A motion passed by a branch of the IWW endorsing affiliation with the International Workingmen’s Association, an international federation of revolutionary unions. Originally appeared in the General Organization Bulletin (February 1937)
The following article was adopted by the New York Branch of the G.W. I.U. #310-330 on the I.W.M.A. at its business meeting January 22, 1937.
The situation in Spain today, where fascism is attempting to establish its dictatorship, reveals more than ever before the need for international solidarity. This will be particularly true when the reactionaries will have been defeated and the syndicalists, through their organization – the C.N.T., – -endeavor to complete the socialization of industry. Then the world will be treated to a spectacle in which all capitalist countries will stop their particular rivalries and concentrate on annihilating the revolutionary workers of Spain.
The same situation will hold true in this country when the I.W.W. will become strong enough to carry out the final struggle for the abolition of capitalism; the organization will be fought not only by the workers’ enemies in this country, but also by the capitalists of the world.
The capitalists of all countries, despite whatever differences or rivalries they may have, display much greater solidarity to maintain their class position against the workers than do the workers themselves.
What the workers need is an international organization to aid workers in any country where need may arise and also to help spread the message of revolutionary industrial unionism throughout the world.
The I.W.M.A. is such an organization. Its basic principles are the same of the I.W.W. It stands for industrial unionism, for fighting the everyday battles of the workers on the economic field through direct action, for the abolition of capitalism and for the re-organization of the future society around the industrial unions which will be the organization to carry on the work of production and distribution.
Within these fundamental guiding principles the I.W.M.A. permits the greatest leeway in each of its affiliated organizations to formulate its own specific program. It recognizes that “each country has its own traditions, its own methods of work, its own outlook upon events”.
For these reasons, we, the members of the New York Branch of the B.C.W. [unclear] #310-#330 believe that the I.W.W. should affiliate with the I.W.M.A.
(Br. Seal)
(Signed)
Peo Monoldi, 88807
Branch Secretary
Transcribed by Juan Conatz
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