INTERNATIONAL LABOUR SPAIN:

POLICE ENTER THE BUILDING OF THE CGT CATALUNYA:

As Molly reported previously on this blog the Catalan government has "awarded" complete possession of the central union building in Barcelona to the (more or less) "ex"-communist CCOO. Today police entered the building to enforce this order. Here is a report from the Spanish anarchist news service Kaos En la Red. Translation my own.

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Barcelona: The police enter the building of the CGT Catalunya
Ten agents of the mobile unit of the Catalan police after an afternoon of resistance by the Local Federation of Barcelona, have entered the confederal building (Via Laietana 18) for the cleaning company that the CCOO has hired to clear the hall, according to ministerial orders. The totally surreal situation was forced by the yellow union with the intention to remove the signs that the anarcho-syndicalist union had put up to protest the ministry's decision.

The agents, at the request of CCOO, have occupied the confederal building . Throughout the day there was surveillance by the Catalan police ; finally the peaceful refusal of the Barcelona Local Federation to let students into a course on first aid encouraging them to enter the door of CCOO number 16 to occupy the building's lobby, helmets and batons ready. Stronger police action took place around 7 pm.

This new attack on the anarcho-syndicalist union, which absolutely refuses to be evicted from their local buildings after the assignment by the Ministry of the building of Via Laietana (as in the times of vertical unions) ( ie under the Franco dictatorship - Molly )to the CCOO, is part of a wider conflict about providing space for carrying out trade union activity. The CGT on its part believes that the confederal building owned by the Ministry of Labour, should be distributed in a more fair and asked for floor 8.

With the conflict deliberately fanned by the Ministry of Labour designed to undermine the local CGT , expelled from the confederal without any compensation, the CGT has undertaken a non-violent resistance that has been retaliated to by the CCOO.

The conflict is expected to escalate as the Ministry of Labour with the help of the CCOO will tighten the rope to forcibly expel the CGT, after the denunciations of a few days earlier.

This situation is very serious especially with the attitude of the police than with the bravado that characterizes them, they think they can do what they please bypassing the current law, on police entry to public buildings.

No Pasaran.

CANADIAN LABOUR HAMILTON:
AN ANTI-CAPITALIST CONTINGENT ON JANUARY 29:



Since November of last year workers at the Stelco plant in Hamilton have been locked out by their employer, US 'Steal". Since then USW Local 1005 has been in a fight to preserve the hard won gains of decades of struggle. One part of this is a planned demonstration in Hamilton on January 29. Here is a call from Hamilton Anti-Cap for an anti-capitalist contingent during this demo.
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ANTI-CAPITALIST CONTINGENT @ "The People VS US Steel" Demonstration
Time Saturday, January 29 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm

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Location Hamilton City Hall, Hamilton ON

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Created By Hamilton AntiCap

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More Info
#### PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!!! ####

CALLOUT FOR AN ANTI – CAPITALIST CONTINGENT AT THE 01/29 “PEOPLE VS US STEEL” MOBILIZATION, HAMILTON ONTARIO

Since late November 2010 United Steel Workers 1005 have been locked out of their workplace US Steel Hamilton (Stelco) for refusing a bad deal put forward by their employer – the Pittsburgh based multibillion dollar, multinational company, US Steel. US Steel has demanded the union make a number of concessions and has taken aim specifically at pensions.

900 workers and over 9000 retirees have now been forced into a fight for their livelihoods. US Steel is attempting to exploit the current economic downturn hoping young workers feel they have no choice but “take the bait” accepting a deal that will shaft thousands of fellow union members, pensioners and workers. USW 1005 is fighting for the rights of their members to a decent living and decent retirement after a life time of labour. It is a fight that deserves support - 1005 has consistently shown their commitment to popular struggle and solidarity with the oppressed.

But what is at stake in this particular struggle will have implications beyond those immediately involved. Rather than an isolated labour battle this lockout is part of a broader ongoing attack on working and poor people in Ontario and beyond. Capitalists everywhere are acting to ensure that we pay for their crisis through cuts to social programs like Ontario Works and Disability, immigrant services, undermining our unions eroding job security and standards of living. All the while the average CEO made 155 times the average working person in Canada last year.

We need to decide that enough is enough. The Austerity Agenda can only be opposed by broad and ongoing mobilizations of working, poor and oppressed people everywhere. This why we are calling for an angry, energetic and family friendly Anti-Capitalist Contingent within the “The People VS US Steel” demonstrations on January 29th.

We will be meeting at the demonstration at 1pm at Hamilton City Hall (71 Main Street West) Look for the red and black flags!

NO JUSTICE NO PEACE! STRENGTH TO USW 1005 AND STRIKING SEIU MCMASTER WORKERS!

-Common Cause Hamilton

For more info: HamiltonAntiCapitalist@gmail.com
www.LinchPin.ca

CANADIAN LABOUR NEWFOUNDLAND:

MULTINATIONAL VALE REJECTS INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS:

While the "big ticket" strike against the multinational mining giant Vale is now a thing of the past the strike by members of the United Steelworkers in Voisey's Bay Newfoundland is now in its 17th month with no sign of resolution. The strike was the subject of a recent provincial commission inquiry. The workers accepted the recommendations of the inquiry, but the company rejected them. From the viewpoint of such a company there is no need for compromise, and they feel free to ride roughshod over anyone working for them anywhere in the world. Here is the press release from the United Steelworkers about this news.

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Commission Report Requires Immediate Government Action
11 January 2011
In Brief

Industrial Inquiry Commission Report
(http://www.usw.org/admin/media/documents/files/InquiryReport.pdf )
HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NL - The Industrial Inquiry Commission on the Voisey's Bay labour dispute is overwhelmingly damning of Brazilian mining giant Vale.
If Vale does not accept the commission's recommendations to settle the 17-month strike, the Newfoundland and Labrador government must act immediately in the best interests of our province's working families, the United Steelworkers (USW) union says.

"The inquiry commission's report is unequivocal in its conclusions," says USW staff representative Boyd Bussey. "The report confirms that the union made considerable efforts to reach a settlement, but those efforts were not reciprocated by Vale."

The commission's report speaks for itself:

"(Vale's) approach seemed to send a clear message to the Union that Vale did not view the Inquiry process as important or useful;"

"The Union made significant movement by not only formally dropping a number of its outstanding issues but also by accepting the Employer's position" on several issues;

"(Vale) has through the process of this Inquiry chosen not to alter its position from that presented to the mediator and the Union on October 3, 2010, despite the fact that the Union made significant movement in its position;"

"It is apparent to the Commission that the Employer has an approach that does not contemplate compromise on any basis that might be acceptable to the Union;"

"...the response and reaction from (Vale) was in fact quite negative. (Vale) maintains that it has a desire to conclude a collective agreement, but its actions and reactions send the opposite message;"

"(Vale) apparently believes ... that an employer should be allowed to circumvent a union's right and obligation to bargain on behalf of its membership ... this behaviour demonstrates disrespect for the role of a bargaining agent. It is not surprising that this has contributed to a continued failure in these negotiations."

"Vale's arrogant dismissal of the value and importance of this process cannot be tolerated by the people and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador," Bussey says.

"The inquiry commission was given an important mandate by our government and it fulfilled this mandate by recommending a fair and reasonable settlement to end this 17-month dispute. The Steelworkers accept the commission's report," he says.

"It is unacceptable for Vale to so arrogantly and cavalierly dismiss the inquiry process and its recommendations, and to prolong this dispute.

"If Vale continues to reject such a settlement, our government must act immediately to bring an end to the pain and suffering of so many working families, First Nations and other communities in our province," Bussey says.

The union is recommending that the striking workers, members of USW Local 9508, support the settlement package proposed by the inquiry commission. Union members are voting on the proposal this week, with results expected Wednesday.

At this point, Vale has rejected the proposed settlement. Vale also has rejected the commission's recommendation for a binding, third-party settlement, even though the commission has concluded that "there is minimal risk" to either party in accepting such a resolution.

"Vale has shown it is not interested in compromise," Bussey says. "This is a foreign corporation that is accustomed to holding an incredible imbalance of power over its workers and it is prepared to use scab labour and abuse its massive wealth to get what it wants."

Contacts:
Boyd Bussey, USW, 709-727-8632 bbussey@usw.ca
Wayne Fraser, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792, 416-577-4045

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CAMBODIA:
SUPPORT SACKED CAMBODIAN GARMENT WORKERS:


The following appeal for online solidarity with unjustly fired Cambodian garment workers comes from the Clean Clothes Campaign:
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Cambodia: Garment Workers Sacked for Striking
Tuesday, 11 January 2011 16:32

Take action today to support over 300 Cambodian workers sacked for their participation in strikes for fair wages. The workers downed their tools in September last year to support trade unions in ongoing minimum-wage negotiations. They were dismissed from their factories as a consequence. Since then, efforts to get them reinstated have remained without success, despite a court order and the government calling on employers that the workers should be allowed to return to work.

Gap, Zara and H&M source from a large number of the involved factories. Please take action and demand that these workers are allowed to return to work immediately, with compensation paid for the time they have been dismissed.

These workers, many of whom are trade-union leaders, have been fighting for reinstatement since they were prevented from returning to work on September 18, 2010. The sackings and suspensions are believed to be in retaliation for their participation in a nation-wide strike to demand a minimum monthly wage of US$ 93. This is considered to be the minimal “living wage” as calculated by labour groups and unions in the country.

The strike lasted for three days and received massive support from workers: on the last day over 200,000 workers from around 90 factories joined the protest. It was called to an end by union leaders after the Ministry of Social Affairs invited them for a meeting to discuss their demands. However, when the garment workers arrived for work they were confronted with mass dismissals of unionised workers who had participated in the strike, and dozens of legal cases filed against union leaders.

The actions of the employers are in contravention of the Cambodian constitution and labour laws. Thy also violate the International Labour Organization conventions on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining. The Cambodia government responded by issuing a sub-degree urging employers to drop the court cases and calling on them to return to the negotiating table. It also stated it would not allow workers to be dismissed.

At the start of October, the courts issued a warrant ordering employers to reinstate the dismissed and suspended workers within 48 hours. The employers appealed and the case is still pending. Many employers have so far refused to abide by the government or court calls and have not allowed workers to return to their jobs.

Since September the Clean Clothes Campaign has been calling on most of the global brands that outsource to these factories to demand that workers are reinstated immediately and unconditionally and that the owners enter into good faith negotiations with the trade unions.

Although some brands have taken some steps towards this, their actions have been insufficient to have an impact on the ground. They need to step up their efforts immediately to ensure workers are not made to suffer any longer simply for legally exercising their right to strike.

H&M and Zara are amongst the companies that normally have the largest orders in Cambodia. Take action now and sign on to our emails to these brands. We also include Gap in our appeal. Not only do they have significant orders in a factory where 18 strikers are still out on the streets, but their supplier, garment factory United Apparel, is also involved in a serious human-rights case against a unionist, Mr. Sous Chantha.
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THE LETTER:
Please go to this link to send the following letter to H&M, GAP and Zara, all of whom purchase clothing from Cambodian suppliers.
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Letter to H&M, GAP and Zara
(Cc. Garment Manufacturers' Association of Cambodia)

Dear Madam, Sir,

I am writing in regard to the 318 Cambodian workers who are waiting for reinstatement almost two months after they were dismissed following the national strike for decent wages in September. A number of trade union leaders are still facing spurious legal charges resulting from their participation in this strike. This is despite the government of Cambodia issuing a statement opposing the dismissals and a warrant urging these cases to be dropped.

I understand that your company has contacted your suppliers to express your concern, but these steps have clearly not been enough to bring justice for these workers. Your company is a significant buyer from Cambodia in general and these factories in particular. Your code of conduct commits you to upholding the rights of all workers in your supply chain to freedom of association.

I therefore urge you to take stronger action to ensure that:

•these workers are reinstated immediately and unconditionally, with back pay calculated on their individual average monthly incomes.
•complaints and court cases against these workers are withdrawn, your suppliers respect the established trade union rights to freedom of association and immediately halt their union-undermining activities such as intimidations and efforts to bribe trade union leaders
•the employers immediately enter into good faith negotiations on the workers’ proposals for a living wage and other benefits;
•United Apparel use the considerable amount of influence that they have to ensure the dropping of fabricated charges against Mr. Sous Chantha, and ensure his immediate release.

I look forward to hearing that this issue is resolved at the earliest opportunity and that your company has played a role in ensuring that freedom of association is respected and supported in Cambodia,

Sincerely,

CANADIAN POLITICS TORONTO:

JDL/EDL RALLY PROTESTS RESULT IN ARRESTS IN TORONTO:

I usually steer well clear of the quagmire of Israeli/Palestinian politics, mostly because I think it brings out the worst in the left in North America. There is a fine line between the conspiracy nuts (most prominent in the USA) and their anti-semitism that some feel fit to ignore and "anti-Zionism". Furthermore, no matter what one may think of the expansionist policies of the Israeli state and their not-so-occasional brutality when on the offensive (which is what they usually are) the left in general, true to form, pretty well much engages in "side picking" with the Palestinians as the "unsullied angels". The only reason they are "unsullied" is because they have generally been losing. The obvious fact that if some Palestinian factions such as Hamas were to actually "win" that the result would be a horror that would make what Israel is doing look like puffballs in the wind escapes the average North American leftist. That is way outside of the Manichean viewpoint of leftism here in this part of the world, just like the idea that the best result would be if the two evil sides fight each other to exhaustion and have to make peace. Uh, uh, one side has to be all good and one has to be all bad. I am also very much disturbed about how much attention this particular issue absorbs as opposed to other more important matters, and I harbour a suspicion that there is something ugly lurking under this part of "anti-imperialism". By the way, for the information of the nutbars, "I am not Jewish".

No doubt I am against the policies of the Israeli state, just as are many Israelis, most prominently the Anarchists Against The Wall. But I don't labour under leftist delusions. I report the following because it a report of resistance to the worst in international Zionist politics, resistance to the Jewish Defense League (JDL) and their alliance with the outright fascists of the English Defense League. This 'joint rally' was opposed by the Canadian Jewish Congress, not just the organizations that signed onto the statement below. It should also be noted that some associates of the JDL have even been banned in Israel itself. The JDL has a long history of association with terrorist actions.

Here is a statement opposing the rally that happened today from a number of Ontario organizations, Jewish, Islamic and otherwise. The rally which gathered a grand total of 50 people resulted in the predictable exchange between the police and a larger number of protesters with the predictable arrests. Here is the statement.

TOTOTOTOTOTO
-----------Please Post Widely-------------------

Community Open Letter Denouncing the Jewish Defense League's Rally in Support of the English Defense League
On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, the Jewish Defense League of Canada (JDL) will be hosting a rally in support of the Islamophobic English Defense League (EDL) in Toronto. The JDL is hosting an online address from Tommy Robinson, the leader of the EDL. Both groups have a history of violence aimed at Arab and Muslim people. We are community groups that work daily to fight racism. We have come together to condemn the Jewish Defense League for their Islamophobia and for their support for the racist English Defense League.


Who is the English Defence League (EDL)?

The English Defence League is a far-right extremist organization that was founded in 2009. Their organizing principles are to oppose the 'spread of Islam' in the United Kingdom. The EDL has organized violent street marches that target Arab and Muslim people.They operate in the UK, but have been reaching out internationally to make links with extreme-right groups in Sweden, the United States, Canada and Israel. They are part of the alarming rise in fascist, racist and neo-Nazi organizing in Europe over the last few years, including attacks on Muslims, immigrants and Roma people.

Who is the Jewish Defense League (JDL)?

The JDL is a far-right, pro-Israel organization that was founded in the 1960s by Meir Kahane, an extremist who advocated violence against, and even the mass-murder of Palestinians and Arabs. The racist, violent ideology advocated by Kahane, and embraced by the JDL, has motivated hate crimes against Palestinians and other Arab people. An FBI report has identified the JDL as "a right-wing terrorist group" and Kach and Kahane Chai , two groups associated with the Kahanist movement , were even banned in Israel for their extremism.

In Canada, the JDL is allowed to operate with impunity. They have not been condemned by the government and are often interviewed by the media as a legitimate organization. They are led by Meir Weinstein , a longtime follower of Kahane, who was a spokesperson for the Kahanist movement and once joined a Facebook group called "Death to the Arabs". This rally is part of their escalating racist tactics - they have a history of bullying and intimidation of Palestine-solidarity activists in this city.

Who are we?

We are community organizations that are alarmed by the rise of extremist right-wing groups globally. These groups are exploiting the global economic crisis, to stir up racist and anti-immigrant sentiment. We have seen the consequences of extremist right-wing organizing too many times in history. We will fight any attempts to use racism and hatred to divide poor and working people.

As community organizations that work daily to fight racism, we have come together to denounce this racist and fascist rally in our city. As long as groups like the JDL and EDL are spreading their hatred and violence, we will be here to oppose them.

RACISTS ARE NOT WELCOME IN OUR CITY!

Signed (in alphabetical order):


Barrio Nuevo

Canadian Arab Federation

Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA)

Common Cause Toronto Branch

Educators for Peace and Justice (EPJ)

Faculty 4 Palestine

First Nations Solidarity Working Group OISE

Greater Toronto Workers Assembly

Independent Jewish Voices Toronto

International Jewish Anti-Zionish Network (IJAN), Toronto

No One is Illegal Toronto (NOII)

Not in Our Name (NION): Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)

Palestine House Community Centre

Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA)

Toronto Coalition to Stop the War

Women in Solidarity with Palestine (WSP)

(For the updated list visit http://www.caiaweb.org/ )

We invite groups to sign on to this Community Open Letter Denouncing the Jewish Defense League's Rally in Support of the English Defense League. To sign on, please email endapartheid@riseup.net

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR SPAIN:
SPANISH CCOO REWARDED FOR TREASON TO WORKERS:


This one came as something of a surprise. According to an article in the Spanish Meneame the Catalan Ministry of Labour has "awarded" the collaborationist CCOO with full possession of the trade union central building on Via Laietana in downtown Barcelona. This includes the 9th and 10th floors of the building which have been occupied by the anarchosyndicalist CGT for 21 years. When Molly and company visited Barcelona about 9 years ago the building was occupied by the CCOO, the UGT and the CGT, the CGT having the higher floors (appropriately) with one of the best views of downtown Barcelona from their cafeteria. The CCOO, of course, is the union federation created by the now almost defunct Spanish Communist Party. While the Party has almost become a thing of the past the hacks running "their" union haven't lost any of the old communist talent for conspiracy and betrayal. Doing their level best to sabotage any true radical opposition to austerity measures in Spain has earned them their reward from the newly elected right wing nationalist government of the Convergència i Unió in Catalonia. Seems like the commies have never lost their old talents as evidenced by their repression of the Spanish Revolution and, of course, the Hitler-Stalin pact.



There is more on this situation here (in Catalan) at the website of the CGT Catalunya, as well as the original article from the CGT's Rojo Y Negro. What follows is a brief translation from the Spanish at the Meneame site. I hope to follow this story as it would be a sad loss if the bureaucrats of the CCOO gain control of the whole building. Apparently the UGT was evicted some years earlier. If the CGT didn't protest at that time ( I don't know ) they damn well should have and shame on them if they didn't. The basic bottom fact is that pretty well any "ally" is preferred to the communists as they will always stab you in the back when the time is convenient.
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The Ministry of Labour awards the CCOO all of trade union building in Barcelona, including the floors of the CGT
www.rojoynegro.info/2004/spip.php?article32868
by jozegarcia
The Ministry of Labour gave all the trade union building on Via Laietana in Barcelona to the CCOO, including floors 9 and 10 currently occupied by the CGT of Barcelona. From April to December 2010, eight months, the Ministry of Labour had given the CCOO floors 7, 8, 9 and 10 leaving the entire building in the hands of CCOO.

AMERICAN LABOUR MINNESOTA:

ROUND TWO AT THE JIMMY JOHNS SHOPS:

This just in from the IWW Jimmy Johns Workers Union in Minneapolis and St. Paul...the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that the previous union election that the Union lost by a narrow 87-85 vote was invalid because of massive employer violations was invalid. This once again opens the matter of organizing at these shops. Here's the story from the Jimmy Johns Workers website.

IWWIWWIWWIWW

In Big Union Victory, Jimmy John's Union Election Nullified Due to Employer Labor Rights Violations
press release
Sandwich Workers Begin New Push for “10 Point Program” to Reform Fast Food Industry

MINNEAPOLIS– The National Labor Relations Board approved a settlement today nullifying the results of the historic October 22 union election at Jimmy John's, putting victory back on the table for the nation's first-ever union in franchised fast food. The settlement validates workers' claims that franchise owners Mike and Rob Mulligan were able to squeak out an 87-85 victory in the election only by resorting to unlawful tactics including threatening a wage freeze, intentionally fabricating rumors that the union engaged in sabotage, retaliating against union supporters, and numerous other labor rights violations.

With the tainted election results nullified, the union is asking the franchise owners to negotiate over its "10 Point Program for Justice at Jimmy John's," a comprehensive package of reforms that will bring respect, dignity, and democracy to the fast food workplace.

“There can now be no doubt that our rights were severely violated, but we're willing to put the past behind us. We are calling on Mike and Rob Mulligan to make a fresh start and work with us, rather than against us, to improve the lives of Jimmy John's workers and their families by negotiating over our 10 Point Program for modest but urgently needed changes,” said Micah Buckley-Farlee, a delivery driver at Jimmy John's and active member of the union campaign.

Based around benefits that workers in many other industries take for granted, the program is the response of Jimmy John's workers to their most pressing problems on the job. Core demands include sick days, improved job security, guaranteed work hours, a reasonable pay increase and regular raises, improved harassment policies, other basic job benefits, and the establishment of a system of shop committees giving workers a democratic voice within the company.

If franchise owners Mike and Rob Mulligan refuse to cooperate, the union has indicated a willingness to return to the trenches and continue the fight for union recognition, this time on terms that are much more favorable to the union due to the settlement agreement.

Under the NLRB settlement, Jimmy John's must cease engaging in a wide range of unlawful anti-union activities, post notices informing employees of the company's new commitment to obeying the law, and host a series of mandatory employee meetings in which a representative of the NLRB will read the notices in the presence of the company owner.

In 60 days, the Union will also be eligible to file for a fresh election at any point in the next 18 months, with an abbreviated “campaigning period” of 30 days, 12 days shorter than what is customary for NLRB elections.

Union member Ayo Collins said, "Mike and Rob Mulligan can either continue their losing battle against their employees, or they can work with us and distinguish themselves as leaders in bringing much-needed change to the nation's fast food industry. For our part, we're hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. We are more confident than ever that in the end, we will win, setting an example for 3.5 million fast food workers to follow."

The Jimmy Johns Workers Union, open to employees at the company nationwide, is affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. Gaining prominence in recent years for organizing Starbucks workers, the IWW is a global union founded over a century ago for all working people.

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http://www.jimmyjohnsworkers.org

CANADIAN LABOUR WINNIPEG:

MALTEUROP STRIKERS HOLD FIRM:

Strikers at the Winnipeg branch of the international Malteurop corporation are holding firm since going on strike on December 9th. The workers, represented by UFCW Local 832 have received extensive community support since the strike began at the malting plant at 3001 Dugald Road. Here's a report from the UFCW website.

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Malteurop members’ spirits remain high on picket line
The 22 UFCW Canada Local 832 members at the Malteurop facility in Winnipeg continue to hold strong on the picket line, since voting down the company’s last offer on December 9.

The support from the community has been tremendous as many people, friends, family and the labour movement have come to join the workers walk along Dugald Road in Winnipeg.

Support from CUPE, CAW, Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg firefighters, the Manitoba Federation of Labour, as well as and many small businesses in the area has been greatly appreciated.

UFCW Canada Local 832 has kept in contact with the conciliation officer, who has indicated that currently the employer is not interested in returning to the negotiating table.

Because of the strike, the Holiday party scheduled for December was cancelled, but that didn’t dampen the holiday spirit and solidarity on the picket line Christmas Eve and throughout the holiday season.

The holiday get-together has now been rescheduled for members and their families for a day of fun on Friday, January 14.

WWWWWWWWWW

Here's another similar report from the website of Local 832 that gives a little more information.

WWWWWWWWWW

Malteurop members’ spirits remain high on picket line.

The 22 UFCW Local 832 members from Malteurop have been walking a picket line for 30 days, since voting down the company’s last offer. The support from the community has been tremendous as many people, friends, family and the labour movement have come to join the workers walk along Dugald Road in Winnipeg. Support from CUPE, CAW, Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg firefighters,the Manitoba Federation of Labour and many other small businesses in the area has been greatly appreciated.

The picket line has been calm with the exception of initial incidents when managers, contractors and scabs tried to cross the picket line. Cooler heads prevailed and after a couple visits from the Winnipeg Police ensuring we were following the proper picket line protocol, all has been quiet.

The union has kept in contact with the conciliation officer, who indicated that the employer is not interested in returning to the negotiating table.

The members will be enjoying a late holiday party next week as a company Christmas party was cancelled due to the strike. Members will have a chance to bring their families together for a day of fun on Friday the 14.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS IRAN:

STOP THE EXECUTIONS IN IRAN:


The following appeal for political prisoners in Iran comes from the Support Workers' Councils In Iran group.
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We must stop IRI's vicious wave of executions. Sign the declaration
As you might know, the Islamic Republic has started a vicious wave of executions since two weeks ago against the worker activists, political prisoners and general public. We must stop it before it goes too far.

Currently available in English, Spanish, German, Farsi, Italian, and Dutch, please take a moment to sign the following declaration in defence of political prisoners and those on death roll in Iran.
_______________________
Sign at: http://www.facebook.com/l/adaa6DLG6Uaan5Dq0FjCbJYHXrg;stopstonningnow.com/united
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Defend Political Prisoners; Protest Against Executions

To subdue the angry people of Iran, who are on the verge of revolt, the Islamic regime of Iran has intensified the execution of political prisoners and is day after day announcing list of executions.

Recent successful protest in the city of Sanandaj backed by international outrage and campaign forced the Islamic regime to call off the execution of Habibolah Latifi. However the regime immediately executed two other prisoners, Ali Saremi and Ali Akbar Siyadat.

Millions are rightly outraged by these atrocities; it is important that the international campaign is coordinated and unified; We, the undersigned, therefore join this international protest and

1. Support the international campaign in support of the people of Iran to bring an end to executions and immediate release of all political prisoners. Capital punishment is an inhumane and must be ended.

2. Demand revoking of all execution orders;

3. Demand that all political prisoners, including students, worker activists, woman rights activists or anyone who has been imprisoned for their religious or non-religious views or sexuality are released immediately. Freedom of expression is a basic human right.

4. We condemn any appeasement of this regime and demand that all governments condemn these atrocities; break all diplomatic and political relations with the regime of Iran.

___________________
Sign at: http://www.facebook.com/l/adaa6DLG6Uaan5Dq0FjCbJYHXrg;stopstonningnow.com/united
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INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:
AGAINST TERRORISM:



The following article was recently published at the Anarkismo website. It comes originally from the Swiss platformist group Libertäre Aktion Winterthur. What the following provides is a little more context about not just the recent embassy bombings in Italy which have been discussed at this blog before and may be a complete police fabrication. What the following provides is a criticism of the whole romantic idea that terrorist tactics can be used to advance the cause of anarchism. Of course they can't, and such tactics have nothing whatsoever to do with what the anarchist movement aims towards. They are the acts of desperate individuals with little social connection who glom onto anarchism as an excuse for what they want to do. Anarchism is not the only ideology that has suffered, is suffering and will suffer from such "friends". What I find valuable in the following is that it is a clear and blunt repudiation of such nonsense without any hedging or throat clearing "apologies". The more real anarchists state their views in this way the sooner we will be clear of the terrorist parasites that live off the hesitation of the majority in the movement.
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No Solidarity with “anarchist” letter bombers
by Libertäre Aktion Winterthur law at arachnia dot ch

The question of violence has always been a hot topic in anarchist discourse. How can the oldest and rawest expression of power be combined with the teachings of an anti-authoritarian ideology? Can a revolutionary anarchist strategy contain violence?


[Note: This communiqué is consciously not written in response to the most recent attacks in Rome on 23rd December [2010]. We question any anarchist link to these incidents, because – just like with the series of attacks in 2003 - the ominous “Federazione Anarchica Informale“ (FAI) has claimed responsibility. It is an unlikely coincidence that this group shares the same acronym as the Federazione Anarchica Italiana who distanced themselves clearly from the events in 2003 and suggested the “FAI” could well be a fake organisation. There are several examples in recent Italian history of false flag operations. One of them was the bombing of the Piazza Fontana in Milan in 1969, which was commissioned by the state and blamed on the local anarchists. In the most recent “FAI” communiqué in relation to 23rd December, the final words - “Long live the FAI, long live anarchy!” - are rather atypical for a self-described “informal” organisation.]



The question of violence has always been a hot topic in anarchist discourse. How can the oldest and rawest expression of power be combined with the teachings of an anti-authoritarian ideology? Can a revolutionary anarchist strategy contain violence? We can assume that the libertarian way – which includes the expropriation of the current owners of the means of production and abolishing material privilege – will meet brutal resistance by those who see themselves robbed of commodities. Master-servant relations (inconspicuous or obvious) are always based on coercion. This always includes violence which we can only resist as a strong and revolutionary mass movement.

However, as conscious anarchists we shouldn't fall into the trap of letting the means become the ends. “Real anarchist violence is that which ceases when the necessity of defence and liberation ends. It is tempered by the awareness that individuals in isolation are hardly, if at all, responsible for the position they occupy through heredity and environment.” [1] These words by Italian anarchist Errico Malatesta haven't lost any validity since they were written almost 100 years ago. They prohibit us to injure or even kill functionaries within capitalism as part of a libertarian praxis simply for the role they play. We think this should be obvious to anybody with an anarchist understanding.

In recent months, events have taken place – also in relation to Switzerland – which have questioned this libertarian principle in the name of anarchism. We don't mean call-outs like “Schlag die Polizisten, wo ihr sie trefft” ('Hit the cops where you encounter them') that are plastered on walls and published on websites as acts of individual resistance. These texts might be rhetorically quite clever but the content is rather confused. Nor are we talking about the numerous solidarity actions for Billy, Costantino and Silvia, whose anti-civilisation ramblings we only find amusing. [2] However we can assume that people from these networks are supportive of actions, that go far beyond paintbomb attacks or slashing car tyres.

We are thinking about the letter bombs that have been sent to various institutions of the state, particularly to embassies, in recent months. Hoping to injure a high-ranking bureaucrat when opening the envelope, the bombs were meant as a form of revenge for the imprisonment of the three aforementioned activists. This kind of praxis doesn’t only demonstrate political stupidity, but also cowardice and inhumanity. In the best case because of naivety, or in the worst because of calculation, the senders were prepared to injure a simple clerk or a subordinate secretary. With these acts, the senders stand among ruthless criminals who, as servants of capital, have persecuted and killed members of the working class. These acts are not revolutionary but an expression of political reaction. Faced with the infamy of these actions, we can only conclude: No solidarity with the “anarchist” letter bombers – never! A few years ago left-radical groups had to be created by the state to convince the population of the need for more repression. It is tragic that things have become so easy for the European capitalist class.

It is difficult for all of us to react adequately to a political and social climate that is taking us, the exploited, to the brink of frustration. This shouldn’t, however, be an excuse to find sanctuary in the old illusion of the “Propaganda by Deed” and the desire to change society through individual acts of violence. The follow-on effects of such deeds will be repression, escapism and an even bigger hopelessness instead of an insurrection by the masses. It is also wrong for anarchists to use structurelessness as a modus operandi, as demanded by our “insurrectionary” comrades. If everybody is only responsible to themselves, individualist and unpredictable actions will be preferential, instead of creating a praxis of solidarity to constantly work towards the social revolution.

We can only resist the capitalist system together in an organised and goal-oriented class struggle. Theoretical unity and stringency in praxis, federalist structures and individual discipline are the qualities of anarchists who are fighting in the spirit of solidarity for the social revolution and not for total repression. The workplace and school, the neighbourhood and the community centre, the street and the refugee centre: these are the spaces of our libertarian agitation and the organisation of the struggle and not the columns of the bourgeois media, who are waiting to report about the most recent attack by people in revolt with sensationalist headlines.


End of December 2010
Libertäre Aktion Winterthur (Anarchist Action)


[1] From a text by Errico Malatesta. Full text available: http://www.zabalaza.net/pdfs/varpams/anok&violence_em.pdf [PDF 108kb]
[2] Billy, Costantino and Silvia were arrested in Switzerland in on 15th April 2010. It is alleged that they were attempting to bomb IBM in Zurich. They have been in jail since. More information: http://againstthewaiting.blogsport.de/


Related Link: http://www.libertaere-aktion.ch

AMATEUR ASTRONOMY:
TRIPLE PLAY IN THE MORNING SKY:


Assuming you get up before the Sun does, which isn't hard this time of year, there is an interesting sight in the eastern sky. Given good conditions the three planets Mercury, Venus and Saturn will be visible at the same time. Here's the story from that great site Space.com.
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Planet Triple Feature:
Venus, Saturn and Mercury Visible at Dawn This Week
By Geoff Gaherty
Early risers this week will be treated to a spectacular display of planets and bright stars as Venus, Mercury and Saturn take center stage in the predawn sky.

Half an hour before sunrise, three of the brightest planets will stretch across the eastern sky, further enhanced by the presence of two first magnitude stars, blue-white Spica and deep red Antares.

The sky map above shows how Mercury, Venus and Saturn will appear before sunrise in the eastern and southeastern sky.

The first object to attract your attention will be the planet Venus, outshining everything in the sky except the sun and moon. In a small telescope, Venus will appear as a tiny half moon as it approaches its greatest apparent distance from the sun on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Second in brightness will be the elusive planet Mercury, well below and to the left of Venus, close to the horizon. Do not confuse it with the red giant star Antares, almost directly below Venus.

You may need binoculars to spot Mercury in the bright dawn sky. This is not a favorable apparition of Mercury because of the shallow angle that the ecliptic (the path of the sun through the sky) makes with the horizon. Mercury also appears in a telescope as a tiny half moon, with the greatest elongation being on Sunday, Jan. 9.

Finally, above and to the right of Venus rides the planet Saturn, and, just below it, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo: Spica. In a telescope magnifying more than 25 times you should be able to see Saturn's famous rings, although magnification of around 200 times is needed to see the details.

Whenever you view Saturn in a telescope, be on the lookout for its retinue of moons. Even the smallest telescope will show its largest moon Titan, and larger telescopes will show half a dozen more.

HUMOUR:

SPEAKING OF RELIGION:

Sort of "old time religion made easy". Glad we're not "back to the Bible" these days.

HUMOUR:

RELIGIOUS MYOPIA:

Yet another winner from Kirktoons.

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

PARTY TIME FOR UPPING THE ANTI #11:

It's party time down in TO next Saturday as the Canadian libertarian socialist magazine Upping the Anti rolls out its 11th issue. Here's the notice.

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Issue 11 Launch
Upping the Anti in conjunction with the North American Anarchist Studies Network invites you to Upping the Anti's Issue 11 Launch

Saturday January 15, 8:30PM
TORONTO FREE GALLERY
(1277 Bloor Street West, at Lansdown)
Venue is Accessible

-[Featuring]-
• Musical Performances by LAL and Test Their Logik,
• Kick ass sets by DJs Nik Red and B#,
• Plus Refreshments, Raffle Prizes, and More.

-[Admission]-
• $10 (cover + Upping the Anti #11)
• $5 (cover)
• Free for UPPING THE ANTI Sustainers and Subscribers

-[UPPING THE ANTI #11 includes]-
• Interviews with Ladelle McWhorter, James Scott, and Raj Patel
• Articles by Lesley Wood on Toronto's G20 protests, John Clarke on the tenth anniversary of OCAP's famous march on Queen’s Park, and Stacy Douglas on anti-racism and queer organizing today
• Roundtables on the 20th Anniversary of the Oka Crisis and on No One Is Illegal's Fight to build Sanctuary City
• Book reviews and much more....

CANADIAN LABOUR:

MAYBE BY UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS:

Two more days to go until Christmas by the Julian calender, known in these parts as "Ukrainian Christmas". Yet down in the post offices of Winnipeg Christmas packages meant to be delivered by December 25th still sit undelivered according to the following article from the Winnipeg Free Press. The reason...the so-called "improvements" mandated by Canada Post management, "improvements" that have been discussed before at this blog and at The Workers' Struggle With The Modern Post blog by postal workers here in Winnipeg. This "modernisation" is one that Canada Post hopes to apply across the country. Because of this Winnipeg workers have received support from other Canada Post workers across the country in their struggle to prevent what is not just against their own interests but against those of the general public. As the backlog in Winnipeg demonstrates. Here's the story from the local press.

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Christmas gifts undelivered: CUPW
By: Katie Dangerfield

Thousands of Christmas packages sat undelivered in the former downtown post office as late as New Year's Eve, a local union official said.

"A good chunk of the parcels sitting in the 266 Graham Ave. building are Christmas wrapped," said Bob Tyer, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Missing presents?
Are you missing Christmas presents you were expecting in the mail? If so call the Free Press at 697-7292 or email city.desk@freepress.mb.ca .


Since the introduction of Canada Post's modern delivery system in September, Tyer said there has been a considerable backup of undelivered mail -- especially during the holidays.

During the New Year's weekend, Canada Post employees were set to work overtime s to catch up on deliveries, Tyler said.

This fall, Canada Post introduced what it called a new, more efficient delivery system designed to cut costs. The new system requires letter carriers to carry two bundles of mail, instead of one. Routes and work days are also longer.

Some Winnipeg letter carriers went on strike in November to protest against the new system. Carriers have said it can cause back and neck injuries.

A spokeswoman for Canada Post, Anick Losier, said in an email that the corporation's employees are still adjusting to the new system.

"We just finished our busiest time of year," said Losier. "Our volumes in Winnipeg reached over 1.4 million pieces of mail daily, while normally it is just under one million pieces."

"We even had our people ensure all holiday-themed packages and cards were delivered to customers on time for the holidays," she said.

Tyer said mail service in Winnipeg wasn't as smooth as Losier makes it sound. Since the new system was implemented, the corporation "doesn't care if they don't cover all their routes anymore," he said.

One Winnipeg post office employee who asked not to be named said the corporation is sweeping its problems under a rug, hoping they will go away,

"At one of the depots, supervisors were throwing out 300 to 400 flyers that were a day late, instead of delivering them," the employee said.

Tyer said Canada Post has had countless complaints from businesses and employees regarding the new system, but Losier said the changes were necessary "to help our company stay efficient and viable."

"That's what will protect the future of the company and our employees' incomes and pensions," said Losier.

Tyer said that since September staff injuries have risen "astronomically," and Canada Post has not hired enough people to fill vacancies due to injury and staff retirements.

During the holiday rush, Canada Post brought in retirees and supervisors from across the country to deliver the additional mail.

katie.dangerfield@freepress.mb.ca

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Meanwhile the national Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has been circulating a petition for some months asking that the Canadian postal system be strengthened rather than destroyed (perhaps the "modernization" is really part of some long term plan for "privatization"). Please go to their website or this link to sign the following petition to your MP and to the federal Minister in charge of Canada Post. And don't forget to keep up to date on what is happening out here on the windswept prairies by reading The Workers Struggle With The Modern Post.
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Please tell Minister Merrifield: Stop cutting public postal service and jobs
I am writing, as both a user and an owner of Canada Post, to voice my concern about the future of our public post office.

Canada Post has plans to cut thousands of jobs in hundreds of communities across the country by modernizing and reviewing its operations and privatizing philatelic and call centres. The corporation is also cutting services by eliminating rural mail box delivery, closing post offices and removing street letter boxes.

To me, these cuts indicate that Canada Post is focusing increasingly on commercial interests, rather than the public interest.

I believe that Canada Post, as a public institution, should put the public interest first. One of the ways it could do this is by sharing the benefits of its $2 billion modernization program. At the moment, Canada Post intends to use all the productivity gains from this program to cut jobs and save millions annually. This is our post office -- the public should share in the benefits too.

Please tell Rob Merrifield, the Minister responsible for Canada Post, to instruct the corporation to:

1) Put the public interest first.
2) Share the benefits of postal modernization with the public by preserving and improving public postal service and jobs.

CANADIAN LABOUR:

AVERAGE CEO MAKES 155 TIMES MORE THAN AVERAGE CANADIAN WORKER:

It now the evening of Monday, January 3, and the average Canadian annual wage has already fallen well below that of an average of the 100 top CEOs in this country. In actual fact this happened at 2:30 pm earlier today. As the following press release from the Canadian Centre For Policy Alternatives points out the average top CEO makes 155 more money than the average Canadian.

Does this means, as the myth often says, that they "work harder" than the average Canadian ? For this to be true there would have to be 760 hours in each day, and the CEOs would have to work every second of them. Do they magically "create value" by their cunning business decisions ? If that was true then their remuneration should drop when the company they are in charge of drops in value or income, a thing that rarely happens. As the title of the following makes plain CEO pay is "recession proof". Bonuses come whether the company does well or poorly.

Leaving aside the question of the recent massive bailouts of business by government and the mostly invisible day to day subsidies provided by government I would challenge anyone to prove that any CEO has made a cunning non-obvious decision in any company that increased its value to anywhere near the amount these people are paid. In actual fact most companies "run themselves" despite management decisions. Management, of which CEOs are the "big fish" are better pictured as some sort of tube worm existing parasitically on the body of the company fish. They are hardly ever "propellers" that drive the firm forward.

Is this sort of inequality justified in any society ? What are its costs, and I don't mean merely monetary ones ? Things to ponder. Here's the press release. You can read the full17 page report at the Policy Alternatives website.

CEOCEOCEOCEO

Canada’s best-paid CEOs ‘recession-proof’: study
January 3, 2011
TORONTO – Canada’s best-paid 100 CEOs breezed through the worst of the recession with earnings 155 times higher than the average Canadian income earner, says a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The study, Recession-Proof, looks at 2009 compensation levels for Canada’s best paid 100 CEOs and finds they pocketed an average of $6.6 million during the darkest period of the recession – a stark contrast from the total average Canadian income of $42,988.

“At this rate of reward, this handful of elite CEOs pocket the equivalent of the average Canadian wage by 2:30 pm on January 3 – the first working day of the year,” says the study’s author and CCPA Research Associate Hugh Mackenzie.

The study shows executive compensation in Canada wasn’t always this rich. In 1998, the best paid 100 CEOs pocketed an average of 104 times more than the average Canadian wage earner, compared to 155 times more in 2009.

“Even that extraordinary number understates the real story,” says Mackenzie. “Thanks to a change in corporate reporting introduced in 2008, we only have a conservative statistical estimate of the stock options that make up about one third of CEOs’ 2009 pay. The public will never know how much most of these CEOs actually got paid in 2009.

“And that’s only half the story. These CEOs are sitting on $1.3 billion of stock options they haven’t yet cashed in. That’s about $2 in future income for every $1 they declared in 2009.”

When the CEOs decide to exercise those stock options, the study reveals Canadians will subsidize that bonus with an estimated average of $360 million in foregone taxes, since stock options are taxed at a lower rate, as if they are capital gains. Among Mackenzie’s recommendations: getting rid of that expensive and unfair loophole.

The study highlights the role that soaring executive compensation plays in the dramatic growth in income inequality in Canada identified in a recent CCPA study by Senior Economist Armine Yalnizyan. Yalnizyan found that fully one third of all income growth in Canada in the past 20 years went to the richest 1% of Canadians.

–30–

For more information please contact: Trish Hennessy at (416) 551-2059 or Kerri-Anne Finn at (613) 563-1341 x306.

INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:
ANARCHIST BOOKFAIRS OF THE WORLD:


The following announcement from the Montréal Anarchist Bookfair/Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal contains a listing of many of the anarchist bookfairs across the world. It is by no means complete (see our 'Publishers and Distributers' links section for others ) but is is a good guide.
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Anarchist Bookfairs Worldwide (January-June 2011):
LA, Zagreb, Bay Area, Mannheim, NYC, Houston, Bristol, Montreal, Biel/Bienne, Stockholm, Londres et plus!‏

[English below]

Salons du livres anarchistes à travers le monde (janvier-juin 2011)
Anarchist Bookfairs Worldwide (January-June 2011)

Bonne nouvelle année! Le site web du Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal - www.salonanarchiste.ca - inclut une compilation de salons du livres anarchistes se tenant un peu partout sur la planète (dans le côté droit du site web, sous l'onglet "Liens/Links"). Nous avons réalisé, au meilleur de nos connaissances, une compilation des lieux, sites webs et dates des prochains salons du livre. Nous tenons à souligner ci-dessous les salons du livre se tenant entre janvier et juin 2011 (incluant notre Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal le 21 et 22 mai 2011). Si vous avez des mises-à-jours à propos d'autres salons du livre, écrivez-nous à info@salonanarchiste.ca … On se voit à l'un des Salon ci-dessous!

Happy new year! The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair website - www.anarchistbookfair.ca - includes a compilation of anarchist bookfairs worldwide (on the right side of our website, under 'Liens/Links"). To the best of our knowledge, we've compiled the locations, websites and dates of upcoming bookfairs. We highlight some of the bookfairs happening between January to June 2011 below (including our own Montreal Anarchist Bookfair on May 21-22, 2011). If you have any updates about any bookfairs worldwide, send it to info@anarchistbookfair.ca … See you at one of the bookfairs below!
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LOS ANGELES ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: February 2011
INFO: http://www.anarchistbookfair.com /
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ZAGREB ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: April 1-3, 2011
INFO: http://www.ask-zagreb.org/index.htm
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BAY AREA ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: April 9-10, 2011
San Francisco County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers), Golden Gate Park
A free event – presented by Bound Together Anarchist Collective Bookstore
INFO: http://sfbookfair.wordpress.com/
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ANARCHISTISCHE BUCHMESSE MANNHEIM: 9-10 April 2011
INFO: http://buchmessemannheim.blogsport.de/
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NEW YORK CITY ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: April 9, 2011
New York City, a center of anarchist life, culture, struggle, and ideas for 150 years, will host its 5th annual NYC Anarchist Book Fair, a one-day exposition of books, zines, pamphlets, art, film/video, and other cultural and very political productions of the anarchist scene worldwide, on April 9, 2011, at Judson Memorial Church in Manhattan. The Book Fair also always includes two days of panels, presentations, workshops, and skillshares on to provide further opportunities to learn more and share your own experience and creativity.
INFO: http://anarchistbookfair.net/
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HOUSTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: April 22-24, 2011
The Houston Anarchist Book Fair and Film Festival serves to bring radical and alternative literature, education, and culture to Houston, TX, with a focus on resistance and community building. This event is being developed as a vehicle for community organizing, and networking in the southern region of the United States. The book fair will feature a variety of distro’s, infoshops, used and new books, in combination with workshops, skill shares, lectures, speeches, and facilitated open discussions. Through this we hope to create a liberated space, solidarity in the anarchist community and, regional, national and international networking. This event will have a wide array of organizations coming together in building a radical community in the south. The Houston Anarchist book fair and film festival will take place April 22-24, 2011.
INFO: http://houstonanarchistbookfair.wordpress.com/
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BRISTOL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: May 7, 2011
The 2011 Bristol bookfair is coming at you 4 months earlier this year. It will happen at the end of a week that includes an outrageously expensive royal wedding, local elections and a referendum on the latest parliamentary elections voting scam. It will happen shortly after the budget cuts of the national LibDemCon government, and local councils, will be known; whilst the job losses and cuts inherent in the austerity drive to bail out capitalism will be kicking in. The anarchist bookfair will be the perfect antidote to all this misery and displays of wealth inequality.
INFO: http://www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org/
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LE SALON DU LIVRE ANARCHISTE DE MONTRÉAL 2011
Les 21 et 22 MAI, 10h-17h
Au CEDA, 2515 Delisle
(tout près du métro Lionel-Groulx)
GRATUIT. Bienvenue à toutes et tous!

Ni dieu, ni maître; ni frontière, ni patron!
Pour les anarchistes et ceux/celles qui s'intéressent à l'anarchisme.

-> APPEL À CONTRIBUTIONS (ateliers, tables d'expositions, oeuvres d'art, films, Festival de l’anarchie): http://www.salonanarchiste.ca/appelacontributions2011
-> Avec des distributeurs de partout au Québec et en Amérique du Nord, des ateliers, des films, des discussions, des expositions, des activités pour les enfants et bien plus !
-> Tout le mois de mai 2011: Le Festival de l'Anarchie avec différents évènements en divers lieux
-> NOTE: Pour le Salon du livre de cette année, il y aura des tables d’exposition pendant DEUX JOURS : les 21 (samedi) et 22 (dimanche) mai, entre 10h et 17h.

Le Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal (ainsi que le Festival de l'Anarchie) rassemble les idées et pratiques anarchistes, par les mots, les images, la musique, le théâtre et les luttes quotidiennes pour la justice, la dignité et la libération collective.

Le Salon du livre anarchiste s'adresse aux anarchistes, mais également à celles et ceux qui ne se considèrent pas nécessairement comme anarchistes mais qui ont développé une certaine curiosité vis-à-vis de l'anarchisme. Le Salon est un espace où les anarchistes peuvent se rencontrer et échanger dans un esprit de respect mutuel et de solidarité. Tous et toutes y sont bienvenu-e-s.

Le Salon du livre anarchiste est organisé dans un esprit d'ouverture vis-à-vis des différentes traditions, visions et pratiques de l'anarchisme. Nous cherchons à promouvoir l'anarchisme en mettant en pratique des valeurs comme l'entraide, la démocratie par la base, l'action directe, l'autonomie et la solidarité, et en nous opposant à toutes les formes d'oppression.

Le Salon du livre et le Festival de l’anarchie sont une occasion importante de rassemblement et un point de référence pour les idées et les pratiques anti-autoritaires en Amérique du Nord.

-> APPEL À CONTRIBUTIONS (ateliers, tables d'expositions, oeuvres d'art, films, Festival de l’anarchie): http://www.salonanarchiste.ca/appelacontributions2011
-> Pour savoir « Qu'est-ce qui se passe au Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal? », suivez ce lien: http://www.salonanarchiste.ca/presentation/quest-ce-qui-se-passe-au-salon-du-livre-anarchiste-de-montreal
INFO: www.salonanarchiste.ca
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MONTREAL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR 2011
MAY 21-22, 10am-5pm
at the CEDA, 2515 rue Delisle
(a short walk from Lionel-Groulx metro)
FREE. Welcome to all!

No gods, no masters, no bosses, no borders.
Curious about anarchism? Check us out!

-> CALLOUT FOR PROPOSALS (Workshops, Tables, Art Exhibits, Films, Festival of Anarchy Events): http://www.anarchistbookfair.ca/calloutforproposals2011
-> Participants from all over Quebec and North America, booksellers and vendors, workshops, films, discussions, kids activities, art exhibits and more!
-> Part of the month-long Festival of Anarchy held throughout May 2011 at venues and locations all over the island of Montreal.
-> NOTE: During this year’s Bookfair, tabling will take place over TWO DAYS: May 21-22, between 10am-5pm.

The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair -- and month-long Festival of Anarchy -- bring together anarchist ideas and practice, through words, images, music, theatre and day-to-day struggles for justice, dignity and collective liberation.

The Bookfair is for people who don't necessarily consider themselves anarchists, but are curious about anarchism, as well as a space for anarchists to meet, network and share in a spirit of respect and solidarity. All are welcome.

The Bookfair is organized in a spirit of openness towards the different traditions, visions, and practices of anarchism. Together we share a commitment to promoting anarchism through the values of mutual aid, grassroots democracy, direct action, autonomy and solidarity, while opposing oppression in all its forms.

The Bookfair and Festival of Anarchy provide an important gathering and reference point for anti-authoritarian ideas and practice in North America.

-> CALLOUT FOR PROPOSALS (Workshops, Tables, Art Exhibits, Films, Festival of Anarchy Events): http://www.anarchistbookfair.ca/calloutforproposals2011
-> What Happens at the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair? Read more here: http://www.anarchistbookfair.ca/about/what-happens-at-the-bookfair
INFO: www.anarchistbookfair.ca
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SALON DU LIVRE ANARCHISTE DE BIEL/ANARCHISTISCHE BUCHMESSE BIEL: 3-5 juin 2011
En 2010 eut lieu pour la première fois dans la ville bilingue de Biel/Bienne un salon du livre anarchiste. Ce fut un grand succès: 500 visiteurs, plus d'une vingtaine de tables de livres d'organisations et éditions différentes et une petite mais bonne sélection de présentations et d'exposés sur la théorie et la pratique de l'anarchisme. C'est pourquoi nous avons décidé qu'en 2011 un salon du livre anarchiste sera à nouveau organisé à Bienne, pour la troisième fois en Suisse. Ce sera du 3 au 5 juin.
INFO: http://buechermesse.ch/2011/
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STOCKHOLM: ANARKISTISKA BOKMÄSSA: June 18, 2011
INFO: http://www.anarchistbookfairsweden.se/
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LONDON (UK) ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR: October 22, 2011
INFO: http://anarchistbookfair.org.uk
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Other Anarchist Bookfairs / Autres Salons du livres anarchistes: Le site web du Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal - www.salonanarchiste.ca - inclut une compilation de salons du livres anarchistes se tenant un peu partout sur la planète (dans le côté droit du site web, sous l'onglet "Liens/Links"). / The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair website - www.anarchistbookfair.ca - includes a compilation of anarchist bookfairs worldwide (on the right side of our website, under 'Liens/Links").

North America:
Calgary Anarchist Bookfair
Carrboro (North Carolina) Anarchist Bookfair
Chicago Anarchist Film Festival
Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair
Hamilton Anarchist Bookfair
Humboldt (California) Anarchist Bookfair
London (Ontario) Anarchist Bookfair
Portland Anarchist Bookfair
Saskatoon Anarchist Bookfair
Twin Cities (Minnesota) Anarchist Bookfair
Victoria Anarchist Bookfair

Europa:
Balkan Anarchist Bookfair
Barcelona: La Mostra del Llibre Anarquista
Copenhagen: Anarkistisk Seminar & Bogmesse
Dublin Anarchist Bookfair
Ghent: Foire internationale du livre @lternatif et libertaire
Glasgow Radical Independent Bookfair
Lisbon: Feira do livro anarquista
Manchester Anarchist Bookfair
Marseille: Foire aux livres anarchistes
Milano: Fiera Anarchica del Libro
Oberhausen: Libertäre Medienmesse
Paris: Salon du livre libertaire
Sheffield Anarchist Bookfair
Sunderland Working Class Bookfair
Tampere (Finland): Musta Pispala
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CONTACT INFO/NOS COORDONNÉES

-> announcements list/liste d’annonces : https://masses.tao.ca/lists/listinfo/salon-annonces
-> email/courriel: info@salonanarchiste.ca
-> web: www.salonanarchiste.ca
-> facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71082453058
-> twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BookfairAnarMTL
-> tél: 514-679-5800
-> poste: Salon du livre Anarchiste de Montréal
1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, Suite 204
Montréal, Québec H3G 1N1