I posted this in GD, but we might get more interesting discussion here...

[socialist_n_TN]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britains-biggest-unions-put-weight-behind-plan-for-general-strike-8559027.html

[limpyhobbler]

1. Yeah it's pretty interesting.

Hopefully it will be the start of something awesome.

[socialist_n_TN]

2. It's one of those things that is, sO far, only in the "conception" stage......

I daren't put too much stock into it as yet. HOWEVER, it's also a positive that, in our two countries, that people in the official unions are even contemplating it. Definitely something to watch out for. Also, my advice (for what it's worth is to start lobbying, propagandizing, and agitating the EMs and NCOs in the military. That's something that should be done pre-strike.

[limpyhobbler]

4. Whenever I think I'm the craziest mofo on this website

here you come to reassure me I'm not. just kidding. Agitating in the military? If it's legal sure. No need to turn political organizing into treason or something at this point. I'm not really sure what the legal issues are for a general strike in the UK. In the US unions can't formally help with a general strike because the Taft-Hartley Act forbids it. Repealing that law should be a top priority for a US working class movement, I suppose.

[socialist_n_TN]

5. Hey I'm in a left communist group and...

I'm generally on the left of that. However, agitating in the military needs to be the next preparatory step because in any EXTENDED general strike (a pre-revolutionary situation, not necessarily this 24 hour thing the article speaks about), the military WILL be brought in. And that means we need the grunts on our side. Ergo, the agitation. That's just planning ahead.

As to the legal ramifications, the article mentioned them for the UK too and also brought up some possibilities for sidestepping them. As an example, during the recent School Bus drivers strike in NYC, they were working without a contract. There are (I think I'm correct here) two OTHER public sector unions in the City that are ALSO working without a contract, the teachers and I believe the Transit workers. Now if all three of those unions went out TOGETHER it would not only increase their clout, but they would also be, arguably anyway, clear of TH violations BECAUSE they're ALL working without a contract and CAN strike at any time. I think something like this applies in the UK too, per the article.

Bottom line though is that any serious class fightback by the proletariat WILL BE ILLEGAL! If not right away, then as soon as the bourgeois legislature can pass the law and the executive can sign it. That's why class warriors usually spend some time in prison.

[limpyhobbler]

6. oh that's fine then...

just kidding. I always enjoy hearing your refreshing ideas on here.

Seems like so far the police are doing a good job breaking up protests. If it ever gets to the point where the police can't be trusted to shoot civilians, then I guess the military would probably be called in. It might be called something else, like the civilian defense department or something. All this talk might somewhat be putting the cart before the horse though. It's hard enough to get 10 people in a room for a meeting. It makes sense to think about the ideas though too.

[rug]

3. Good. 87 years is too long.

[Beer Swiller]

7. Most interesting. Thanks for bringing this.

Of course, in the article, there was this little caveat:

"Under employment law, strikes have to relate to specific disputes and therefore co-ordinated industrial action echoing 1926 could be deemed illegal."

Specific disputes. I suppose having a dispute with the corporatist policies of the Government isn't enough. How bloody convenient.

Still, this is good idea. Too bad there's nothing like it even being discussed in America.

Anyway, I see some familiar names in this forum. I'm surprised to see that it exists here, but I'm glad, therefore I just signed up.

[socialist_n_TN]

8. Well, welcome to DU and Socialist Progressives.....

And yeah we discussed this a little bit earlier in the thread. Even though there are a few ways to get around some of the laws, everybody might as well get used to the fact that any serious pushback by the proletariat will be illegal. If not already illegal, then it will soon be made illegal.

BTW, per the TOS of this group, we try to stay away from the name calling that characterize a lot of other farther left groups. We've got all sorts here, Marxists of the Stalinist AND Trotskyist variety, anarchists, democratic socialists and a lot who are unaffiliated. We can argue the issues that might divide us, but we stay away from the name calling. So don't be shy!