strike

Grunwick Strike (1976-1978)

1946-1989, Date, Defining the Enemy, Privatization, Strike, Subjectives of Refusal, Tactics of Disruption, The Bourgeoisie, Women, Workers

The Grunwick strike in London involved predominantly Asian women workers at Grunwick Film Processing Laboratories, led by Jayaben Desai. They went on strike demanding better working conditions, fair pay, and union recognition. The strike garnered widespread support from trade unions and labor activists but faced significant opposition, including police violence. Despite the strong solidarity, the strike ended without achieving its goals. However, it is remembered as a key moment in British labor history, highlighting issues of race, gender, and workers’ rights. Below, there are newspaper articles and original photos from their strike efforts.

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Blockade, Occupy, Strike Back (2012)

2011-Present, Authority, Blockade/Barricade, Date, Defining the Enemy, Occupation, Sabotage/Ecotage, Strike, Students, Subjectives of Refusal, Tactics of Disruption

This is a guide that was distributed by anarchists during the 2012 student strikes and social conflicts in Montreal. The document provides step-by-step instructions on how to form crews, how to create paint bombs, how to occupy a space, how to conduct a street demonstration, as well as other important tactics.

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Workers! Students! – Jeunesse Communiste Révolutionnaire (1968)

1946-1989, Authority, Date, Defining the Enemy, Disruptive Spaces, Institutions, Occupation, Privatization, Strike, Students, Subjectives of Refusal, Subjects Redefined, Tactics of Disruption, The Bourgeoisie, The Workplace, Urban Spaces, Workers

Jeunesse Communiste Révolutionnaire, a French Trotskyist organization, wrote this piece, describing the transition from a student revolt into a general strike of workers contesting capitalist society during the May 1968 events. The organization included a list of demands and called on other workers and students to join them in the future actions they will take in their fight against the current system.

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An Eyewitness Account by a Libertarian Communist (1968)

1946-1989, Authority, Date, Defining the Enemy, Disruptive Spaces, Institutions, Occupation, Privatization, Strike, Students, Subjectives of Refusal, Subjects Redefined, Tactics of Disruption, The Bourgeoisie, The Workplace, Urban Spaces, Workers

This document is a firsthand account of the events that occurred in Paris, France during the May 1968 time of unrest. The anonymous author describes the various strikes, occupations, and other actions taken by workers and students between the period of May 3rd to May 18th.

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Proclamation of the Striking Textile Workers of Lawrence (1912)

1840-1945, Date, Disruptive Spaces, Strike, Subjectives of Refusal, Tactics of Disruption, The Workplace, Workers

This document is the proclamation of the striking textile workers of Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1912 – known as the Bread and Roses Strike. The workers went on strike due to the low wages and long hours. This proclamation elaborates on the reasons for their strike and the challenges they have faced at the hands of people in power.

“We, the 20,000 textile workers of Lawrence, are out on strike for the right to live free from slavery and starvation; free from overwork and underpay; free from a state of affairs that had become so unbearable and beyond our control, that we were compelled to march out of the slave pens of Lawrence in united resistance against the wrongs and injustice of years and years of wage slavery.”

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On the General Strike – Bill Haywood (1911)

1840-1945, Date, Disruptive Spaces, Strike, Subjectives of Refusal, Tactics of Disruption, The Workplace, Workers

This speech was given by Bill Haywood regarding general strikes in countries such as Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. He explains the importance and power of the general strike.

“So the general strike is a fighting weapon as well as a constructive force. It can be used, and should be used, equally as forcefully by the Socialist as by the Industrial Worker.”

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Letter from the Strike Committee – Lawrence, Massachusetts (1912)

1840-1945, Date, Disruptive Spaces, Strike, Subjectives of Refusal, Tactics of Disruption, The Workplace, Workers

This letter is from the striking textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1912. It is written to the president of the  American Woolen Co. William M. Wood. The letter explains that workers can no longer bear the working conditions and will not be pushed back into submission. It also provides a list of demands.

“We, the committee, would like to know if the militia, the special policemen, and the Pinkerton detectives, recently brought into this city, know anything about the textile industry except to bayonet and club honest workingmen into submission?”

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Our Lives are at Stake – Shell Strike (1973)

1946-1989, Date, Disruptive Spaces, Strike, Subjectives of Refusal, Tactics of Disruption, The Workplace, Workers

This pamphlet tells the story of the United States Shell Strike in 1973. It includes descriptions of working conditions, exploitation of workers, and the strike itself.

“Shell’s vast wealth comes from its long history of exploiting workers not only in this country, but even more so the working people and resources of the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America”

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