Workers Solidarity Movement

Statement appeared in the Thursday edition of the Andersonstown News on 23.07.09.In the midst of an economic recession where we continue to bear the brunt of the class war in terms of job and pay cuts, house evictions and poverty wages, while politicians engage in legalised fraud during the expenses scandal, never has the need for an anarchist revolutionary alternative been more relevant and necessary.

There are no common interests between workers and bosses, where we the vast majority are treated like commodities to be hired and fired, discarded in the interest of profit. Elections come and go, faces change but the rotten capitalist system remains built on the exploitation of labour, which serves the interests of the rich and powerful.

The last 30 years prove that the various shades of nationalism and unionism only offer us sectarian division and fear. Yes, the war may be over and we have two sectarian blocks squabbling over the crumbs from Westminster, but the gap between the rich and poor grows despite promises of a ‘New Era’.

The Workers Solidarity Movement believes and struggles for a new type of society without bosses and bureaucrats. By change we don’t mean empty slogans such as ‘Building an Ireland of Equals’ or ‘socialist’ rhetoric we hear from some political quarters. Nor simply do we believe in a mere change in rulers.

We want to abolish the system of capitalism which places wealth and power in the hands of a few, and replace it with workers’ control of industry and services. We do not mean the farce called 'socialism' practised in Cuba, China, and other police states – the system in those countries is no more than another form of capitalism.

All the industries, all the means of production and distribution will be commonly owned and placed under the management of those working in them. Production will be organised and planned by the federation of workers’ councils, not for profit but to meet people’s needs. The guiding principle will be “from each according to ability, to each according to need”.

We seek to advance anarchist ideas and methods of struggle through our propaganda such as our paper Workers Solidarity, but most importantly by our active involvement as equals in workplace and community struggles from extending the 1967 Abortion Act, to campaigning against racism.

The Visteon workers’ struggle provides a glimpse of what is possible when we stand together in solidarity and take direct action.

If you believe like us that “the task of workers’ emancipation is the task of workers themselves” feel free to get in touch with us at www.wsm.ie.