I've been involved with Leeds AF for some time. During that time I've noticed that it's often really tricky to get hold of information when there's a strike particularly the location and times of pickets which makes it difficult for those people who want to offer support. So I thought it might be a good idea to set up a website (or maybe a part of libcom) where workers/unions who are on strike and want people to come down can post the details. If you're willing to help me with this get in touch. Any ideas/comments/criticisms would be much appreciated too.
Feb 28 2012 18:33
Mar 4 2012 21:05
Hi Steven. Sorry it took a while to get back to you I was snowed under with work last week. I've had a quick think about how we could get something like this going - here's what I've come up with so far:
In order to be successful a site like this needs to have two things:
1) Good and accurate information.
2) Be widely known about and used.
For 1) to happen the site would accept submissions from users but those involved should also be proactive and keep their ears out for info (asking those involved before it's posted obviously).
In order to publicise it we could:
-Tell people on pickets about it.
-Tell people we know who we think would like the idea about it
-Stick it on indymedia and other activisty/lefty news sources
-Get existing anarchist organisations to publicise it to their members if they want.
In terms of how the site could be run I think there would need to be a small group who maintain it, keep it up to date etc. who could communicate by e-mail list and possibly meet online when necessary through mediums such as crabgrass or skype. Users would send information which could then be posted, can get involved in running the site if they want to and just read and use the info provided.
Let me know what you think of the above. Assuming there are no significant disagreements and the will to do this exists here's a provisional to do list (which we can dole out later if we agree this should happen):
-Create the site/page
-Create an e-mail account
-Create a crabgrass account
-Have an initial meeting of those willing to put effort into this (either online or irl) at which we could work out the gritty details (should users be able to submit directly or e-mail us and we'll put it up? for example).
Can comment on articles and discussions
Hi, we have spoken about this in the libcom group, and could be interested in hosting such a project. I know with J 30 and N 30 there were separate websites, but it could be useful to have one fixed one