Blogs

Anarchist audio streams

I've been off blogging recently for various reasons, but having put together a few audio files recently it struck me that there's not really anywhere that such things are being collated (or the specific files at least). This might be something for a dedicated section on libcom one day, I don't know but in the meantime, I thought I might list a few bits and pieces over the next little while...

Circled A (Resonance FM)
Relatively long-running radio show which is also turned into a regular podcast. Covering a wide range of topics, it's hosted by Yodet Gherez with Donnacha DeLong regularly guest hosting when she's not about.

All episodes so far

[b]Anarchism in the UK (to 2009)

All-out strike and clashes at Ikea plant

Four workers have been hospitalized after riots took place in front of the gates of the Ikea plant in Piacenza this morning (November 2).

The plant is the Swedish corporation’s main Italian storage centre and its workers are nominally employed by several cooperatives. However, as is often the case in Italy, the name ‘cooperative’ hides a dire reality of exploitation, the ignoring of labour regulations and of national collective agreements.

Incompetent scabs hand victory to locked out referees

For the first seven weeks of the National Football League (NFL) season, bosses have locked out all 212 unionised referees.

The issues that have led to the dispute are the same as those that started the recent National Hockey League (NHL) players lock-out, namely, pay, and pensions.

As in most American sports, the contracts for all staff in the NFL are negotiated centrally every few years, and salaries are usually calculated based on a percentage of the overall income of the league.

Union busting is the fashion at Hugo Boss

At ‘Texim’, a Turkish textile factory that produces clothing for Hugo Boss and Pierre Cardin, thirty eight workers have been sacked for legitimate trade union organising

Their crime was attempting to resist punishing changes to working conditions, and to object to an impossible 50% increase in production from machine operators in the knitting department.

Workers from the knitting department have led the drive for unionisation at Texim, and it is solely workers from the knitting department who have been singled out for dismissal.

Campaigners shut down UK’s newest gas plant

The following is a press release from the 'No Dash For Gas' campaign', following their occupation four days ago of the West Burton gas plant in Nottinghamshire. There are currently several activists on top of 300ft high chimneys and cooling towers.

This morning, sixteen climate change campaigners evaded security to shut down the UK’s newest gas-fired power station. They have climbed two smokestacks at EDF’s West Burton plant in Nottinghamshire and have abseiled down the insides of the chimneys. They are now setting up camp in tents suspended from ropes inside the flues.

The hidden victims of the NHL lock-out

Following the failure to reach a consensus on a new collective bargaining agreement between NHL (National Hockey League) bosses and the players union, all 750 players registered with the NHL have been locked-out as of Sunday 16th September.
For the duration of the lock-out all players are free agents and can play for any team or in any league in the world - many of whom have already jumped ship and moved to leagues across Europe.

This is the third occasion that players have been locked-out in the last seventeen years. In 1995 the season was drastically shortened following a dispute, and a major trophy (Stanley Cup) was not awarded for the only time in its 100 year history.

In 2005 the season in its entirety was cancelled due to a dispute, and subsequent lock-out.

Wal-Mart: The high cost of low price (documentary)

Wal-Mart has become one of America’s most successful retail chains by offering everyday goods at low prices for working families. But just how is Wal-Mart able to charge less than many of their rivals, and what has their success done for their employees? Documentary filmmaker Robert Greenwald takes a look inside the discount retailer’s empire in Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, and discovers a company short on scruples and long on shabby treatment of the people who work for them.

Hard-hitting documentary looking at the business practices of American retail giant Wal Mart. Interviewing current and former employees, director Robert Greenwald assembles evidence that demonstrates the ways in which the company is forcing small businesses to close, as well as attacking its restrictive, anti-union employment policies.

"The fight of our lives": An analysis of the UK pensions disputes

Steven Johns' detailed account of how the union has handled the recent dispute over pensions. It sheds light on the role unions play in contemporary society, and argues that if ever us workers are going to start winning things again, we will have to go beyond them.

Introduction

To some people, especially young people, pensions might seem like a boring subject, however this article is not really about pensions. It is about how our conditions have been attacked and how we as workers have been fighting back against austerity, and about how the unions have acted.

Unemployment, the JobCentre, and the imposition of labour discipline

Having been gainfully unemployed for a number of months, I’ve recently returned to take a swim in the shark-infested, soul-destroying, disease-ridden hell hole that is the job market. It’s also the first time I’ve been, ehhem, lucky enough to be able to claim dole. This means applying for jobs and making a fortnightly trip to the JobCentre. And it sucks.

My experience back in the labour market has led me to think about the role of both the state and capital in imposing labour discipline not just on the job, but in every aspect of the labour market.

Income management for the poor

From April 1st 2013 Liverpool City Council will replace the crisis loans and community care grants with the Citizen Support Scheme (CSS). It is not just a meaningless re-branding exercise; it has serious ramifications for people all over the country.

The scheme’s key differences to those of the existing arrangements are the abolishment of cash payments. The will be replaced with ‘food vouchers’ and utility ‘pre-pay cards’. The council laughingly describe this as a switch to, ‘holistic care’.

Gasland (Documentary)

Its happening all across America - rural landowners waking up to find a lucrative offer from an energy company wanting to lease their property. The reason? The company hopes to tap into a reservoir dubbed the ""Saudi Arabia of natural gas."" Halliburton developed a way to get the gas out of the ground - a hydraulic drilling process called ""fracking""- and suddenly America finds itself on the precipice of becoming an energy superpower.

The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe?

The beginnings of a rank-and-file rebellion in the Civil Service?

A look at recent developments within the civil service. The government's latest attacks, the response from both the union and ordinary members, and the prospects of workers taking control of their own struggles.

On Thursday 18th October, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude visited a HMRC office in Coventry.

Round-ups, detention camps and deportations

The anti-immigrant operations continue and expand across Greece. Detention camps, round-ups and harassment are now state policy.

The extreme right wing party Golden Dawn(GD) has been gathering more attention from the media recently. There have been significant reports about GD from the BBC and the Guardian. These reports are useful but the problems in Greece are not just from GD. Lets not forget the role of the official Greek state in the persecution of those deemed foreign.

Barcelona diary: Celebrating radical history

Recently I was lucky enough to take part in a meeting of radical historians in Barcelona. The event was billed as “a meeting of colleagues and comrades, all active in interpreting and bringing out the radical history of the place where they live”.

As well as sharing experiences and having a good time, the gathering was aimed at establishing “a more or less formal network/platform for the future. An international network of independent tour guides, street storytellers and historical activists”.

L'Aquila's earthquake trial: scientists as politicians' puppets

Current news headlines in Italy concern the 6-year prison sentence given to seven scientists and officials found guilty of manslaughter.

All were involved in the seismic activity committee, known as the National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks, which was summoned by Italy’s Civil Protection agency to consider a series of tremors in the L’Aquila area since December 2008.

Ill Manors, directed by Ben Drew, and The Angels' Share, directed by Ken Loach

Official 'truth' being more dishonest as well as stranger than fiction, Tom Jennings looks instead at feral youth fairytales screened since last August's riots.

We Found Hope in a Loveless Place. Film review – Tom Jennings

Libcom at the London anarchist bookfair 2012

London anarchist bookfair

Ahead of the London anarchist bookfair on Saturday, here's a few recommendations and announcements from the libcom team.

Fall Back's pick: 'Strikes, Nukes & Overdue Subscription Fees – Anarchist organisation in original documents (1944-64)' (Room 322, 2-3pm). I went to the launch of this a few months ago and it is AMAZING, in an anarchist history nerd kind of way.

State crackdown on trade unions in Fiji

The military dictatorship in Fiji are attempting to crush the trade union movement in the run up to alleged free elections in 2014.

During a negotiation regarding basic working conditions between the Fijian TUC and bosses from the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) - the police burst into the meeting and called a halt to proceedings. The claimed that their actions were a direct instruction from the government, and negotiations could only continue in the presence of the police.

Because you should have clocked in at 7…

Because you should have clocked in at 7…

In memory of assaulted and slain Starbucks barista Whitney Heichel.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Dear Whitney,

Bangladeshi workers fight back against corrupt bosses

15,000 Bangladeshi garment workers blockade a key highway in protest at unpaid wages. Meanwhile, bosses at the company – who supply Primark and New Look – are arrested on embezzlement charges in the country’s largest ever corruption case

The last week has seen a series of violent clashes between Bangladeshi garment workers and the police, resulting in over 250 workers being injured.

Workers at the Hallmark Group in Hemayetpur are demanding that arrears in their salaries are paid with immediate effect, and that they receive their annual ‘Eid’ bonus, which is due later this week.