How to Go on Strike

A strike is a drastic measure. But unless you're willing to give up wages for a period of time, you won't get what you want. Corporations expect you to back down if they push hard. Only by striking and drawing bad publicity to the company's practices will you be treated fairly.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Research the history of the labor movement. Read the book "Teamster Rebellion" by Farrell Dobbs about strikes in Minneapolis in 1934 for inspiration and education. Learn about capitalism so you know the system you're dealing with from both sides.

2. Involve as many people as you can. Approach labor leaders on city and state levels and community groups and organizations sympathetic to your cause. Make the company understand they're fighting the entire labor movement.

3. Choose your leaders carefully. Allow all workers to voice their opinions and make suggestions. Then let everyone vote on them.

4. Figure out the most effective ways to shut down the company's operations. This is the only way to make an impression on management.

5. Set rules that everyone has to abide by. Use tenacity and education instead of violence. Take care of the neediest workers such as single mothers, the disabled and those with health problems or additional family responsibilities.

6. Stage mass marches and rallies before the strike. You've got to get thousands of people involved in picketing and sit-downs inside and outside the building.

7. Educate unemployed and immigrant workers whom the company has hired to take your place about why they should join the strike. Get local farmers and grocers to supply food. Ask doctors and nurses sympathetic to your cause to supply medical care for injured workers.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the company understands you will follow through on your threats to strike.

• Create and distribute a weekly newsletter using desktop publishing to keep the public and strikers up-to-date. The media may distort your cause.

• Prepare for arrests, violence and insult.

Resources

• Find information on past labor leaders here.
• Get news on strikes across the world on LaborNet.