labor activism. This booklet will include stories, interviews, poetry and art.
I take it white men don't have a right to bore us all to tears with shitty sixth form poetry or self indulgent anecdotes, but somehwo just cos someone has a fanny, dark skin or likes it up the shitter we should care?
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This policy will call for the inclusion not just of women and men but of people of all genders as well as people of any race, age, disability, sexuality, etc.
as opposed to now where the IWW has a position of call ing for the exclusion of people on such grounds?
but hey what's abit of tokenism between right on lefties?
I'm of a somewhat similar mind; a couple of years ago in an IWW branch there was one particular member (no longer a member) who was doing all sorts of sexist shit. Several other members organized an "anti-sexism training", even though a couple of women from outside the branch told them that it would not work, etc.
At the end of the day, all the men who were well-behaved showed up and pled guilty, the asshole did not, and they still had to organize against and around the asshole.
Revol if i understand you correctly you're saying this isn't radical enough?
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Work with the OD and OTC to incorporate into their training sessions information on how workers can deal with sexism/racism/homophobia while trying to organize. This group can also do research and make recommendations about the issue of stipends for low-income union organizers.
a) Should be some taken as a given and indeed is even amongst most business unions and large employers.
b) Don't see how it ties in with giving money to low income 'union organisers' or not. I'm really hoping the ambigious wording means 'stipends for low income workers organising themselves' rather than a concern about the wages of full time union organisers.
OliverTwister wrote:
I'm of a somewhat similar mind; a couple of years ago in an IWW branch there was one particular member (no longer a member) who was doing all sorts of sexist shit. Several other members organized an "anti-sexism training", even though a couple of women from outside the branch told them that it would not work, etc.At the end of the day, all the men who were well-behaved showed up and pled guilty, the asshole did not, and they still had to organize against and around the asshole.
Revol if i understand you correctly you're saying this isn't radical enough?
i'm not saying it'snot radical enough, i'm saying it just reeks of right on tokenism, like the scenario you mention, it's just a chance for the right on people to pat themselves on the back whilst not really changing much.
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b) Don't see how it ties in with giving money to low income 'union organisers' or not. I'm really hoping the ambigious wording means 'stipends for low income workers organising themselves' rather than a concern about the wages of full time union organisers.
You and me both. anyways we dont have any full timers, so...
Well you did say it wasn't "radical" enough, so which is it? Personally, I don't think it is necessarily "radical" -- but I don't think everything has to be, either.
Yes, the IWW has a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of all these categories, but that is different than actively trying to overcome some of the barriers that these groups face. I like the fact that it finds a way to incorporate this into labor work to build a stronger union rather than some activisty "shite," as you would say (though I could personally do without the poetry and art).
pghwob wrote:
Well you did say it wasn't "radical" enough, so which is it?
a) where?
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like the fact that it finds a way to incorporate this into labor work to build a stronger union rather than some activisty "shite," as you would say (though I could personally do without the poetry and art).
b) This should be taken for granted in the IW, it shouldn't require some tokenistic right on wank like a 'womens caucus', especially one that magically speaks for the transgendered, coloured and disabled. Oh shit i forgot all those groups are interchangeable victims of the white male....
i mean how come women get to speak for all these 'minorities'? why can't the male caucus spout off about the transgendered or coloured? or how about the asian lady boy caucus?
Would 'women' be being used as an ideological byword for the marginalised and down trodden? And what are the implications of the conflating of all these different experiances within a generic 'everyone but the straight white man' ideological position?
revol68 wrote:
pghwob wrote:
Well you did say it wasn't "radical" enough, so which is it?a) where?
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like the fact that it finds a way to incorporate this into labor work to build a stronger union rather than some activisty "shite," as you would say (though I could personally do without the poetry and art).b) This should be taken for granted in the IW, it shouldn't require some tokenistic right on wank like a 'womens caucus', especially one that magically speaks for the transgendered, coloured and disabled. Oh shit i forgot all those groups are interchangeable victims of the white male....
IW(Industrial Worker) is our news paper...IWW is the organization. I would have to agree with revol and pghwob a bit. The womens caucus is typical of North American libertarian politics but it is usually divorced from class politics yet still claims to be anti-capitalist because they encourage women not to shave and wear makeup. I view this as a acceptable move as far as the US goes. It isyet to be seen where the caucus does and what direction it takes. Dont worry revol the caucus isnt taking over the IWW.
revol68 wrote:
Would 'women' be being used as an ideological byword for the marginalised and down trodden? And what are the implications of the conflating of all these different experiances within a generic 'everyone but the straight white man' ideological position?
it wreaks of the typical anarcho-maoism white/male guilt trip politics we face in the states.
I think these groups do share a common experience of being ignored and marginalized. It's the facts. How often does a straight, white maie get shitcanned because of his gender, orientation, or race? Now, there are of course significant differences between groups -- for example, average income statistics I have seen -- but I see nothing here that promotes some kind of solidarity *above* class solidarity. For example, no such nonsense about promoting "women owned" or "minority owned" businesses.
pghwob wrote:
I think these groups do share a common experience of being ignored and marginalized. It's the facts. How often does a straight, white maie get shitcanned because of his gender, orientation, or race? Now, there are of course significant differences between groups -- for example, average income statistics I have seen -- but I see nothing here that promotes some kind of solidarity *above* class solidarity. For example, no such nonsense about promoting "women owned" or "minority owned" businesses.
why call it the womens caucus then?
Coming from the states, we do have an over-emphasis, in my opinion, on identity and privilege politics. My intuition tells me it is from the lack of a strong labor movement, people look for other means of inclusion, solidarity. I actually think it is the same reason we have more gang activity and more evangelical Christians as well.
All that being said, I do think we should take historical and contemporary oppression into account. The idea of a women's caucus is beneficial in that it give a traditionally marginalized group a chance formulate ideas, actions, and solutions that reflect the views of a group that has suffered double oppression (as members of the working class and as women). Or course, race, gender and sexuality should never trump class, but we should address them in the class struggle and in the process 'build a new society in the shell of the old.'
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i mean how come women get to speak for all these 'minorities'?
I agree with revol on this, and actually at least two members of the women's committee in Edmonton agree with this too. The problem being of course we don't have a caucus for all the minorities. I think more effort to update our imagery and propaganda is something the whole union should take on. Also something to keep in mind is this is a caucus, if I'm correct a caucus doesn't neccessarily make binding decisions, they take on projects and make recomendations to the organisation.
Which brings me to my main point, why is this being circulated publicly? These projects are far from done, and may look very different as discussion moves on in the caucus and these projects evolve. It just seems kind of premature.
The one I do think is good is the addressing sexism in organising and putting more emphasis on looking at these sorts of issues as organising issues. If done well, and not in some activisty kind of way but with an aim at building working class unity, this stuff can be very important. I've seen at least one drive sunk in part by homophobia, and I've seen racial tensions serious weaken efforts and rank and file solidarity in the past. I think some training on how to deal with these issue before they come up is a good idea.
The culture of inclusion policy is good in intentions but it has no teeth. I would rather see a harassment policy. But its a start and maybe we can build one out of what this policy says.
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I take it white men don't have a right to bore us all to tears with shitty sixth form poetry or self indulgent anecdotes,
White men have a monopoly on the Industrial Worker....which is pretty boring, self congratulatory and self indulgent if you ask me.
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but somehwo just cos someone has a fanny, dark skin or likes it up the shitter we should care?
Wasn't there a recent thread featuring folks wondering why people think there is a culture of sexism on libcom ?
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a) Should be some taken as a given and indeed is even amongst most business unions and large employers.b) Don't see how it ties in with giving money to low income 'union organisers' or not. I'm really hoping the ambigious wording means 'stipends for low income workers organising themselves' rather than a concern about the wages of full time union organisers.
The point Revol, is that it isn't a given in the IWW...hence this argument....the point the caucus is trying to make is that trainings on sexism and racism in the workplace should be included in wob training materials. On stipends, in the SFGMB there are several shops where the majority of the workers are people of color, women, folks with families and fairly low wages. I think its a great idea to offer stipends (on a limited basis) to folks, from wob shops, who want to spend some of their time helping out with the union and organizing in their industry. This is not full time staff...but members who get compensated for lost time at work to help out for a few hours a month. This would help make getting involved more of a realistic option for folks with full time jobs (sometimes more than one), kids and other family responsibilities. I don't have kids and I have a flexible job....most of the wobs in the SFGMB I know also do not have family responsibilities and live in group housing situations. The point is that for many wobs...volunteering loads of time to the union is an option. For folks with kids it is often not even close to an option.
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The womens caucus is typical of North American libertarian politics but it is usually divorced from class politics yet still claims to be anti-capitalist because they encourage women not to shave and wear makeup. I view this as a acceptable move as far as the US goes. It is yet to be seen where the caucus does and what direction it takes. Dont worry revol the caucus isnt taking over the IWW.
Um...I see nothing in here that implys that they are divorced from class politics? How does encouraging working class women to become more involved in their union divorce them from class politics....thats all I see here...I agree with pghwob...nothing about cross class collaboration to support women owned businesses etc...
Also...I see nothing encouraging women to "not shave or wear makeup". This is very offensive and really pissed me off. Besides I know plenty of wobs who are sex workers and have fabulous makeup.
Also, on the caucus speaking for others, just to let you all know there *are* queer women of color out there in the world, and you all (as men) are affected when I am discriminated against on the job. All of these issues intersect on allot of different levels. And including a variety of opinions and experiences in future trainings and literature can only be a good thing.
And for those who think that most "real workers" or "real unions" don't care about this stuff...I was just at a large rally supporting Trans inclusion in the the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) where reps from all the major unions in SF and a rep from the national AFL-CIO spoke in favor of protecting Transgendered worker's rights.
So...why are the wobs, who according to x357997 are a "revolutionary union", so skittish when it come to supporting and including issues that working class women and queers in *their own union* find to be important. Important enough to form a caucus and go up against the kind of sexist drivel I've been reading on this board today.
EdmontonWobbly wrote:
I've seen at least one drive sunk in part by homophobia, and I've seen racial tensions serious weaken efforts and rank and file solidarity in the past. I think some training on how to deal with these issue before they come up is a good idea.
Doesnt that fall on the OTC?
x357997 wrote:
EdmontonWobbly wrote:
I've seen at least one drive sunk in part by homophobia, and I've seen racial tensions serious weaken efforts and rank and file solidarity in the past. I think some training on how to deal with these issue before they come up is a good idea.Doesnt that fall on the OTC?
Um....yea...
PROJECT: Work with Organizing Dept & Organizing Training Committee
DESCRIPTION: Work with the OD and OTC to incorporate into their training sessions information on how workers can deal with sexism/racism/homophobia while trying to organize.
Women's Caucus Introduces Exciting Projects for 2007/08!
New webpage: http://www.iww.org/en/projects/women
During General Assembly 2007, the Women’s Caucus met to discuss issues regarding gender and inclusion. Women from various spots in the country shared ideas, personal stories, and suggestions on where to go from here. Recognizing that the women’s caucus has met in previous years at the GA, the women at this year’s caucus hope to build on what was started in the past.
Below is a list of projects which we think will foster inclusion in the IWW. We welcome all wobblies to participate, including women, men, and transgendered people. Please get in touch if you would like to work on any of these projects.
PROJECT: Work with Organizing Dept & Organizing Training Committee
DESCRIPTION: Work with the OD and OTC to incorporate into their training sessions information on how workers can deal with sexism/racism/homophobia while trying to organize. This group can also do research and make recommendations about the issue of stipends for low-income union organizers.
CONTACT: Sarah
PROJECT: Booklet
DESCRIPTION: Compile a booklet of writing in which women, queers, and people of color share personal anecdotes from their experiences in labor activism. This booklet will include stories, interviews, poetry and art. The focus of all submissions should be based on their relevance to the IWW: its history, methods and members. Other focuses include direct action and worker run community organizing.
CONTACT: Kirsten
PROJECT: “Culture of Inclusion” policy
DESCRIPTION: The Women’s Caucus will draw up a policy to be presented at GA 08. This policy will call for the inclusion not just of women and men but of people of all genders as well as people of any race, age, disability, sexuality, etc.
PROJECT: Publicize the Sato fund & encourage diversity at General Assembly
DESCRIPTION: Will work with the General Secretary-Treasurer to publicize the Sato fund through iww.org, the IW, and other outlets. Will also research Charlene Sato to raise awareness of her life and work. Will also research other ways to encourage diversity at GA.
For more info on getting involved in the women’s caucus feel free to contact Stephanie via mail at PO Box 1211 / New York, NY 10029-9998 or via e-mail at We also have a listserve which is open to wobblies of all genders and colors: http://lists.iww.org/listinfo/womenscaucus
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http://www.iww.org/en/node/3715