Author Archives: IWW Bellingham

Good Praxis – The Right to Sit

From the Milwaukee Independent – “The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents about 100,000 workers, has been pushing to include in the contracts it negotiates, including at Barnes & Noble, a guaranteed right to sit during work that can be done seated, said Stuart Appelbaum, the union’s president. During one bargaining session, anContinue reading “Good Praxis – The Right to Sit”

1,100 Operational Student Employees at WWU have filed to form a union – FOR THE THIRD TIME

The Washington State Labor Council is reporting that these operational student employees intend to change current Washington State law that bars them from unionizing. Read more here. Occupational Student Employees celebrating filing for their union. Photo: WAWU-UAW

JOIN US THIS WINTER/SPRING 2026 FOR FREE MOVIE NIGHTS

3RD SATURDAYS 4:30 – 7:00 PM, JANUARY THROUGH JUNE @ KARATE CHURCH, 519 E MAPLE ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98225 January 17th: The recently released PBS/American Experience Documentary Hard Hat Riot. An important history lesson about the massive and bloody 1970 post-Kent State-massacre riot on NYC’s Wall Street that pitted anti-war “elite” college students from NYUContinue reading “JOIN US THIS WINTER/SPRING 2026 FOR FREE MOVIE NIGHTS”

IWW expands in Finland

The Finland IWW Regional Organizing Committee has been chartered by the IWW administration for Europe. The charter was issued by the delegate council of the IWW WISE-RA (Wales, Ireland, Scotland & England Regional Administration). The Whatcom-Skagit Branch congratulates and welcomes the Finland Regional Organizing Committee (FINROC) as the latest international section to be formally charterContinue reading “IWW expands in Finland”

May Day in Bellingham

International Workers Day at the New Prospect Theater. Poetry from Victoria McCallum and Carly Haapala, and musicians Lantz Simpson, “nickles”, and Jeffery Slough (Jeffrey Slough Music – EPK). A brief introduction to the IWW by D. Tucker. Admission by donation, pay what you will. Advance tickets here newprospecttheatre.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=3159293  

St Jo’s NURSES picket is ON!Tuesday April 22

Nurses at Bellingham’s St.Joseph Hospital rejected management’s “last, best, and final” offer yesterday. It was “pretty insulting” a nurse reported. See the 4/17 post on this website See you on the picket line!

Nurses plan picket at St. Jo’s on April 29

Excerpted from Cascadia Daily News 4-17-2025 [edited for brevity and with comments by IWW]: Nurses plan to picket outside PeaceHealth St. Joseph’sr on Tuesday, April 29, one month after rejecting a proposed contract (follow that link for more on the story- IWW). The picket is on if the hospital and union do not come toContinue reading “Nurses plan picket at St. Jo’s on April 29”

MOVIE NIGHT APRIL 16– SALT OF THE EARTH

Salt of the Earth [1954] is one of the most influential films in US history. It’s a feminist drama based on a 1950 strike by Chicano and white miners in New Mexico. The pro-union film was censored by the House Un-American Activities Committee. The directors and several of the actors were blacklisted by mainstream Hollywood;Continue reading “MOVIE NIGHT APRIL 16– SALT OF THE EARTH”

IWW strike continues in Bay Area

After two years of bad-faith bargaining by bosses, the IWW-organized workers at Berkeley retail salvager Urban Ore began a strike last week. The workers began solidarity union organizing in 2021, and in 2023 voted to join IWW for greater support and organizational structure. Wages are the principal issue. Urban Ore is somewhat similar to Bellingham’sContinue reading “IWW strike continues in Bay Area”

IWW organizes in Cyprus

As promised a couple days ago- IWW members in Cyprus have been organizing lately. Visit their website. Go there to read about a strike in an IWW-organized digital media company, Optilink, and contribute to their strike fund. Our Cypriot Fellow Workers are a Regional Organizing Committee within WISERA- the Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England RegionalContinue reading “IWW organizes in Cyprus”

IWW in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England- going strong

Let’s not forgot that the Industrial Workers of the WORLD is an international union. There is a strong presence across the pond; in fact the Wobs are sufficiently numerous over there to have their own independent administration, separate from ours in North America. They are the same IWW; but with different labor laws and organizingContinue reading “IWW in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England- going strong”

Fiamma Burger, Fiamme Pizza rip off their workers, says Department of Labor

This article appeared in the February 20, 2025 Bellingham Herald. Thanks to the Herald for reporting on this. We are highlighting a few items in bold to emphasize them. Federal investigation finds Bellingham restaurants owe workers $82K for OT, tip violations By Robert Mittendorf and Rachel Showalter Updated February 19, 2025 1:49 PM Rachel Weedman,Continue reading “Fiamma Burger, Fiamme Pizza rip off their workers, says Department of Labor”

IWW MOVIE NIGHT WEDNESDAY!

The best solidarity movie ever! We all could use a positive jolt these days, this is it! First film in our movie night series. Third Wednesday of Feb, March, April, May. Review? “I hate this move”- anti-union homophobe; “Best movie ever!” Everyone else.

No NLRB? No Problem

by x364181 This article appeared in the February 7, 2025 issue of IWW’s Industrial Worker, our union’s official online news and opinion site. Subscribe for free here. art by x364181. Last week Trump fired two members of the National Labor Relations Board, leaving the body without quorum and the ability to process cases. Many unionsContinue reading “No NLRB? No Problem”

MAURY FOISY- FAREWELL FELLOW WORKER

By Dave Tucker, IWW Maury Foisy of Bellingham died January 21 age 88. Maury was a charter member of the old Bellingham Branch back in the 1980s and paid his IWW dues for a good 20 years, long after that first reincarnation of the IWW faded away in the 1990s. His obituary was in Friday’sContinue reading “MAURY FOISY- FAREWELL FELLOW WORKER”

PEETS COFFEE TRIES TO BUST IWW UNION

Baristas in the Peet’s Coffee chain have been organizing into IWW’s Peet’s Labor Union for several years. In 2023, workers at three Peet’s stores in Berkeley and Oakland decided to organize with the IWW. In 2024, workers at the 4th Street store in Berkeley and at the NE Broadway store in Portland joined the IWW.Continue reading “PEETS COFFEE TRIES TO BUST IWW UNION”

An Update from the Evolve Workers

A spokesperson from the Evolve workers asked us to circulate this message. “We are disbanded as a boycott/protest group. Most of us have decided to move our energy into securing our next job, so we won’t be picketing outside Evolve again.  Wish I could say otherwise, but my voice is in the minority and IContinue reading “An Update from the Evolve Workers”

REBEL WORKER MOVIE NIGHTS RETURN TO BELLINGHAM

We revived our ‘Rebel Worker Movie Nights’- public film showings of worker, radical and union oriented films. You can see the list of films with a brief description of each- click the news and events button above. Feel free to share widely! 

WORKERS AT EVOLVE CAFE WALK OUT, call for BOYCOTT

   Virtually the entire workforce at Bellingham’s Evolve Cafe (above Village Books in Fairhaven) walked off the job early last week to protest work conditions. When a dishwasher was fired, the fuse was lit and the walk out was on. Workers are calling for a boycott of the cafe to protest the arbitrary work rulesContinue reading “WORKERS AT EVOLVE CAFE WALK OUT, call for BOYCOTT”

Inslee refuses to pardon IWW union men in 100-year-old Centralia murder case

January 10, 2025                 Washington Governor Jay Inslee has refused to pardon eight Centralia, Washington union men convicted in a controversial murder case following the 1919 Centralia Tragedy. The men, members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), were convicted in 1920 “…in a trial thatContinue reading “Inslee refuses to pardon IWW union men in 100-year-old Centralia murder case”

UNION PICKET AT BELLINGHAM REI November 16

INFORMATIONAL PICKET AT BELLINGHAM’S REI Saturday, November 16th, from 1-4 REI’s union members will  leaflet customers to keep them informed on corporate delays at the bargaining table . ALL ARE INVITED! Drop by anytime between 1 pm and 4 pm to show your support for the workers! Wear your union pin and colors (shirts, hoodies,Continue reading “UNION PICKET AT BELLINGHAM REI November 16”

Two Union Films at Pickford Film Center, Bellingham

Union, and The Day Iceland Stood Still. Union is about organizing at Amazon warehouses and the malicious response of the company we all love to hate. It will be shown at the Pickford on Friday October 25 at 5:35. Whatcom-Skagit IWW will have a literature table in the lobby prior to the film, so comeContinue reading “Two Union Films at Pickford Film Center, Bellingham”

4th Bellingham Starbucks Unionizes!

Congrats to the workers at the Starbucks at Old Fairhaven Parkway and 30th! They voted to unionize with Starbucks Workers United on September 30. This makes 4 union Starbucks in town- only the store on Bakerview remains (so far) unorganized. This is the 500th store across the country to join SBWU. The union’s press releaseContinue reading “4th Bellingham Starbucks Unionizes!”

Bellingham Starbucks Union Organizer Fired!

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPPORT FUND. https://gofund.me/50af181c On February 17th, Sehome Starbucks union organizer Gwen Williamson was cruelly fired by Starbucks bosses when she had to call out of work due to a housing emergency. This is an inhuman way to treat anyone, but we are gettng really used to this behavior from Starbucks Inc.Continue reading “Bellingham Starbucks Union Organizer Fired!”

Picket line at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham- an update

Around 20 roofers at Mount baker Roofing company called a work stoppage this morning. The picket line was at the company’s offices but the workers were from the MB Roofing shop in Skagit county. Yesterday, a group of workers presented a demand to the Skagit manager to follow state health and safety rules, and toContinue reading “Picket line at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham- an update”

The IWW Today- a presentation at Village Books Feb 15, 7PM

An IWW member from Bellingham presents ‘The IWW Today’ at Village Books. Register in advance to reserve a seat [its free]: https://www.whatcomreads.org/event/the-iww-today/ This talk will explain how the IWW works in North America and elsewhere today, with examples of some of our union campaigns. We’ll have a literature table.  

IWW Events in Bellingham

Have you read the novel Cold Millions by Jess Walter? It is set in Spokane during the 1909 IWW Free Speech fight. The book is the Whatcom County Library’s selection for this winter. It is a national bestseller and: “A Best Book of the Year: Bloomberg | Boston Globe | Chicago Public Library | Chicago Tribune | Esquire | Kirkus | New York Public Library | NewContinue reading “IWW Events in Bellingham”

Contribute to the IWW Monument in Centralia, WA

Friends and Fellow Workers! Contribute to our GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/centralia-iww-monument-fund The IWW is purchasing and installing a monument in Centralia, Washington to commemorate and honor the Wobblies who died or were imprisoned following the ‘Centralia Tragedy’ of November 11, 1919. On that day, the IWW union hall was attacked for the second time by aContinue reading “Contribute to the IWW Monument in Centralia, WA”

Starbucks Workers United Strike in Bellingham

Shuts down three stores all weekend Union workers at Bellingham Starbucks stores at Sehome Village, Cordata, and Iowa & King struck all weekend, and kept the three stores closed. Pickets from other organizations, including IWW of course, showed up to add to the picket line. Starbucks corporate made no effort to open the stores. TheContinue reading “Starbucks Workers United Strike in Bellingham”

IWW CENTRALIA MONUMENT FUND

Friends and fellow workers,The campaign to raise funds for the MONUMENT TO THE IWW VICTIMS OF THE 1919 CENTRALIA TRAGEDY is underway. Please contribute here.https://www.gofundme.com/f/centralia-iww-monument-fundAn ad hoc committee of Wobblies from around the Northwest are working to raise funds for an IWW monument in Centralia Washington. We want to tell our side of the story-Continue reading “IWW CENTRALIA MONUMENT FUND”

WWU STUDENT WORKERS FORM A UNION

Students employed by Western Washington University have formed a new union, unionized as Western Academic Workers United, affiliated with the United Auto Workers. A large majority of graduate and undergraduate student employees who do research or instructional work filed for union recognition on December 2 with the Washington Public Employment Relations Commission. The Union hopesContinue reading “WWU STUDENT WORKERS FORM A UNION”

Sehome Starbucks votes UNION- YES!

Baristas at the Starbucks in Sehome Village just voted to join Starbucks Workers United. The vote was 15-6. A small group of Starbucks workers from the three union stores as well as some Wobblies milled around outside waiting for the for the vote tally, which was announced at 6:25 PM. Three down, two stores toContinue reading “Sehome Starbucks votes UNION- YES!”

Wobblies hold Everett Massacre commemoration on November 5th

Several Fellow Workers from our branch traveled to Everett last Saturday to commemorate the November 5, 1916 EVERETT MASSACRE. We gathered with Wobs from Everett and Tacoma on the old brick pavement under the railroad trestle at the foot of Hewitt Avenue to tie 12 wreaths to the chain link fence. The wreaths are inContinue reading “Wobblies hold Everett Massacre commemoration on November 5th”

‘Drive-by Soapboxes’ by the IWW in Bellingham

Whatcom-Skagit IWWs have been standing along busy streets at rush hour to promote the union idea, and the IWW’s brand specifically. We have been along Lakeway, Holly and James. We get lots of waves and honks and ‘solidarity fists’. Sure, a few fingers too, but not very many. People stop to talk to us; weContinue reading “‘Drive-by Soapboxes’ by the IWW in Bellingham”

Subscribe to IWW media- Seattle Worker and Industrial Worker

The Seattle Worker is the bimonthly newsletter of the Seattle IWW. Seattle is one of the largest and most actively unionizing branches in our union. You can subscribe to get paper copies in the mail, and also view content online. It is locally focused, and occasionally features articles from Wobblies in the Whatcom-Skagit branch. IndustrialContinue reading “Subscribe to IWW media- Seattle Worker and Industrial Worker”

Know Your Rights: Washington Equal Pay and Opportunites Act

[This article is copied from the Seattle IWW web site.] The “Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act” went into effect on July 28, 2019. It states that when interviewing for a job: Your potential future boss can’t ask you how much money you make (or even how much you have made in the past) untilContinue reading “Know Your Rights: Washington Equal Pay and Opportunites Act”

UPDATING THE BELLINGHAM IWW WEBSITE

Friends and fellow workers, The Whatcom-Skagit IWW branch is finally beginning to update our website at bellinghamiww.org. Many links lead to an outdated IWW website so we are fixing those. We will get back to regular blog posts. To learn more about the IWW in Northwest Washington write to us this cleverly disguised address bellinghamContinue reading “UPDATING THE BELLINGHAM IWW WEBSITE”

Teamsters in Bellingham vote to strike

If the workers at Bellingham Cold Storage do strike, IWW encourages you to show up and walk the picket line with them in Solidarity. The following was posted on “The Stand” https://www.thestand.org/?p=99324 with information from Teamsters Local 231: BELLINGHAM (June 15, 2021) — Teamsters Local 231 members at Bellingham Cold Storage (BCS) have voted unanimouslyContinue reading “Teamsters in Bellingham vote to strike”

Union loses at Amazon- one postmortem

There will surely be many analyses of why the Retail, Warehouse, and Distribution Workers Union [RWDSU] lost the union election at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer Alabama. Here is one very insightful analysis of why RWDSU lost the union campaign in Bessemer. The mistakes made by this union are astonishing; things we learn on dayContinue reading “Union loses at Amazon- one postmortem”

Strikes expand and continue in Yakima Valley

There are now 6 fruit packing houses on strike in Yakima and Selah. Workers at Matson Fruit in Selah walked out Friday AM. Safe working conditions in the crowded packing sheds is the immediate concern, but other safety and wage issues are ever-present. The son of the owner at Hansen reputedly referred to the strikersContinue reading “Strikes expand and continue in Yakima Valley”

Fruit industry workers go on a wave of strikes in the Yakima area

There has been a wave of strikes and job actions by largely Hispanic fruit packing house, winery, and other farm workers in the Yakima area. A 5-day strike at Allan Bros Winery in Naches won pay raises today. Workers at Roche Fruit Co. in Yakima won a pay raise on May 11. New strikes haveContinue reading “Fruit industry workers go on a wave of strikes in the Yakima area”

(Labor Notes) Safety: Bosses Want to Fix the Worker, Unions Want to Fix the Job

Unions and bosses have different outlooks on safety. Employers say illnesses and injuries are caused by worker carelessness: he didn’t wash his hands enough; she touched her face. That’s the way the boss wants you to think, too. But the union realizes that it’s the hazards themselves that cause injuries, and that it’s the bossContinue reading “(Labor Notes) Safety: Bosses Want to Fix the Worker, Unions Want to Fix the Job”

Noam Chomsky: Bosses Are Making Coronavirus ‘Worse, for Their Benefit’

“Well, first of all, we should recognize that unless we get to the roots of this pandemic, it’s going to recur, probably in worse form, simply because of the manipulations of the capitalist system which are trying to create circumstances in which it will be worse, for their benefit. We can see that in theContinue reading “Noam Chomsky: Bosses Are Making Coronavirus ‘Worse, for Their Benefit’”

Restaurant Staff Fight for Coworkers Left out of Pandemic Relief

[Via organizing.work.] Marianne Garneau interviews a restaurant worker organizing support for migrant coworkers who cannot access government assistance in the wake of pandemic-related layoffs The restaurant industry in New York runs on migrant labor – especially the “back of house” or kitchen — much of it undocumented. As explained in this excellent article by Eater,Continue reading “Restaurant Staff Fight for Coworkers Left out of Pandemic Relief”

IWW’s ORGANIZER TRAINING 101

IN BELLINGHAM February 29- March 1, 2020. 9AM-4PM both days. $10 donation requested at the door A two day workshop for workers gearing up to plan or help out with a union campaign on the job, whether formal or ‘guerilla style’. This workshop is taught by IWW’s certified trainers. It focuses on the IWW’s modelContinue reading “IWW’s ORGANIZER TRAINING 101”

IWW General Executive Board Statement on the Iran Conflict

The General Executive Board recently passed the following statement: As an internationalist union, the IWW has always stood in opposition to the wars brought upon the world by the capitalist class. As one of the founders of the IWW, Eugene Debs, once said in his famous Canton speech (1917), “The master class has always declaredContinue reading “IWW General Executive Board Statement on the Iran Conflict”

Organizer Training 101 February 9-10

As most people who visit this website know, the IWW differs from both social activist groups and other labor unions in some very important ways. We are not a social activist group, our agenda never takes place on a political platform, and taking to the streets will always be directed at a workplace. Also, weContinue reading “Organizer Training 101 February 9-10”

IWW Movie Night: SORRY TO BOTHER YOU

IWW’s Rebel Worker Movie Night returns for our third winter series! BELLINGHAM PREMIER OF SORRY TO BOTHER YOU [2018] Thursday, December 6, 8 PM Alternative Library, 519 E. Maple $5 donation requested, to support the Library and the IWW Organizing Fund. No one turned away for lack of funds. How did a film this radicalContinue reading “IWW Movie Night: SORRY TO BOTHER YOU”

Movie about IWW at Pickford Cinema, Oct 7 and 16

The Pickford Cinema in Bellingham will show “BISBEE ’17” about the deportation of over 1000 IWW miners from Bisbee Arizona in 1917 during “Doctober”. Heavily armed cops and Phelps-Dodge Corporation gun thugs rounded up union members and community supporters, loaded them onto boxcars, and dumped them without any provisions in the desert.  The film discussesContinue reading “Movie about IWW at Pickford Cinema, Oct 7 and 16”

Photos from IWW picket in Seattle, June 15

Yesterday’s picket in front of the Grassroots Campaign Inc offices was impressive. Lots of Wobblies and some friends showed up in Fremont [ a Seattle neighborhood], including 4 from the Whatcom-Skagit IWW branch. We marched around on the narrow sidewalk, chanted, and sang rabble-rousin’ songs. IWW members in Industrial Union 650 won a union electionContinue reading “Photos from IWW picket in Seattle, June 15”

IWW picket line in Seattle

IWW members recently won a union election at the Seattle field office of Grassroots Campaigns Inc. The local management agreed to negotiate but corporate [in Boston] gave the word to bust the union. So much for ‘progressive’ liberal businesses. [That’s GCI’s own term.] The union held a 13-hour march on the boss Friday the 8thContinue reading “IWW picket line in Seattle”

June 17: IWW meeting in Bellingham

Monthly general meeting of Whatcom-Skagit IWW is Sunday June 17. All workers are welcome. An informal social begins at 5:30 [meet us, ask questions, pay dues]. The business meeting call to order is at 6:30. The meeting is not thrilling but if you are interested in IWW you can see how we do things. ForContinue reading “June 17: IWW meeting in Bellingham”

Intro to the IWW

Public presentation: WHAT IS THE IWW AND SHOULD YOU JOIN? Sunday, July 9, 2017 at Bellingham’s Alternative Library. 519 W. Maple 6-8 PM Free IWW members will explain what our union is all about, and help you decide if membership is right for you. Industrial Workers of the World is North America’s only revolutionary, specificallyContinue reading “Intro to the IWW”

CWA Union STRIKES in Whatcom, Skagit Counties

PICKET LINE!!! Support STRIKING AT&T Workers in Bellingham. Stand With Communications Workers of America (CWA) Saturday and Sunday! [Thanks for the notice, Janet McK!] Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, from 9 am to 7 pm during store hours: 4291 Meridian St, Bellingham 1820 S Burlington Blvd, Burlington Communications Workers of America members acrossContinue reading “CWA Union STRIKES in Whatcom, Skagit Counties”

IWW’s Rebel Worker Movie Night!

“20 FEET FROM STARDOM” Tuesday, May 9, 7PM Alternative Library, 519 E. Maple $5 requested, but all welcome. Proceeds benefit IWW Organizing Fund and the Library. The film is a documentary about the lives of the mostly black women who were the vocalists behind R&B and Rock’s greatest hits. They are largely uncredited, but ifContinue reading “IWW’s Rebel Worker Movie Night!”

Picket in support of PeaceHealth Lab Workers. Friday Apr 14, 9-10:30 AM

VERY IMPORTANT picket at corner of Ellis and Squalicum [near St. Joe’s entrance] 9-10:30 AM Sorry for last minute, folks, we just found out. Lab workers union is meeting with PeaceHealth admin Friday AM over the plan to sell the labs to for-profit Quest Diagnostics megacorp. Need AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE to show thatContinue reading “Picket in support of PeaceHealth Lab Workers. Friday Apr 14, 9-10:30 AM”

PICKETS in support of Peace Health lab workers and their union

IWW encourages you to help put public pressure on Peace Health to keep their labs open and not sell them to a California company with a terrible labor record. Join Peace Health workers and community members as we tell PeaceHealth administration DON’T SELL THE LABS.  KEEP UNION JOBS IN BELLINGHAM PICKETS Tuesday March 28th 4:30-6Continue reading “PICKETS in support of Peace Health lab workers and their union”

April 1918: Trial of the Century

From Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, we have this passage to share with you: “In early September 1917, Department of Justice agents made simultaneous raids on forty-eight IWW meeting halls across the country… 165 IWW leaders were arrested for conspiring to hinder the draft, encourage desertion… One hundred and one wentContinue reading “April 1918: Trial of the Century”

Rebel Worker MOVIE NIGHT Feb 28

“THE TAKE”  A documentary by Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis [2004] Argentine workers expropriate shuttered shops and keep them going! Thursday February 28 7 PM Alternative Library’, 519 E. Maple [the ‘Karate Church’] $5 recommended donation. Proceeds to IWW organizing projects In 2004, workers throughout Argentina occupied and then expropriated factories, work shops, health clinicsContinue reading “Rebel Worker MOVIE NIGHT Feb 28”

Organizer Training in Bellingham

FEBRUARY 25-6 IN BELLINGHAM 9-5 BOTH DAYS Whatcom-Skagit IWW is hosting a two-day organizing workshop. If you ever wanted to organize your fellow workers, or think you might try in the future, this is for you. It emphasizes direct action solidarity unionism over bureaucratic National Labor Relations Board procedures. All are invited to register [butContinue reading “Organizer Training in Bellingham”

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MARCH BURLINGTON FEB. 12

Familias Unidas por la Justicia los invita a marchar con nosotros. Familias Unidas por La Justicia Invites You to March With Us. IWW members will march with our big red banner. MARCH BEGINS in the corner of Fairhaven Ave & Burlington Blvd. in Burlington, WA 98233 and ENDS AT CITY HALL in downtown MT. VERNON.Continue reading “IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MARCH BURLINGTON FEB. 12”

Intro to the Industrial Workers of the World ( IWW )

Thursday January 5th. 7-8:30 PM. Public Market meeting room [behind Film is Truth counter] 1530 Cornwall, Bellingham Learn what about the Industrial Workers of the World [IWW; ‘Wobblies’]. We will have updates on IWW around the world. All workers in all types of work are invited to this presentation. Our union seeks to help workersContinue reading “Intro to the Industrial Workers of the World ( IWW )”

IWW on radio in Bellingham WEDNESDAY

Friends and fellow workers, Two members of the Industrial Workers of the World from Bellingham will be interviewed live on the Joe Show, KBAI 930 AM, noon to 1 today [Wednesday]. Topic is the IWW’s attitude toward the election, though it will likely evolve into more of a discussion of IWW’s methods and goals. ItContinue reading “IWW on radio in Bellingham WEDNESDAY”

Official IWW response to US election

A message to the working class in the wake of the 2016 United States Presidential election from the General Executive Board of the Industrial Workers of the World Submitted on Tue, 11/22/2016 – 2:41pm   https://iww.org/ Official Statement – IWW General Executive Board, November 22, 2016 These are difficult times for the working class, times ofContinue reading “Official IWW response to US election”

IWW group is forming in Snohomish County

A new IWW delegate has been credentialed in Snohomish County, and membership is taking off. Since the Everett Massacre commemoration on November 5th, new members have been signing up. If you live in the Everett-Edmonds-north King County region, contact the group directly: snohowobs    at   gmail    dot    com. Members of the new group are paying duesContinue reading “IWW group is forming in Snohomish County”

Dont Mourn: Organize. Message from Swedish SAC to IWW

The election of Donald Trump sends ripples of fear and uncertainty around the world, and terror into the hearts of people who are his targets for hatred and discrimination: immigrants of all kinds, the LGBTQ community, Muslims, and minorities. Union-organized workers are expected to feel the heat, too, especially once his Supreme Court begins toContinue reading “Dont Mourn: Organize. Message from Swedish SAC to IWW”

Intro to IWW in Everett

Two “Intro to the IWW” presentations in Everett for prospective members and the curious. All are welcome. Thursday November 10, 7-9 PM, Firewheel Coffeehouse 2727 Colby Saturday November 19, 3-5 PM, Anchor Tavern, 1001 Hewitt. Find out how the IWW organizes and what we are up to today. IWW members from Whatcom-Skagit and Seattle branchesContinue reading “Intro to IWW in Everett”

IWW commemorates Everett Massacre on Nov. 5th.

On November 5th, 1916, a dozen members of the Industrial Workers of the World were shot and killed as they tried to enter Everett Washington by boat. IWW members in the northwest AND ALL OUR FRIENDS in the UNION and RADICAL WORKERS MOVEMENT will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Everett Massacre. Meet at theContinue reading “IWW commemorates Everett Massacre on Nov. 5th.”

Rebel Worker Movie Night Oct 25

Tuesday, 7 PM, Public Market Building Meeting Room [behind the Film is Truth counter]. $5 suggested donation, proceeds to the IWW organizing fund. No one turned away for lack of funds. MATEWAN [1987] is a drama about the 1920 mine wars in West Virginia. White miners are fighting coal company thugs to protect their union.Continue reading “Rebel Worker Movie Night Oct 25”

IWW cafe workers campaign in NYC continues

The famous Singing Servers and other restaurant workers at Ellen’s Stardust Diner continue their protest over illegal firings of union members. So far, 15 IWW members have been fired at the popular tourist destination just off Broadway. The organizing campaign of the Stardust Family United IWW union continues. http://www.stardustfamilyunited.com/ New management at Ellen’s decided toContinue reading “IWW cafe workers campaign in NYC continues”

Picket to support WWU staff union

Wednesday, August 31, 4-6  PM Rally in front of Western Washington University offices Herald Building, corner of Chestnut and State, Bellingham Join members of Public School Employees [the classified staff at WWU] to show support for negotiations for a union contract. Bring signs supporting these workers, who truly make WWU function. When an institution suchContinue reading “Picket to support WWU staff union”

Meet the IWW in Bellingham!

All workers are invited to an introductory presentation about the Industrial Workers of the World. Monday, July 25th, 2016 7-9 PM Alternative Library, 929 N. State Hosted by Whatcom-Skagit IWW . A public presentation on the IWW and how we organize, and  our goal of the One Big Union for all workers. All are invited.Continue reading “Meet the IWW in Bellingham!”

MAY DAY MARCH with Farmworkers in Bellingham

IWW is proud to join with Familias Unidas por la Justicia in the annual Farm Workers March for Dignity on INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY, May 1, in Bellingham. Farmworkers begin their long walk down Guide Meridian from Lynden to Bellingham. We urge you to join the march at Costco, 11 PM. There will be an informationalContinue reading “MAY DAY MARCH with Farmworkers in Bellingham”

CLIMATE, CLASS, and CAPITALISM Panel

Wednesday, May 4th 7 pm – 9 pm 1st Congregational Church 2401 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham Throughout the world, the oppressed bear the brunt of Climate Change.   Going it alone is not an option.  To save ourselves, we must save each other.  How are we all connected?  The Blue-Green Committee of the Industrial Workers of theContinue reading “CLIMATE, CLASS, and CAPITALISM Panel”

IWW Movie Night #2: Salt of theEarth

IWW REBEL WORKER MOVIE NIGHT SALT OF THE EARTH APRIL 16, 2016, 7 PM Garden St. Methodist Church, 1326 N. Garden     “Salt of the Earth” [1954] is one of the first movies to advance the feminist social and political point of view. Its plot centers on a long and difficult strike, based onContinue reading “IWW Movie Night #2: Salt of theEarth”

IWW Movie Night

PRIDE March 19, 7 PM Bellingham Alternative Library 929 State Street $2 “Pride” (2014, 2 hours)  London gays and lesbians raise funds to support  striking coal miners in Thatcher’s Britain. Based on a true story, the developing solidarity between the initially homophobic miners and the LGBTQ community is inspiring. This is the first in theContinue reading “IWW Movie Night”

The Joe Hill commemorative show- November 15, Bellingham

JOE HILL 100 CONCERT Featuring Linda Allen, David Rovics, George Mann, and Rebel Voices Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the murder of IWW songwriter and organizer Joe Hill. Scroll down to learn more about Joe Hill and the tour. Sunday, November 15th Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship 1207 Ellsworth Street, Bellingham Doors at 6:30, Show at 7:00Continue reading “The Joe Hill commemorative show- November 15, Bellingham”

Whatcom-Skagit IWW website is being updated!

Friends and Fellow Workers, Work has begun to update the Whatcom-Skagit IWW website. It is still a work in progress. Some new pages have been added (see tabs at top). Still work to be done, but in the meantime subscribe to the website and tell us what you want to see on it, and sendContinue reading “Whatcom-Skagit IWW website is being updated!”