Friday, September 17, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR MINNEAPOLIS:
JIMMY JOHNS WORKERS DIRECT ACTION:
The IWW drive to unionize the Jimmy Johns restaurants in Minneapolis continues, and direct action (ie doing it yourself without negotiation with the boss) is part of this. Here's a story from the Jimmy Johns Workers website about their latest actions.
DADADADADA
Jimmy Johns Workers Hijack Promotional Event to Press for Tip Jars
Sandwich Workers Union Keeps the Pressure on as Unprecedented Union Election Approaches
MINNEAPOLIS– Jimmy John’s workers were doing more than preparing french bread, cold cuts, and sliced tomatoes for “Dollar Sub Day” this morning as union members and supporters hit the bricks outside stores, asking customers to put up tip jars and use them.
The act of civil disobedience is meant to draw attention to a company policy that forbids tip jars, despite the fact that it costs nothing.
Union members say the action supports their goal of shifting power back to the workers. “We think having customers act in solidarity by putting up tip jars will give workers a glimpse of a better workplace, and a few more dollars in their pockets on one of the most hectic days” says Max Specktor, a bike delivery driver at multiple Jimmy John’s stores.
Workers will receive the same wages on Dollar Sandwich Day, though business (and effort needed to pump out sandwiches) will be fourfold. Tips can help compensate for this extra hard work to promote the company, since the amount of tips is related to the number of customers on a given day.
Despite making hundreds of sandwiches each day, workers are not entitled to a free sandwich unless they work a 7 hour shift, a rarity for a company with standard shifts of 2-4 hours. Today, Jimmy Johns workers will be asked to pay $2.50 for a $1 sandwich, and will not have tips to cover the difference.
“Respect is a core issue at Jimmy John’s, and what we are fighting to regain,” says David Boehnke, an in-shop worker at the Skyway Jimmy John's store in downtown Minneapolis. “While tip jars and free sandwiches may not seem like a big deal, to come in, make $15-25 working all of lunch, make no tips, clean up, and go home hungry—this is not something that connotes respect.”
The Jimmy John’s Workers Union, made up of workers at all 9 Minneapolis franchise locations, filed for an unprecedented union election Monday. They say the will continue to build pressure until the owners Mike and Rob Mulligan cede to their demands, and until fast food and service workers everywhere get the respect and dignity they deserve.
##
http://jimmyjohnsworkers.org
Labels: American labour, anarcho-syndicalism, direct action, IWW, Jimmy Johns workers, labour., Minneapolis
Sunday, July 25, 2010
CANADIAN LABOUR VANCOUVER:
HYATT BLOCKADE IN VANCOUVER:
Last Thursday hotel workers in Vancouver BC protested in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel as part of a 15 city continental protest against the chain's anti-worker policies. In a real direct action as opposed to a theatrical riot the workers blocked access to the hotel during the protest. These workers are represented by Unite Here. Here's a report from the BC newspaper 'The Province'.
CLCLCLCLCL
Hundreds block downtown Vancouver corridor to protest Hyatt's treatment of workers
More than 600 hotel workers protested outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Vancouver during the evening rush hour Thursday as part of demonstrations in 15 North American cities against the way the global hotel giant treats its workers.
“We want to focus on the Hyatt because we feel like it serves as the starkest example of a global hotel company that managed to do well during the recession while they were cutting hours for workers, reducing shifts, leading to increased work loads for workers who are on staff,” said Michelle Travis of Unite Here Local 40, which represents about 8,000 hotel workers in B.C.
Protesting their treatment by the corporate hotel giant, workers blocked Burrard Street between West Georgia and Dunsmuir at the height of the demonstration as police redirected traffic.
Similar protests by thousands of hotel workers were held in Toronto and major U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
Unite Here, formerly known as the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, is in contract negotiations for a new contract for about 1,600 hotel workers in Vancouver at the Hyatt, Four Seasons, Westin Bayshore and Renaissance hotels.
Understaffing and workloads have emerged as the main issues in bargaining for a new contract that expired on June 30.
jkeating@theprovince.com
Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Hundreds+block+downtown+Vancouver+corridor+protest+Hyatt+treatment+workers/3311375/story.html#ixzz0uial2Mye
Hundreds block downtown Vancouver corridor to protest Hyatt's treatment of workers
More than 600 hotel workers protested outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Vancouver during the evening rush hour Thursday as part of demonstrations in 15 North American cities against the way the global hotel giant treats its workers.
“We want to focus on the Hyatt because we feel like it serves as the starkest example of a global hotel company that managed to do well during the recession while they were cutting hours for workers, reducing shifts, leading to increased work loads for workers who are on staff,” said Michelle Travis of Unite Here Local 40, which represents about 8,000 hotel workers in B.C.
Protesting their treatment by the corporate hotel giant, workers blocked Burrard Street between West Georgia and Dunsmuir at the height of the demonstration as police redirected traffic.
Similar protests by thousands of hotel workers were held in Toronto and major U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
Unite Here, formerly known as the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, is in contract negotiations for a new contract for about 1,600 hotel workers in Vancouver at the Hyatt, Four Seasons, Westin Bayshore and Renaissance hotels.
Understaffing and workloads have emerged as the main issues in bargaining for a new contract that expired on June 30.
jkeating@theprovince.com
Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Hundreds+block+downtown+Vancouver+corridor+protest+Hyatt+treatment+workers/3311375/story.html#ixzz0uial2Mye
Labels: BC, British Columbia, Canada, Canadian labour, current events, direct action, labour, protests, Unite Here
Saturday, May 22, 2010
ANARCHIST THEORY:
VANDALISM AND DIRECT ACTION:
One thing has to be said for sure. The anarchist concept of "direct action" has been corrupted- mostly by those who claim the anarchist label- beyond all recognition in recent years, especially in North America, and, of course, beyond all measure in the USA. In its original formulation in the anarcho-syndicalist movements of Europe and Latin America and in the IWW of the 'anglosphere' it had a totally different meaning than the one it has come to assume today. In its original formation it meant action on the part of the oppressed without political mediation that would immediately correct a grievance. This meant that it was definitely not "symbolic" ie a propaganda gesture- voting with bricks rather than ballots. Neither was it "terrorist" in that it committed one act unconnected to the grievance in order to "terrorize" the ruling class into caving in on another matter. The classic such act would have been IWW walkouts at a certain hour to enforce a certain working time.
What does this mean ? It means that direct action is something that has an immediate effect, or at least the possibility of same. That it corrects an injustice or advances the interests of the oppressed not in some American psychobabble way but in a real material result. Such actions are totally disconnected from how "militant" or "violent" such actions are. They may be "militant". They may be violent". In most cases, however, they are neither. The foundation of an "infoshop" for instance is "direct action". Bombing a newspaper station because you think they 'support capitalism" is not. The former actually accomplishes something and is a direct response to correct a problem. The latter is (an invariably juvenile) expression of personal frustration that accomplishes nothing.
Then, of course, there are actions that do not result in immediate correction of a problem but gradually build towards it. Suppose, for instance, you hate the Royal Bank and its various corporate actions. You can take one approach, that of long term organizing and trying to present the evil actions of the bank to the general population. At a certain point one might hope that real direct actions (whether inhibiting the actions of the bank or building alternatives to its power) would begin to develop. Real direct actions supported by large numbers of ordinary people. On the other hand you can be lost in the incestuous world of a subculture where you cannot "read the political pulse" of ordinary people and imagine because most of the people in your friendship group hate the Royal Bank in a half-educated leftist way that the general population feels the same. Then all you have to do is plant a bomb to stimulate general rebellion. This whole scenario was played out over 100 years ago amongst anarchists when the general population was 1000 times more likely to be sympathetic. They weren't then, and they cannot be now.
Whoever did the firebombing in Ottawa may claim the "anarchist" label (assuming it wasn't a police action- if they are caught it wasn't; if they are not leave that option open) in a vague rhetorical way, but it has to be said that they don't have the foggiest clue as to what anarchism is beyond another "ism" to add to a leftist laundry list. Unfortunately it is still a minority position amongst North American anarchists in terms of understanding what "direct action" really means. Platformists and mutualists generally understand it, and the majority of educated syndicalists do as well. To others, however, it has become a synonym for either violence or militance. These things have nothing whatsoever to do with the real meaning of the term.
Labels: anarchism, anarchist theory, canadian anarchist movement, current events, direct action, tactics, terrorism
Thursday, March 25, 2010
CANADIAN LABOUR - QUÉBEC:
LAID OFF ABITIBI WORKERS BLOCKADE PLANT:
Since last Monday laid off workers at the AbitibiBowater plant in Beaupré Québec began a blockade of the mill that they say they will maintain until they get severance pay due to them. the blockade prevents the company from removing equipment and materials from the plant. The blockade is still on. Here`s the story from the CBC.
QLQLQLQLQLQLQLQL
Abitibi workers to maintain blockade
The 300 hundred employees of the AbitibiBowater paper mill in Beaupré say they will maintain a blockade at the plant, north of Quebec City, until they get their severance pay.
Abitibi workers to maintain blockade
The 300 hundred employees of the AbitibiBowater paper mill in Beaupré say they will maintain a blockade at the plant, north of Quebec City, until they get their severance pay.
The workers, who said they are owed a total of $12 million, set up a trailer blocking the road leading into the mill on Monday.
The severance pay is required according to the workers collective agreement, said union local president Mario Leclerc.
The workers are owed between $40,000 to $60,000 each, said Leclerc.
The company cannot afford to make the payments, because it is under bankruptcy protection, said AbitibiBowater spokesman Pierre Choquette.
Each worker must file a request for compensation through the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee, he said.
"Already a package has been sent to them with forms, and all of these forms have to be completed by each of the employees, with the amount according to their personal situation," said Choquette.
The deadline for the forms to be submitted is April 7, he said.
Leclerc, however, said the workers have already submitted their claims.
The barricade will stay put until the workers are offered the full amount of their severance packages, he said.
Agreement with union
AbitibiBowater announced plans to shut down its Beaupré plant and to suspend operations at three other Canadian plants in September.
The company blamed the move on a worldwide drop in demand for all types of paper.
Earlier this month, AbitibiBowater reached a tentative deal with its union that could allow the company to emerge from bankruptcy protection.
The agreement, which includes concessions from workers, is currently going through the ratification process. Pension regulators in Quebec and Ontario must also give their nod.
The company has been operating under creditor protection in both Canada and the United States for almost a year. It filed to restructure after struggling amid slumping newsprint demand and debts approaching $5 billion.
QLQLQLQLQLQLQLQL
Here's some relevant comment translated from the french at the Voix De Faits blog in Québec City.
QLQLQLQLQLQLQLQL
Factory Blockade In Beaupré
According to regional media, hundreds of AbitibiBowwater workers have been blockading the entrance to the Beaupré plant since 6am this morning. The blockade is to prevent the company from leaving with the factory's equipment. The most recent report said that about twenty persons were still on the scene in the evening. Constant vigilance is maintained on the premises.
The factory is closed but the company still owes money to its former employees ($ 12 million in various bonuses!). As AbitibiBowater was placed under the protection of the Creditors Arrangement , the only guarantee that people have of the region to be paid one day is to prevent the dismantling of the machines. That is their ultimate balance of power.
The gesture is described by the symbolic local union president. It is indeed, however, direct action. Such blockades - sometimes embellished with threatening to destroy the material - have brought results around the world (from France to Ontario). Maybe it's not "legal" but it's perfectly legitimate! Don't let any piece go.
Note that the resumption of the plant under capitalist control is very unlikely (but not for lack of trying, including a revitalization committee supported by local elites!). Strangely (!), Nobody seems to have thought about a relaunch under workers' control, as in Argentina, at least until the payment of sums due. An idea to consider?
Labels: AbitibiBowater, Canadian labour, CBC, direct action, economic crisis, factory blockades, labour, Quebec, Voix De Faits
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
CANADIAN LABOUR - ONTARIO:
SHUTTING DOWN THE PROVINCE ?:
Several thousand people attending the international solidarity rally in support of striking Steelworkers Local 6500 workers in Sudbury last Sunday were treated to an interesting speech by international union president Leo Gerard. As the following article from Northern Life says Gerard asserted that the union intended to press for anti-scab legislation in Ontario with direct action such as shutting down Highway 401 if necessary.
Now this may be just tough talk, and one shouldn't hold one's breath while waiting for the union bureaucracy to initiate such a thing. Still, Molly thinks it is a very worthwhile thing to consider. Such an action would be far more worthy of the term "direct action" than what often passes for such amongst a certain part of the anarchist "scene" in North America. For one thing it would be done by mainly the people immediately concerned themselves (no doubt with some support). For another it would have a clear and achievable goal, something that mini-riots of a couple of hundred people who want to prove that they are "against capitalism" do not. These two facts would mean that such an action would have a local base of community support to whom the goals would be clear, whether such supporters agreed with everything the protesters did or not. This would certainly be far different from the travelling rent-a-riot where it seems they glory in offending those (the great, great vast majority) that they look down on. It is also far less likely to be violent because people involved in such a blockade would have goals rather than something to prove. Food for thought. Food for thought. It's unlikely to happen just as it is unlikely that the government of Ontario will bend and actually pass anti-scab legislation. Still...the very fact that the idea has been breached is a great thing in the context of present Canadian politics.
Here's the story from Northern Life.
CLCLCLCLCLCLCLCLCLCL
'Shut down' province to force anti-scab legislation: Gerard
Leo Gerard was one of an estimated 5,000 people who came out to support striking members of Steelworkers Local 6500 during the union's Bridging the Gap rally. Photo by Bill Bradley.
Mar 23, 2010
By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life Staff
UPDATED — March 23, 9:02 a.m.
When Vale Inco attempts to bring “scabs” into Sudbury, the United Steelworkers union will push to have anti-scab legislation passed in the province, even if it means closing down Highway 401, the Steelworkers international president told those attending a rally at the Sudbury Arena March 22.
'Shut down' province to force anti-scab legislation: Gerard
Leo Gerard was one of an estimated 5,000 people who came out to support striking members of Steelworkers Local 6500 during the union's Bridging the Gap rally. Photo by Bill Bradley.
Mar 23, 2010
By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life Staff
UPDATED — March 23, 9:02 a.m.
When Vale Inco attempts to bring “scabs” into Sudbury, the United Steelworkers union will push to have anti-scab legislation passed in the province, even if it means closing down Highway 401, the Steelworkers international president told those attending a rally at the Sudbury Arena March 22.
Leo Gerard was one of several thousand people who came out to support striking members of Steelworkers Local 6500 during the union's Bridging the Gap rally. They marched from the union's Brady Street hall to the Sudbury Arena, yelling raucous union chants.
The rally, which was attended by union leaders from across the country and around the world, was originally supposed to take place on the Paris Street bridge, but the venue was changed last week because of safety concerns over the location.
Gerard said the provincial NDP, with the help of the union, would bring in anti-scab legislation “even if we have to shut this whole goddamn province down.”
Provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath said anti-scab legislation need to be brought in by the province, and also said the province should be “doing something to get binding arbitration” so the Steelworkers can get back to work.
The union leader also took issue with a letter posted by Vale Inco president and CEO Tito Martins on one of the company's websites last week.
In the letter, Martins said the Steelworkers leadership has relied on “misinformation, racism,intolerance and xenophobia...to further its position in a country like Canada that prides itself as a model of multiculturalism.”
Standing with union leaders from around the world behind him, Gerard said he “resents from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head” being called racist.
“These are my sisters and brothers,” he said, referring to the union leaders behind him. “We have a global union. We don't resent our brothers and sisters. We resent the management causing this fight unnecessarily.”
Martins said in his letter that it's ironic that the Steelworkers have taken this position, given that it's an American union. Gerard said he is not foreign to Sudbury, as he grew up here, and was a member of Local 6500.
Gerard also addressed another statement in Martins' letter, which said “it appears name calling comes easier than negotiating.”
“Tito, come to Sudbury tomorrow, we're ready to negotiate. Come to Sudbury tomorrow, or shut your goddamn mouth,” he said.
Federal NDP leader Jack Layton was also among those who attended the rally.
He said multinational corporations around the world are watching the strike in Sudbury to see if Vale Inco can “beat the workers.”
“Well, I said it last September (at a previous rally in Sudbury), and I'll say it again. You picked the wrong union, and you picked the wrong town.”
For the full story, read the Thursday edition of Northern Life.
Labels: blockades, Canadian labour, direct action, labour, Ontario, rallies, strike, Sudbury, United Steel Workers., Vale Inco, Vale Inco strike
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
AMERICAN POLITICS:
NON-VIOLENT RESISTERS REPORT TO JAIL:
Four people who participated in non-violent direct action against the School of the Americas last November are now either imprisoned or due to report to jail soon. Here's their stories from the School of the Americas Watch.
SOASOASOASOASOASOA
Prisoners of Conscience
You can jail the resisters... but you can't jail the resistance! .
The four courageous advocates who took action against the School of the Americas this past November are in sights of the U.S. Government.
Prisoners of Conscience
You can jail the resisters... but you can't jail the resistance! .
The four courageous advocates who took action against the School of the Americas this past November are in sights of the U.S. Government.
Nancy Gwin, a peace activist from central New York, reported to Danbury Federal Prison in Connecticut. Gwin will serve 6 months in federal prison for her nonviolent action to protest the School of the Americas. Gwin said the school's closure would send a powerful message to Latin America. "To say, 'We are closing this school to make an equal relationship with you,'" she said. "It's a small step, but it says we're looking for a new future."
As Gwin reports, the fate of Michael Walli, remains unclear. Walli also participated in the action with Gwin and told Magistrate Faircloth that if he was released he would not return voluntarily to Columbus for trial this past January 25th. Faircloth issued a bench warrant for Walli's arrest and this past Tuesday, March 2nd, Federal Marshalls knocked on the door of Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House in Washington D.C. to take Walli into custody. After being held in the D.C. jail for three days, Walli was released on his own recognizance by D.C. Federal Judge Facciola. He was asked to return to court on March 12th to decide whether or not he will be transferred to Georgia to appear in front of Magistrate Faircloth. Faircloth is responsible for the harsh 6 month prison sentences of the other three advocates.
Franciscan Catholic Priest, Fr. Louis Vitale, was recently transferred from a county jail in Cordele, Georgia to the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. It is likely that Vitale will continue to be transferred, during his sentence, until he reaches a Federal Prison on the West Coast.
Ken Hayes, an SOA Watch National Council member, has also heard from the federal government and is scheduled to report to prison on March 16th. Hayes, 60, is a long-time peace and justice activist from Austin, Texas and a leader in the local Austin SOA Watch group.The action of the SOA Watch 4 gives us hope and inspires us to do all we can to close the School of the Americas once and for all.
Labels: anti-militarism, direct action, non-violence, repression, School of the Americas, School of the Americas Watch
Sunday, February 28, 2010
CANADIAN LABOUR SUDBURY:
VALE INCO LAUNCHES LAWSUIT AGAINST STEELWORKERS:
The latest news on the strike against Vale Inco in Sudbury is that the company has launched a lawsuit against the union (Local 6500 of the United Steel Workers) over various incidents during the course of the seven months of the strike against the company. Legally speaking I doubt that the company has a leg to stand upon as it would be difficult to impossible to prove that the union even encouraged, let alone planned any of the incidents mentioned. Still, I guess that it is good harassment tactics for the company to set such proceedings in motion. One thing has to be said, however. Whatever the truth of the company's allegations and given the fact that the union, nor Mollymew for that matter, certainly doesn't condone them they do fall under the heading of "direct action". They are carried out by the people involved in a dispute themselves. They also have the character of aiming towards a goal that is defined and achievable to which the actions may contribute. In this they are a totally different thing from the 'anarchist rent-a-riot' that travels around to communities not their own to inevitably run like scared rabbits from the police after doing minor vandalism and whose "goals", if they are articulated at all, are so vague and utopian that they won't be fulfilled before the second coming of Jesus.
Ok, enough sideways swipes. here's the story from CTV.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Vale Inco sues striking Ontario union
The Canadian Press
SUDBURY, Ont. — Striking union members in Sudbury, Ont., have engaged in "unlawful thuggery" by threatening personnel during a bitter seven-month strike at Vale Inco, the company alleges in a lawsuit.
The Canadian Press
SUDBURY, Ont. — Striking union members in Sudbury, Ont., have engaged in "unlawful thuggery" by threatening personnel during a bitter seven-month strike at Vale Inco, the company alleges in a lawsuit.
United Steelworkers Local 6500 and some of its members have posted personal information about people who are continuing to work during the strike, which has led to intimidation, threats and an assault, the mining giant alleges in its more than $1-million lawsuit.
"This has not been a peaceful strike," the company writes in a statement of claim, filed in Superior Court in Sudbury.
"Masked picketers have engaged in criminal conduct, including an assault of a Vale Inco employee and the sabotage of Vale Inco property."
People on the picket lines have set large fires so trucks carrying explosives and fuel can't cross, hydro wires have been cut, rail equipment has been damaged and roads have been littered with nail spikes to puncture truck tires, the statement of claim alleges.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
"The defendants' conduct is unlawful thuggery, which has nothing to do with legitimate trade union activity," the lawsuit says. "This conduct should not be tolerated in a liberal and civilized society."
Wayne Fraser, a director for the union in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, called the lawsuit an "antagonistic measure."
"It's a nuisance," said Fraser, who is not one of the 25 people directly named in the suit.
"(The allegations) are not true. They're unsubstantiated and it's just a way of Vale trying to divide the membership from its rank and file activists."
A statement of defence has not yet been filed but is in the works, said Fraser, who also said the union plans to countersue the company for defamation.
The lawsuit comes as the two sides met with a mediator over the weekend for exploratory talks in a bid to find a way to ending a seven-month-old strike. The two sides have not formally met since the strike started.
More than 3,000 employees at Vale's mill, smelter, refinery and six nickel mines in the Sudbury area have been on strike for seven months.
At issue are proposals by Vale Inco to reduce a bonus tied to the price of nickel and to exempt new employees from its defined-benefit pension plan, moving them instead to a defined-contribution plan.
Workers complain they shouldn't have to give concessions to a company whose parent, Brazil-based Vale S.A., earned US $5.35 billion in 2009.
The people named in the lawsuit have been targeting Vale employees who have returned to work during the strike, as well as contractors and personnel responsible for picket line security, the company alleges.
Pictures and personal information such as addresses and phone numbers have been posted on a union website and a Facebook page.
Those singled out have had their property and homes vandalized, received anonymous phone threats at home and one employee was assaulted while jogging, the statement of claim says.
Three people named in the lawsuit were criminally charged in that attack.
After that particular assault an altered picture of the man was posted on the Facebook site showing him with scars, a throwing star embedded in his torso, other "cutting weapons" in his torso and arms and his throat slit, as well as the words "Who's Next" on his shirt, according to the lawsuit.
While he was at work one day the same man's vehicle was vandalized, with his tires slashed and the word scab spray-painted about 12 times on his car. Union placards were found on and around the car, the company alleges.
Labels: Canadian labour, direct action, labour, lawsuits, strike, Sudbury, United Steel Workers., Vale Inco, Vale Inco strike
Monday, February 22, 2010
CANADIAN POLITICS-VANCOUVER:
TENT VILLAGE NEEDS YOUR HELP:
The Winter Olympics continue. The clown show of the 'Black Block' is over and done with as the participants slink back to their holes, congratulating themselves about how "brave" they were and how much they accomplished by smashing a few windows and running like hell from the cops. The real protests against the Winter Games, however, continue, and one of these is the "tent village" set up to protest homelessness while billions are thrown at the spectacle of the Olympics. The Village is looking for your support. Here, from the Olympic Resistance Network, is the story and appeal.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Olympic Tent Village Enters Week 2,
Needs Your Ongoing Support:
OLYMPIC TENT VILLAGE ENTERS WEEK 2,
OLYMPIC TENT VILLAGE ENTERS WEEK 2,
NEEDS YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT!
Since Feb 15, 2010 the Olympic Tent Village has been set up at 58 West Hastings, an empty lot owned by notorious condo developer Concord Pacific, currently being leased by VANOC as a parking lot for the Olympics. The first few days at the Olympic Tent Village have gone strongly and smoothly, thanks to the community effort to support and defend it. Hundreds have gathered during the evening and through the night, especially DTES residents, homeless people, and youth.
* Read Issue 1 of Tent Village Voice:
* Watch videos of DTES residents and homeless people residing at Tent Village: http://olympictentvillage.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/media/
Over the next week, we are calling on all supporters to continue to defend the Olympic Tent Village and to support the residents. We need:
- Volunteers to help cook at the Tent Village anytime drop-in starting at 8 am till 8 pm.
- Supporters to be present during the day 8 am to 4 pm and overnight 6 pm to 6 am.
- Independent media, legal observers and others with cameras in case of emergencies (please note, due to privacy concerns, there is no recording in the Tent Village otherwise)
- On site medic support especially overnight from 6 pm to 6 am.
- Donations of non perishable food items, tarps, tents, blankets, sleeping bags.
The 2010 Winter Olympics has escalated the homelessness crisis in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside - Canada's poorest postal code - and the Greater Vancouver area. Since the Olympic bid, homelessness has nearly tripled in the GVRD, while real estate and condominium development in the Downtown Eastside is outpacing social housing by a rate of 3:1.
Meanwhile, a heightened police presence has further criminalized those living in extreme material poverty in the poorest postal code in Canada. With the eyes of the world on Vancouver, residents of the Downtown Eastside and our supporters of the Olympic Tent Village want:
1. Real action to end homelessness now
2. End condo development and displacement in the Downtown Eastside
3. End discriminatory ticketing, police harassment, and all forms of criminalization of poverty.
The Olympic Tent Village has been an inspiring action to take over public space and empty lots, a powerful testament to the building of community, and a reclamation of dignity and freedom amidst daily systemic poverty and injustice.
For updates, articles, video, photos, and further information on how to support: http://olympictentvillage.wordpress.com/
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Molly Note:
Don't worry. I'll eventually get to my usual denunciation of those who hide their personal psychology under the guise of "anarchism" and "politics". Until then, however, i merely have to mention the obvious, obvious to anyone who isn't bound by the ideology of a subculture. If you represent the political views of a minority, and a very small minority at that, you just might want to represent yourself (and actually be whatever you have been taught by post-modernist professors) as having the "moral high ground". The action of the "tent village", in my mind, serves this purpose very well in that it is exemplary in its non-violence, and any violence towards it by the state will rebound to the odium of the state. This is in stark contrast to those who want to pretend to the anarchist idea of "direct action" by doing the 'symbolic action" of , as I said, minor vandalism and running as fast as they can. The people at the "tent village", whether they carry it out or not, have made their intention to stand their ground in a non-violent way and accept the consequences very plain. Let's take bets. Which way is more useful when you want to speak to the "unconvinced" ? Oh, I forgot, the "heroes" of the overturned mailbox think that the "unconvinced" are irretrievably deluded, and their joy is merely to insult them while doing the "real politics" of running away from the cops as fast as they can.
Ooops, I've started on what I promised to leave until later. so be it. Definitely more later.
Labels: 2010 Winter Olympics, black block, Canadian politics, direct action, fools, Olympic Resistance Network, sports, tactics, Vancouver
Sunday, February 14, 2010
CANADIAN LABOUR-SUDBURY:
WORKERS BLOCKADE VALE INCO SITES IN SUDBURY:
Last Wednesday striking workers of United Steel Workers Local 6500 temporally blockaded several corporate sites of Vale Inco across the Sudbury region. The strike has now entered its 7th month, and with company efforts to resume production with scab labour it is becoming more apparent to the workers involved that they will have to use more imaginative and militant tactics to force Vale back to serious bargaining. The occupation was only temporary, but it is a sign of what the workers can do if they put their mind to it. Keep up to date on this strike by visiting the strike support site Fair Deal Now. Here's the story of what happened from the Sudbury Star.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Steelworkers set up blockades at Vale Inco plants this morning:
Posted By Carol Mulligan/The Sudbury Star
Hundreds of striking Steelworkers blocked access to Vale Inco facilities early Wednesday, venting frustration with everything from the hiring of replacement workers to the cancellation of a bad-faith bargaining hearing into a complaint filed against the company.
Posted By Carol Mulligan/The Sudbury Star
Hundreds of striking Steelworkers blocked access to Vale Inco facilities early Wednesday, venting frustration with everything from the hiring of replacement workers to the cancellation of a bad-faith bargaining hearing into a complaint filed against the company.
About 100 members of USW Local 6500 were on the picket line forming a human barrier to prevent staff, management and hired contractors from entering the Copper Cliff Smelter Complex about 4:30 a.m.
Similar blockades were conducted simultaneously at Coleman Mine, Clarabelle Mill, North Mine and other Vale Inco operations in the city.
Strikers at the smelter complex fought brisk winds and a wind-chill factor of
-24 C. to redirect contractors and other vehicles, many of them containing workers from other trade unions, away from the complex.
Occupants of the vehicles were told they were "scabs" and that they should go home and spend time with their families and stop doing the jobs of the Steelworkers because it is prolonging the strike, now reaching its seventh month.
About 3,000 production and maintenance workers with Local 6500 in Sudbury and 130 with Port Colborne's Local 6200 went on strike July 13 over pensions, nickel bonuses and seniority transfer rights.
Tensions have been escalating on picket lines in the community as the strike nears the seven-month mark Saturday.
Labels: blockades, Canadian labour, direct action, labour, Sudbury, Sudbury Star, United Steel Workers., Vale Inco, Vale Inco strike
Thursday, January 07, 2010
CANADIAN LABOUR-MISSISSAUGA:
PLANT OCCUPATION WORKED:
Back on December 22 Molly reported on a factory occupation at the M&I Air Systems Plant in Mississauga Ontario. The dispute involved management attempting to dodge their obligations upon closing the facility. The workers responded by occupying the premises. I'm happy to report that this example of direct action worked, and the workers have been paid the money owed them. One more example of the anarchist contention that direct action is often the most effective tactic for defending your rights. Sometimes it's the only one. Here's the good news from the website of the Canadian Auto Workers.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Workers Receive Owed Monies Following Plant Occupation:
January 5, 2010, 10:49 AM EST
Workers at M&I Air Systems received their pay cheques in the days following a plant occupation and demonstration by the workers and supporters, held on December 21.
January 5, 2010, 10:49 AM EST
Workers at M&I Air Systems received their pay cheques in the days following a plant occupation and demonstration by the workers and supporters, held on December 21.
The Mississauga, Ontario plant suddenly closed its doors on December 15, throwing 180 people out of work, 150 of which were members of CAW Local 252. The employer refused to pay outstanding monies owed to the workers following the closure, which prompted the workers to take immediate action.
"The action taken by these workers was absolutely necessary, as the employer refused to have any dialogue with the local union and/or the local plant committee," said CAW Local 252 President Abbot Harvey. "This situation underscores one more time, the importance of legislative protection for workers and their families."
The union is still working on securing vacation pay, as well as an additional week's pay.
"Without the show of solidarity and support, the workers here would have never seen the money that was owed to them," said Sukhvinder Johl, CAW national representative. "It's an important reminder that even when the situation looks bleak, our actions as a union do make a difference."
The workforce is primarily first generation Canadians with a range of seniority from a few years up to 20 years. The company has not filed for bankruptcy protection and there is still hope that it will re-open.
M&I Air Systems manufactures air handling and ventilation units.
Labels: Canadian labour, CAW, direct action, factory occupations, labour, Mississauga, Ontario, tactics
Friday, December 18, 2009
CANADIAN POLITICS-ONTARIO:
OCAP YEAR END APPEAL:
Ah yes, we draw close to the end of the year, and all sorts of groups are making a push for funds. Here's one that you should perhaps pay attention to. OCAP, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, is certainly the most successful "direct action" group on the North American continent-and perhaps in the world if by "direct action" you mean using means that actually have a realistic chance of success and don't depend on petitioning some remote authority by actions that, however "militant", are more for show than anything else. Ah, but that's the subject of a boring political theory post. Here's OCAP's appeal.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
OCAP Year End Appeal:
As the year comes to an end, poor communities are being hard hit by the impact of economic crisis and 'jobless recovery'. Our office takes calls from people who are facing job loss and the need to apply for social benefits for the first time in their lives. We respond daily to attempts by welfare officialdom to save costs by denying people even the meager entitlements they are supposed to provide.
As the year comes to an end, poor communities are being hard hit by the impact of economic crisis and 'jobless recovery'. Our office takes calls from people who are facing job loss and the need to apply for social benefits for the first time in their lives. We respond daily to attempts by welfare officialdom to save costs by denying people even the meager entitlements they are supposed to provide.
It is obvious to us that 2010 will be dominated by a concerted drive by governments to force poor and working people to pick up the costs of the recent round of corporate bailouts. When banks need stabilizing, deficits don't matter but, when people need education, health care, housing or income support, they are told such things are unaffordable luxuries. Deep and brutal austerity measures and being prepared. Already, we have seen the Provincial Auditor General setting in motion an attack on people on social assistance and on the vital Special Diet program in particular. We have also seen the Toronto Transit Commission impose a major increase on us and make clear that more will can be expected over the next few years.
OCAP is preparing for big fights in the next year. On November 5, we supported the student day of action with a march through Toronto's financial district that made clear attempts to make the poor pay for the crisis would be fought. We resisted the attack on the Special Diet with a mobilization of hundreds at Metro Hall that was dominated by women from Etobicoke's Somali community. We recently responded to the TTC fare increase with a rally on Queen Street that did not merely protest what was happening but signaled an intention to fight back. Using anti fare increase 'transfers' dozens of us boarded street cars in the first use of a tactic we will develop in the New Year.
2010 is going to see huge attacks and major resistance. We are going into this with only three organizers and a budget of only about $60,000. If we are to respond as we need to, we badly need to increase our resources. We are appealing to supporters to help us with a year end donation. Please mail cheques to OCAP at:
10 Britain Street,
Toronto,ON
M5A 1R6
Labels: appeals, canadian anarchist movement, Canadian politics, direct action, OCAP, Ontario, poverty
Monday, September 21, 2009
CANADIAN LABOUR-SUDBURY:
SUDBURY STRIKERS STOP SCAB SHIPMENTS:
Wow, I think that the above headline should win the 'alliteration prize'. Move over Sun Media, Molly's coming into the winners' circle. In any case, here's more from the pages of Northern Life about the blockade of trucks carrying 'scab ore' to the Vale Inco premises in Sudbury. This was previously mentioned on this blog. To keep up with the news from the Vale Inco strike don't forget to visit the strike support site Fair Deal Now.
CLCLCLCLCLCLCL
Steelworkers blockade contractors' trucks at picket lines:
Sep 21, 2009
By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life
Sep 21, 2009
By: Heidi Ulrichsen - Sudbury Northern Life
Over the last few days, striking Steelworkers Local 6500 members have been stopping trucks trying to move through their picket lines at Clarabelle Mill and Stobie Mine.
Vale Inco spokesperson Steve Ball said he heard some trucks were stopped for up to seven hours Sept. 17, although he wasn't sure if the same thing happened Sept. 18.
Northern Life observed Day Group trucks being stopped at the entrance to Clarabelle Mill off of Highway 144 during the morning of Sept. 18.
“Over the last couple of days, it's been evident that the trucks trying to get in and our of Clarabelle Mill and Stobie Mine have been blockaded for lengthy periods of time by a large number of pickets,” said Ball.
“Obviously, these actions are to prevent the movement of stockpiled ore from Stobie. We have an injunction in place where we expect certain protocols to be followed. We have a right to enter and exit our plants in accordance to that injunction, and we're disappointed that we're not being permitted to do so at this time.”
When contacted by Northern Life Sept. 18, Steelworkers Local 6500 president John Fera refused to comment on the situation, saying he needed more information before doing so.
Former union vice-president Patrick Veinot told Northern Life at the picket line Sept. 18 that the trucks were being stopped because they are moving ore from Stobie Mine to Clarabelle Mill.
“This is our work. This is the work we normally do. Obviously, this ore from Stobie would normally be moved by train. But we're on strike, and the company has elected to hire this contractor from Sudbury to do our work. We can't let that happen.”
CLCLCLCLCLCLCL
Molly has to note one very commendable comment that was made above by Patrick Veinot. He recognizes something, at least in the case of the Sudbury mines, that should be generally recognized ie that workers have at least a "moral right" to property rights in their jobs. Their labour, after all, creates the profit that pays the managers and stockholders. If enough people were to recognize this property right then the time when corporations could push around the ordinary person would be limited. these actions are also a sterling example of the 'direct action' that is so often preached but so much misunderstood.
Labels: blockades, Canadian labour, direct action, Fair Deal Now, labour, Northern Life, strike, Sudbury, United Steel Workers., Vale Inco, Vale Inco strike
Saturday, August 15, 2009
INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-ICELAND:
PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN ALUMINUM SMELTER CONSTRUCTION IN ICELAND:
The following is from the Icelandic environmentalist site Saving Iceland. Whatever one may think about the general goals of groups such as Saving Iceland, one thing can be gleaned from what follows ie the way that so-called "green parties' rapidly shift their rhetoric when confronted by the realities of political power. In this they are no different from their confreres in such countries as Germany nor are they different from the long and sad history of "socialist" parties once they come to power. One more example, as if any were needed, that the political illusion is just that- an illusion.
@@@@@@@@@@
Saving Iceland Stops Work on Helguvík Smelter Site:
This morning(August 12-Molly), 20 people from Saving Iceland stopped work on the Norðuál/Century’s smelter construction site in Helguvík. People locked on to three vehicle gates in to the site and therefor stopped all traffic in and out of it. People also locked on to machinery on the site so the work was stopped for at least two hours. The construction in Helguvík has to be stopped to prevent further destruction of wilderness by the damming of glacial rivers and geothermal areas, as well as the global impacts of aluminium production.
This morning(August 12-Molly), 20 people from Saving Iceland stopped work on the Norðuál/Century’s smelter construction site in Helguvík. People locked on to three vehicle gates in to the site and therefor stopped all traffic in and out of it. People also locked on to machinery on the site so the work was stopped for at least two hours. The construction in Helguvík has to be stopped to prevent further destruction of wilderness by the damming of glacial rivers and geothermal areas, as well as the global impacts of aluminium production.
Not so long ago, the government with Össur Skarphéðinsson (then Minister of Industry) in the front, made a special discount contract with Norðurál/Century, which was signed last Friday in the shadow of Saving Iceland’s green skyr throwing. (1) The contract includes financial support from the Icelandic state in the form of a tax discount that amounts to 16,2 million US dollars. Norðurál/Century is therefor free from paying industry fees, market fees and electricity safety fees as well as special rules will apply concerning stamp duty and planning fees, and about new taxes. (2)
The contract concerns a 360.000 ton aluminium smelter but the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - made by HRV Engineering, one of the biggest interest party concerning aluminium and energy construction in Iceland (3) - only concerns 250.000 ton production per year. Apart from that, Norðurál/Century has only been received 150.000 ton Greenhouse Gases emission permits. This difference seems not to be standing in the way of a 360.000 ton smelter construction - as usual when it comes to this type of construction.
The more construction that takes place in the shortest amount of time, the more unlikely it is that the project will be stopped. Therefor, construction in Helguvík started long before all needed permits had been granted for the size of a smelter that Norðurál/Century plans to build. The energy for the smelter has not been found and the same story can be said about energy transportation. This kind of behavior can only been described as misuse of power and characterizes all discussion and construction connected to aluminium and energy issues here in Iceland.
Since the discussion about the Helguvík smelter started, environmentalists like Ómar Ragnarsson and Saving Iceland, have pointed out the obvious fact that if the geothermal areas on the Reykjanes peninsula will be exploited according to the plan, they will dry up completely. Also that this energy would still not be enough for Norðurál/Century’s planned 360.000 ton production. (4) Svandís Svavarsdóttir, the Minister of Evironment recently repeated the latter point in Parliament. (5)
Until now these concerns of environmentalists have been answered in the way that they are nothing but pure speculations and the environmentalists have been criticized for not basing their pleading on stronger arguments. Landsvirkjun’s (national energy company) statement about not selling more energy to aluminium smelters on the south-west corner of the country, which though did not give any promises about the moratorium of the planned Þjórsá River dams, strengthened the pleading of those who accused environmentalists of speculations. (6)
Now it is clear that environmentalists were right; the aluminium smelter in Helguvík and planned increased production in Rio Tinto-Alcan’s smelter in Straumsvík, are dependent on the Þjórsá River dams. A recent so-called convention of stability, signed by the authorities and the economy’s representatives, depends on the construction of those dams, according to recent announcements from A.S.Í. (one of Iceland’s biggest labour unions) and Samtök Iðnaðarins (The Industry’s Association), where it says that all obstacles that could possibly stand in the way of the construction have to be removed before the coming 1. of November. (7) Katrín Júlíusdóttir’s (Minister of Industry) recent comments about Landsvirkjun’s possible energy sale to Norðurál/Helguvík makes this proposal more likely, though she has never especially mentioned Þjórsá. Where else should the energy come from any way? (8)
Insignificant Jabber About Environmentalism as Prosperity Politics
From the beginning of the bank collapse, the voices stating that environmentalism does not fit in at times of economical depression, have become louder. Steingrímur J. Sigfússon, the head of Vinstri Grænir (the Left Greens), has now taken up the same argument and called the party’s environmental policy a puritan policy and said that it is not suitable for today’s conditions. (9) This has probably given up all hope for people who still believe in reforms within the representative democracy system. People wake up from a bad dream and realize that they need to do something themselves about it. According to recent news that seem to have started; the homes of moneybags, bank directors and people in high positions in the aluminium and energy business, have repeatedly been targeted with paint-bombs and super-glue.
In an article written by Sigfússon one year ago he said e.g. that the devotees of Icelandic nature could not surrender and then added: “The best and the most environmental friendly options to harness are in the minds of local people, in progressive thinking and open minds.” (10) These sudden opinion changes of Steingrímur go together with the Left Greens´changed behavior since the party got in power in the beginning of this year. The party´presence in government has showed and proved what happens to people when they get power - or simply what the Left Greens´real intendment was concerning environmentalism. The latter option is maybe not so far away from the truth as Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir (former Minister of Environment) was kicked out of the party for being to genuine environmentalist.
There is always the need for protection of the environment! There is always the need for radical ideas about protecting the natural environment - the protection of nature for the sake of nature. People can not be fooled by empty words about destruction of nature for increased economic growth and buildup of the Icelandic economy. Were these not the exactly the same argument as used to raise support for the construction of Kárahnjúkar Dam and Alcoa´s smelter in Reyðarfjörður? These projects lead to gigantic environmental damage and democracy deficit, which was nothing but an opinion repression. (11) Landsvirkjun´s debts because of the project are seriously heavy and when looked at how shamelessly the Icelandic government forced the debts of privatized banks on to the public´s shoulders, there is no sign of any difference if state owned companies like Landsvirkjun will become broke.
Our struggle continues; against the destruction of this planet in the name of financial growth and the humans’ domination over the natural environment. The nature is the premise for life, so as long as it is being threatened we must resist.
—
Resources:
(1) The Police Rough Up a Protester - The Media Helps Sustaining the Smear, an article on Saving Iceland’s webpage, http://savingiceland.puscii.nl/?p=4034&language=en
(2) News article on Smugan, www.smugan.is/frettir/frettir/nr/2258
(3) HRV has taken part in all of the major constructions connected to heavy industry in Iceland. See their web page: http://hrv.is/hrv/Projects/
(4) Helguvík þurrkar upp jarðhitann, frétt á Vísi.is, http://www.visir.is/article/200976386269…(5) News article on Mbl.is, http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/200…
(6) News article on á Mbl.is, http://mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2009/01…
(7) News article on Vísir.is, http://www.visir.is/article/200945268709…
(8) News article on Mbl.is, http://mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2009/07…
(9) An interview with Steingrímur J. Sigfússon in Kastljós, Thursday August 6th 2009, http://dagskra.ruv.is/sjonvarpid/4466688…
(10) Álhöfðunum lamið við steininn, an article by Steingrímur J. Sigfússon in Morgunblaðið, June 30th 2008
(11) ‘Green’ Deception Flops - A Statement from Saving Iceland Regarding Skyr Splashings of Election Offices, an article on Saving Iceland’s web page, http://savingiceland.puscii.nl/?p=3874&language=en
—
Probably related...
Frequently Asked Questions
Defending the Wild in the Land of Fire and Ice - Saving Iceland Takes Action
S.O.S. ISLANDE (Fr.)
S.O.S.
Saving Iceland stöðvar vinnu í Helguvík
Lögregla gengur í skrokk á konu – Fjölmiðlar taka þátt í rógburði
The Police Roughs Up a Protester – The Media Helps Sustaining the Smear
—
Probably related...
Frequently Asked Questions
Defending the Wild in the Land of Fire and Ice - Saving Iceland Takes Action
S.O.S. ISLANDE (Fr.)
S.O.S.
Saving Iceland stöðvar vinnu í Helguvík
Lögregla gengur í skrokk á konu – Fjölmiðlar taka þátt í rógburði
The Police Roughs Up a Protester – The Media Helps Sustaining the Smear
Labels: anarchism, demonstrations, direct action, ecology, Green parties, Iceland, international anarchist movement, Saving Iceland
Saturday, March 07, 2009
INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-SWEDEN:
CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION AT VATTENFALL:
The following is a communiqué from the 'Gula Armé Fractionen' , a Swedish direct action ecology group. It comes via the Swedish anarchist site Autonoma Rötter. Molly loves the playful and humorous way that these Swedish comrades are approaching their actions. We could learn from them.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
GAF: Liberation action at Vattenfall:
Around lunchtime on Wednesday the 4th of March, a group of activists entered the headquarters of Swedish state-run energy giant Vattenfall in downtown Stockholm. They left again with 44 of the yellow plastic figurines that Vattenfall uses in their PR-campaign about climate change.
The activists were a commando of the Yellow Army Faction. They write in their manifesto:
"We are the Yellow Army Faction. We are the 237944 yellow plastic figurines created by Vattenfall. For months we have been forced to silently support its dirty policies. Now, we fight back!
We will not support the continued expansion of the fossil-fuel society. We will not support the mining of more brown coal, the construction of more coal-fired power plants, or billions of Crowns of support for new coal technology.
We do not believe in Vattenfall’s lies about so-called ‘clean’ coal. We also do not have time to wait for 20 years for a technology that merely might work. We have to stop burning coal now!
The Yellow Army Faction will fight Vattenfall, and the capitalist system that is driving the earth towards its collapse.
The Yellow Army Faction demands:
* The release of all of our yellow comrades!
* The immediate shutdown of all coal-fired power plants!
* That all construction of new coal-fired power plants cease
immediately!
* An immediate stop to all mining of brown coal!
* No more billions in research support for new coal technology: all
resources should go to renewable energies!
Today we released 44 of our imprisoned comrades. The fight has only just begun!
Images and video
A film about the figurines on Vattenfall’s webpage
Labels: anarchism, Autonoma Rotter, direct action, ecology, Gula Arme Fractionen, humour, international anarchist movement, Sweden, vattenfall
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-HALIFAX:
DIRECT ACTION AGAINST POVERTY IN HALIFAX:
My editing of the links has given me the opportunity to revisit sites that I often ignore. One of them is the Autonomy and Solidarity site in Ontario. From these people comes a report from the Dominion Blog (see below for link) about recent action in the Atlantic city of Halifax over the closure of a shelter for the homeless just as winter is beginning to spread his chilly claws. For another take on this see the reports at the website of the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty. Also...there you will find instructions as to what you can do in solidarity.
................................
Life threatening decision to close Halifax shelter gets direct action response:
Life threatening decision to close Halifax shelter gets direct action response
November 8, 2008.
On Monday November 3rd, Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP) members and supporters occupied the Halifax office of Nova Scotia Department of Community Services (DCS) for deciding not to fund Pendleton Place, a “harm reduction” shelter located in the basement of St. Patrick’s Church in Halifax. The closure was a move that one local housing activist, Paul O'Hara, described as a “life and death” decision gone the wrong way, and many more have made clear there will be a high risk of serious injury or death on the streets of Halifax this winter as a consequence.
On Monday November 3rd, Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP) members and supporters occupied the Halifax office of Nova Scotia Department of Community Services (DCS) for deciding not to fund Pendleton Place, a “harm reduction” shelter located in the basement of St. Patrick’s Church in Halifax. The closure was a move that one local housing activist, Paul O'Hara, described as a “life and death” decision gone the wrong way, and many more have made clear there will be a high risk of serious injury or death on the streets of Halifax this winter as a consequence.
“As long as DCS will commit poor people in our community to death, HCAP will refuse to allow business as usual within the Department.", stated HCAP as the action was underway
During the occupation, HCAP members and supporters numbered over a dozen. At 10 am they entered the DCS offices, occupying the space and stating – with megaphones blaring – their opposition to the closure of the shelter and demands for affordable housing. The occupation lasted approximately an hour. One DCS employee who was particularly sought after was an upper level bureaucrat, Lynn Brogan, regarded as having been in the position to have prevented the closure of Pendleton Place.
At one point, a Department employee told the group that Lynn Brogan was not in the office. Later, they were told that she was in fact in the office and would come out to speak with the group, but by then the police had arrived and gave a ten-minute warning for the group to leave. Whether or not Lynn Brogan ever intended on coming out of hiding in her office is unknown, but the police time limit expired before anyone saw her and the group was made to leave the building under the threat of arrest and likely some police violence. The door leading outside was locked behind the group, then guarded by the police, limiting access or approachability to anyone else who may have needed the public services inside. There were no arrests in the end.
Background
DCS announced on October 21, 2008, that it would not be reopening Pendleton Place. For the past three winters, DCS has funded the shelter. It was initially opened in the winter of 2004/05, when anti-poverty groups created an uproar after Gordie Connors, a Korean War veteran, died on the streets of Halifax.
The decision to permanently close Pendleton Place, made just days before the shelter was scheduled to open for the cold season, was tied to the Department’s desire to focus provincial funds on Metro Turning Point and Berry House, two other homeless shelters in Halifax. The decision results in 16 new beds and extended hours at these shelters, but it is a deceptive move by the government. Although these shelters gained some services, there is a huge loss overall to the shelter system in Halifax. Just looking at the bed numbers, the loss is obvious. When it was in operation, Pendleton Place provided between 20 to 40 beds for homeless people.
“Whichever way you look at it, the decision not to reopen Pendleton Place is a cost cutting move by the provincial government which will take $150 000 out of the shelter system in Halifax.”, stated a pre-action notice by HCAP.
Losing Pendleton Place will produce a gap in the shelter system, particularly for individuals who are currently barred by court order from Barry House and Turning Point, homeless youth and those deemed to have addictions and behavioural problems.
Pendleton Place had a harm-reduction philosophy and a mandate as a “shelter of last resort”. As well, Metro Turning Point, Barry House and another shelter, Adsum House, all provide services that are genders specific. The only requirements to access Pendleton Place was for people to identify themselves as homeless and to be unable to access other shelters in the Halifax Regional Municipality. This openness was one of the reasons why many homeless would choose either Pendleton place or sleeping outside, according to Wayne McNaughton, long-time advocate for the homeless in Halifax. Some are intimidated just by the rigorous intake process of the other shelters.
“We recognize...both the need for (the shelter) and (that) the funds exist to create a diverse array of shelters, for men, for women, for families, for individuals who are using and for individual who are not; the government is simply lacking the will and common decency,” stated an HCAP member after the action.
Post-action update
Several HCAP members have been harassed by the police since the action, at least a couple receiving “Protection of Property” notices, barring them from being allowed on the property of the DCS office.
HCAP was one amongst several anti-homeless and anti-poverty groups, as well as individual advocates, devastated by the decision to close Pendleton. Of course, the most devastated are the users of Pendleton place, who are currently in dire straits as the days get shorter and the weather bites harder.
The action on November 3rd was only one step along the way in what can be expected to be a determined struggle to re-open the kind of shelter that Pendleton place was. But as HCAP pointed out in a leaflet handed out during the action, the struggle to re-open a shelter of last resort is part of a much larger struggle.
“We’re also demanding that everyone should have the right to housing. More shelters, more subsidized housing, and higher income assistance rates can alleviate suffering in the here and now but HCAP struggles for something greater: a world where peoples' right to housing is guaranteed and where shelter is not a commodity to be bought and sold for profit.”
More info about HCAP calls for action on this issue: http://www.hfxcap.ca/
Labels: anarchism, Autonomy and Solidarity, canadian anarchist movement, direct action, Halifax, Halifax Coalition Against Poverty, homelessness, poverty, solidarity
Saturday, April 19, 2008
AMERICAN LABOUR:
IMMIGRANT WORKERS TAKE DIRECT ACTION AGAINST "NO-MATCH" FIRINGS:
The following is reprinted from the website of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a syndicalist organization that upholds direct action tactics in the labour struggle.
.................................................
Immigrant Workers Take Direct Action Against “No-Match” Firings
A group of Latino workers, at the Twin Cities-based D’Amico’s & Sons restaurant chain have organized and taken direct action to resist being fired for receiving “No-Match” letters from the Social Security Administration. The workers many who have well over a decade of service for the company have been joined by family members, some co-workers, the Workers Interfaith Network (WIN), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Twin Cities General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and others.
A group of Latino workers, at the Twin Cities-based D’Amico’s & Sons restaurant chain have organized and taken direct action to resist being fired for receiving “No-Match” letters from the Social Security Administration. The workers many who have well over a decade of service for the company have been joined by family members, some co-workers, the Workers Interfaith Network (WIN), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Twin Cities General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and others.
D’Amico’s announced that Monday, March 31, 2008 would be the last day of work for 17 employees who had received the “no-match” letters. This appears to be illegal as the Social Security’s “no-match” notices explicitly state that employers should take no “adverse action” against employees based on these letters. “No-match” means a problem has been identified with a worker’s name and social security number not matching. Sometimes this can be due to immigration status, other times a simple typo can trigger the letter. In any case, the legal precedent has been that it was up to employees to correct the issue and not employers. A California Federal Court halted attempts by the Bush administration to penalize employers for having workers with “no-match” letters.
The D’Amico’s workers were determined to fight these unjust firings. On the morning of the 31st, seven kitchen workers at the Uptown store stopped working, approached their manager with a petition signed by their fellow workers demanding their jobs be protected. The workers then sat down together in the dining area refusing to work until the bosses negotiate. A Sit-Down strike! A lively picket rallied in support of the workers outside. Co-workers, including some who had also received “no-match” letters, and others who hadn’t, joined with WIN, SDS and Wobblies chanting, banging on pots and pans, and marching right outside the window where the sit-down strikers sat. Later that day one non-Latino waiter also refused to work and sat with his co-workers in solidarity.
An IWW organized effort to flood the store’s phone lines during lunch hour to inquire on behalf of the workers frazzled management. One caller, who works with Wobblies at a large telecom call center, was threatened by a manager with arrest for asking questions about the “no-match” workers!
When D’Amico’s owners refused to budge from their illegal, unjust and heartless position, the workers responded appropriately. Starting at 6:00 am the next morning a spirited picket managed to turn away three large delivery trucks from the Uptown store, including meat, produce, and general food supplies. This was a significant victory as the trucks were from both union and non-union companies, and the D’Amico’s Uptown restaurant also does the food prep for all their metro outlet stores. Towards the end of the picket a private contractor in his own vehicle crashed the picket line at the back entrance hitting a student supporter.
Since then the workers and their supporters have thrown up pickets at different D’Amico’s locations, and promise to continue their campaign on many fronts.
The IWW, whose participation has been praised by the D’Amico’s workers and WIN, will continue to advocate an industrial based direct action strategy, including outreach to other workers in the company and industry, tactics aimed at hitting the bosses where it hurts, and for democratic control of the struggle by the workers themselves.
Labels: direct action, immigrants, IWW, labour, USA
