1982 South African Grand Prix strike
Short account of the only strike in Formula One history, an almost unanimous 24 hour sit in in response to contractual changes.
In January 1982, the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) drew up new superlicense conditions that would tie drivers to 3 year contracts. They also had to sign an agreement not to "harm the moral or material interests or image of International Motorsport or the FIA Formula 1 World Championship".
Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers strike after factory collapse
Submitted by Steven. on Apr 26 2013 11:24
Hundreds of thousands of workers went on strike on Thursday in protest at the deaths of hundreds of workers in a factory collapse the previous day.
Workers downed tools and blockaded major highways in several industrial areas outside the capital Dhaka, forcing factory bosses to declare a day's holiday.
Factories where the owners did not grant the day off were attacked.
The chief of police told press that many of the workers also "wanted to donate blood to their fellow workers", over 1000 of whom were injured in the collapse.
Strike! - Jeremy Brecher
Submitted by Anonymous on Apr 22 2013 09:51
In possibly the best book on the American working class movement ever written, Jeremy Brecher narrates the hidden history of mass strikes from 1877 to 1970 from the point of view of the workers themselves.
Attached in PDF format is the 1972 version of this book. We heartily recommend readers buy this book - a revised version was published in 1999.
The need for a labour movement that can defy the law
Submitted by Phil on Apr 5 2013 06:16
The Public and Commercial Services Union has responded to threats of legal action by removing one section of its membership from the strike action due to take place on the 5 and 8 April. This shows the limits of legal trade unionism. It also underlines the urgent need for strong rank-and-file movements in the UK.
We’ve been here before. At the end of 2011, Balfour Beatty threatened to get an injunction against Unite the Union to stop the industrial action it had called for its members in construction. Unite responded by instantly capitulating.
Punching out - Martin Glaberman
Seminal text by Marty Glaberman detailing his experiences of wildcat strikes and union policing of the workforce during the heyday of the UAW in Detroit's auto factories.
Not long ago two men in a Detroit auto plant were discussing their steward. Both had known him for long years. They had worked together in the same depart ment when the shop was unionized in 1937. None of them were very active in the union but all three were among the first to join.
An injury to one – fighting the victimisation of workplace organisers
Submitted by Phil on Mar 11 2013 20:45
Victimisation, by bosses and the state, of those who try to organise in the workplace is nothing new. But recently a spate of high profile cases have focused wider attention on the issue.
Last year, William Hill bookmakers announced plans to extend their Sunday opening hours. As they already have over long shifts, forced overtime and the generally shitty end of the stick when it comes to working conditions1
- 1. Not the least of which seems to be a callous attitude to the mental health of those whose shops get robbed.
Athens metro workers forced back to work
Submitted by Thrasybulus on Jan 29 2013 12:27
The Greek government has forced an end to a nine day public transport strike which brought parts of Athens to a standstill.
Over the weekend the Greek government forced an end to a nine day transport strike which brought much of Athens to a standstill. The union representing the Athens' metro workers called the strike in opposition to wage reductions which are demanded by the Troika(EU-IMF- European Central Bank).
Angry workers hold bosses hostage
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 22 2013 16:26
More than 1,000 migrant workers in Shanghai have gone on strike and held 18 managers hostage following a dispute over the introduction of a draconian new disciplinary policy. Four hundred riot police officers attended to the factory in a bid to free the bosses. There are reports of many workers being injured in the subsequent clashes, including several with broken limbs. Following the incident the bosses have withdrawn the new policy, issued an apology for its introduction, and have promised the workers a pay rise…… Direct action gets the goods!
The workers, employed at the Shinmei Electric plant were furious at the new rules and regulations that will mean heavy fines or dismissal, should people be late back from the toilet, and instant dismissal for making one work related mistake. Angry workers besieged the plant in Shanghai for over two days, rounding up the bosses and forcibly locking 18 of them in a room.
Thousands of Coca Cola workers walk off the job
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 21 2013 21:28
Thousands of Coca Cola workers across Germany are staging a series of short term ‘warning’ strikes this week in protest over their wages. Workers at two factories in Bavaria walked out today, with a further 50 plants expected to follow suit later in the week.
The warning strikes generally last several hours, and are a common tactic used by German trade unions. They are the first step up on the pressure on employers in anticipation of the next round of wages negotiations. Workers are demanding a 6% pay-rise for all of Coca Cola’s 10,600 employees across Germany. The bosses are only prepared to offer a 2% rise.
Police kill striking diamond miners in Sierra Leone
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 2 2013 00:20
Hundreds of workers are striking against non-payment of bonuses, for an end to racism, and improved conditions at Sierra Leone’s largest diamond mine in Koidu. Following a blockade of the entrances and clashes with scabs, the armed forces were deployed, who opened fire on the workers, killing two and injuring many others.
The dispute is being reported as the ‘biggest’ to have hit Sierra Leone’s highly lucrative diamond mined for many years. The government have been heavily involved in the industry following the end of the civil war in 2002.
Can comment on articles and discussions