Oliver Bateman Does the WorkVerified account

Hey @whatisleftpod @MoustacheClubUS what do y'all think of anarchist orgs that take a "building worker power from below" stance? (thinking of groups like Black Rose/Rosa Negra etc)

in terms of seeing on a day to day basis how worker power is addressed from above, how workers relate to other workers generally, and the current fractured state of an already flawed economy, i have no faith in any structures to redress these structural problems. bleak, i know.

i mean, we all have to keep "doing the work," but only one tiny portion of the population cuts the paychecks for that work. continued distress may allow for some organizational opportunities in food service, delivery, etc., but i think the situation would have to worsen first

That's kinda where I was leaning, I think it makes sense. Sure, it's possible to build power to get things like better wages and vacation, but I just cannot see the payoff of a non-electoral mass labor movement that is so thoroughly committed to an abolitionist etc platform

that is correct. i have watched workers self-organize -- watch in the professional sense -- to fix issues with their overtime, commuting pay, etc. that was bottom-up work. small adjustments like this are possible. but an "abolish it" / "general strike" platform...no.

also, when workers have organized from the bottom up to redress grievances, i can tell you...these workers were not "pals." they were not in agreement in re ideology, etc. they had a shared goal but not a shared language. the latter is far far harder to "teach"