IWW Summit and Strikes in Great Britain

In recent issues of our newspaper we dealt with the resumption of the struggle in the United Kingdom by highlighting the capacity of some trade unions, which were born outside of the great regime Confederation, the Trade Union summit (TUC), to conduct particularly fierce struggles, often resorting to the real weapons of class unionism. The rejection of corporatism, the recognition of the role of the leaders of the TUC as agents of the ruling class within the working class, as well as the use of the strike with the aim of inflicting maximum damage to the enemy, have allowed these struggles to be channeled on a path that, if it continues to be followed, will reflect by all means on the growth of the entire movement of the working class.

Encouraging signs of this were provided in early 2019: Uber drivers decisively occupied the headquarters of TFL (Transport for London); food delivery couriers went on strike in Bristol on January 18 and twice in Manchester (14 and 26 February).

The security guards, cleaners and receptionists of the Ministry of Justice, organized with the union UVW (United Voices of the World) relaunched the fight with a new strike, finding support from the workers of the trade union PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) in what was the first ever joint strike between TUC and non‑TUC unions. Only the use of scabs allowed the ministry to remain open during the 48 hours of strike, which still seriously hindered the performance of the ministry’s activities.

Finally, on 26 February, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the United Voices of the World, the Public and Commercial Services Union and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) proclaimed a united strike in London involving all their “outsourced” workers, that is workers involved mainly in cleaning, catering and security services. They also organized a demonstration through the streets of the capital.

A union that seems to currently embody a synthesis of the positive features of this resurgent class unionism is the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the organisation is divided into 18 territorial branches covering the different areas of the country. There is a coordination centre in Cardiff, and London has two branches.

Last year has seen growth in the categories where the union has managed to penetrate and in some centres the couriers are no longer – as it was originally – the majority component. In particular, in Birmingham a number of workers from the local industrial centre, mainly consisting of car and chemical factories, joined the organization. In Manchester, where the northwest branch is located, there was a 50% increase in the number of members over the last year. The numbers are generally small, but they are rapidly increasing.

Last year at the end of October the summit of the IWW of the United Kingdom was held in Sheffield and attended by our comrades. The day opened with a speech by a delegate to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Sheffield. The TUC is a confederation that brings together the vast majority of the UK regime unions. Its policy is in clear conflict with the class unionism which guides the IWW.

The intervention was aimed at inviting the members of the IWW to support the delegates of the TUC in their combative initiatives whenever it was needed. The reason for this, according to the speaker, was to be sought in the different attitudes of the delegates compared to the leaders of their unions, members of the TUC. Even if it should be noted that an increasing number of delegates from TUC organisations are pressing for greater combativeness from their trade unions and rejecting corporatism, as evidenced by recent strikes across the country, not least that of the RMT railroad workers, the reaction of the majority of those present at the IWW Sheffield assembly was negative.

The day continued with the activity of different working groups. In one of them members of one of the two London branches reported on their organisational work in an industrial area of the city. It is interesting to know that these workers are openly inspired by what the SI Cobas has achieved in Italy in the logistics sector, demonstrating how positive examples of class struggle have the strength to cross national borders.

The group of these union militants, even though they are part of the IWW, is also known by the name of Angry Workers of the World and concentrates its activity on an area near Heathrow Airport, the so‑called western corridor, where most of the food that ends up on the shelves of London supermarkets is prepared and packaged. Most of the workers in this industrial center are immigrants.

The difficulties in organizing trade union work are linked to relatively better employment conditions than their class brothers in Italy and to internal differences within the workforce – expertly used by capital in accordance with the classic motto divide and conquer – like those between temporary and permanent workers and between different nationalities. For example, Polish workers tend to accept forced overtime with less reluctance, given the hope of returning to their own country in a relatively shorter time. Indian workers, on the other hand, have the advantage of knowing the language of the country, which makes them easier to promote to better paid positions, often managing other workers.

Despite these and other problems, many have joined the union and organizational efforts will of course continue.

The meeting ended with a general discussion and a summary of the day, during which various points were raised. One of them was the problem of the relationship between the different conflicting unions, with possible divisions, considered a problem that must be avoided, so as to reach to the maximum degree the unity of action of the working class, a vital necessity for the resistance to exploitation and immiseration today, and for the political offensive struggle to overcome exploitation tomorrow.

Regarding this not secondary aspect, it should be noted that in the United Kingdom the combative trade unions – and sometimes not only those – tend towards unity of action more frequently than elsewhere, including Italy where this segment of trade unionism has developed the most so far. Not only do they strike together (even if the strikes are still sporadic and with little strength) but they exchange information and do not fail to do propaganda for each other. In some cases they even operate in symbiosis, as do the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and the IWW, which jointly manage the Couriers Network, i.e. the national coordination network of Deliveroo and UberEats delivery couriers.