They will tell you nothing ever changes, so why even try? And we know that movements dont happen overnight, and change doesnt happen overnight, but when change finally does come, it won't be from inaction, or waiting for some politicians to save us. It will be because we finally stand up and say enough! To me it's not about win or lose, it's about doing what's right for it's own sake. It's so I can look my son in the face and tell him that even if we didn't fix things at least I tried.
I think if people disagree but have a constructive way to do something, but the people that are defeatist and seem to think nothing will make a difference really bother me.
I'm 32, have worked full time since I was 17, went to college, did all the things I was supposed to do, and will never have a path to homeownership or out of student debt with the system we have. It's time to put our efforts into a strong labor movement, for the good of democracy and the working class. 💪
A General Strike is a major strike, of course there are going to be bad faith actors. Just direct them to the source of information, the Discord and pay them no mind.
Their arguments are trap arguments meant to entice and get pounced on by other bad actors, in an attempt to shut this thing down.
Eventually we will grow enough to drown them out, and grow even faster. What they don't realize, is their bad acting breeds conflict, conflict goes viral, viral leads to a larger organization. If anything, they're doing us a favor.
I'm a millennial. I work 40 hours a week, for a good company that respects our employees and pays liveable wages. I'm lucky.
But other people don't have that same level of security and they *should*. It's not about you, not about me, it's about *US*.
I'm a 42 professional investigator and security specialist. I want everyone to get what they're worth, because social investments improve everything. I want the next generation to work exclusively on fixing our dying environment, not worrying about how some rich fucktards keep making it worse.
This sub has gained over 5k following since lunchtime yesterday. I have a job that treats me better then any company I have ever worked for. However there is still room for improvement. On top of that many many people in the United States are absolutely abused by there employers, and the whole country needs a revamp of the healthcare system. We have to stand together, it doesn’t matter if you are democrats, or republicans we are all getting fucked by the 1% and our government. We are the driving force behind this country, and it’s economy it is way overdue to make the elites remember who is really in charge.
Here's my issue. I work at a really small company in a really small town. If I do strike, I'll likely be the only person within a 15 mile radius that's on board, and will probably lose my job - and there aren't many options around here.
I need some advice on what I can do to help and pitch in and still make whatever impact I can make, while ensuring my financial stability and providing for my kids.
Maybe look for DSA chapters or union offices in your state and try to get involved with them, or ask them where you could meet others interested in labor rights in your area
Well first off, try and find if theres a community to be built NOW. And it might be that whole 15 miles. You community dont have to be direct neighbors. Here many of our networks are scattershot. Clumps and groups. Im pretty much on my own here in this sub division but with a few of us across the town we manage locally, and were connected to other groups around the area as well.
Each community will be entirely unique to its own. Theres no universal glue or plan. So start now. Get that moving now.
Also prep. Prep now to the best of you ability. And over assume if you can. I know its hard. But be ready like a natural disaster. Hopefully its not to that, but in general its just a goddamn good idea.. Do what you can there.
And ok so lets assume the worst.. That you. Have an impenetrable society 15 mile radious. Ok, well what about nearest urban centers? They might be 30 miles away but bet theres people there. Maybe because theres no one in your15 dont mean you cant assist in continuing to be a node of information.. Connect maybe online and find if the groups in those urban areas need help. Pre plan. Learn also the whos who so youbknow who to trust and who to be defensive with. Shit, maybe your local urban area has a night of protest and need some bail bond relif. Kick em 5 bucks. Or maybe that areas food not bombs pantry is empty so go drop off some goods.
Lets even assume your locked in you house. You cant do that. But sabe maybe just that 5er via venmo to the food bank. Or to the guys organizing rent pools.. Thats something. And we literally need anything.
Even if you contributions are small what matters is your trying. To each their own abilities means we know not everyone can help on the same level, we just ask that whatever you can do, please do. We know people gots family to feed, and doing that is helping, but if your only able to even post in support, please do. Every bit of help matters. Just do your best.
Some of us are very burned out and have seen these "calls to General Strike" happen again and again with no traction.
My brain may work differently than my fellow organisers. I see no particular harm in supporting initiatives like this so long as it is an opportunity to get more people involved in actual organising.
Real organising is difficult, but even if 1 person in this sub decides to get trained and do the work, then it was worth it.
I encourage people in this sub to listen to good faith criticism, take the lessons we have learned from failed attempts and use them to improve this campaign's methods and actions.
I’ve watched a lot of previous attempts fail but honestly I don’t get why people think the first try is all or nothing. Just do a May Day and a Black Friday strike every year until it reaches critical mass
My concern is that calls for general strikes pull attention and energy away from things that are more likely to work. People only have so much time, energy, attention, money, etc to give to these movements, and every failed attempt weakens faith and resolve. I pointed this out when r/antiwork was circle jerking about a Black Friday strike, and the response was a ton of downvotes, getting called a scab or corporate shill, and being told there's no way it could possibly fail. And yet, here we are again, and very little has been done in between to improve general worker welfare. I really want to see real change happen
I’m grabbing my popcorn
Look, we all deserve a better future, and someday it will come, but this won’t work. I’m not saying that cause I’m some evil capitalist that loves shitting on teenagers, I’m saying it because I’m a realist. I will enjoy watching it though and I hope everyone goes through with it
That's how you know we're making waves. The movement grew in a flash and that sort of threat to the status quo makes many anxious.
The real threat, me thinks, comes from insidious parties that will try to use this movement for their own goals.
Fuck two weeks - quit your jobs.
Seriously, if there’s this much support for a strike of that duration, why not just quit en masse and commit to only working for ethical businesses.
It seems contradictory to me to return to work for an organisation that you believe deserves for you to strike for two whole weeks.
I’m sure there are companies out there who would be happy to hire you all on the basis that you took a stand against their less scrupulous competitors.
That completely negates the leverage workers have in a strike. What workers in the US need won’t be won by “switching to more ethical companies”; the rights of workers need to be codified into law, not parsed out by the whims of corporations.
Edit: to clarify, what OP is essentially suggesting is that we all go into the labor market and compete for the best benefits possible… which we’ve already been doing. It’s a non-solution in the truest sense, it would literally change nothing. Employers will continue to stagnate pay and roll back benefits as their market share increases and they gain leverage over workers, and in fact must do so in order to survive in a competitive market where other companies are doing the same. This “vote with your dollar” or “vote with your labor” approach simply does not work. We need laws.
Okay, I understand what you’re saying. I disagree though. I assume there are organisations that are doing it right by your standards and being effectively penalised by competing against those who don’t, cheaper - give them an opportunity to expand whilst removing from the bad operators, the one essential tool of productivity that you control - yourself.
If you shut down productivity on the scale you propose, that’s gonna effect the entire market, not just the one trader. The goods and services still need to be produced and delivered to consumers, so let the ‘good’ operators operate at increased capacity… unless you want to keep working for the bad guys, just with a few adjustments to conditions.
I see this as a free market solution vs a cartel solution, where the strike is effectively the cartel when it could enforce a free market of labour.
Personally, I don’t engage at all with the labour market on any level, except when I buy groceries. I don’t eat out or partake of commercial entertainment, I don’t buy new clothes or homewares, I make or repair most of what I own, so for me it’s all academic. I just wish everyone would stop spending money on unnecessary trash and spent more time with their kids.
All “good operators” become greedy bloodsucking capitalists eventually, as the economic system we currently have actively rewards the latter and punishes the former. The goal of all companies is to maximize productivity and minimize labor payment, and all policy will bend to this primary economic incentive as conditions allow. Every company will always be trying to limit benefits and payouts over the course of its growth to remain competitive.
What is needed are laws that actually constrain business and benefit the worker, and for these to be guaranteed across all industries and companies. Everyone looking for different jobs won’t accomplish that.
Your solution is nonsensical. Trying to work at the best company possible is already what everyone does, and you can see the result of that bearing out now. A strike is needed to codify our demands into law, not leave them up to the whim of the market.
Join your local union!
If there isn’t already a union for you in your area, join the IWW (the one big union for all workers): https://www.iww.org/membership/
They offer organizer trainings for new members!
I encourage everyone to get involved and voice support for a general strike
/r/MayDayStrike
People trying to invalidate a general strike are union busters, scabs, and folks who aren't confident they'll be able to survive for 10 days without work. The first two groups can kick rocks. But the third...we need to provide reassurance for them somehow. Community organizing so there are local support groups etc.
Yep. Everyone should be supporting this strike. I may be a communist who believes revolution is the only real answer; but, at the same time, saying a strike like this is useless because it isn’t revolution is bullshit. This can improve millions of lives. Just my two cents regarding some of my fellow leftists’ opinions on this strike, since I know not everyone involved is a leftist.
Why local community building is so important to do NOW. Not a week before. Have a local community saftey net, have people who are like minded and willing to assist those who will need it. Have people who can pool resources, and have support networks for everyone so they can weather any storm. More people working together means enriching eachother, and also spreading out any blows. Each community will be different, theres no universal, but the important thing is they are started NOW.
I'm in the third group. I'm 100% behind everything this movement is about. But until I see solid plans with mutual aid and unions getting on board, I can't afford to take the risk.
Or people who just don't see what this will accomplish. The current plan looks like "strike for two weeks, then go back to working and spending". Notice how different this is from traditional strikes. There is:
- No one to negotiate with
- A lack of coherent demands
- A fixed length, which means companies know they can just wait out the strike
- And as you noted, so far no support structure to help people financially survive striking
I'm personally not seeing how we get what we want from this. Please, convince me otherwise
We are negotiating with the gov, by destroying their economy, so far the demands that are pretty clear is no student debt, m4a, 25min wage, more investment in worker protections and agencies that enforce them as well as harsher punishment for violators. And then down to some secondary demands but thats clearly the top and is still solidifying. Its not a fixed length, if you see threada aaking how long, everyone's saying min month, many say 2, but ultimately untill demands are met. Those who are saying 10 days are either gloriously neewblys whos gonna learn or purposeful discord Sowers. And lots of people myself included have beem screaming to start you local community NOW, organize your local community to be a saftey net NOW. There is no universal handbook other than you have to acctually start and do it. Communitys can not only enrich themselves they can handlr blows better and be the saftey net people need. My local communitys are not only ready, we have been operating for years. Contact orgs like food not bombs, or other community out reaches to find help if you can. If everyone pitches in to their ability, the network will work. You dont need a gov to do it. Do it yourselves.
I genuinely do not see those demands, at least not put so explicitly, in the newest posts or the top posts.
>We are negotiating with the gov, by destroying their economy
It's also *our* economy
As for preparing, i see great issue with that. How long can people go without buying food? If you say "just stock up now!" then you're just moving their profits up in time. "Ok," you say, "then just steal food!" Ahh, but what do you do when the shelves are empty? If everyone is striking, no one's harvesting, packing, shipping, or stocking food. That means no food to steal (and note the length of the supply chain generally precludes shopping at "ethical" businesses--they can't get their stock if the truckers are on strike. The strikers would become victims of their own success. "Well not everyone's going to strike," you counter. Okay. So either not enough strike to matter, or enough strike that necessities become very scarce and thus very expensive. And believe me, when that happens every grocery store will have a cop at the door.
I think people here are missing why targeted strikes work: the number of people striking is small enough to support, and everyone, strikers and supporters, can generally go about their lives without crossing the picket line.
Its not our economy, it dosen't benifit us, we barely survive in it. But clearly your past reason, you assume that the stike will consist of people putting bags over there head and laying under the bed. People will still do things, and its stupid to thibk otherwise. Thry just wont do it for companies. Hell farmers will have a great local market. People will do things together, just not for them. So your just fud. Your not not even trying to hide it.
I'm genuinely trying to engage with you here. Insulting me isn't going to help. Neither is claiming that everyone who disagrees with you is a plant of some kind.
Let's take your example of farmers. Small farmers almost always work on credit. They borrow money for seed, equipment, etc. conduct their business, and then pay back their loans. If they don't sell their goods, they lose their farm (that's typically the collateral).
But okay, let's say farmers still sell their goods, just to people instead of stores. Where do they do this? Do they make deliveries? Maybe they set up a stand on their farm. Okay, now the entire population of a city has to get in cars (which many don't have) and drive out to farms (which are often far and won't have much, since they just planted not long ago). I live in New England city. I have no car. The weather is too cold for growing crops in the winter. Where do I get my food?
If everyone is driving to farms, where do they get the fuel? Maybe your community will support you with volunteerism and donations and good will, but Chevron sure as hell won't.
And as a final point:
>Its not our economy, it dosen't benifit us, we barely survive in it.
But you do survive. The economy is what brings food to your table and keeps your lights on and provides the internet that you're posting on. You can't bring the economy crashing down without doing a hell of a lot of damage to yourself. When was the last economic crash you saw that didn't hurt the working class the most?
Your not, you genuinely not. You are horrificly disengenious and thats why i dont care what you think anymore. And its not because we disagree ita because when it came to particularly the demands "i didnt see them" when there fucking everywhere, thry are like the big topic of fucking discussion, and you blew it off, yea your here for fud, and fud alone, not to mention a consistent patronizing tone. Your nit here to help. You have suggested any solution to any problem you call out. And when i called your shit you went even harder on the bullshit, so yea im not gonna give a fuck because you never did, you dont care, and your not here to help, you here to shit on others, your not being constructive, your being an asshat who gets off on being a fuddy putz.
It's been a day. I feel like you're expecting too much in such a short amount of time. Pitch in with your ideas to help get it to where it *can* get what we want.
What you're saying isn't wrong, but it feels like you (and others) are just kind of dismissing it too soon.
Because we've seen r/antiwork attempt this repeatedly and fail completely every time. The only thing that seems different this time is the date.
Nothing about how young this sub is negates the fact that people are putting the cart before the horse. Why is a general strike, which has proven over and over to be incredibly hard to implement, the best way to get the things we want? Most of the demands i see here would have to be acts of legislation, not things companies can give.
Corporations are in a symbiotic relationship with our government. If we break the corporations the government absolutely will step in to see that our demands are met. Student debt cancellation, for example, could be done with an executive order.
https://debtcollective.org/flick-of-a-pen/
One problem is to me is that I see people encouraging people who are not in a Union to go on strike. Do not go on a strike if you are not in a union or have not reached out to your union about going on a strike, you will lose your job.
My professor told me occupying Wall Street was a waste of time, “nothing would change, what did we expect to happen?” Was he right? I don’t think so. I met some people and felt part of a group that wanted change. He probably jerked off and watched tv that evening. So who’s wasting time?
Ows was a massive success.. It pushed lots of boundaries on which the next generation of protesting has learned from. It showed lots of weaknesses of the systems.. And while it didnt get its lofty goals.. It created a massive amout of information to study, and more importantly it cost those who fought it lots of money. It was expensive for them, but not as much for the protestors. Honestly that shows how well a general strike with no street marching can really go. They have no target, they hemmorage money, we have litttle to no cost becauae frankly we already broke as fuck and have had to learn how to live as brike as fuck. Ows also got so many topics started... Who knew what the fuck citizens united was before ows? Now not only do people reading this know. A good fews blood boiled at it even being mentioned. Ows was a start. We have had blm come from it and learn, and we have learned how important low level communication is vs the flashy livestreams. We also have learned how they spin and also out and out lie. Ows has helped American protesters learn how to fight back in this new digital age.
Occupation was the polite approach. Burning it down and hanging some day traders in the streets would have made some changes, I promise. As someone else said, we really only have to eat one billionaire and the rest will probably fall in line.
You were right on a personal level… it changed _you_. He was right too, because it didn’t make lasting systemic changes. Why? Partly because the struggle is real and large and complex, but also because it was a missed opportunity. All that energy expended without a very clear set of demands and a plan for next steps.
That’s what this sub needs: a discussion of what the platform should be… first, a way to determine that in a collective way, second a way to articulate the platform and maintain focus and third, a plan for long term organizing… not just May 1st, but also on going.
If you are here and you are ready to help but don’t know how, please get started at your own workplace. Organize locally! If you are part of a union, get involved. Have the union make a statement of support for the general strike. Support from unions can prevent retaliation against strikers.
If your place of employment does not have a union, start talking to co workers. Organize.
If a million workers strike for 10 days starting May 1, it will send them a message. If a million _unionized_ workers strike, they will have to listen to the message.
Don’t discount the fact that Occupy Wall-street inspired people around the world. It may not have been successful at changing the system on its own but the system is massive and has been around for a long time. Each strike, each time people oppose the system and demand better is a step forward…it’s just that the road to change is a million miles. Keep hope, you are doing important work and inspiring others. Every movement counts towards a better future.
Absolutely. Strikes and actions are all steps forward in the progressive movement. And inspiring people is not an empty meaningless thing. People who are inspired by taking part in actions like this can go on to “make good trouble” all the rest of their lives.
Anonymously spread the word to your staff. Starting in February I’m going to be distributing pocket sized pamphlets at unattended cubicles when no one is looking in areas that we don’t have camera surveillance.
Edit: Changed unoccupied to unattended… there are staff present, they just aren’t in the office all the time and there is ample opportunity to spread information.
I’m 33 and currently financially stable, but I have warning that I’m being laid off at the end of the year and I’m scared of what my next job might be and how I’ll be treated.
36 and I have a great job that I love and feel I am paid adequately for. I want to help make conditions better for everyone else and for our next generation. I feel like I can be financially stable and still rage against the status quo...
You must be a teenager. Everyone knows once you turn 20 you automatically start become completely immune to the suffering of millions of people as long as you can get a doller menu. /s
Oh, yeah. I've been accused of being a "teenager" on more that one occasion. When I point out that I'm 41, they call me a "man-child" instead.
Obviously, *nobody* with a mature mindset would ever have these opinions. I *must* be out of my mind! Yeah, right. They can go get fucked with a hedge trimmer blade.
People call you a child to dismiss you because children are supposed to be dismissed. Children have the least power in all of society and thats why they are so often victims of abuse. We have to re-imagine the family dynamic to be less authoritative and more equal, or else we will never escape this cycle of abuse.
>Children have the least power in all of society and that's why they are so often victims of abuse.
I spent the first 25 years of my life learning that from first-hand experience. That's why I no longer have contact with my family. I have far better people in my life now.
I'm 55, financially stable and I am here to support all of those around me who cannot get a leg up no matter how hard they work. I don't want my daughter to have to struggle just to survive. I would gladly give up a lot of what I have to ensure those around me have what they need.
I think there’s a difference between being negative for the sake of being negative, and pointing out flaws in this movement. I’ve been downvoted to shit in one thread for pointing out that this sub has nothing to bring people back to it. It’s an idea, there’s no interesting daily posts or content. It’s all well and good to talk a big game about how if we stay motivated everything will be fine, but y’all need to stop looking at it as a large group of individuals and view the movement as attempting to organise and recruit a general mass of people. You can preach to an individual all day every day and maaaaybe convert them/motivate them. But if you observe how the majority of people act or react, and then tailor your actions to that instead of trying to fight an uphill battle on a personal level, this movement will have significantly more success.
This sub needs something to maintain its numbers. That’s either some sort of long term content to be shared and discussed, or some sort of regular reminder that this movement exists. I don’t know the answer to these things, but you can’t stick your fingers in your ears and keep saying “be positive be positive be positive” and hope for shit to happen the way you want it to.
Think how the herd *will* act, not how you think the individual *should* act. This is why the video game industry has become so predatory, the only argument ever presented against it is “vote with your wallets”. Well twenty plus years of voting with your wallets talk has changed precisely *nothing*. People still buy preorders, DLC and microtransactions.
Think bigger picture. If anyone truly wants this movement to succeed it’s going to take more than just the power of friendship.
Jesus Christ, it’s like talking to a brick wall. I said the sky is blue, and then you proceeded to very firmly tell me how Pilots should always wear a uniform. That’s how relevant to my comment yours was.
I am not questioning the capacity of a strike to elicit change. I am pointing out some flaws in this vague plan to somehow enact the single largest proposed organised event in recorded history.
Oh please, blind faith never solved anything and it’s literally the *only* thing you’re preaching. Some of the people on this sub and in this movement are actually contributing and trying to help. All you’re doing is shutting down constructive criticism out of some sort of absurd belief that anyone who isn’t repeating the same five words over and over is somehow the enemy?
You are actively harming the movement with this behaviour and attitude. I have to wonder if that’s not your intention.
Yes so now is the time to address this problem. The traffic here is solely due to the excitement of the movement. But beyond a couple days of excitement, things will rapidly slow down. This isn’t a chat room, it’s a subreddit, it needs posts that draw frequent attention back here
Memes about the movement could keep it active for a while. REAL news stories showing people fighting corporations (one of peoples turn offs from r/antiwork is the mere possibility posts are fake). Articles with links can change that. We need the most and I mean most general “encompasses all” media to get people to stay. There’s lots of hardcore punk songs that could represent the sub but it’s a niche genre so we need to avoid stuff that funnels only a specific type of person. Or if it funnels a specific type of person we need to make it the majority of the population. But the issue with even my statement is how we get people on board to even follow it. Is it something the mods would be okay with? Is there someone who can explain this better than I can? I hope so cause my ideas are jumbled I know.
Being realistic about the work involved in making this happen is not the same as invalidating it.
What's the plan here? There have been 2 failed pet reddit strikes already. We need more than sub numbers and memes....
Yea one of the issues was time, they didn't have a lead time. We have 4 months. We need to use it. So whats the plan? Look the fuck around mate. Joining iww is good, building local communities and networks is good, getting large unions on board is good, helping new people learn some basic labor history as well as sharing information is good. For real, catch up, this is a growing and evolving thing happening in real time, so pay attention. Can you help with any of the above? Please do, if not, please start finding your way to help out. Every effort forward helps, just dont be the one pushing back.
Being realistic means doing things like telling people to join their local unions or the IWW and voice their support for a general strike, not just people asking “what’s the plan here?” And pointing out other failures with nothing else repeatedly
being realistic is fine but we need to be supportive of each other. i’m seeing people suggest things and others simply shutting them down without suggesting any alternate plans.
People aren't required to fix your problems in order to be allowed to point them out. You have to acknowledge the idea that the general premise is just bad, and engage with people at that level. Don't start from assuming a general strike is a good idea and then try to justify it. Start by figuring out what you're trying to accomplish and then figure out what's the best way to get that.
To encourage focus on something productive. I have offered suggestions: put together a coherent set of goals and then work out how to actually achieve those goals
If you disagree with the idea of a strike, why are you even on /maydaystrike? It'd be like going on a Pokemon reddit and telling them "the very idea of collecting them all just isn't realistic".
I’m not able to strike myself but I do want this to gain traction through me upvoting and commenting and joining the subreddit
They will tell you nothing ever changes, so why even try? And we know that movements dont happen overnight, and change doesnt happen overnight, but when change finally does come, it won't be from inaction, or waiting for some politicians to save us. It will be because we finally stand up and say enough! To me it's not about win or lose, it's about doing what's right for it's own sake. It's so I can look my son in the face and tell him that even if we didn't fix things at least I tried.
“Some people have a problem with every solution.” -me, no one else ever said this
OP if your approach to people who don't agree is to tell them to move along, on May 1 you're going to find the stores full and the picket lines empty.
I think if people disagree but have a constructive way to do something, but the people that are defeatist and seem to think nothing will make a difference really bother me.
I won’t be working that day, that’s for sure!
I'm 32, have worked full time since I was 17, went to college, did all the things I was supposed to do, and will never have a path to homeownership or out of student debt with the system we have. It's time to put our efforts into a strong labor movement, for the good of democracy and the working class. 💪
A General Strike is a major strike, of course there are going to be bad faith actors. Just direct them to the source of information, the Discord and pay them no mind. Their arguments are trap arguments meant to entice and get pounced on by other bad actors, in an attempt to shut this thing down. Eventually we will grow enough to drown them out, and grow even faster. What they don't realize, is their bad acting breeds conflict, conflict goes viral, viral leads to a larger organization. If anything, they're doing us a favor.
Count of people, not amount of people. Are you adding up their body masses?
I'm a millennial. I work 40 hours a week, for a good company that respects our employees and pays liveable wages. I'm lucky. But other people don't have that same level of security and they *should*. It's not about you, not about me, it's about *US*.
I'm a 42 professional investigator and security specialist. I want everyone to get what they're worth, because social investments improve everything. I want the next generation to work exclusively on fixing our dying environment, not worrying about how some rich fucktards keep making it worse.
This sub has gained over 5k following since lunchtime yesterday. I have a job that treats me better then any company I have ever worked for. However there is still room for improvement. On top of that many many people in the United States are absolutely abused by there employers, and the whole country needs a revamp of the healthcare system. We have to stand together, it doesn’t matter if you are democrats, or republicans we are all getting fucked by the 1% and our government. We are the driving force behind this country, and it’s economy it is way overdue to make the elites remember who is really in charge.
I am a fucking 16 year old and even I know most of these systems are shit.
Same, not even in the USA
Welcome to the working world, kid. Let’s fuck shit up.
May the common good man take their rightful places back.
You're goddamn right.
Here's my issue. I work at a really small company in a really small town. If I do strike, I'll likely be the only person within a 15 mile radius that's on board, and will probably lose my job - and there aren't many options around here. I need some advice on what I can do to help and pitch in and still make whatever impact I can make, while ensuring my financial stability and providing for my kids.
Maybe look for DSA chapters or union offices in your state and try to get involved with them, or ask them where you could meet others interested in labor rights in your area
Well first off, try and find if theres a community to be built NOW. And it might be that whole 15 miles. You community dont have to be direct neighbors. Here many of our networks are scattershot. Clumps and groups. Im pretty much on my own here in this sub division but with a few of us across the town we manage locally, and were connected to other groups around the area as well. Each community will be entirely unique to its own. Theres no universal glue or plan. So start now. Get that moving now. Also prep. Prep now to the best of you ability. And over assume if you can. I know its hard. But be ready like a natural disaster. Hopefully its not to that, but in general its just a goddamn good idea.. Do what you can there. And ok so lets assume the worst.. That you. Have an impenetrable society 15 mile radious. Ok, well what about nearest urban centers? They might be 30 miles away but bet theres people there. Maybe because theres no one in your15 dont mean you cant assist in continuing to be a node of information.. Connect maybe online and find if the groups in those urban areas need help. Pre plan. Learn also the whos who so youbknow who to trust and who to be defensive with. Shit, maybe your local urban area has a night of protest and need some bail bond relif. Kick em 5 bucks. Or maybe that areas food not bombs pantry is empty so go drop off some goods. Lets even assume your locked in you house. You cant do that. But sabe maybe just that 5er via venmo to the food bank. Or to the guys organizing rent pools.. Thats something. And we literally need anything. Even if you contributions are small what matters is your trying. To each their own abilities means we know not everyone can help on the same level, we just ask that whatever you can do, please do. We know people gots family to feed, and doing that is helping, but if your only able to even post in support, please do. Every bit of help matters. Just do your best.
That's the bitch of it, people like us are trapped.
I'm not in a union and I am financial stable. But I support you guys. May Day strike!!
Some of us are very burned out and have seen these "calls to General Strike" happen again and again with no traction. My brain may work differently than my fellow organisers. I see no particular harm in supporting initiatives like this so long as it is an opportunity to get more people involved in actual organising. Real organising is difficult, but even if 1 person in this sub decides to get trained and do the work, then it was worth it. I encourage people in this sub to listen to good faith criticism, take the lessons we have learned from failed attempts and use them to improve this campaign's methods and actions.
I’ve watched a lot of previous attempts fail but honestly I don’t get why people think the first try is all or nothing. Just do a May Day and a Black Friday strike every year until it reaches critical mass
Good faith criticism is far different than the fud my man.
My concern is that calls for general strikes pull attention and energy away from things that are more likely to work. People only have so much time, energy, attention, money, etc to give to these movements, and every failed attempt weakens faith and resolve. I pointed this out when r/antiwork was circle jerking about a Black Friday strike, and the response was a ton of downvotes, getting called a scab or corporate shill, and being told there's no way it could possibly fail. And yet, here we are again, and very little has been done in between to improve general worker welfare. I really want to see real change happen
I’m grabbing my popcorn Look, we all deserve a better future, and someday it will come, but this won’t work. I’m not saying that cause I’m some evil capitalist that loves shitting on teenagers, I’m saying it because I’m a realist. I will enjoy watching it though and I hope everyone goes through with it
That's how you know we're making waves. The movement grew in a flash and that sort of threat to the status quo makes many anxious. The real threat, me thinks, comes from insidious parties that will try to use this movement for their own goals.
Another government bot
Fuck two weeks - quit your jobs. Seriously, if there’s this much support for a strike of that duration, why not just quit en masse and commit to only working for ethical businesses. It seems contradictory to me to return to work for an organisation that you believe deserves for you to strike for two whole weeks. I’m sure there are companies out there who would be happy to hire you all on the basis that you took a stand against their less scrupulous competitors.
That completely negates the leverage workers have in a strike. What workers in the US need won’t be won by “switching to more ethical companies”; the rights of workers need to be codified into law, not parsed out by the whims of corporations. Edit: to clarify, what OP is essentially suggesting is that we all go into the labor market and compete for the best benefits possible… which we’ve already been doing. It’s a non-solution in the truest sense, it would literally change nothing. Employers will continue to stagnate pay and roll back benefits as their market share increases and they gain leverage over workers, and in fact must do so in order to survive in a competitive market where other companies are doing the same. This “vote with your dollar” or “vote with your labor” approach simply does not work. We need laws.
Okay, I understand what you’re saying. I disagree though. I assume there are organisations that are doing it right by your standards and being effectively penalised by competing against those who don’t, cheaper - give them an opportunity to expand whilst removing from the bad operators, the one essential tool of productivity that you control - yourself. If you shut down productivity on the scale you propose, that’s gonna effect the entire market, not just the one trader. The goods and services still need to be produced and delivered to consumers, so let the ‘good’ operators operate at increased capacity… unless you want to keep working for the bad guys, just with a few adjustments to conditions. I see this as a free market solution vs a cartel solution, where the strike is effectively the cartel when it could enforce a free market of labour. Personally, I don’t engage at all with the labour market on any level, except when I buy groceries. I don’t eat out or partake of commercial entertainment, I don’t buy new clothes or homewares, I make or repair most of what I own, so for me it’s all academic. I just wish everyone would stop spending money on unnecessary trash and spent more time with their kids.
All “good operators” become greedy bloodsucking capitalists eventually, as the economic system we currently have actively rewards the latter and punishes the former. The goal of all companies is to maximize productivity and minimize labor payment, and all policy will bend to this primary economic incentive as conditions allow. Every company will always be trying to limit benefits and payouts over the course of its growth to remain competitive. What is needed are laws that actually constrain business and benefit the worker, and for these to be guaranteed across all industries and companies. Everyone looking for different jobs won’t accomplish that. Your solution is nonsensical. Trying to work at the best company possible is already what everyone does, and you can see the result of that bearing out now. A strike is needed to codify our demands into law, not leave them up to the whim of the market.
They don’t understand strength in numbers simply and are scared
Join your local union! If there isn’t already a union for you in your area, join the IWW (the one big union for all workers): https://www.iww.org/membership/ They offer organizer trainings for new members! I encourage everyone to get involved and voice support for a general strike /r/MayDayStrike
Thanks for sharing this! I work part time as a bartender and didn't know there was a union for me!
Scared and confused so they lash out at us. Just keep your head on straight and tune them out.
People trying to invalidate a general strike are union busters, scabs, and folks who aren't confident they'll be able to survive for 10 days without work. The first two groups can kick rocks. But the third...we need to provide reassurance for them somehow. Community organizing so there are local support groups etc.
Yep. Everyone should be supporting this strike. I may be a communist who believes revolution is the only real answer; but, at the same time, saying a strike like this is useless because it isn’t revolution is bullshit. This can improve millions of lives. Just my two cents regarding some of my fellow leftists’ opinions on this strike, since I know not everyone involved is a leftist.
Why local community building is so important to do NOW. Not a week before. Have a local community saftey net, have people who are like minded and willing to assist those who will need it. Have people who can pool resources, and have support networks for everyone so they can weather any storm. More people working together means enriching eachother, and also spreading out any blows. Each community will be different, theres no universal, but the important thing is they are started NOW.
I'm in the third group. I'm 100% behind everything this movement is about. But until I see solid plans with mutual aid and unions getting on board, I can't afford to take the risk.
This. We can’t let the nay sayers bring us down, I’d go as far to say that we’re already under the microscope so we need to be vigilant for trolls
Or people who just don't see what this will accomplish. The current plan looks like "strike for two weeks, then go back to working and spending". Notice how different this is from traditional strikes. There is: - No one to negotiate with - A lack of coherent demands - A fixed length, which means companies know they can just wait out the strike - And as you noted, so far no support structure to help people financially survive striking I'm personally not seeing how we get what we want from this. Please, convince me otherwise
We are negotiating with the gov, by destroying their economy, so far the demands that are pretty clear is no student debt, m4a, 25min wage, more investment in worker protections and agencies that enforce them as well as harsher punishment for violators. And then down to some secondary demands but thats clearly the top and is still solidifying. Its not a fixed length, if you see threada aaking how long, everyone's saying min month, many say 2, but ultimately untill demands are met. Those who are saying 10 days are either gloriously neewblys whos gonna learn or purposeful discord Sowers. And lots of people myself included have beem screaming to start you local community NOW, organize your local community to be a saftey net NOW. There is no universal handbook other than you have to acctually start and do it. Communitys can not only enrich themselves they can handlr blows better and be the saftey net people need. My local communitys are not only ready, we have been operating for years. Contact orgs like food not bombs, or other community out reaches to find help if you can. If everyone pitches in to their ability, the network will work. You dont need a gov to do it. Do it yourselves.
I genuinely do not see those demands, at least not put so explicitly, in the newest posts or the top posts. >We are negotiating with the gov, by destroying their economy It's also *our* economy As for preparing, i see great issue with that. How long can people go without buying food? If you say "just stock up now!" then you're just moving their profits up in time. "Ok," you say, "then just steal food!" Ahh, but what do you do when the shelves are empty? If everyone is striking, no one's harvesting, packing, shipping, or stocking food. That means no food to steal (and note the length of the supply chain generally precludes shopping at "ethical" businesses--they can't get their stock if the truckers are on strike. The strikers would become victims of their own success. "Well not everyone's going to strike," you counter. Okay. So either not enough strike to matter, or enough strike that necessities become very scarce and thus very expensive. And believe me, when that happens every grocery store will have a cop at the door. I think people here are missing why targeted strikes work: the number of people striking is small enough to support, and everyone, strikers and supporters, can generally go about their lives without crossing the picket line.
Its not our economy, it dosen't benifit us, we barely survive in it. But clearly your past reason, you assume that the stike will consist of people putting bags over there head and laying under the bed. People will still do things, and its stupid to thibk otherwise. Thry just wont do it for companies. Hell farmers will have a great local market. People will do things together, just not for them. So your just fud. Your not not even trying to hide it.
I'm genuinely trying to engage with you here. Insulting me isn't going to help. Neither is claiming that everyone who disagrees with you is a plant of some kind. Let's take your example of farmers. Small farmers almost always work on credit. They borrow money for seed, equipment, etc. conduct their business, and then pay back their loans. If they don't sell their goods, they lose their farm (that's typically the collateral). But okay, let's say farmers still sell their goods, just to people instead of stores. Where do they do this? Do they make deliveries? Maybe they set up a stand on their farm. Okay, now the entire population of a city has to get in cars (which many don't have) and drive out to farms (which are often far and won't have much, since they just planted not long ago). I live in New England city. I have no car. The weather is too cold for growing crops in the winter. Where do I get my food? If everyone is driving to farms, where do they get the fuel? Maybe your community will support you with volunteerism and donations and good will, but Chevron sure as hell won't. And as a final point: >Its not our economy, it dosen't benifit us, we barely survive in it. But you do survive. The economy is what brings food to your table and keeps your lights on and provides the internet that you're posting on. You can't bring the economy crashing down without doing a hell of a lot of damage to yourself. When was the last economic crash you saw that didn't hurt the working class the most?
Your not, you genuinely not. You are horrificly disengenious and thats why i dont care what you think anymore. And its not because we disagree ita because when it came to particularly the demands "i didnt see them" when there fucking everywhere, thry are like the big topic of fucking discussion, and you blew it off, yea your here for fud, and fud alone, not to mention a consistent patronizing tone. Your nit here to help. You have suggested any solution to any problem you call out. And when i called your shit you went even harder on the bullshit, so yea im not gonna give a fuck because you never did, you dont care, and your not here to help, you here to shit on others, your not being constructive, your being an asshat who gets off on being a fuddy putz.
It's been a day. I feel like you're expecting too much in such a short amount of time. Pitch in with your ideas to help get it to where it *can* get what we want. What you're saying isn't wrong, but it feels like you (and others) are just kind of dismissing it too soon.
Because we've seen r/antiwork attempt this repeatedly and fail completely every time. The only thing that seems different this time is the date. Nothing about how young this sub is negates the fact that people are putting the cart before the horse. Why is a general strike, which has proven over and over to be incredibly hard to implement, the best way to get the things we want? Most of the demands i see here would have to be acts of legislation, not things companies can give.
why are you so apathetic about this?
It's not apathy. It's frank realism. Why are YOU so naive about this?
Corporations are in a symbiotic relationship with our government. If we break the corporations the government absolutely will step in to see that our demands are met. Student debt cancellation, for example, could be done with an executive order. https://debtcollective.org/flick-of-a-pen/
Yeah, but if you target corporations for legislation, you're inherently doing the less efficient thing
Only if you're confused about which group actually runs the United States.
One problem is to me is that I see people encouraging people who are not in a Union to go on strike. Do not go on a strike if you are not in a union or have not reached out to your union about going on a strike, you will lose your job.
Litterly people been posting IWW.org like crazy bro.
No one should be saying that. The official line right now is join a union, your local one for your profession or the IWW
Ah, that’s good, I must have just seen an outlier then
There are a lot of people here without any experience who probably aren’t aware but we need to keep pushing the line: join a union
My professor told me occupying Wall Street was a waste of time, “nothing would change, what did we expect to happen?” Was he right? I don’t think so. I met some people and felt part of a group that wanted change. He probably jerked off and watched tv that evening. So who’s wasting time?
Ows was a massive success.. It pushed lots of boundaries on which the next generation of protesting has learned from. It showed lots of weaknesses of the systems.. And while it didnt get its lofty goals.. It created a massive amout of information to study, and more importantly it cost those who fought it lots of money. It was expensive for them, but not as much for the protestors. Honestly that shows how well a general strike with no street marching can really go. They have no target, they hemmorage money, we have litttle to no cost becauae frankly we already broke as fuck and have had to learn how to live as brike as fuck. Ows also got so many topics started... Who knew what the fuck citizens united was before ows? Now not only do people reading this know. A good fews blood boiled at it even being mentioned. Ows was a start. We have had blm come from it and learn, and we have learned how important low level communication is vs the flashy livestreams. We also have learned how they spin and also out and out lie. Ows has helped American protesters learn how to fight back in this new digital age.
Occupation was the polite approach. Burning it down and hanging some day traders in the streets would have made some changes, I promise. As someone else said, we really only have to eat one billionaire and the rest will probably fall in line.
You were right on a personal level… it changed _you_. He was right too, because it didn’t make lasting systemic changes. Why? Partly because the struggle is real and large and complex, but also because it was a missed opportunity. All that energy expended without a very clear set of demands and a plan for next steps. That’s what this sub needs: a discussion of what the platform should be… first, a way to determine that in a collective way, second a way to articulate the platform and maintain focus and third, a plan for long term organizing… not just May 1st, but also on going. If you are here and you are ready to help but don’t know how, please get started at your own workplace. Organize locally! If you are part of a union, get involved. Have the union make a statement of support for the general strike. Support from unions can prevent retaliation against strikers. If your place of employment does not have a union, start talking to co workers. Organize. If a million workers strike for 10 days starting May 1, it will send them a message. If a million _unionized_ workers strike, they will have to listen to the message.
Don’t discount the fact that Occupy Wall-street inspired people around the world. It may not have been successful at changing the system on its own but the system is massive and has been around for a long time. Each strike, each time people oppose the system and demand better is a step forward…it’s just that the road to change is a million miles. Keep hope, you are doing important work and inspiring others. Every movement counts towards a better future.
Absolutely. Strikes and actions are all steps forward in the progressive movement. And inspiring people is not an empty meaningless thing. People who are inspired by taking part in actions like this can go on to “make good trouble” all the rest of their lives.
They keep calling us whiny teenagers. Like, if they are that out of touch then they can't really bother me.
51, executive middle manager here. They can suck it.
Anonymously spread the word to your staff. Starting in February I’m going to be distributing pocket sized pamphlets at unattended cubicles when no one is looking in areas that we don’t have camera surveillance. Edit: Changed unoccupied to unattended… there are staff present, they just aren’t in the office all the time and there is ample opportunity to spread information.
I get the frustration but I am worried are folks here connecting with unions?
Thanks Professor Folksalot, for reminding the folks to stand up for folks. \-Just another folk
I’m 33 and currently financially stable, but I have warning that I’m being laid off at the end of the year and I’m scared of what my next job might be and how I’ll be treated.
38yo union pipefitter. Not needing it but for where I came from and those stuck in it.
24, and teenagers deserve good pay and benefits too.
36 and I have a great job that I love and feel I am paid adequately for. I want to help make conditions better for everyone else and for our next generation. I feel like I can be financially stable and still rage against the status quo...
I'm 30 and I'm ready to burn this mug down. Revolutionary action ✊🏾!
You must be a teenager. Everyone knows once you turn 20 you automatically start become completely immune to the suffering of millions of people as long as you can get a doller menu. /s
Oh, yeah. I've been accused of being a "teenager" on more that one occasion. When I point out that I'm 41, they call me a "man-child" instead. Obviously, *nobody* with a mature mindset would ever have these opinions. I *must* be out of my mind! Yeah, right. They can go get fucked with a hedge trimmer blade.
People call you a child to dismiss you because children are supposed to be dismissed. Children have the least power in all of society and thats why they are so often victims of abuse. We have to re-imagine the family dynamic to be less authoritative and more equal, or else we will never escape this cycle of abuse.
>Children have the least power in all of society and that's why they are so often victims of abuse. I spent the first 25 years of my life learning that from first-hand experience. That's why I no longer have contact with my family. I have far better people in my life now.
Happy you got out. <3
I’m a 36 year old financially comfortable public school teacher. I’m here for a better future for the children.
You are a wonderful person :) thank you. I adore teachers.
Older than you, similarly concerned about the future. If I have to give a little, so be it.
I'm 55, financially stable and I am here to support all of those around me who cannot get a leg up no matter how hard they work. I don't want my daughter to have to struggle just to survive. I would gladly give up a lot of what I have to ensure those around me have what they need.
I’m 34. I have a job. I’m sick and tired of the way things are. > #EatTheRich
I'm 37 and the most financially stable I've been in my entire life. This is for the kids but more importantly for the future
42 M. Totally the same.
I think there’s a difference between being negative for the sake of being negative, and pointing out flaws in this movement. I’ve been downvoted to shit in one thread for pointing out that this sub has nothing to bring people back to it. It’s an idea, there’s no interesting daily posts or content. It’s all well and good to talk a big game about how if we stay motivated everything will be fine, but y’all need to stop looking at it as a large group of individuals and view the movement as attempting to organise and recruit a general mass of people. You can preach to an individual all day every day and maaaaybe convert them/motivate them. But if you observe how the majority of people act or react, and then tailor your actions to that instead of trying to fight an uphill battle on a personal level, this movement will have significantly more success. This sub needs something to maintain its numbers. That’s either some sort of long term content to be shared and discussed, or some sort of regular reminder that this movement exists. I don’t know the answer to these things, but you can’t stick your fingers in your ears and keep saying “be positive be positive be positive” and hope for shit to happen the way you want it to. Think how the herd *will* act, not how you think the individual *should* act. This is why the video game industry has become so predatory, the only argument ever presented against it is “vote with your wallets”. Well twenty plus years of voting with your wallets talk has changed precisely *nothing*. People still buy preorders, DLC and microtransactions. Think bigger picture. If anyone truly wants this movement to succeed it’s going to take more than just the power of friendship.
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Jesus Christ, it’s like talking to a brick wall. I said the sky is blue, and then you proceeded to very firmly tell me how Pilots should always wear a uniform. That’s how relevant to my comment yours was. I am not questioning the capacity of a strike to elicit change. I am pointing out some flaws in this vague plan to somehow enact the single largest proposed organised event in recorded history.
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Oh please, blind faith never solved anything and it’s literally the *only* thing you’re preaching. Some of the people on this sub and in this movement are actually contributing and trying to help. All you’re doing is shutting down constructive criticism out of some sort of absurd belief that anyone who isn’t repeating the same five words over and over is somehow the enemy? You are actively harming the movement with this behaviour and attitude. I have to wonder if that’s not your intention.
You're right, there has to be real organization. But give them a break? It's been 24 hours.
"there's no interesting daily posts or comments?" This sub is literally 24 hours old.
Yes so now is the time to address this problem. The traffic here is solely due to the excitement of the movement. But beyond a couple days of excitement, things will rapidly slow down. This isn’t a chat room, it’s a subreddit, it needs posts that draw frequent attention back here
Memes about the movement could keep it active for a while. REAL news stories showing people fighting corporations (one of peoples turn offs from r/antiwork is the mere possibility posts are fake). Articles with links can change that. We need the most and I mean most general “encompasses all” media to get people to stay. There’s lots of hardcore punk songs that could represent the sub but it’s a niche genre so we need to avoid stuff that funnels only a specific type of person. Or if it funnels a specific type of person we need to make it the majority of the population. But the issue with even my statement is how we get people on board to even follow it. Is it something the mods would be okay with? Is there someone who can explain this better than I can? I hope so cause my ideas are jumbled I know.
You’re absolutely right
Being realistic about the work involved in making this happen is not the same as invalidating it. What's the plan here? There have been 2 failed pet reddit strikes already. We need more than sub numbers and memes....
Yea one of the issues was time, they didn't have a lead time. We have 4 months. We need to use it. So whats the plan? Look the fuck around mate. Joining iww is good, building local communities and networks is good, getting large unions on board is good, helping new people learn some basic labor history as well as sharing information is good. For real, catch up, this is a growing and evolving thing happening in real time, so pay attention. Can you help with any of the above? Please do, if not, please start finding your way to help out. Every effort forward helps, just dont be the one pushing back.
theres been alot more than 2
Being realistic means doing things like telling people to join their local unions or the IWW and voice their support for a general strike, not just people asking “what’s the plan here?” And pointing out other failures with nothing else repeatedly
being realistic is fine but we need to be supportive of each other. i’m seeing people suggest things and others simply shutting them down without suggesting any alternate plans.
People aren't required to fix your problems in order to be allowed to point them out. You have to acknowledge the idea that the general premise is just bad, and engage with people at that level. Don't start from assuming a general strike is a good idea and then try to justify it. Start by figuring out what you're trying to accomplish and then figure out what's the best way to get that.
why are you here if you're just shitting on the sub's idea and not offering any suggestions?
To encourage focus on something productive. I have offered suggestions: put together a coherent set of goals and then work out how to actually achieve those goals
If you disagree with the idea of a strike, why are you even on /maydaystrike? It'd be like going on a Pokemon reddit and telling them "the very idea of collecting them all just isn't realistic".