Recently, the number of similar groups has exploded. These groups focus on direct action as the primary tool to help workers fight back. They also aim to eliminate any bureaucracy and hierarchy involved by giving each member agency in how they want to participate with the group, and by having each case be led by the worker who initiated it.
Several of these kinds of groups have emerged worldwide. This shows that workers are finding ways to fight back against bad bosses and landlords. We would like to highlight some of the recent victories that these groups have achieved.
In New York City, the Cooperative Action Project (CAP) is running a campaign called “CAP Your Landlord” to help tenants fight back against landlords who don’t do repairs, do lousy repairs, steal damage deposits, etc. CAP began taking action in the beginning of February, and has already “CAP’ed” two landlords for repairs and unfair evictions. The more actions this group does, the more their support builds. The bad landlords of New York City have definitely created a lot of harm, and now renters and workers are beginning to fight back.
Santa Cruz Solidarity describes itself as a “collective response to a collective problem” and aims to fight back against bosses and landlords through direct action. They focus on workers taking action themselves, rather than turning to expensive lawyers or the police. Thus far, SCS has held two actions to regain stolen security deposits and sick time wages. Both actions quickly resulted in justice, as both the landlord and the boss settled up and paid the workers what they were owed.
Seattle Solidarity Network (Seasol) is an established direct action network of volunteers. Its goals are to support the strikes and struggles of fellow workers, build solidarity, and organize to deal with specific job and housing issues. They have had several large victories. In April 2009, this group held a picket against Pita Pit, and managed to win a worker back money that was owed to him from the corporation. Seasol members also fought a thirteen month battle against racial discrimination by Lorig Associates, a major, nation-wide developer, with a history of union busting. In the end, Seasol won $22,000 compensation for the worker leading the charge, and forced Lorig to drop three lawsuits that it had brought against them. Seasol has also been victorious in winning numerous other settlements around rent deposits, repairs, move-out dates, back wages, benefits, etc. These cases show exactly what workers can do when we realize our collective strength.
CAP, SCS, and Seasol are just a few examples of what workers have done in groups similar to Steel City Solidarity. The emergence of these groups shows a new wave of worker solidarity and a revitalization of worker organizing. These groups are volunteer driven and have no formal hierarchy, so they are also constantly seeking support. The larger these groups become, the more people show up at actions, which translates into more economic and political pressure on the boss or landlord to end the abuse of their workers or tenants. If you are interested in joining the fight, contact one of these groups in your area. If there is no group, consider starting one!
To contact Steel City Solidarity in Hamilton, ON, please contact 905-525-9140 ext. 24003
Links:
Santa Cruz Solidarity
http://www.scsolidarity.blogspot.com/
Cooperative Action Network
http://capnyc.wordpress.com/
Seattle Solidarity Network
http://www.seasol.net/
