The Iww's Constitution: Preamble's Historical Context

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), founded in Chicago in 1905, is an international labour union with a powerful statement of intent outlined in the preamble of its constitution. The preamble, which has remained largely unchanged since 1905, is a revolutionary text that calls for the abolition of the wage system and the struggle against the employing class. With its roots in socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist ideologies, the IWW has branches across Canada and a history of activism in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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The IWW was founded in Chicago in 1905

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), whose members are nicknamed "Wobblies", is an international labour union founded in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 1905. The IWW was formed by representatives of 43 groups, including socialists, anarchists, Marxists, and radical trade unionists. The union's founding philosophy, outlined in its constitution's preamble, centres on revolutionary industrial unionism and opposition to capitalism.

The IWW's constitution, including its preamble, was drafted at the union's founding conference in Chicago in 1905. The preamble has remained largely unchanged since then and serves as a powerful statement of the IWW's intent and values. It asserts the inherent conflict between the working class and the employing class, advocating for the abolition of the wage system and the collective ownership of the means of production.

The IWW's founding in 1905 was a significant event, bringing together a diverse range of radical thinkers and activists. The union's founders included notable figures such as William D. ("Big Bill") Haywood, a former hard-rock miner and a leader of the Western Federation of Miners; Eugene V. Debs, the leader of the American Socialist Party; Mother Jones, a legendary fighter for miners' and children's rights; and Daniel De Leon, the leader of the Socialist Labor Party.

The IWW's founding convention, often referred to as the "Industrial Congress" or the "Industrial Union Convention", took place on June 27, 1905, and marked the official beginning of the organisation. The IWW's formation was a response to the perceived shortcomings of existing labour organisations, such as the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which the IWW criticised for its acceptance of capitalism and exclusion of unskilled workers from craft unions.

In the years following its founding, the IWW experienced significant growth and achieved many of its short-term goals. By 1917, the union's membership had reached over 150,000, with active wings in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The IWW played a prominent role in various labour strikes and campaigns, such as the Goldfield, Nevada, Miners' Strike (1906-07), where workers successfully fought for an eight-hour workday.

The IWW is an international labour union

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), whose members are nicknamed "Wobblies", is an international labour union founded in Chicago, United States, in 1905. The IWW combines general unionism with industrial unionism, as it is a general union subdivided between the various industries employing its members. The philosophy and tactics of the IWW are described as "revolutionary industrial unionism", with ties to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist labour movements.

The IWW was founded at a time when the American labour movement was in its infancy, and it quickly became known for its radical and inclusive approach to organising workers. Unlike other unions at the time, the IWW welcomed all workers, including women, immigrants, African Americans, and Asians, into the same organisation. This inclusive approach, combined with its focus on industrial unionism, made the IWW unique and attracted a diverse range of members, including a significant number of Finns. The Finnish-language newspaper of the IWW, Industrialisti, was the union's only daily paper, and at its peak, it ran 10,000 copies per issue.

In the 1910s and early 1920s, the IWW achieved many of its short-term goals, particularly in the American West, and it cut across traditional guild and union lines to organise workers in a variety of trades and industries. At its peak in August 1917, the IWW had an estimated membership of more than 150,000, with active wings in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The IWW's influence was particularly strong in Canada, where it competed with other radical and socialist organisations for members, and in Australia, where it produced the notable song "Bump Me Into Parliament", which is still current today.

Despite its successes, the IWW also faced challenges and scandals. In 1907, the Western Federation of Miners left the IWW, and the organisation was blamed for the defeat of the October 1916 conscription referendum. In December 1916, the Commonwealth government declared the IWW an illegal organisation, and during the war, more than 100 members in Australia were sentenced to imprisonment on political charges. Despite these setbacks, the IWW continued to organise and grow, and it remains active today with branches in several countries, including Canada and the United States. The IWW's constitution, including its powerful Preamble, has remained largely unchanged since its founding, and it continues to advocate for the rights and interests of working-class people worldwide.

The IWW's ideology combines general unionism with industrial unionism

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), founded in Chicago in 1905, is an international labour union with a unique ideology that combines general unionism with industrial unionism. This philosophy, known as "revolutionary industrial unionism", has links to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist labour movements.

As a general union, the IWW is subdivided between various industries that employ its members, including unskilled workers, non-whites, immigrants, women, and migrant workers. These groups faced discrimination and were often excluded from skilled workers' unions like the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which primarily represented white, male, skilled workers. By embracing a diverse range of workers, the IWW challenged racial, sexual, and ethnic divisions within the working class.

The IWW's commitment to industrial unionism is reflected in its belief in the historic mission of the working class to overthrow capitalism and abolish the wage system. They advocate for "one big union", uniting all workers as a social class to replace capitalism and wage labour with industrial democracy. This vision of industrial democracy includes workers electing their own managers and implementing grassroots democracy in the workplace, as exemplified by the Wobbly Shop model.

The IWW's approach to organising workers combines regional and industrial strategies. They conducted campaigns and strikes in various regions, including Portland, Chicago, and California, while also cutting across traditional guild and union lines to organise workers in multiple trades and industries. This dual approach contributed to their success in achieving short-term goals in the 1910s and early 1920s, particularly in the American West.

The IWW's ideology and tactics have evolved over time, adapting to changing contexts and campaign strategies. Despite facing challenges, persecution, and internal discord, the IWW has left a lasting impact on labour movements and continues to have active branches in various countries, advocating for the rights of workers, free speech, and civil rights.

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The IWW's philosophy is described as revolutionary industrial unionism

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), founded in Chicago in 1905, is an international labour union with a philosophy described as "revolutionary industrial unionism". IWW's ideology combines general unionism with industrial unionism, with ties to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist labour movements.

The IWW's philosophy centres around the belief in the revolutionary struggle to overthrow the employing class and the capitalist system. The union's motto, "an injury to one is an injury to all", reflects this belief. The IWW sought to promote worker solidarity and unity across different industries, regardless of skill level, race, gender, or immigration status. They welcomed all workers, including women, immigrants, African Americans, and Asians, into the same organisation, which was unique at the time.

The IWW's approach to organising workers was based on the idea of forming the structure of a new society within the existing one. They believed in organising workers by industry rather than by specialised skills, as was the practice of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). This approach allowed them to cut across traditional guild and union lines and organise workers in a variety of trades and industries.

The IWW's philosophy also included a commitment to constant struggle against employers and the rejection of collective bargaining agreements. They believed in the "'abolition of the wage system'" and saw themselves as a revolutionary organisation dedicated to this cause. They considered contracts with employers as hindrances to their revolutionary goals.

The IWW's revolutionary industrial unionism has been characterised by some as anarcho-syndicalism, although this term has been met with some resistance within the organisation. The IWW's philosophy has evolved over time, with a shift from socialist industrial unionism towards anarcho-syndicalist industrial unionism.

The IWW has ties to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist labour movements

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), founded in 1905, is an international labour union with ties to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist labour movements. Its members are nicknamed "Wobblies", although the origin of this nickname is uncertain. The IWW's philosophy and tactics are described as "revolutionary industrial unionism", and it combines general unionism with industrial unionism.

The IWW was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in June 1905, at a convention of 200 socialists, anarchists, Marxists, and radical trade unionists from across the United States. They strongly opposed the policies of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), criticising its acceptance of capitalism and its refusal to include unskilled workers in craft unions. The IWW believed that all workers should organise as a class, and its preamble, written in 1905, states that "the working class and the employing class have nothing in common".

The IWW's ties to socialist movements are evident in its founding members, who included members of the Socialist Party of America and the Socialist Labor Party of America. Additionally, William Trautmann, an editor for the brewery workers' union, was influenced by French syndicalism and Marxism and transferred these ideas to the American labour movement. Swedish immigrants, particularly those blacklisted after the 1909 Swedish General Strike, also joined the IWW and exerted a political influence on the Swedish labour movement's left, which formed the Syndicalist union SAC.

The IWW's anarchist ties are also significant. Many of its members were anarchists, and the organisation promoted worker solidarity in the revolutionary struggle to overthrow the employing class. The IWW's motto, "an injury to one is an injury to all", reflected this belief. While some have argued that the IWW is an anarchist or anarcho-syndicalist organisation, the IWW has officially dissociated itself from any single ideological dependence, emphasising its independence.

The IWW's syndicalist ties are evident in its philosophy and tactics, described as "revolutionary industrial unionism". This aligns with the basic idea of French revolutionary syndicalism, which views labour unions as cells of the future society. The IWW's structure, with subdivisions between various industries, also reflects syndicalist influences.

In summary, the IWW has historical and philosophical ties to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist labour movements, which have influenced its ideology, tactics, and membership. While the IWW has emphasised its independence, it has drawn from various labour movements to form its unique approach to labour organisation and class struggle.

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