A: Syndicalists. That's French for unionists. More specifically, it's the name of a trade unionist movement that started at the beginning of the century, and that fights for a new society managed and controlled by the working class.
Q: But I thought anarchism was only about creating chaos, throwing bombs and fighting with the cops?
A: There is unfortunately all kinds of weirdoes that call themselves anarchists. Some deranged loners (like the unabomber) believe in throwing bombs. Many more are pacifists and think everybody should move to the countryside and start growing biodynamical food. Still others claim true anarchism means squatting empty buildings and living from dumsterdiving. Serious anarchism, however, has always been rooted in the working class struggle.
Q: How does WSA differ from other anarchist groups?
A: Many anarchists have utopian visions of a better world, but fail to offer concrete answers on how people would be housed, fed, clothed, etc. in a future anarchist society. WSA believes that unions of workers based on anarchist principles could redistribute such necessities. We know anarchism is not just a pipe dream, and has throughout history shown itself to work. We're also the best looking anarchist group. :-)
Q: Aren't unions just as corrupt and bureaucratic as the government?
A: When we talk about building unions, we don't mean ones like those current mainstream ones (such as the AFL-CIO) which are run by bureaucrats only out for themselves and who could care less about the average worker. Even in the rare cases where the leaders are sincere, their top-down structure leaves the members out of key decision-making and at best defends the lousy deal we already have. In most cases these unions are sell-outs who are really about controlling workers and throwing them crumbs rather than seizing the workplace and chunking out the bosses altogether.
The unions WSA is talking about (anarchist unions) have no leaders, no paid officials and all decisions are made cooperatively. Their purpose is not only to get as much out of the bosses for workers as they can, but to fight for an end to capitalism and to realize our dreams of a free society, where living "happily ever after" isn't just the end of a children's fairy tale.
Q: Do I have to be a "worker" to join WSA? Do I have to belong to a union?
A: Not if you're a rich person with lots of money to give away (just kidding). Seriously, our group includes quite a few students, homemakers, unemployed and retired people as members. What job we have is not what unites us, but rather that we all identify as part of the same class and work together to change society.
Nor do you need to belong to a union. All that's required is a belief in and dedication to anarchist unionism. As anarcho-syndicalist unions don't currently exist here in North America, we are trying to build a network that could create such unions when the time is right, while fighting for the rights of working people today.
Q: What about WSA and students?
A: As mentioned above, WSA includes many students. We believe that anarchist unionism applies as well to schools as it does to the workplace (aren't schools a "workplace" for students?) Students organized into fighting, democratic unions can push forth their demands on the administration and win important gains (more academic freedom, changes in the curriculum, better lunch room food, etc.) until the day when the students along with the teachers and the community seize the school and run it collectively.
Q: What about WSA and social issues?
A: WSA is about much more than organizing around workplace issues. While we see class struggle, many of our members are active in the struggles for abortion rights;;, against racism and fascism, for gay and lesbian liberation and more. In order for society to be truly free and equal the rights of all people must be respected. As anarchists, we believe in a "social" revolution s well as a class one. We organize anywhere working class people are, and around issues important to the society we want to create.
Q: What about the rest of the world?
A: The WSA is part of the International Workers Association (IWA), an anarcho-syndicalist organization founded in 1922 with chapters spread across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. Some sections are large (like the CNT in Spain, with 10.000 members and several active unions), others are small (like WSA, at least for the time being). The IWA and its sections realize that the working class is international, and in order for us to change the world we must overcome national boundaries. After all, bosses and politicians are full of crap wherever you go!
Q: How is WSA organized?
A: WSA is organized into 4 regions (Northeast, South, Midwest and West). Each region has a delegate responsible for helping out new members, coordinating activities and communicating the views of the region to the organization as a whole. We also have a National Secretary (who publishes our Discussion Bulletin and tallies votes on major decisions), an International Secretary (who keeps in contact with other IWA sections and sympathetic groups around the world), and a National Treasurer (who keeps track of finances and signs up new members). We elect people yearly to serve these positions.
Together, these people form a National Committee which makes decisions on an interim basis. We hold an annual Convention open to all members and hold referendum votes as needed. Anyone who is elected can be recalled at any time if they fail to follow the members' mandates.
WSA is also organized into local groups, Working Groups around specific issues (like NAFTA or anti-fascism), and Industrial Networks (for those who work in a common industry or type of work). Members may join any of these groups by getting in touch with them, and getting involved.
Q: I like what you've got to say! Now how do I join?
A: Just mail us and say you want to join, and we'll send you everything you need. Dues are payable quarterly, and entitle you to a membership card (sorry, no secret decoder rings!), our monthly Discussion Bulletin, voting rights and copies of any WSA pamphlets and publications that we put out. Regional Delegates will also help put you in touch with other WSA members in your area.
For more information contact:
Workers Solidarity Alliance
339 Lafayette St - Room 202
New York, NY 10012
Tlf: 212-979-8353
E-mail: agony@dorsai.org