From deke@wps.com Fri Nov 11 18:17:51 1994 Received: from mail.igc.apc.org (mail.igc.apc.org [192.82.108.38]) by fido.wps.com (8.6.9/8.6.9) with ESMTP id SAA16396 for ; Fri, 11 Nov 1994 18:16:17 -0800 Received: from igc.apc.org (igc.apc.org [192.82.108.1]) by mail.igc.apc.org (8.6.9/Revision: 1.51 ) with SMTP id SAA08638 for ; Fri, 11 Nov 1994 18:15:44 -0800 Received: (from freevoice@localhost) by igc.apc.org (8.6.9/Revision: 1.183 ) id SAA29774; Fri, 11 Nov 1994 18:15:43 -0800 Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 18:15:43 -0800 From: Freevoice Message-Id: <199411120215.SAA29774@igc.apc.org> To: iww-list@fido.wps.com Subject: stuff in the mail Cc: lawobbly@aol.com Status: OR Enclosed are the text of several letters that were included in our current mailing from the Philadelphia GMB. Also enclosed were 3 different sheets of fundraising stamps, and copies of Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervins new book, which we recently printed in Philade lphia. The mailing was sent out to the entire list of IWW delegates as given to us by the Clearinghouse. If you are a delegate and you do not receive the mailing by about the 15th, please contact us. In Solidarity, Josie, x341890 ------------------------------------------------------------ Fellow Workers, Enclosed is a selection of different materials we hope will be some small part of a revitalized IWW. We have included a selection of new stamps for use in funding new and innovative projects, a more detailed proposal of what we see as the Film Workers O rganization, and, for each branch, a copy of Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin's new book. Each individual Wob, group or branch has contributions they have made and will make to the union. Each contribution is unique, and this diversity is our strength. If we alienate those we disagree with we will be poorer indeed. We hope that we can each support each others projects, grow and prosper together, even if we might disagree on specific issues. Enclosed are fundraising stamps for the Black/People of Color Workers Organizing Drive, the Duplication Workers Network, and the De-centralized Archive (We also cooperated with the Salt Lake City GMB to produce a Solidarity stamp for their Staley Workers support activities which they are distributing separately). Over the past few months many IWW groups and branches have been developing new (old) ways of sharing ideas and supporting each other's projects directly. The materials in this packet are meant to further this effort. By providing each other with direct information as well as concrete ways to extend lateral support we can simultaneously strengthen local organizing efforts and build a more informed and networked international solidarity. The enclosed stamps are all valued at $5 and are not "official" assessment stamps. They are intended as an aid in fundraising from membership, and we ask that you set aside the money you collect with them and mail them directly to the project they are i ntended to support. We also ask that you list them on your delegate reports as "voluntary contributions", and inform the Clearinghouse of the amount you collected for each project. While membership dues to the IWW must remain very low so as not to restrict membership, often we can contribute more than our dues, both in time, money, and other resources to make revolutionary unionism a reality. Many of us can spare an extra $10 or $2 0 per month above and beyond dues. If we can split this extra donation between local branch projects and other union projects (for example by purchasing a stamp) we can begin to build a strong lateral funding network. Also, if you would like stamps prin ted for your projects, contact the Philadelphia branch to work it out. The proceeds from the sale of Duplication Workers stamps, and De-centralized Archive stamps should be made payable to "IWW" and sent to the Philadelphia GMB. The proceeds from the sale of Black/People of Color Organizing Drive stamps should be made paya ble to "IWW" and sent to FW Lorenzo Ervin at 218 Adair Ct. #5, Decatur GA 30030. We also encourage you to order our locally produced literature, please contact us for special IWW discounts. Together, We Will Win! ------------------------------------------------------------Dear Sister and Fellow Workers, I do not correspond often to the union as a whole, as some wobs do, but the occasion of this month's referendum moves me to lure all of you to Philadelphia if I can. I've had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of you during the last three General assem blies, and you may remember my short but noble stint on the Executive Board. In case you're wondering what happened to me, I had been on the board for about ten weeks when it was discovered that I'd been out of good standing for fifteen days between my e lection as the first alternate and the time of my being called to serve. While I am happy with my GEB service (I got my reports in promptly and faithfully took part in all of the board's decisions during my watch), I must confess that this is embarrassin g. From here on in, it's dues first, women and children second! But getting back to the purpose of my letter, I urge you to VOTE PHILADELPHIA as the site of the 1995 General assembly. We are a relatively new branch, but we are very active, and I dare say innovative in our organizing. We are home to the Duplication Workers Network and Monkeywrench Press. We have established strong ties with several other branches, and have helped some new groups come into existence or upgrade their capacity to publish. We are ready, willing and certainly quite able to host the ass embly, and we regard the prospect as more than appropriate. Here are some reasons to do it here: 1. There has not been an assembly on the east coast in a very long time (has there ever been one?) and it would bring out plenty of those active Wobs who don't have the leisure to travel thousands of miles each September for a weekend of IWW planning and networking. Our comrades in the UK would have a much easier time dropping in. 2. Southeast Michigan hosted the assembly three years ago. We know that they'd do another terrific job, but we'd like to take our turn, and place our town back into the history of the union in a way that will be shared with Wobs from all over. Come an d walk along the docks that were organized by Wobbly Ben Fletcher back in 1913. Let us show you a house where Voltairine de Cleyre lived. Learn more about the only US city ever to suffer aerial bombardment from US Government aircraft. 3. We'd love to have you and we'll see that you'll enjoy the visit. We take the idea of hospitality seriously, and we've enjoyed the hospitality of Fellow and Sister Workers enough times elsewhere. It's time for us to reciprocate! So hop on a bus, ride a freight, or fly or drive in to see us next Labor Day. But first, don't forget to vote us into your travel plans! Yours In Solidarity Bob Helms X341465 ------------------------------------------------------------Funding Proposal for the Film Workers Organization in 1995. Introduction The Film Workers Organization (FWO) was formed in the Summer of 1994 by the LA GMB, largely on the initiative of FW Miguel Sanchez, a film worker and Branch Secretary. Despite the apparent strength of Unions in the film industry, FW Sanchez's experiences organizing with the current union's made it very clear that large areas of the industry were being ignored, despite strong pro-union feeling among the workers. Interestingly, the AFL-CIO unions agreed. First some background. The current AFL-CIO unions organizing the film industry are grouped under an umbrella association called IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). Within IATSE each trade is organized separately, with its own b ureaucracy and dues structures. Each local of each trade is organized separately, so an IATSE cameraman in NY cannot work at an IATSE film in LA without paying new dues and initiation fees, and meeting other membership requirements of the LA local. As I ATSE initiation fees run as high as $8000 and dues run about $1000/year, there is really no mobility within IATSE ranks. Basically all the major studios are organized by IATSE, and almost all work performed on a studio lot is locked in by IATSE unions. However, IATSE must organize every film produced off a studio lot (On Location) separately. While IATSE organizes big bud get films produced on location (that is films with budgets of over $8,000,000), it has shown no interest in smaller films. By IATSE's own figures, currently 52% of films are now made without an IATSE contract. Given IATSE's financial resources and stren gth in the industry, this fact may seem surprising, except for one crucial point: IATSE is a guild devoted to maintaining high wages and no competition for its members. While studio jobs are shrinking and location jobs are growing, organizing workers on location would increase union membership and allow more workers to compete for the better paying and easier studio jobs. IATSE does engage in a small amount of organizing, as it is legally obliged to answer requests from f! ilm workers, but this seldom results in contracts, and the organized workers are seldom allowed into the union. Aside from the high initiations and dues require by IATSE, joining the union is also predicated in working for 29 days in one year on IATSE films. Since films are very short, often 15 to 20 day shoots, and work on IATSE sites limited to IATSE members, th is means that an individual worker might have to organize 2 or 3 films into IATSE before becoming eligible to join the union (this would be conditional on IATSE following through with a contract as well.) As you might imagine, this is virtually impossibl e for film workers to achieve. It is not uncommon for workers to successfully organize with IATSE, and still end up without a contract and excluded from the union. Naturally, there is considerable disillusionment with and resentment towards IATSE amongst unorganized film workers. Still, it is common knowledge in the industry that you are considerably better off organized, and when approached film workers sign cards at rates of 90% or better. The issue for most film workers is not whether they should unionize or not, but rather if they can get unionized given IATSE's obstinate refusal to cooperate. Given this situation, FWs Sanchez and Willett realized that only by starting a new union to organize the unorganized of the film industry could the workers make any progress. From very modest beginnings the FWO has had a high rate of success in signing u p members (70% of those approached), and has already been commented on by the industry (see attached clippings). Currently, the biggest difficulty is making sure that the FWO has the resources to fight and deliver on its potential. So what's holding the FWO back? Currently, the FWO has no money, and a small number of members. The LA GMB and the FWO have no fax or email capabilities, no computer to maintain member databases, organize record keeping or assist in literature production, limited capability to print or mail, and limited ability to get legal advice and consultation in a timely fashion. LA's geographic dispersion and poor public transportation also limits the ability of spare time activists to regularly meet in person, and simultaneously, as unorganize d film workers often work 18 hour days (six hours for commuting and sleep) the ability to build and maintain a drive is severely limited at times. This has resulted in an effort, on the part of the organizers, not to reach out to a larger membership unti l such time as the FWO can promptly return calls, negotiate contracts and organize. Clearly, if the IWW gets a reputation for being an unreliable organization, 70% positive responses will soon turn into 99% negatives. What's being done? The fundamental resource in any drive is the people. As such, several organizers from around the country have volunteered to get the effort off the ground by temporarily moving to LA to do the ground work. While the LA GMB and FWO consist of many capabl e and committed people, an operating union requires more than a few hours a week to function. FW Josie from Philadelphia will be spending 16 weeks in LA, from February to May, building up the guts of the FWO. In addition, FWs Helms from Philadelphia, an d Ervin from Atlanta have committed to extended stays, and other FWs from the East and West Coast as well as the South have also tentatively committed to extended stays in LA to make the drive a reality. Combining forces in this way we expect to have bet ween 40 and 60 hours per week committed on behalf of the FWO. Given the human resources the next step is to make sure that those hours are used efficiently and effectively. The following are our goals to make the drive grow according to its possibilities: Stage One: 1) Develop computer and communication infrastructure to deal with maintaining phone/fax/mail/email connections, membership and organizing databases, financial record keeping, and literature layout and design. 2) Train FWO and LA GMB membership in effective use of this infrastructure. 3) Develop a standard "Industry Contract" to act as the basis of negotiations with film producers. 4) Train FWO and LA GMB members as organizers and administrators of the FWO. 5) Develop adequate infrastructure to house and maintain itinerant IWW organizers. 6) Organize benefits, and set fundraising goals to support continued growth of FWO and LA GMB. Stage Two: 1) Generate broad familiarity with the FWO through leafleting, advertising and media work. 2) Target particular films and generate debate on the "Industry Contract". 3) Generate a contact list of 500 to 1000 film workers, with an FWO membership in the IWW of between 200 to 500, with a core of 100 to 200 remaining active throughout the year. Stage Three 1) Using the core membership and contact list to comprehensively organize the Industry in the 1996 film cycle (starting January 1996) along the lines stated above. 2) Using the LA based membership and funding core generated by dues moneys to open FWO locals in other areas with large film industry presence's, specifically San Francisco, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Philadelphia. In addition, we will be targeting New York, Miami, Toronto, and Baja, Mexico. The standard flaw in IWW organizing drives has been weak Administration and lack of long term stability, and we do not plan to make these mistakes. Stage One will be done primarily with the input of FW Josie and the LA members. FW Josie's experiences and success with the Monkeywrench Press and the Duplication Workers Network, as well as his computer, and publishing experiences will form the basis f or developing the FWO's infrastructure from January through early March. His commitment of 30 hours per week should provide sufficient for the stated goals. The formulation of an Industry Contract will be done with pro bono legal consultation, and a rel iable draft should be ready by late February. IWW members and supporters will provide housing and logistical support, and the newly reorganized LA Food Not Bombs will act to maintain food support. Stage Two will start in late February, once we are confident that we can handle a growing membership, and host larger numbers of IWW activists, and continue through the following months with a strong drive planned from April to May. It will be at this po int that we will best be able to judge the effectiveness of the drive and benefit from the long and tiresome infrastructure work of Stage One. With a solid base of membership in Stage Two the FWO will be able to continue on its own footing. With the dues money generated in Stage Two, as well as ongoing fundraising, the FWO should be funding independent by late 1995 and be able to start repaying the loan from the Nelson Funds. Simultaneously, with a core of active, trained and experienced organizers in LA, the need for outside assistance will significantly diminish and Stage Three will be basically an FWO affair. What can the FWO bring to the IWW? First off, it is fulfilling the historic mission of the IWW, organizing the unorganized, and that should be clear enough. Second it provides us with a strong basis to help train IWW organizers from around the country and to share the skills we currently posses. Third, it will result in a significant increase in our membership base, from the FWO, as well as from the cross fertilizing effects of organizing experience, renewal of a vital IWW and general publicity. Fourth, the FWO will bring in a significa nt number of skilled communication workers which will be instrumental in future efforts (this is in much the same way that IU 450 and the Duplication Workers Network have repaid the IWW many fold in printing and publishing capacity.) Lastly, and this should never be a deciding factor in IWW decision making, in order for the FWO to generate its continuing funds, we will be signing up members on a six month basis. Since almost all film workers fall into max dues category, signing up wi th the FWO will entail a commitment of 6 months dues plus initiation, or $84. While this would be high in another industry, the $1000 per year IATSE dues and $8000 initiation fees make this seem a pittance. This would bring the Clearing house $42 per ne w member, or $4200 for 100 new members, or $21000 for 500 new members (the same amount would also be generated for the FWO) Clearly the numbers speak to the fiscal conservatives within the union. Such a request for money up front from the film workers can only be justified if the FWO can deliver on some basic services, such as regular mailings, prompt return of inquiries, ability to negotiate contracts, and provide legal aid. What does the FWO needs financially? The FWO's needs can be summarized as follows: 1) $2000 to cover purchase of computer/fax/email hardware. 2) $1200 to cover phone/email charges over first 12 months ($100/month.) 3) $2000 to cover printing/Xeroxing over first 12 months. 4) $2000 for trade advertising. 5) $1500 legal contingency fund. 6) $1300 miscellaneous expenses arising out of supporting itinerant IWWs. Item 1 represents current pricing for computer equipment that can reliably provide the needed services. Item 2 is a very modest request, and the difference will be made up through local fundraising and branch contributions. Item 3 is also very modest given current costs. A significant part will go towards purchase of a mid volume copier (60,000 copies per month) available through the Duplication Workers Network project to make IWW groups printing independent. Included will be training by FW Josie on self teching the machine, eliminating the need for costly service contracts. Similar copiers are being used to good effect by the Philadelphia, and Paterson IWW, as well as the IWW Black/People of Color organizing drive. Item 4 represents modest advertising in trade publications. A 1/16 page ad in the Hollywood Reporter running every 3rd week will run $206 per add, or $1236 for 4 1/2 months. A similar ad in Dramalog $130 per add, or $780 for 4 1/2 months, and a 2" x 1" ad in International Variety $90, or $540 for the full run. These ads are vital to building broad recognition of the FWO, and gaining the support of film workers who often work in small numbers on isolated sets. These publications often represent the onl y common grounds in the industry. Item 5 is so that we can provide a some legal protection to FWO members who suffer because of organizing, and also so that we can negotiate contracts effectively when the opportunity arises. While IWW defense campaigns have built solidarity in the past, an organizing drive that cannot provide immediate legal support for its members fails one of the critical tests of organizing today. We intend to continue old style defense campaigns, but for the unlucky stiff who just lost his job, immediate help makes all the difference. Item 6 is intended to keep itinerant IWW organizers alive in the effort. Currently a stipend of $35 per week is envisioned for itinerant organizers who are not independently wealthy. Housing and aid will be provided by the LA GMB, but the GMB does not h ave the resources to meet many of the basic human needs for an extended period. $35 per week or $5 per day is intended only so that organizers will not have to fear hunger, or spend valuable organizing time bumming change for a toothbrush or underwear. For one FW Josie is not independently wealthy, and deserves to be kept alive while working to build a fighting IWW. Financial Statement The FWO will make a Quarterly Financial Report, stating the current financial state of the organization, and income and expenses subdivided by category. This Report will be issued starting on the 1st calendar year quarter after the FWO receives sufficien t moneys to computerize. The FWO provides the guarantee that all material infrastructure that remain in the event that the FWO is dissolved will revert to the LA GMB for future efforts, and unspent moneys will be returned to the Nelson fund. For its part the LA GMB will turn ove r any material resources to the Clearinghouse in the event that it is dissolved. Conclusion The FWO represents one of the first cross IWW efforts at organizing in many years. It has the possibility of training and solidifying a new generations of organizers. It needs and will support IWWs from around the country, giving us a chance to work sho ulder to shoulder to create a living union. It also is one of the best bets out there for IWW growth and revitalization. While some will try to liken the FWO to past proposals for funding, it has many qualities lacking in previous proposals. It is a un ion organizing drive and nothing else. It is entirely inside the IWW, and all FWO members will be members of the IWW. Its goals are nothing other than organizing workers, at their workplaces, to collectively bargain today, and to build the new in the sh ell of the old tomorrow. It deserves your time, effort and support. ------------------------------------------------------------ What is the De-centralized Archive? The idea for the De-centralized Archive came out of the 1994 General Assembly in Santa Cruz. As we exchanged stories, we realized there is a lot more going on in the IWW than many of us tend to think. Unfortunately, we often don't hear the details of wh at's happening elsewhere unless we meet a Wob traveling through the area or we are able to attend a General Assembly. This means that many Wobblies never see the "small" things happening in the IWW. Presently there isn't really a forum for lateral commun ication between branches. Both the Industrial Worker and the General Organization Bulletin are vitally important parts of the Union, yet they give us the wide angle view of the union's activities. The IW covers the big picture, and cannot afford to feat ure news of every talk or demonstration or small pamphlet that every local group sponsors or produces. The GOB is for internal discussion, and if we included all the little events, we would risk loosing the discussion betwe! en all the notices. As individuals, groups and branches we are often searching for ideas about what to do next and how to go about doing it. Without examples of what is going on elsewhere we get the mis-impression that nothing is going on. This is one of the main reasons we loose so many of our new members, and it is important that we combat this misinformation. The De-centralized Archive is intended to be a GOB for IWW artifacts. Every time you flyer, have a talk, print a pamphlet, design a silent agitator, or do anything else as an IWW member, group, or branch that produces a physical artifact, make and put as ide an extra 50 copies (stamped or marked with your branch name/contact information if possible.) Then once a month or so, mail them to us in Philadelphia. We'll take everything we get and mail it out to every IWW branch and group once a quarter. If yo u can't send 50 copies, send as many as you can, and we'll try to make up the difference. In this way, once a quarter each branch and group will get a sort of grab bag full of IWW goodies. Ideal for looking through after a meeting, this packet may give us a sense of recent branch activites without the requirment that you spend a lot of time writing reports or articles; (although, if your branch chose to it could include copies of branch reports.) The de-centralized archiv! e exchange could function as a conduit whereby members with similar ideas and projects find out about eachother and get in touch. Hopefully the mailings would facilitate direct communication, cross-pollination of ideas, and more informed solidarity. The De-centralized Archive will not cost anything to the General Funds or the Organizing Funds of the IWW. Voluntary contributions through the use of the enclosed Decentralized Archive assesment stamps will allow the membership to directly support this project. We ask delegates that you set aside money collected through the use of the stamps, and send it to the Phila GMB directly at the address below (please mark the check or MO "De-centralized Archive"). Philadelphia General Membership Branch 4722 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19143