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Overview of Training Camp 2016

At the beginning of June held the second edition of the training camp of the IWW, bringing together members of the sections of Montreal, Québec and Sherbrooke. this camp, Events organized by the committee of the Montreal-Merchandise section, was to create a time for discussions and debates, as well as to network with other members and facilitate the integration of new and new. So, Friday through Sunday, fifty Wobblies are collected es are to attend workshops, discuss, exchange and have a good time around a campfire.

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The first workshop of this training camp was a brief introduction to the "OT-101", or Organizer Training 101. We have discussed the outline of a union in a workplace as well as the steps to see to help us take more power over our workplaces.

A workshop on union renewal followed, where we could learn about the situation of trade unions today and the limitations of the current unionism. Indeed, the difficulty (even impossible) for workers to be heard and to be respected by their employers is acute in negotiations. Trade unions, as they are currently experiencing the, no longer able to match for special laws, lockouts and other tactics used by employers and the government to impose working conditions increasingly unsustainable. Change is needed, it is up to us to give birth!

Thereafter, a workshop presented by the union of workers and workers of the Community (SITT-IWW) has allowed us to better understand the specific characteristics of the sector and barriers to unionization in this environment. The classic definition of "worker" and "boss" is difficult to apply in a situation where the supervisor-e-s and even boards hold only a limited power. The e-s-employee of these organizations are torn-e-s between poor working conditions for sometimes ridiculous salaries and passion for their work, forcing somehow to accept a huge workload and a precarious. The situation is delicate and the workers can not survive at this rate forever; this workshop was therefore a good starting point for possibly lead us to reflect on the strategy to improve the working conditions of the employee-s Community, while respecting the specificities of that environment.

After a BBQ in the sun and parts of petanque and dodgeball, the Women's Committee of the Montreal chapter presented a workshop-discussion on sexism in the workplace. From scenarios, the workshop aimed to encourage e-s-participating propose solutions to everyday sexism that women face every day at work, as sexist remarks, Comments and catcalls from clients and colleagues, etc.

Finally, for the latter part of the afternoon, the participant-e-s were given the choice between 3 workshops : training of the Radio Committee, a discussion event in safety and a workshop on inclusiveness in the union. The one on the safety demonstration has resulted in excellent discussions, while allowing us to vent our experience in event and on elements that allow us to feel more confident during these events.

Regarding the formation of the Radio Committee, it was more of a presentation of the union radio show, Live Action, which is a morning show presented on Radio Downtown waves and dealing with different topics from different backgrounds workers. Making it a unique program in its kind is the fact that we give a voice to workers, to ensure they can present their work and reality ns also keep abreast of the various trade union struggles present in different workplaces.

and, the inclusiveness presented by the Anti-Oppression Committee also led to interesting discussions. First, over what inclusiveness in general, then it is in the union. The sense of ease, the possibility of full participation in the organization and instead can play popular education in the sense of inclusion or exclusion are the elements that have most stood. Ensuite, a very interesting discussion took place on the concept of oppression itself. She emphasized how this was a system: it's not because you do not feel the oppression that you do not suffered as much as it is not because you feel that you suffered in.

The day concluded with a splendid chili prepared by members of the Quebec section and great games of dodgeball.

Sunday :
Day Sunday began with a focus group on the various committees of the Quebec locals as well as their respective mandates. After a brief presentation of each committee, A little brainstorming on the internal restructuring of the union took place and we were able to see the strengths and weaknesses of the ISTC-IWW as it is currently.

Thereafter, around 11 a workshop on the history of the IWW and the One Big Union was presented to us by a fellow Quebec. He somehow we offered crash course history about the presence of the One Big Union in Canada and we presented the birth of revolutionary syndicalism and all, supported historical images on slides. After his presentation, there was a short period of questions to answer some questions of other comrades.

Following this historic workshop, we ate veggie wraps of pâté and various vegetables for dinner. After dinner, with all the comrades present-e-s, we held a round table at which we in turn talked about our impression on the training camp, but we also took the time to present our perspectives of struggle and also to talk about future actions that we would like to implement.

What can be learned from this end of the training week, is that, not only training is very relevant and allow everyone to talk and discuss topics with which they and they are not necessarily familiar, but above all it is a great opportunity to network with peers from other sections of Quebec, or members that we interact on occasion but that is not necessarily took time to sit down to discuss. This training camp was an opportunity because beyond training in day, the evening there u festive bonfires and festive evenings during which we all have and all them a chance to socialize and get to know them one-e-s other.

in short, it is an experience that every year is relevant and I would recommend to everyone, since it is also a great opportunity to ventilate his everyday stress.

by Florence, Felix and Valerie

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