Is the working class movement dead?
The following article is loosely based on the notes for a pre-discussion talk by an AF member to a libertarian socialist discussion meeting in Leicester, 25 January 2017.
2005: Tonga Public Servants General Strike
Submitted by Reddebrek on Feb 3 2017 01:37
In 2005 civil servants in Tonga began a wildcat strike for higher wages, the strike grew to include many other public sector workers and took on political reforms.
1921-22: Kansas Miners Strike and Women's March
Submitted by Reddebrek on Jan 18 2017 19:12
In 1921 strikes were effectively illegal in the state of Kansas due a state arbitration system (the Industrial Court). In response the Kansas miners struck, the strike nearly failed due to actions of their own Union leadership, but rallied when the women of the mining community began their own campaign.
Behind the camouflage; a new strike wave in the Bangladeshi garment sector
Submitted by Red Marriott on Dec 31 2016 17:45
Following a period of relative quiet after the 2013 Rana Plaza factory disaster, new struggles emerge from the garment factories.
Ovambo migrant workers general strike for rights, Namibia: 1971-72
Submitted by Reddebrek on Nov 6 2016 06:07
In the winter of 1971-72 the economy of South West Africa (Namibia) was shutdown by a general strike of contract labourers challenged the economic system emplaced by Apartheid South Africa. The strike led to the scrapping of the contract system and is seen as a watershed moment, encouraging a rapid growth of opposition movements.
Deliveroo drivers on wildcat strike
Submitted by Jim on Aug 12 2016 10:57
Workers for the takeaway delivery firm are taking wildcat strike action over proposed changes to their contracts, pay and conditions.
Wildcat strikes at Walmart China
Submitted by working class s... on Jul 9 2016 10:25
Walmart workers at four stores across China have utilised social media to launch a series of coordinated wildcat strikes against the company’s imposition of a new work schedule that enables management to change work hours at short notice and reduce overtime payments.
The matchgirls strike, 1888 - John Simkin
Submitted by Steven. on Jul 5 2016 11:28
A short account of the successful strike in 1888 by thousands of unorganised female workers at the Bryant & May match factory in London.
The Nord-Pas-de-Calais miners' strike, 1941
Submitted by Steven. on May 16 2016 15:06
A short history of the mass strike of miners in Nazi-occupied northern France from 27 May to 10 June. Despite heavy repression it won improvements to pay and conditions.
Dockers boycott SS Jolly George, 1920
Submitted by Steven. on May 10 2016 09:53
A short account of UK dockworkers who in May 1920 refuse to load a ship carrying armaments bound for use against the revolution in Russia.
