blockades
Articles about direct action using blockades, often of transport links.
Belgian rail-workers blockade depots as strike grows
Belgian rail-workers have organised strikes across the country after the fatal crash yesterday which left 18 people, including the train driver, dead.
Machinists and technical workers have blockaded depots across the country with services most afffected in Wallonia. Train drivers and signal workers are also observing the strike.
"No margin for blockades or strikes" announces the Greek PM before tide of labour action
A week before the start of a tide of labour action, the Greek Socialist PM Papandreou the Third has announced him government sees "no margin for blockades and strikes".
The Greek PM and leader of the Socialist Party (PASOK) and the Socialist International, George Papandreou has once again revealed the real face of his government by announcing that there are no "margins for blockades and strikes".
Farmers stage "rehearsal of total blockade" in Greece
Farmers have decided to block the "dialogue on farming" inaugurated at the Presidential Mansion in Athens by the government, and intensify their struggle.
The government was hoping that at the last minute the farmers would desert their blockades and seek refuge from the snow to the warm hug of the Presidential Mansion (Zappeio) in Athens where the Ministry of Agriculture has set up a "circus of dialogue" (in the words of the farmers).
Tree Sit Halts the Blasting on Coal River Mountain
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MARFORK, W.Va. – Protestors associated with Climate Ground Zero and Mountain Justice halted blasting on Coal River Mountain today with a three-person tree-sit.
“Coal River Mountain was the last mountain around here that hasn’t been touched and they could’ve been using it for windmills…But Massey wants to get that coal. It seems like they just don’t care about the populace. Just the land and their checkbook.”
– Richard Bradford
Farmers' offensive brings Greece to standstill
After refusal of their demands by the government, the climax of the farmers mobilisation across the country has brought Greece to a standstill. The farmers seem not to fear the legal measures that the judicial authorities are threatening against their action.
Mid-winter farming crises are a common phenomenon in Greece. It is the time for the usually tough-going collective bargain between farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture. In a country that the greatest percentage of farmland is in the lands of small-holders divided by both local special needs and political conviction, this is a typically long and contradictory procedure.
Indonesian villagers blockade nickel mine, win concessions
Villagers in Sorowako, Sulawesi, blockaded a major road to a mine owned by Inco, Indonesia's largest nickel company, after it announced restructuring plans.
The plans involved 87 lay-offs effective immediately, but up to 600 by the end of the year. Many villagers either work at the mine or have relatives who do. Management met with them and agreed to better severance packages as well as promising to find them employment in community projects.
Reports here:
Land seizure in Eastern China leads to clashes
More than 3,000 villagers in Zhejiang province of eastern China blocked a highway and clashed with police as they protested against alleged official corruption in a land compensation deal according to a human rights monitor and a witness.
Ten residents of Shipu town were injured in the clash with more than 300 riot police on the 25th of July, the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said in a faxed statement.
French Strikes 1995-6
In the winter of '95 - '96 there was a series of mainly public sector strikes that brought France to a virtual standstill, but didn't clearly win. This text, translated from the French, doesn't go into detail about the facts of this strike movement, but reflects on some of its contradictions.
The strike and after...
Published Spring 1996
Foreword
Looks Like We Got Ourselves A Convoy
Internationally and within the UK, fuel protests come and go, but the one time such protests seriously posed a threat - in many ways unintentionally - to the Economy and the State was in the autumn of 2000 (this is not to say they couldn't also pose a serious challenge in the future, though it seems very unlikely that such a challenge will come from the UK). This is a text written at the time.
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Looks as though we’ve got ourselves a convoy
Well-Pitched Notes On The Autumn 2000 Fuel Protests Towards Recomposing & Orchestrating Working Class Harmonisation On A Major Scale
Featuring such favourites as:
Country & Western Capital
Rainin' In My Heart
Fuel For Thought
Sometimes It's Hard To Be A Woman
Visteon workers reject "insulting" offer
Sacked workers of car parts firm Visteon taking part in pickets and occupations against job cuts have rejected an "insulting" cash offer from bosses.
The workers have vowed to fight on until they get their contractual entitlements. Supporters are urged to donate to help the ex-employees continue their struggle, visit the occupied Belfast plant and assist with picketing the Enfield plant, which had its blockades strengthened following the announcement.
