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The Economics of Freedom: An Anarcho-syndicalist alternative to capitalism
[SolFed Booklets, 2003, cover price £2.50]
Anarcho-Syndicalism is about direct democracy – democracy from the bottom up – no party politicians, corporate managers or union leaders. This means decisions are made by all those present. Hence, we cannot be prescriptive about a future, decent economy. It will be decided by the people there at the time. Hopefully, it will happen soon, and everyone will be involved.
However, in the meantime, it's a cop-out to say, “we'll sort that out later” and fall back on abstract principles or vague concepts. So, we thought it would be useful to develop a detailed model (not a straightjacket) of how it could work. This is the result. |
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Health and safety at work: an anarcho-syndicalist approach
[SolFed Booklets, 2000, cover price £1.50]
Health, safety and welfare at work is a matter of life and death, whatever sort of work you do. In your bosses eyes, however, your welfare comes a poor second to profits. Is it time to look after your own health, safety and welfare at work? To get together with colleagues and crack it collectively? To know your rights, and make sure your employer complies with them? This pamphlet is an ideal starting point. It contains a new, critical analysis of health, safety and welfare standards at work in the context of capitalism. It also contains all you need to start helping yourself fight for your health and safety rights, with tips, tactics, resources and information.
This pamphlet is based on a course organised by North & East London Solidarity Federation called "Organising for Health and Safety" back in 1997. Part 1 introduces the idea of health, safety and welfare standards at work, and places them in the context of capitalism. Part 2 suggests ways of finding out about and taking up health and safety issues. Part 3 details some common problems and definitions, and Part 4 provides a case study from the Norwich and Norfolk Solidarity Federation, and introduces the idea of union support surgeries. Part 5 compares and contrasts modern trade unionism with anarcho-syndicalism as advocated by the Solidarity Federation, and argues for social revolution. Finally, there are appendices on tactics, basic rights and information of practical use.' |
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Out of the Frying Pan: a critical look at works councils
[SolFed Booklets, 1998, cover price £1.50]
Works Councils are coming to Britain. But what are Works Councils, and what will they mean for working people and trade unions? Are the TUC unions right to welcome the changes in labour relations which Works Councils will bring? Works Councils, far from empowering people, act as a tool by which management can control and pacify people at work.
The truth behind Works Councils is exposed here through the views of workers in France, who have witnessed their failure at first hand. The message is clear; there is nothing to be gained and much to lose from the introduction of a Works Council system in Britain. This pamphlet is a critical analysis of Works Councils and a look ahead at a real future for organising and fighting back in your workplace. |
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Anarcho-syndicalism in Puerto Real: From shipyard resistance to direct democracy and community control
[La Presa/ Solidarity Federation pamphlet, 1995, cover price £1.00]
see slovak translation - Úspešný štrajk v lodeniciachv Puerto Real
When the Spanish government announced a programme of ‘rationalisation' at Puerto Real shipyards, the workforce came out on strike. The great determination and ingenuity of workers and their communities brought results despite state and police attacks. The work of the anarcho-syndicalist union, CNT, in and around Puerto Real established direct democracy as an inherent part of local political culture, rejecting control by unaccountable politicians, union officials or ‘experts', and implanting workplace and locality-based control. Mass meetings in the yards and surrounding localities involved workers, families, neighbours and supporters. Subsequently, struggles over health, taxation, environmental and other issues were drawn into the activities of resistance. |
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