Who are we?
We’re the Australian section of the Industrial Workers of the World. We’re a member-run union for all workers, of all identities, in every industry.
What do we do?
We organise and fight together for better wages and conditions on the job. We know that only by standing together, in unity, do we have the power to improve our working conditions and our lives.
And we do more than this. While we we fight for a better deal today, we fight for a world of workers’ control and economic democracy tomorrow. We want our workplaces run for the benefit of workers and the whole community, rather than for a handful of bosses and executives.
How do we do it?
The IWW believes in the power of direct action – of organising on the job, with our co-workers, to directly fix the problems that we face. This can mean IWW members confronting our boss together to demand and win safer closing hours. It can mean protesting inside a workplace to get a co-worker their job back. Or it can mean going on strike. We want to empower all workers to unite and improve our lives together through our own actions.
Who are we for?
We’re a union for everyone. We welcome all workers, regardless of employment status, industry, country of origin, race, gender or sexuality. We believe in the power of unity and solidarity, and we proudly oppose racism, sexism, homophobia and every other form of discrimination that divides workers and pits us against each other.
No matter where you work or where you’re coming from, the IWW is the union for you.
How are we run?
The IWW is an international union, with thousands of members across several continents. We know that the problems and struggles we face as workers are the same wherever we go – so just as the power of corporations spans the globe, our solidarity needs to as well.
We’re also completely democratic and controlled by our members, rather than by full-time staff. The members of each branch of the union decide what we do, how we organise, and what we spend our funds on. We’re independent of all political parties and groups.
So should I join?
Absolutely! When faced alone, problems in our workplaces, our communities and the world can seem overwhelming. But by standing together in solidarity with our co-workers and with those who share our conditions, we’re much more powerful. We believe that our union can help us fight to improve our lives right now, and to create a society based on justice, equality and democracy. We invite you to become a member today.