National Shop Stewards Network Conference

I don't think you can post this in libcommunity and then dictate the nature by which people should respond in fairness.

"Hi I'm posting looking serious discussion so I'm choosing the forum where it's least likely to happen in which to do it"

I certainly would be interested in hearing a report. I wasn't at the NSSN Conference, but have been an active anarcho-syndicalist since the 1970s. So.... there are some of us who would be interested in a libertarian take on the conference. Thus far I've only read reports in the socialist press.

Thanks.

xConorx

I don't think you can post this in libcommunity and then dictate the nature by which people should respond in fairness.

"Hi I'm posting looking serious discussion so I'm choosing the forum where it's least likely to happen in which to do it"

moved to organise

makes sense ;)

conor was referring to you posting in the libcommunity forum as opposed to on libcom per se - i've moved the thread to organise. i know there's at least a couple of shop stewards on here, but i don't know if they have any involvement with/knowledge of the NSSN. i thought i heard through the grapevine it's a trot dominated initiative, but happy to be corrected...

Hello, I would be interested in hearing a serious report from a libertarian perspective. I've real all the socialist website articles on the event. Perhaps Gurley or the Solfed member on the NSSN committee could give a report...or PM me with one.

Thanks for the time.

Yeah, there was a report on it in the Solidarity Federation internal bulletin about it a while back.. I think the general jist of it was positive (hence the involvement on the national steering committee) but that there were also clearly some internal Trot power games being played. I think stuff like the Campaign to Build a New Workers' Party (Socialist Party and maybe some other small Trot groups.. Workers' Power?) peddling their wares while wearing their 'Trade Unionist' hat.

But yeah, overall it seemed positive from what I read but there just needs to be a vigilant eye on whether it becomes another party recruitment vehicle or not...

ah ok, i happily stand corrected. i remember reading that, had the 'new workers party' thing in mind... the danger of half-remembered information :(

what union are you in jack?

Jack

Against my better judgement I'm probably going to get involved, but I'm not the most optimistic.

if you think the 2nd outcome would be a positive development (i tend to think it would be), then that's probably worthwhile.

christ there's no need to shout :x

Hello.... will there ever be a libertarian workers' perspective and report on this meeting?

syndicalist

Hello.... will there ever be a libertarian workers' perspective and report on this meeting?

You should ask ed directly for the SolFed internal bulletin with the report ;-)

There should be something in the next DA and there may be a short piece in the next Catalyst, though space prevents going into a lot of detail in the latter.

Basically, the members we have involved in this don't tend to come on here, so all you're getting is second hand.

Regards,

Martin

kc

syndicalist

Hello.... will there ever be a libertarian workers' perspective and report on this meeting?

You should ask ed directly for the SolFed internal bulletin with the report ;-)

Ok --- Ed, can you PM me the report? Thanks.

Is anyone involved in the "NSSN Syndicalists"
http://www.thesyndicalist.org.uk/nssn-syndicalists/ aside from the publisher of "The Syndicalist" website?

Apparently "several L&S members participate" in NSSN Syndicalists, which means that L&S are now producing everything NSSN Syndicalists are doing.

http://www.libertyandsolidarity.org/node/102

Libertaria

Apparently "several L&S members participate" in NSSN Syndicalists, which means that L&S are now producing everything NSSN Syndicalists are doing.

http://www.libertyandsolidarity.org/node/102

One of their members wrote "The Syndicalist is written by a couple of people, however NSSN Syndicalists is a wider grouping, there are people from L&S and Solfed involved, plus a lot of non-aligned syndicalists." My emph.

I would imagine that SolFed members of NSSN would be attracted to initiatives like this. And will judge it on their experience, not on 'reputation' of one group involved.

Given L&S history of working to rule anything they are involved with, and taking credit for even the smallest 'victory' the group they are involved in as there own 'victory' and blow it up to insane proportions, I doubt that "NSSN Syndicalists" or SolFed members participation in it will last all that long.

well if a small group like L&S can dominate and control broader groups despite people being aware of their MO, it doesn't say much about the commitment of the others involved frankly. I am assuming that NSSN Syndicalists have a libertarian structure and therefore it is possible for the other members to hold then to account. Whilst I understand people's concerns, I think the L&S bogeyman is somewhat overplayed, we know their agenda. I can't help thinking that L&S have become a convenvient scapegoat for us to blame. If NSSN Syndicalists does 'fail' the L&S members will have their share of the responsibility but so will other factors. Don't get me wrong, I think we should take L&S seriously, but that means us being serious. That said, I really don't know enough about NSSN Syndicalists to able to assess whether it is really worth the effort.

Assuming the libertarian inter-organizational stuff can be worked out, this seems (from 3000 miles away) a good starting point for libertarian comrades inside the NSSN. Yes/No? Again, I'm not on the ground and am only basing my comments on written words.

i don't know. the NSSN's stated aims are heavily influenced by the Socialist Party and leftism in general, rebuilding the trade unions, representation etc. It has potential insofar as it puts militant workers in direct contact, and i'm not involved myself so i don't know how well it does this, but from the outside the NSSN seems mostly to be one name amongst many on leftist call-outs and the like. I know there are some SolFed people involved so presumably they see something useful in it. the NSSN syndicalists page reads very L&S, i.e. uncritically pro- (rank-and-file) trade unionism, against 'politics' as sectarian etc. but again, i have no direct experience with it. seems a danger of it being a pressure group within a pressure group within a pressure group tbh.

Well, it'd be interesting to hear how things develop as they go along.

Salud y anarquia!

The NSSN Syndicalists sounds like a waste of time, wrapped inside a time waster, and coated in shilly shally

vanilla.ice.baby

The NSSN Syndicalists sounds like a waste of time, wrapped inside a time waster, and coated in shilly shally

could be the greatest thing since bread came sliced.

Was just reading this piece by Sheila Cohen on "the commune". Interesting, well, at least from an interested observor from across the pond.

what it says on the tin? memories of the NSSN
10 03 2011
In January the National Shop Stewards’ Network fell apart when the Socialist Party declared the foundation of yet another national anti-cuts campaign. Sheila Cohen reflects on the deeper roots of NSSN’s failure

http://thecommune.co.uk/2011/03/10/what-it-says-on-the-tin-memories-of-the-nssn/

test

I see that the National Shop Stewards Network still exists in some format. Any updated news, opinions, comments?

Socialist Party front now days. Seems mostly concerned with jostling for position with the anti-cuts front. All of which are pretty useless baring a few local ones

Jason Cortez

Socialist Party front now days. Seems mostly concerned with jostling for position with the anti-cuts front. All of which are pretty useless baring a few local ones

OK, no change from before. Thanks for the update. Got it.

Just to mention that Sheila Cohens' useful article on her earlier experiences with this network referenced earlier in this thread can still be found here:
https://thecommune.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/what-it-says-on-the-tin-memories-of-the-nssn/