The IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) is a trades union with a courageous and heroic history. Formed in America over 100 years ago, it had hundreds of thousands of members at the start of the 20th century.
Although we are taught that the USA is democratic, the people of the IWW were attacked, banned and many killed by bosses and government who where determined to stop workers winning fair pay and rights.
The IWW won much and their ideas had an even greater influence. 100 years ago they ensured some of the first 8 hours working days - a radical step back then, but something that has become common today.
Long before the leadership of Martin Luther King, the IWW were one of the few organisations to unite members of all races and backgrounds at a time when racial segregation divided peoples across America.
Women played a leading roll in all of the Union’s struggles. Many of the IWW’s main leaders were women at a time before women had won the right to vote in US general elections.
Many songs arose from the Union’s struggles, a romantic image has evolved around the ‘Wobblies’ (the union's nickname). Also many words have entered the English langauge from the IWW’s history.
Film Night
Eat The Rich
Wed. 27. 1. 10
Cafe Draig Goch,
Caernarfon ++ info
Photos of the
Radical History
Tour Llanberis ++ info
It is hoped to establish branches of the IWW in both south and north Wales. How about joining?
