sabotage
Mozambique: wildcats and sabotage on the sugar cane plantations
600 seasonal workers at the Xinavane sugar plantation in Maputo province of Mozambique have been on wildcat strike since last Friday (15th February).
The workers are demanding a wage increase of over 100%, from 1,100 to 2,500 meticais (from US$46 to US$104), as well as protective clothing, overtime for working on Sundays and the right to a day off in the event of the death of a family member.
France: Sabotage at Renault factory
Workers at the Renault factory in Le Mans have been accused by management of sabotaging factory equipment.
The action appears to be a response to the sacking, ten days ago, of five workers for faute grave (gross misconduct). It is unclear how many of the 3000 workers were involved in the action, management has not specified exactly what form the sabotage took. The condemnation of the action by the CFDT union also fails to describe the action.
Sabotage in the workplace
Sabotage is the generic term for a whole host of tricks, deviltry, and assorted nastiness that can remind the boss how much he needs his workers (and how little the workers need them). Here are some examples
The term "sabotage" derives from French factory workers throwing their wooden shoes ("sabots") into machinery to jam them and stop production. Sabotage refers to all activities which workers can undertake to reduce production or rate of work.
These can be minor activities such as making personal phone calls on work time to major destruction of property or information.
Stagecoach bus driver's strike a success
An initial strike by bus drivers at Stagecoach North East has been praised by the unions, with further strike action planned for tomorrow.
More than 700 Stagecoach workers walked out on Monday following a row over pay. The workers belong to the T&G.
Top ten things to be doing at work instead of working
libcom.org presents the top ten things to do while at work, instead of actually working.
10 Walking around. Not very glamorous, but in some workplaces it's the easiest way of getting a few minutes to yourself. If necessary, carry some documents or look purposefulIsrael: electricity workers take action against privatisation
Workers at the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) have been taking strike and sabotage action against electricity market reform.
Workers halted the unloading of coal from IEC ships and prevented the removal of ash from power stations, likely to paraylze coal fired stations within 3-4 days. They also cut management off from computer, telephone and electricity services and blocked offices in what has been a series of activities designed to disrupt the company's activities using "all legal means".
Sabotage and striking on the job (Louis Adamic, 1931)
Louis Adamic immigrated to the United States from Yugoslavia at age 14 and was naturalized in 1918. This essay describes his experiences as a casual labourer in a variety of jobs during the 1920s, including his meetings with fellow workers who were members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the 'Wobblies'.
(This text is Chapter 32 of the Rebel Press reprint of Louis Adamic's classic book 'Dynamite! A Century of Class Violence In America 1830-1930'.)
Sabotage in a saw mill
An account of everyday sabotage in a saw mill by Crawdad, a mill worker.
The Fort Bragg Redwood sawmill is owned by Georgia-Pacific, a large company with interests in building materials and chemicals. Workers used to call bomb threats into the company. They waited until 1:00 pm on Fridays, in spring, when it was balmy and glorious.
Sabotage of police data collection
Zeke, a records clerk, recounts his and workmate's sabotage of the Arizona police car registration information
Sabotage in a food factory
A short account of a brief and minor rebellion of three bottle stackers, by Patrick, a palletizer
