Montreal, March 9^th 2015. Today, the Industrial Workers of the World – Montreal, as well as several community members, occupied the Ministry of Family and the Elderly of Quebec. This action took place in the context of a vast movement against austerity measures and the campaign for a social strike on May 1^st 2015.

Many workers are now facing the effects of these measures: health workers, municipal employees, firemen and firewomen, postal workers, students, private sector workers, and more. Yet resistance in being organized everywhere. We will not let governments (whether conservative or liberal) and bosses impose on us their anti-social policies. The time of a minority enriching itself of the backs of an increasingly poor majority is finished. Our unity allows us to strike back at the bosses’ logic. And as such, it must only grow.

The government’s various budget cuts will directly impact the quality and existence of public services. The downsizing of staff at CPEs (child-care centers) and day-cares will not only have drastic consequences for the workers of these establishments, since their jobs are at stake, but also for community members who will no longer have the means to pay for private care services once public options are eliminated. we converged with several striking organizations in order to massively participate in the morning demonstration organized by the, it’s the poorest of society that will suffer from the government’s policies. In occupying the Ministry, we aimed to demonstrate our solidarity, and our anger against the deterioration of public services.

The IWW Montreal is calling for mobilization towards a national general strike on May 1^st 2015. We invite all workers to lead and multiply occupations, blockages and sabotage.

Against the bosses, politicians, and the like: Unions fight back with the general strike!

Industrial Workers of the World – Montreal

Media contact: 438-345-5046

The State and its principal allies, the bosses, seek to maintain workers in conditions of poverty by keeping their wages low. The number of households that sink 80% of their salaries into rent has increased by 26% in only 5 years, and more than 220,000 households must commit at least 50% of their wages to have a roof over their heads. In Montreal, we’re talking about 365,000 people, 208,800 of which are women, who work for minimum wage. The ultimate slap in the face for these workers is when they find themselves on workers’ comp at 55% of their salary. And that’s if they even qualify for it.

Workers are pushed more and more towards minimum wage work, and because of this, towards debt. It’s in the bosses’ interest for people to continually work more, sometimes with two jobs, at lower pay, all because it means more profits for them.

What’s more is that this has the effect of tiring and isolating workers, all the while limiting their opportunities to rebel. That’s the real effect of trying to make ends meet.

Those working for minimum wage are the most vulnerable of the working class. To better their immediate conditions fundamentally implies going against the interests of the bosses, and as such is a step towards a more just society; an anti-capitalist society. These demands show the workers that they have the capacity to advance and win through the power of their unity. One must not forget that “the history of all societies has always been a history of class war.” (Karl Marx)

Let us prevent the workers from folding under the weight of capitalism! Let us demand and fight for a minimum wage of $15.00 an hour for all!

Over the last few months there have been several Facebook discussions about IWW delegates who have made arbitrary decisions outside of their job description (e.g. not allowing students to join and stalling an organizing campaign). Several times there have been statements made that delegates are just “volunteers to accept dues.” As a delegate who has tried to live up to high standards, I find both these assertions troubling. On the one hand, some delegates are obviously not receiving any training or even reading their “Delegate’s Manual,” and on the other hand, there appears to be a misunderstanding of the position by fellow IWW members. Read more →