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International Conference in Bratislava

On Oct. 11-12, an international conference was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, devoted to problems in the workplace and improving organization. The first day was a public conference where different organizations presented their activity and ways of working while the second day was devoted to discussing how to improve our organizations.

The public conference was entitled „Problems at Work?”. This conference was meant in part to highlight Priama Akcia's „Problems at Work” campaign, which is meant to get more people involved in workplace struggles and into contact with the organization. Representatives of four organizations gave presentations: the Most Solidarity Network from the Czech Republic, Priama Akcia from Slovakia, ZSP from Poland and Solidarity Federation from UK.

150 Anniversary of the Founding of the International Workingmen's Association

The First International was founded on September 28, 1864 in London. It brought together various socialist, anarchist and communist groups, which sought to forward the class struggle through an international organization.

Since the International consisted of organizations and people with a wide-range of philosophies, debate and conflict about the direction of the International was present from the start. The anarchists, especially the mutualists, opposed the communists and statism in general. Later, the entrance of collectivist anarchists into the International permanently divided it into two clear camps: those who supported the state in some way and those who were opposed.

The anarchists favoured direct struggle of the workers. They argued that the Marxists' ideas were authoritarian and if a Marxist type party ever came to power, they would be as bad as the rulers that the workers were fighting against.

The anarchists, in this respect, were proven correct.

End of Conflict with Santander Bank, ISBAN and Panel Sistemas... but the struggle continues

For the past year, the our comrades from the CNT have been in conflict with the above companies which outsource IT workers to avoid direct contracting for Santander Bank and some other firms. ISBAN is owned by Santander Bank and is used to avoid direct hiring. In this way, about 10,000 workers are forced to work in more precarious conditions. Our comrade from the IT Workers Union in Madrid was fired after calling
attention to the problems and trying to organize.

The CNT organized actions around Spain and the IWA around the world. A few other organizations and comrades also took part in solidarity actions that were held in 15 countries.

We understand that the solidarity actions did a lot to help! We have been informed that a resolution has been reached in the case of the individual comrade and that the economic compensation is much greater
than normal. We are sure that this is a result of the solidarity campaign.

After more than one year, our comrade has already moved on to another city and other things. Therefore, he decided he would not like to return to his old job.

We can consider this to be a personal victory for the worker, but the larger problem in the company remains. Our comrade IT workers in Spain are fighting in general against these types of working conditions and we wish them the best in their struggles.

Our comrade points out that he is very happy that the results achieved were due to direct action and international pressure. He hopes that this conflict can serve as an example of our way of working, which is
based on solidarity and show that the IWA is an effective tool for workers who want to fight against multinational corporations.

We thank all the comrades who have shown solidarity in this case.

Victory in the conflict against SOS Children's Village and Creation of Union

On February 7, 2014, our comrade from CNT in Spain was dismissed from his job as educator at an SOS Children´s Village in Catalonia. He had begun to observe various violations of workers rights including unpaid overtime, not being able to use vacation time, some health and safety violations, etc. etc. He tried to get the employer to comply with norms and also informed the work inspection of these violations. A few days later he was fired. The CNT and the IWA consider that the dismissal was retaliation for the worker insisting that the employer comply with regulations. Action were held on the national level on Spain and solidarity was shown internationally by the IWA Sections. We are pleased to inform that recently this comrade was reinstated in his job.

Great anarcho-syndicalist farewell to Emilio Botín

Just one day after the banker's death, the International Workers Association and affinity groups call for dozens of boycott actions against Santander Bank, Isban and Panel Sistemas in Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal, Argentina, Poland, Mexico and Norway.

The trial for wrongful dismissal is set on the next September 29th in Madrid. Whatever happens, direct action has shown to be the working class's strongest weapon along the conflict.

A CNT union section was formed in Isban-Santander Bank on August 19th, 2013 at Madrid. This group of precarious workers denounced illegal trafficking of staff from Panel Sistemas to Isban.

More than 10,000 workers around the world are affected. They are not considered Isban workers, although they work for Isban in its facilities, with their tools and under their managers' orders.

Communiqué on the Death of Emilio Botin

We strongly condemn what we consider to be the terrorist acts of the Santander group, such as the semi-slave working conditions of thousands of workers not recognized by Isban, the selling of junk bonds and mortgages, investment in arms, tax evasion, etc.

These practices have ultimately ended in the death of a decrepid old man of 79 who bore the "burden" of being the most powerful man in Spain and powerful abroad. All the riches in the world could not prevent him from landing up in the grave at some point.

One year of direct action against Santander Bank

A CNT union section was formed in Isban-Santander Bank on August 19th, 2013 at Madrid. This group of precarious workers denounced illegal trafficking of staff from Panel Sistemas to Isban.

More than 10,000 workers around the world are affected. They are not considered Isban workers, although they work for Isban in its facilities, with their tools and under their managers' orders.

Panel Sistemas and dozens of "meat traders" companies benefit from workers renting. This way, Santander Bank has free sacking whenever they want.

This makes workers ACCEPT free overtime, neverending working days, and depreciated salaries.

After several weeks of fight in the company, the CNT delegate is fired by Isban-Santander Bank and sent to work at Panel Sistemas offices. The conflict spreads thanks to the solidarity of the International Workers Association.

During six months, Panel Sistemas managers KEEP pressing the worker at his new workstation, trying to make him stop claiming for decent working conditions for the staff. At the street, an international boycott campaign against Isban, Santander Bank and Panel Sistemas is supported by dozens of revolutionary unions worldwide.

International Presentations in Asia

In the first weeks of August, a series of presentations and discussions on anarchosyndicalism took place in Asia. Many IWA Sections presented topics and took part in meetings and round table discussions with a wide-range of activists from Hong Kong and Taipei.

Besides a presentation and discussions on the principles and practice of anarchosyndicalism and a presentation on the IWA, its history and how it works, seven Sections of the IWA took part, presenting something about themselves and how they organize. There were plenty of examples of successful direct actions, accompanied by videos. There were explanations about how some organizations choose to carry out certain campaign and also examples of social protests or activities the Sections have been engaged in, ranging from mass protests in Brazil to cooperatives in Spain to tenants movements in Poland.

The events generated lots of discussion and exchange. We also got to learn something about the local realities in Hong Kong and Taiwan, setting extra meetings with activists. A separate meeting was held on anti-gentrification movements in which some of the Hongkong activists participate, sharing their experiences.

The comrades who took part in organizing the events assessed them positively and would like to continue dialogues and produce some more basic texts geared towards people in that region.

We thank everybody who helped to organize the events in these cities, everyone who helped with the space, translations, food or just showed hospitality! Thanks also to those who showed up, organized extra meetings and shared their local experiences! We hope to see or hear from you again soon.

Victory against Portinox – Teka

The CNT-AIT Granada announces the end of the conflict with the metal company Portinox, from the Teka group. The past Wednesday, July 16, a court decision was handed down from the hearing of the 14th. The dismissal was voided and our comrade Pablo, the CNT union delegate in this company, returned to work on July 21. The company was ordered to pay his back salary and reinstate him immediately.

ZSP: Hospital Workers Win Contracts

The women who have been fighting to return to work in Belchatow Hospital have won their jobs back! They will have work contracts through the new service provider.

We think this outcome shows that if you organize, stay in solidarity and don't give up, it is worth it. We consider this victory, which happened outside the mainstream unions, to be the most significant we know of so far this year in Poland. We thank everyone who supported this struggle.

We however note that there are still problems since the workers have not been compensated for lost time and have not been hired directly by the hospital.

The union in the hospital will continue working to improve conditions and fight for better job security.

International Workers Association

Asociación Internacional de los Trabajadores