Sussex uni students pass motion of support for posties

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I'm not bothered if some students somewhere want to pass a motion of support. It's more than most politicos have done since June. If they want to produce leaflets telling their fellow students what a scab is, and why they're wrong, that's fine by me. There isn't much students can do to support us, so when some of them offer something in the way of support, I'm not going to pull a book out by some dead Russian nobleman just to see if I can find something to attack them with. Good for them. Some of them might end up in middle-class jobs in management, teaching or as army officers, some might not. Until then, I'm quite happy that they've decided to support us and if they get the JMU students (or even just some of them) not to scab in future, then good.

[devrim]

The student union resolution is useful if it backs up efforts to build solidarity on campuses, including stopping temp operations that are trying to recruit student strikebreakers, or is used to challenge the media to provide a fair debate etc. If it doesnt do that, it is still a step but doesn't fulfill its potential. It is a piece of paper, just like libcom leaflets if noone hands them out or acts on them.

I would presume that the people on Libcom who produced leaflets did hand them out. Whether anything will come of the students motion we will see. I just mentioned it as they seemed to be being criticised for being pro students scabbing nearly. There is a discussion here about what can be done with motions in union branches, but I am not going to get into it here.

I'm not bothered if some students somewhere want to pass a motion of support. It's more than most politicos have done since June. If they want to produce leaflets telling their fellow students what a scab is, and why they're wrong, that's fine by me. There isn't much students can do to support us, so when some of them offer something in the way of support, I'm not going to pull a book out by some dead Russian nobleman just to see if I can find something to attack them with. Good for them. Some of them might end up in middle-class jobs in management, teaching or as army officers, some might not. Until then, I'm quite happy that they've decided to support us and if they get the JMU students (or even just some of them) not to scab in future, then good.

The pseudo anti-intellectualism here is a bit pathetic. Nobody on that thread actually referred to mentioned any 'dead Russian noblemen'. But what is the implication here? Is it that workers shouldn't read books? If people want to struggle, and support the struggles of other workers is it wrong to discuss what the best way to do it is? Or should we go on listening to what the unions tell us?

Devrim

[IWW Fellow Worker]

The pseudo anti-intellectualism here is a bit pathetic. Nobody on that thread actually referred to mentioned any 'dead Russian noblemen'. But what is the implication here? Is it that workers shouldn't read books? If people want to struggle, and support the struggles of other workers is it wrong to discuss what the best way to do it is? Or should we go on listening to what the unions tell us?

Devrim

What is pathetic is a member of a middle-class profession slagging off a bunch of students whose crime is passing a motion in support of a group of striking workers. You can have a pop at students, lefties, Trots etc all you like, but what should be pointed out is that they were on the picket line with us. I for one won't forget that. You're complaining that students might get nice jobs on libcom. Don't come on here suggesting that I think workers shouldn't read books. I just think it's a good idea if some people got their heads out of books from time to time before making smart arsed remarks about some students who are supporting us.

[devrim]

What is pathetic is a member of a middle-class profession slagging off a bunch of students whose crime is passing a motion in support of a group of striking workers. You can have a pop at students, lefties, Trots etc all you like, but what should be pointed out is that they were on the picket line with us. I for one won't forget that. You're complaining that students might get nice jobs on libcom. Don't come on here suggesting that I think workers shouldn't read books. I just think it's a good idea if some people got their heads out of books from time to time before making smart arsed remarks about some students who are supporting us.

I am not sure what IWWFW means by a member of a 'nice middle class profession', personally I am somebody who works by the hour in casual work without any insurance, very usual where I live.

Again I would say that my only crime is asking what is the best way to struggle.

It is very usually when we criticise the unions to get this sort of response.

I didn't expect it from IWW members, but you live, and learn.

Devrim

[IWW Fellow Worker]

What is pathetic is a member of a middle-class profession slagging off a bunch of students whose crime is passing a motion in support of a group of striking workers. You can have a pop at students, lefties, Trots etc all you like, but what should be pointed out is that they were on the picket line with us. I for one won't forget that. You're complaining that students might get nice jobs on libcom. Don't come on here suggesting that I think workers shouldn't read books. I just think it's a good idea if some people got their heads out of books from time to time before making smart arsed remarks about some students who are supporting us.

I am not sure what IWWFW means by a member of a 'nice middle class profession', personally I am somebody who works by the hour in casual work without any insurance, very usual where I live.

Again I would say that my only crime is asking what is the best way to struggle.

It is very usually when we criticise the unions to get this sort of response.

I didn't expect it from IWW members, but you live, and learn.

Devrim

You aren't critcising a union. You are trying to score political points off a well meaning group of students. If you really want to live and learn, I suggest you read 'Educating Who About What. The circled 'A' and it's parasites'.

[Matti]

I'll be a bit slower in criticising the CPGB for waffling about other organisations while sitting on their arses doing nothing after this. Speaking as a member of the working class, if I was in a tight spot and had to choose someone to watch my back, I'd be getting one of those kids from Sussex before relying on some of those space cadets on libcom.

Haha, that's funny mate, considering I'm both a Sussex student AND a member of the libcom collective! As for the JMU students getting less of a hard time for scabbing than USSU for passing the motion, I think that's a bit unfair considering there aren't any JMU students on the boards. Also, I'm not sure what sort of discussion you'd expect people to have about scabbing, its not like there's any disagreement on whether its bad or not!

Personally, even though I reckon that the anti-USSU types are wrong on this one, I still welcome the row. After all, that's how working class politics develops, no? I'd rather get criticism from people on things I might not have thought about than just have people pat me on the back all day.

Anyway, glad you guys appreciate the support. I think there are plans in the pipeline to get a postal worker to do a talk at the uni soon and hopefully some other stuff soon. The motion should only be the beginning!

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I'll be a bit slower in criticising the CPGB for waffling about other organisations while sitting on their arses doing nothing after this. Speaking as a member of the working class, if I was in a tight spot and had to choose someone to watch my back, I'd be getting one of those kids from Sussex before relying on some of those space cadets on libcom.

Haha, that's funny mate, considering I'm both a Sussex student AND a member of the libcom collective! As for the JMU students getting less of a hard time for scabbing than USSU for passing the motion, I think that's a bit unfair considering there aren't any JMU students on the boards. Also, I'm not sure what sort of discussion you'd expect people to have about scabbing, its not like there's any disagreement on whether its bad or not!

Personally, even though I reckon that the anti-USSU types are wrong on this one, I still welcome the row. After all, that's how working class politics develops, no? I'd rather get criticism from people on things I might not have thought about than just have people pat me on the back all day.

Anyway, glad you guys appreciate the support. I think there are plans in the pipeline to get a postal worker to do a talk at the uni soon and hopefully some other stuff soon. The motion should only be the beginning!

Well done for passing the motion, and if it goes further than that, great. I'm not on about people discussing scabbing. There is no discussion to have. What I'm on about is a couple of anarchists who just have to have a pop at some other organisation whenever they do something because it doesn't fit in with their view on things. Anyway, with more working class kids going on to higher education, the last thing we need is someone alienating them by complaining when some of them try to help.