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Post by francis on Sept 7, 2004 7:26:02 GMT
NORTHERN ANARCHIST NETWORK CONFERENCE. TEXT Starting : 10am - 5pm. Bridge 5. Mill, 22a, Beswick St, Ancoats, Manchester. Agenda. 10.30 Business of NAN. 11am. Religion and Islamic Fundamentalism. 12.15. Lunch. 1.15pm. Rachel Whittaker ( Shropshire ) on Faslane Demo. 2.0pm. Local Social Forums and smelly little orthodoxies- the North / South debate and recent successes of Northern anarchism in Manchester and beyond:- to be addressed by Jim Petty (Burnley,) and Brian Bamford.( Editor Northern Voices.) 3.15pm. ...ESF. The European dimension- addressed by Marieangela of the Manchester Social Forum and contributions from northern anarchists on how we may best link up horizontally with sister organisations such as the Spanish CNT and CGT.
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 7, 2004 9:11:12 GMT
Thanks for this Francis..please let me know what date it is to be held...
Michele
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Post by Steve on Sept 7, 2004 11:01:49 GMT
NORTHERN ANARCHIST NETWORK CONFERENCE. TEXT 3.15pm. ...ESF. The European dimension- addressed by Marieangela of the Manchester Social Forum and contributions from northern anarchists on how we may best link up horizontally with sister organisations such as the Spanish CNT and CGT. Just a quick comment to say that if anyone tries to link up with the Spanish CNT and the CGT they could find themselves in some bother. Also the CNT are the sister organisation of the Solidarity Federation and I've heard that a certain 'Northern Anarchist' has been to Spain and claimed to be a member of the SF when he isn't. Naughty.
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Post by Mitch on Sept 7, 2004 11:34:01 GMT
Just a quick comment to say that if anyone tries to link up with the Spanish CNT and the CGT they could find themselves in some bother. Also the CNT are the sister organisation of the Solidarity Federation and I've heard that a certain 'Northern Anarchist' has been to Spain and claimed to be a member of the SF when he isn't. Naughty. Hey up, where's the bother Pleeeeease elaborate. Trouble tut mill?? Does it involve a goat? North Anarchist Network conference is on SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2004 Unfortunately I can't go - shame as it looks most interesting and I was looking forward to heckling Mr Petty. 'Come on lads and lasses, factory gates are open, I'm just off ta get me clogs out o' porn' Tatty tara, Gracie ;D
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 7, 2004 11:41:00 GMT
Thanks Mitch and Steve, would be interested to hear more about ur concerns Steve...
Michele
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Post by Steve on Sept 7, 2004 12:25:53 GMT
Well without going into a long historical explanation the CGT is a split from the CNT. After the death of Franco the CNT re-emerged (it had been illegal). Some wanted limited cooperation with the Spanish state so a split occurred. (CNT/AIT + CNT/U) When the question came up of to the rights to historical patrimony of the CNT name and property, i.e. returning what was taken from them when Franco seized power, the CNT/U wanted it and the Spanish state used their existence to refuse to hand anything over. Finally the CNT/AIT got the rights to the buildings and the name. The CNT/U then changed to the CGT. So there remains some suspicion on both side although the two organisations have worked together in disputes (like at the Cadiz dockyard). The CNT/AIT are in the same international as the SF. Thinking about it there is nothing to stop NAN from approaching both it's just that the CNT will probably ask the SF for our opinion etc. as we would of them if a Spanish organisation approached us. As for the other matter I was told a certain person had gone to Spain and approached a local CNT and claimed to be a member of the SF. Why I don’t know. I won’t say any more because so I don't want to speculate. I don't know about any goats (can you take goats to Spain? I know you can get passports for cats & dogs but goats?)
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 7, 2004 12:51:24 GMT
Thank you Steve...
Are any of the local Anarchists here thinking of attending this event, as well as Mr. Petty? Wouldn't mind having a look myself, but might need some sort of support from others, due to extreme shyness...lol.
Michele
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Post by Steve on Sept 7, 2004 13:47:08 GMT
A false (or metaphorical) beard would be handy if you go
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 7, 2004 13:56:49 GMT
LOL...I'll be sure to wear my overcoat and shades too...
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Post by Steve on Sept 7, 2004 14:19:42 GMT
No it's not for a disguise! It's to stroke while making profound and deep (and very, very long) statements. An alarm clock is handy as well. ;D
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 7, 2004 14:25:18 GMT
LOLOL...I am slow sometimes...only sometimes??? LOL.
BTW, u should have 2 PM's from me and an email..please read them and reply by PM..specially if you disapprove!! I don't like to be told off in public..lol
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Post by octoberlost on Sept 7, 2004 15:11:50 GMT
Steve your comments are bordering on harsh, but there are some at the last meeting who did like to go on and nothing productive short of information came out of the last meeting, I was thinking of not attending but Nils, should be and the agenda looks interesting. The previous one was about work place deaths, working in the TUC and a really interesting discussion with some Iranian refugees, but Im grooming my stubble in expectation just in case I decide to go ;D
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Post by Mitch on Sept 8, 2004 9:04:43 GMT
Steve, thanks for that summary.
I would say on the NAN approach locally that I am very interested in what there doing and would want to attend there meetings regularly (when I can give up evening cleaning jobs!).
The Network Conference looks most interesting, as does some of the support that NAN members have been giving to locked out electricians in Manchester.
Having developed an allergy to 'movements' over the last year which wash over individual's struggle against oppression, particularly women!!!, I very much warm to NAN's blend of humour with well researched support of campaigns which come out of communities - what a refreshing change.
On beard stroking - I wasn't at previous NAN meetings so maybe there were some rambling ons (the nature of most meetings!) - but I would say that I find it very valuable to listen to older local anarchists on community campaigns that they have supported and developed in the past locally. In our meeting on Monday we had two NAN members, plus another anarchist who has been active in Burnley for many years. The SWerps would have us believe that the only activist history in Burnley is a top-down history that they have instigated and organised - but I am discovering the history of a number of anarchist supported campaigns in Burnley and I am finding it fascinating and indeed motivating.
So I will not be 'grooming my stubble', but will be listening and learning. Tracing and raising awareness of an anarchist past locally has to be a crucial step in moving forward.
Information sharing blended with a non-hierarchical and humorous approach will work well in Burnley. I have heard that Northern Voices is becoming rather popular. Yes, I warm to their approach, and it seems they are listening to people in communities. I would very much welcome a Network Conference in Burnley later in the year - with perhaps NAN & SF working together on it.
I'll leave you to 'stroke your beards', I'm off to set up a thread on Anarcho-feminism, a Burnley Social Forum and casusalisation/casual work in this area which is currently killing our community.
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Post by Steve on Sept 8, 2004 10:42:55 GMT
Hi Mitch,
Sorry if I sound cynical but I have my own views on NAN and it’s workings. I didn’t know it had members as such. I thought it was just a loose network of individual anarchists from the North.
If you are interested in the casualisation/casual work campaign the SF have been involved in such a campaign for a good few years now, picketing employment agencies etc. and have produced a leaflet “The Stuff Your Boss Does Not Want You To Know” which deals with rights at work. If you want some copies let me know. I’d also be interested if you are thinking of getting together a local anti-casualisation group.
Also I think there would be interest in any anarcho-feminist discussions from over here in Preston.
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Post by Mitch on Sept 8, 2004 11:37:21 GMT
Yes, I saw that leaflet at the last Clarets music do and thought it was excellent - I'm thinking of bobbing along to one of your meetings to discuss ideas on building anti-casualisation campaign in East Lancs. I've asked for a homepage thread 'Campaigns against Casual Work' on this web forum to start. Alongside this there's a need for building a local social forum to widen support for such a campaign. This seems to be working well in Manchester - have you heard the details of the Manchester Electricians Win? I've many ideas, drawn from organising campaigns like the 'Justice For Janitors campaign' over in the states in the 90s, plus I think there is much to learn from animal rights campaigns at the moment who are achieving key results through direct action - supported by rigorous research. There are others on the left in Burnley who know much about the local casualisation scene here, and a social forum would work well to pull people together on this. How do SF feel about a social forum locally? Can you send me an email on meeting details next week - plus yes I'd like more copies of that leaflet. I'll also forward you a copy of our new leaflet for this web forum. In the meantime - take a nose at this unscrupulous employer in your neck of the woods. www.enterprise.plc.uk Privitised in 1989, incorporating the Economic Development Agency of Lancashire County Council. Is now a major player in gaining contracts for facilities services from local government. Strong anti-union policy, horrendous employment practice and policy, hammering down on sickness absence and so forth. They have gained many contracts from Liverpool City Council - contracting out services recently. You may have seen their many white vans out and about. There is a need with a company like this to highlight the state, and by extension local government's complicity in the increasing casualisation of workforces. More later.
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 8, 2004 19:45:45 GMT
Mitch,
Thanks for your input...those additions to the homepage will be made in a mo.
Please let me know if you definitely will be attending the NAN conference, and if so, whether you will be driving there from home on that day, or whether you will already be in Manchester...I would love to attend with somebody....Also, please could I also attend the other meetings you have mentioned bobbing along to, if that wouldn't be inconvenient for you, as I really feel the need to learn more about the issues raised on here...
Michele
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Post by Mitch on Sept 9, 2004 8:39:22 GMT
Hey up sweets,
I can't make NAN conference this time unfortunately, but 'thisbleedinmachine' or whatever his name is is bobbin along, as is non juror and his alter egos aimee, francis, fred, anti-monarchist and probs a few more?? So check with them later.
No probs on other meetings - but at this stage I'm just asking when and where meetings are. Not sure if I'll have time to attend - anyway they should get their bloody arses over 'ere - there's plenty afoot in Burnley to keep us busy!!
DOWN WITH ALL BOSSES, DOWN WITH LEADERS AND DOWN WITH PEOPLE WHO BARK LIKE TROTS!! ;D
'.....we affirm that each woman joining in struggle is the Revolution. WE ARE THE REVOLUTION!' (Black Rose Anarcho-Feminists)
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Post by fred on Sept 9, 2004 10:34:30 GMT
I'm sorry some of the information regarding the NAN Meeting was missing from the post. I tried to highlight the relevant info and it ,obviously ,just disappeared .
NAN Conference Saturday 25th, September 2004. 10.00am till 5.00pm. Bridge 5 Mill, Ancoats Manchester.
Fred.
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Post by fred on Sept 9, 2004 10:37:33 GMT
Mitch.
Please don't confuse me with my great uncle. I am a person in my own right and it is demeaning to be put in this position. He is a very good uncle, but there are obvious differences. AIMEE
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Post by fred on Sept 26, 2004 15:00:25 GMT
The Northern Anarchist Conference took place on 25th, of Sept.2004 at Ancoats , Manchester. With some 15 comrades present . Starting at 10.30am. and ceasing approx 5pm. the first item was simply a round up of news from groups and individuals.
It was the second component that livened things up. This was the presence of a guest speaker from the Humanist Association. a quiet elderly man, he came to life in his attitude to religion. An interesting debate took place and only finished at 12.Noon.
A Comrade from Wellington in Shropshire , Rachel Whittaker gave her impressions of the Faslane Sit Down. Rachel complemented the attitude and inner strengths of the activists but felt that they,(herself included) presented no problems for the police.
Discussion took place over the relatively 'gentle handling' of the Countryside Alliance as against the treatment handed out to the anarchists and the leftat Faslane. One of the points made was that the Government having lost the confidence of most of the working class didn't want to hurt the feelings of the middle classes and their retainers and hangers on, i.e. the Hunt Servants and followers.These were the people who Labour relied on for their votes,perhaps.
Finally, the last speaker was Marieangela of the Manchester Social Forum, who declared that she was not an anarchist , but enjoyed working with them and admired their system and attitudes. She described the aims and pricipals of the Social Forum and pointed out that the political organisation of the trotskyist left didn't support the social forum principle yet had taken a leading part, to the exclusion of other groups, in the organisation of the European Social Forum. Having ignored the Manchester Comrades the Trotskyists and their friends had appealed over the head's rank and file and received a rebuff from the Trades Councils.
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Post by mano negra on Sept 26, 2004 16:32:03 GMT
NORTHERN ANARCHIST NETWORK CONFERENCE. TEXT Local Social Forums and smelly little orthodoxies- the North / South debate and recent successes of Northern anarchism in Manchester and beyond:- to be addressed by Jim Petty (Burnley,) and Brian Bamford.( Editor Northern Voices.) contributions from northern anarchists on how we may best link up horizontally with sister organisations such as the Spanish CNT and CGT. What happened to these two items then?
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Post by fred on Sept 26, 2004 19:11:56 GMT
Northern Anarchist Network.
Regarding Jim petty's contribution!
He mentioned in the course of Mariangelo's address and the discussion that followed the wish of Burnley Anarchists to form a Social Forum .
Further to the last point,
Jim Petty left when the discussion started.
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Post by mano negra on Sept 26, 2004 22:31:49 GMT
That makes no sense at all. fred, can't you tell us what happened? What were the successes? What about the links?
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Post by fred on Sept 27, 2004 11:59:33 GMT
Spanish Trade Unions : a resume of a discussion with Brian Bamford. Held on Sat.25th,Sept. NAN Conference.
Since early September there has been a fascinating stream of e-mails on a Burnley Web site. You are all recommended to open the site which is lively and has a full compliment of subsidiary streams one of which is the Activists Arena.
Steve of Solfed has been in fine fettle describing the history of the Spanish anarchist and Anarchist Syndicalist Trade Unions.
There's nothing wrong with this except Steve didn't make clear that the Spanish Anarchists had to use the courts to get their money back. Spanish Anarchists suing other anarchists ; a strange sight indeed. But then the Spanish Movement has always been much more pragmatic than the British Movement which may explain why even today they are much more successful.
Bamford said, 'I myself was a member of the CNT/AIT in the 1980's, but never joined Solfed after I returned from Spain in 1988. I was an observer for the DAM,(Solfed's Predecessor ) at the CNT Congress in 1979 when the breakaway took place. In view of my involvment with Spanish Anarchism since 1963, this was a sad event. It was as if the Spanish anarchists were going through the male menopause in public. The problem, looking back,may have been the strong influence of the old Spanish exiles from France and elsewhere who tried to impose a certain old fashioned model on the post Franco CNT, this was opposed by some of those who stayed in Spain to resist the Fascist regime.
< 'Thinking about it there's nothing to stop the Northern Anarchists Network from approaching both ( the CNT and the CGT,) it is just that the CNT would probably ask the Solfed for our opinion etc....> '(Steve.of Solfed.)
Why has Solfed never asked the CNT themselves? (BB) ======================================= What were the successes ?
Of what? The Meeting.
NAN is not a membership organisation, it is a collection of individuals who pursue the IDEA and work together and with others to forward their beliefs.
In Manchester they have worked with the local trade unions and others to fight the war in Iraq and continues to oppose the retention of troops in that place.
Members have taken their place on the Saturday Picket outside M&S leafleting for Freedom for Palestine.and all the usual other jobs. Its finest move was to join and support,(not always the same thing,) the Manchester Social Forum. Through this latter organisation as the Editorial of the "Cock of the North " put it, 'It is now fast becoming possible to speak of a,"Manchester Social Movement!" A branch of radical politics , almost peculiar to Greater Manchester, which is out of the ordinary in this country.
In the last year the Manchester Social Forum has done things in our City which the writer would not have thought possible before: <<<It has joined with the local County Associations Of Trade Union Councils to mobilise a series of meetings in central Manchester in support of a group of local electricians who have been locked out for a year.
<<< It helped through these meetings and direct sponsorship, to raise around £2000 .00 for the men in dispute at a time when their hardship money was drying up.
<<< It assisted with the production of a set of booklets that helped publicise the dispute across the county amongst other trade unionists.
<<< It linked up the causes of safety at work, corporate killing and city centre architecture on the same platform.
<<< It supported the Manchester electricians at their Industrial Tribunal. "
This is what the NAN has been involved with.
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Post by octoberlost on Sept 27, 2004 13:33:49 GMT
Im still not clear on how NAN was hoping to link with the CNT, Im not a member of the SF but it smacks me as a little odd, even bordering on sectarian to approach the CNT without working through the SF.
I understand that the SF is only a fraction of the CNT but it still represents the IWA where we are geographically.
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Post by Steve on Sept 27, 2004 16:15:22 GMT
Bamford said, 'I myself was a member of the CNT/AIT in the 1980's, but never joined Solfed after I returned from Spain in 1988. I was an observer for the DAM,(Solfed's Predecessor ) at the CNT Congress in 1979 when the breakaway took place. In view of my involvment with Spanish Anarchism since 1963, this was a sad event. It was as if the Spanish anarchists were going through the male menopause in public. The problem, looking back,may have been the strong influence of the old Spanish exiles from France and elsewhere who tried to impose a certain old fashioned model on the post Franco CNT, this was opposed by some of those who stayed in Spain to resist the Fascist regime. The reason the ‘split’ in the CNT occurred at the end of the 70s wasn’t some kind of “male menopause”. The root cause of the split had been participation in Works Councils which are the direct descendants of the fascist corporatism of the Franco regime. The CNT-AIT promoted the idea of the Union Section - shopfloor organisation represented by directly-elected, recallable delegates - in opposition to the Works Councils, which are a form of industrial parliamentarism. Those who wanted to use them worked as a parallel organisation within the CNT with meetings and assemblies of their own. They then broke away and called themselves the CNT as well (a deliberate action to try and gain credibility). The Spanish state was able to use this to withhold the historic patrimony (the money and buildings etc seized after the civil war) from the CNT. Since the patrimony was held by the state, the CNT went to court to settle the dispute. At the conclusion the breakaway union called itself the CGT. The CGT still happily work in these councils alongside all the other reformist unions and gain some monetary support from the Spanish state through doing so. They often will conspire with the communist and socialist unions to try and freeze out the revolutionary CNT who work at the street and workplace level. Asked the CNT what?
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Post by Brian on Sept 28, 2004 13:49:12 GMT
Steve said earlier he didn't want 'a long historical explanation ...(of the Spanish CNT) split.'
Steve is right there were tactical/strategic differences in the CNT after Francco in the 1970s. Just as there were in the 1930s when Durutti and his group was expelled from the Spanish anarchist FAI for 'revolutionary gymnastics'. But who would disown Durutti now?
Any big organisation, like a trade union, would always be a broad Church. Participation in the 'Works Councils' was a snag; but so was the emergence of the shop steward movement here after World War 1.
As for having the 'male menopause': well look at what Steve himself has to say about the Spanish State 'withold(ing) the historic patromony (the money & buildings etc...) from the CNT.'
Am I the only one who finds this deeply depressing?
The picture of anarchists, especally Spanish anarchists, wringing their hands like a grasping bunch of fogeyish relatives over a corpse, waiting for a pronouncement from the Spanish Court of Equity on how the proceeds and property of a Will or historic patronage may be divided is almost too painful to contemplate.
This whole business not only undermined anarchism, but struck at the root of everything I have come to love about the nature of the Spanish people. It seemed to reveal a mean-mindedness which I associate more with northern Europe.
But it is the future that we should worry about. We must use what resources we have. The possibility of the CGT comming over was raised at the NAN last Saturday. In the past Ron (Man. Sol Fed) was asked to invite the CNT. Ron has been a frequent visitor at the NAN and has addressed the NAN on casualisation.
If the CGT comes over the NAN will not be the major player. The local Trade Councils and Manchester Social Forum have also been mentioned as possible venues. Tameside Trade Union Council discussed going to Ruestra (an abandoned Aragon village now partly restored by the CGT), which the CGT uses as an holiday resort for its members, activists and other trade unionists from abroad. So if the CGT is coming over anyway, it would be daft if NAN missed the chance of hearing what they had to say.
Also on the horizon is a rank & file newsletter for the building trade in Manchester/Liverpool. If it happens this will have come out of the campaigns of the Social Forum & northern anarchists in support of the Manchester electrician's lock-out this year.
Salud Y solidaridad,
brian
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Post by Steve on Sept 29, 2004 18:31:18 GMT
You know, everyone must be finding this very boring. I’ll post something that the CNT were involved in that has happened recently in the casualisation section, much more relevant.
I have no interest in whether the CGT are invited over by NAN. The only reason I posted anything was to clear up any misunderstanding of the relationship between the CNT (anarcho-syndicalist) and the CGT (reformist-syndicalist). The CGT work within the Spanish state structures and receive money from the state. Why not invite over the socialist and communist unions as well?
We’ve seen all this before. It is simply mischief making by certain individuals who would like to manufacture rifts between sections of the IWA. It won’t work.
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Post by Mitch on Sept 29, 2004 21:52:43 GMT
I'm certainly not finding this boring. I haven't time to explore the ins and outs of the history of this as I'm too busy locally, so I'm grateful for this summary.
Can you be more explicit Steve on where Solfed and anarcho-syndicalism stands in working locally say in a social forum where there may well be those with a more reformist agenda - would you be resistant to this?
What I'm interested in now is information on how this apparent rift plays out in the everyday - being specific to the North West/Lancashire would be helpful. There's obviously bigger issues/disagreements behind this Spanish example - and they are obviously important and I'd appreciate them clearly stated by both yourself and Brian so I can make up my own mind.
Why do certain individuals want to manufacture rifts in the IWA. 'Mischief making' in my experience (having created a little mischief of my own from time to time) often comes from strong discontents with how things have been working before.
On a local level - if I'm getting your concern about reformist agendas and those working within or with the State (a concern I share as I see many community groups and Unions poisoned by State policies) - things become a little more complex as there are many, some anarchist, working within. I guess what I'm trying to gauge is whether you're suggesting resistence to working with anyone who isn't 'pure' anarchist - this is not practical on a local level, and err not conducive to forming a social forum in Burnley & Pendle.
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Post by Brian on Sept 30, 2004 6:36:30 GMT
Perhaps I can help Steve out. The CNT is involved in an important struggle at this very moment. Last Tuesday the 10 shipyards owned by Izar in Spain went on general strike against the recent proposed plans for viability of the yards.
As usual the press reports that the Carranza Bridge leading from Puerto Real to Cadiz was closed by the strikers - once for an hour, and on an earlier occasion, for 3 hours. Steve knows that one of the most active branches on the CNT is in Puerto REal, where it has been led since the 1980s by my mate Pepe Gomez. I was in Cadiz in the 1990s when they occupied the bridge isolating the city of Cadiz for a day. It is a very effective weapon, because Cadiz is at the end of a thin penninsular of land. Closing the bridge strangles the city. To make sure - Juan Carlos I - the only other road into the city was cut off as well. The workers held an informative assembly in the city.
In Sevilla, 500 workers cut the Carmona bridge. I don't know to which unions the Seville workers belonged. But whichever it seems they did a good job of showing solidarity.
Naturally, the CNT is working with other 'reformist' unions in this strike: especially their primos (pals) in the CGT in Cadiz. How could it be otherwise?
The important thing here is getting our own people to adopt more effective European methods for fighting their own disputes. That was discussed at the NAN also: for while the bosses here are becoming more Americanised, it seems that we must become more Europeanised in our methods of fighting back.
So it's a question of opening up trade unionist in this country to the ideas and ways of organisations like the CGT and CNT.
Now what could be wrong with that?
brian
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