IWGB and the courts

Submitted by ajjohnstone on December 9, 2016

I know some on this website have doubts about structured permanent trade union organisations, and i know others have their suspicions about using State institutions for class struggle but what is the opinion of the situation of the Independent Workers Union of GB now engaged in a legal fight over migrant workers and Brexit.
https://iwgb.org.uk/2016/12/05/mays-brexit-plans-face-british-supreme-court-test/

They are raising their profile and increasing their identity as a very legit union and buildiing on their previous successes

http://www.tribunemagazine.org/2016/11/ex-wobblies-join-gina-in-the-supreme-court-showdown/

My own nit-picking reservation is with their logo...those arrows bring to mind something indicating fascist tones...but i suppose there is a perfectly reasonable explanation

Steven.

7 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on December 9, 2016

ajjohnstone

My own nit-picking reservation is with their logo...those arrows bring to mind something indicating fascist tones...but i suppose there is a perfectly reasonable explanation

the three arrows going through a circle is an old anti fascist symbol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifascist_Circle

in terms of the court cases, it's all well and good, like other court cases taken by unions/human rights lawyers etc. But nothing radical or revolutionary about it

Rob Ray

7 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Rob Ray on December 9, 2016

Yeah court cases are just normal for a functioning union which has been recognised by the certification officer, it doesn't say much one way or the other tbh.

Personally I wish them all the best, from a distance they seem to be evolving into a solid militant union which makes it clear in the constitution [pdf] that this is the primary focus — the IWGB's not an overtly radical organisation. And there's nothing wrong with that. But go back 50 years there were dozens of similar groups, it's not got a huge amount to do with libertarian politics.