The Making of an Organizer

A History and Analysis of the Chicago Couriers Union 2003-2006

By Andrea Murphy

WITH RESPECT AND GRATITUDE for the work and per ona! a"r#f#"e of Matt $e!!ard and Co!#n Bo en% for a!! of the &#"y"!e 'e en(er &o!d enou(h to "ontr#&ute to u"h a rad#"a! "a'pa#(n% for the )# #on of the e*ua!!y rad#"a! an"e tor of the Indu tr#a! Worker of the Wor!d and the tep they took toward #t% and for the e!der of the IWW and a!! of 'y # ter and fe!!ow worker who d#!#(ent!y take tep toward the a'e )# #on one hundred year !ater+

&y Andrea Murphy ,-.//0. ro1y2fre #n(+net

ntroduction
3If you fo!!ow your &!# % you put your e!f on a k#nd of tra"k that ha &een there a!! the wh#!e% wa#t#n( for you% and the !#fe that you ou(ht to &e !#)#n( # the one you are !#)#n(+ Where)er you are4#f you are fo!!ow#n( your &!# % you are en5oy#n( that refre h'ent% that !#fe w#th#n you% a!! the t#'e+6 7o eph Ca'p&e!!% fro' Sa"r#f#"e and B!# % part four of the Power of Myth #nter)#ew er#e w#th B#!! Moyer The fo!!ow#n( do"u'ent # one atte'pt to pro)#de a h# tor#"a! t#'e!#ne and ana!y # of what # now known a the Ch#"a(o Cour#er Un#on 8CCU9+ The CCU # not yet an off#"#a! &ran"h of the Indu tr#a! Worker of the Wor!d 8IWW9+ It e1# t under the u'&re!!a of the IWW: Ch#"a(o Genera! Me'&er h#p Bran"h 8GMB9+ The CCU # a part of the Mun#"#pa! Tran port Worker % Indu tr#a! Un#on 8IU9 nu'&er .;/ w#th#n the IWW+ There e1# t do"u'entat#on to upport perhap ha!f of the word "onta#ned w#th#n+ The other ha!f # &a ed "o'p!ete!y on the per ona! e1per#en"e of a #n(!e or(an#<er+ I repeat% ha!f of the fo!!ow#n( # &a ed ent#re!y on the per ona! e1per#en"e of one #n(!e or(an#<er% who # a! o the author% the =I=% the eye% of th# do"u'ent+ Th# # &ut one per pe"t#)e of 'any% 'any peop!e% o'e who are 'ent#oned &e!ow not on!y for "!ar#ty and a""ura"y: ake &ut a! o to a"know!ed(e a!! the )o#"e that ha)e haped th# "a'pa#(n+ Th# do"u'ent # #ntended for pa t% pre ent and future 'e'&er of the CCU% that they '#(ht under tand how they are a part of a !on(% e)o!)#n( h# tory and !earn

fro' the e)ent of the pa t+ It # a! o #ntended for any&ody #ntere ted #n 'y own de)e!op'ent a an or(an#<er> 'y e)o!ut#on fro' an #n e"ure wo'an "ond#t#oned to keep to her e!f to a "apa&!e and "onf#dent or(an#<er "o'forta&!e (u#d#n( a (roup of 'o t!y 'en+ I "ou!d not ha)e #'a(#ned #t? @or tho e not fa'#!#ar w#th th# "a'pa#(n% I ha)e &een #nt#'ate!y #n)o!)ed w#th #t h# tory and preh# tory+ My de"# #on to work a a &#ke 'e en(er wa &oth a #'p!e a"t of fo!!ow#n( 'y &!# and an un"on "#ou !y profound a"t of turn#n( 'y &a"k on the "o'pet#t#)e% "on u'pt#)e% !one!y wor!d to wh#"h I wa a""u to'ed+ It wa throu(h th# 5o& that I 'et the IWW% and I hope the fo!!ow#n( pa(e re)ea! how #nf!uent#a! the un#on ha &een #n 'y !#fe+ In add#t#on to a h# tor#"a! ana!y # of the CCU and per ona! ana!y # of one of #t or(an#<er % th# do"u'ent # a! o a !on(Ao)erdue report on 'y e1per#en"e work#n( a one of the few pa#d or(an#<er for the IWW fro' 7u!y throu(h De"e'&er of B//.+ It wa dur#n( th# t#'e that I &e(an to under tand that 'y 5o&4*u#te !#tera!!y% a I wa (ett#n( a pay"he"k4 wa to =ra# e the "on "#ou ne of the work#n( "!a = 5u t a 'y own "on "#ou ne had &een ra# ed &y !ea)#n( &eh#nd the re!at#)e!y "u hy un#)er #ty and nonprof#t 5o& to 5o#n the rank of the hard"ore work#n( "!a + Th# wa a (reat h#ft #n per"ept#on for 'e+ It "ha!!en(ed e)ery not#on I had a&out work% and "ont#nue to "ha!!en(e 'e to "on #der 'y ro!e on th# p!anet at th# t#'e #n h# tory+ It re)ea!ed to 'e the power I ha)e a an #nd#)#dua!% and awakened the de #re to un"o)er the a'e power #n other + It &e(an 'y edu"at#on #n harne #n( the power of the (roup+

Cauren H#!!: !yr#" =Dou "an (et the 'oney% you "an (et the power% 5u t keep your eye on the f#na! hour%= "o'e to '#nd+ I now under tand how fa#!ure # #'po #&!e o !on( a fo"u re'a#n on the de #red out"o'e% and the de #red out"o'e # tru!y for h#(he t (ood of a!! that # a!#)e+

!anuary 2003 " #yna$e% Hires Andrea

My de"# #on to app!y for &#ke 'e en(er 5o& "a'e after a per#od of un'ot#)ated une'p!oy'ent+ I had 5u t re"ent!y rea!#<ed that &#ke 'e en(er e1# ted+ I wa #ntr#(ued &y the #dea that I "ou!d (et pa#d for r#d#n( 'y &#ke+ I d#dn:t e)en &#ke a!! that 'u"h &a"k then> !#ke 'o t "o!!e(eA(rad d# en"hanted &y the =rea!= wor!d and #t y te' I had &een (roo'ed to f#t r#(ht #nto% I wa afra#d of r#d#n( #n the Coop 8Ch#"a(o: downtown9+ Nonethe!e % ha)#n( on"e rowed "o'pet#t#)e!y and "o'p!eted a 'arathon% I knew I had phy #"a! enduran"e and o app!#ed 'y e!f to e)era! 'e en(er "o'pan#e + En 'y f#r t day r#d#n( down Wa h#n(ton St+ #nto the Coop% I rea!#<ed that I "ou!dn:t &e afra#d any'ore% and (ot o)er #t+ Appro1#'ate!y one 'onth !ater at 'y f#r t &#keA'e en(erA "ene party% I w#tne ed an e'ot#ona!% drunken ar(u'ent &etween Brent E!d and Guene)ere Nyderek o)er whether or not 'e en(er hou!d 5o#n a un#on+

A&ril 2003 " Andrea Attends A'(-C O Organizer Training

The on!y po #&#!#ty other than &#ke r#d#n( at a!! #ntere t#n( to 'e dur#n( 'y per#od of une'p!oy'ent wa !a&or or(an#<#n( and I app!#ed for a free weekend tra#n#n( fro' the A@CACIE at th# t#'e+ By the t#'e tra#n#n( ro!!ed around I had &een work#n( for e)era! 'onth and "ou!d fee! the need for or(an#<at#on a'on( &#ke 'e en(er + I d#d not (et 'u"h out of the tra#n#n( #t e!f% e1"ept for the (!#''er of hope that o'eth#n( e! e wa po #&!e #n the &#ke 'e en(er #ndu try+ But that wa a!! I needed+

!une 2003 " 'irst Meeting of the Third ncarnation of the )indy City *icycle Messenger Association
The Hand!e&ar% a &#keAthe'ed re taurant opened &y r#(hteou &#ke ad)o"ate had re"ent!y opened+ To th# day% 'e en(er (ather there re(u!ar!y on =Me en(er Monday= n#(ht for free fr#e and "heap &eer+ It wa here where I not#"ed that e)ery&ody% 'y e!f #n"!uded% "o'p!a#ned a&out the a'e # ue % a e)eryone dea!t w#th er#ou a'ount of &u!! h#t on a da#!y &a # + Me en(er "o'pan#e #n Ch#"a(o ha)e worker e1p!o#tat#on down to an art+ Ma5or # ue #n"!ude fee for re*u#red un#for' and e*u#p'ent% !ow wa(e % tenden"y for "o'pan#e to o)erh#re "reat#n( a'p!e tandA&y t#'e% no hea!th #n uran"e for a dan(erou 5o&% 'a5or#ty '# "!a #f#ed #ndependent "ontra"tor worker tatu % and e)ere and #n"on)en#ent &u#!d#n( a""e po!#"#e + There ee'ed a !a"k of re pe"t at e)ery turn4fro' "o'pan#e % e"ur#ty (uard and the pu&!#"+ We fe!t we were re(arded a !ow!y er)ant % for&#dden #n the 'a5e t#" pu&!#" pa"e #n 'o t downtown &u#!d#n( a!thou(h we rout#ne!y took phy #"a! r# k to perfor' a er)#"e o e ent#a! to the operat#on of the "ap#ta!# t 'a"h#ne+ In an atte'pt to top "o'p!a#n#n( and tart do#n( o'eth#n(% a 'a!! (roup of 'e en(er de"#ded to "a!! a 'eet#n( to d# "u what we "ou!d do a&out our "o''on pro&!e' and the thenAa& tra"t #dea of 5o#n#n( a un#on+ At the end of the 'eet#n(% #t wa de"!ared the f#r t 'eet#n( of the W#ndy C#ty B#"y"!e Me en(er A o"#at#on 8WCBMA9+ We a(reed to #n)#te Sa' S'u"ker% an e'p!oyee of the A@CACIE who I had 'et dur#n( the tra#n#n( weekend% to an up"o'#n( 'eet#n( to hed o'e !#(ht on the un#on # ue+

+arly ,u$$er 2003 " *uilding the )C*MA

Appro1#'ate!y ;/ peop!e howed up to the un#on *ue t#on and an wer 'eet#n( w#th Sa' S'u"ker+ In a nut he!!% he po#nted out the !o(# t#"a! d#ff#"u!t#e of or(an#<#n( the "our#er #ndu try and e1p!a#ned that &efore e)en ta!k#n( to any un#on #n part#"u!ar% we wou!d ha)e to 'ap the #ndu try #n #de and out and &u#!d a )ery tron( "o''un#ty+ En!y then wou!d #t &e appropr#ate to = hop around= for a un#on+ The way he put #t% the ta k ounded #'po #&!e+ He offered '#n#'a! (u#dan"e at &e t+ And we wondered why% after do#n( a!! that work% wou!d we want to hand #t o)er to wh#"he)er un#on wa &o!d enou(h to take on the "ha!!en(#n( &#ke 'e en(er #ndu try% and pay hefty 'onth!y due F Meet#n( "ont#nued e)ery other week at the Hand!e&ar% a)era(#n( G.AB/ peop!e+ We had ra"e % part#e % art how % and a weekA!on( =B#ke Su''er= e1tra)a(an<a of &enef#t e)ent at the Buddy Spa"e+ We or(an#<ed the annua! W#!! Ro(er Me en(er Me'or#a! P#"n#" to honor fa!!en 'e en(er % and we "onte'p!ated e!fAhe!p pro5e"t u"h a !oaner &#ke and d# "ount for WCBMA 'e'&er at !o"a! hop to en"oura(e 'e'&er h#p+ The <#ne Stand&y wa pu&!# hed &y M#ke More!!% 7oe Gott% and Mark the Spark+ A tron( en e of "o''un#ty had a!ready e1# ted a'on( 'e en(er + Perhap &e"au e of the 5o&: #nten #ty% the pu&!#" pa"e #t o""up#e % that worker 'u t adapt to the e!e'ent % and the "reat#)e% phy #"a!!y a"t#)e #nd#)#dua! attra"ted to th# type of 5o&% &#ke 'e en(er#n( ee' to nurture "reat#)e%

#n p#red "o''un#t#e a"ro the p!anet+ Natura!!y% "o''on fee!#n( of e1p!o#tat#on a! o he!p &r#n( peop!e to(ether+ The WCBMA er)ed #'p!y to fo"u the "o''un#ty: ener(y+

The *ike 20-0 .lan

Another po #t#)e e1per#en"e dur#n( th# t#'e wa the re pon e fro' 'e en(er to the "#ty: B#ke B/G/ P!an% a !# t of re"o''endat#on fro' the Depart'ent of Tran portat#on to the "#ty to #'pro)e a!! a pe"t of &#"y"!#n( #n Ch#"a(o &y the year B/G/+ Me en(er fe!t that 'u"h 'ore "ou!d &e done than wa u((e ted to #'pro)e the #tuat#on of &#ke 'e en(er % and howed up en 'a e at a pu&!#" 'eet#n( w#th ;H #dea to #'pro)e the P!an+ Me en(er% author and a"t#)# t Tra)# Cu!!ey pu&!#"!y a ked the "#ty off#"#a! why 'e en(er the' e!)e were not "on u!ted #n the draft#n( of the p!an% and wa re ponded to po #t#)e!y when he a ked #f 'e en(er "ou!d ha)e a eat on the ad)# ory "oun"#! of the P!an 8a!on( #de Phy!!# App!e&au'% the e!fAappo#nted =off#"#a!= 'e en(er )o#"e and owner of Arrow Me en(er Ser)#"e9+ It ne)er d#d happen% howe)er% and !ater draft re)ea!ed that not one #n(!e 'e en(er re"o''endat#on 'ade the "ut+ Th# e1per#en"e de'on trated that po!#t#" # a (a!)an#<#n( top#"+

(ate ,u$$er 2003 " #issol/ing the )C*MA

Wh#!e the (roup #n t#n"t#)e!y knew how to pro'ote "reat#)e and ath!et#" and "o''un#ty endea)or % no&ody rea!!y knew how to ta"k!e the onAtheA5o& # ue % the #ntent that 'ot#)ated the f#r t 'eet#n( of the WCBMA+ We e)entua!!y !o t th# fo"u +

Part#"#pant tr#ed to "on "#ou !y "o''un#"ate "o!!e"t#)e!y+ We tud#ed and u ed Ro&ert: Ru!e of Erder% &ut e'ot#ona! and per ona! # ue too often do'#nated 'eet#n( + The tru((!e the (roup fa"ed were the natura! (row#n( pa#n of a "o''un#ty !earn#n( how to &e "ata!y t#"> we were atte'pt#n( to do o'eth#n( new to u + Spe"#f#"a!!y we had d#ff#"u!ty de)# #n( a 'e'&er h#p and due tru"ture for the WCBMA+ I fee! #tI #'portant to note that 'any pro&!e' &e(an wh#!e atte'pt#n( to #'p!e'ent a tru"ture+ Stru"ture are !#'#t#n( &y nature% and "on"eptua!!y !#nked to "ontro!+ E'ot#ona!!y "har(ed d# a(ree'ent around th# top#" !owered the 'ora!e of the (roup o'e% and &y w#ntert#'e the WCBMA had topped 'eet#n(+ The off#"er fe!t fru trated and o)erworked+ Meet#n( had &e"o'e 'ore of a "hore than "reat#)e% fu!f#!!#n( work+ I had topped 'e en(er#n( and worked a one of Mayor Da!ey: B#ke A'&a ador fro' 7une to Septe'&er+ I worked w#th#n the Ch#"a(o!and B#"y"!e @ederat#on 8CB@9% the )ery effe"t#)e nonprof#t &#ke ad)o"a"y (roup #n !ar(e part re pon #&!e for a!! of the "#ty: &#"y"!e a"h#e)e'ent + I fe!t e)en 'ore entren"hed #n the &#"y"!e "o''un#ty% and I !#ked #t+ I wa a !#nk &etween the under(round 'e en(er wor!d and the pu&!#" ad)o"ate % and tr#ed to &r#d(e the "o''un#t#e whene)er po #&!e+ The CB@ wa upport#)e of the 'o)e'ent #n the 'e en(er #ndu try a!thou(h I often fe!t !#ke they "on #dered u a pa #n(% wh#' #"a! pha e+ I !eft Ch#"a(o for Port!and #n E"to&er when the a'&a ador ea on ended and d#d not return unt#! Mar"h+

Be"au e I wa not #n Ch#"a(o for the fo!!ow#n( f#)e 'onth % I d#d not wr#te the ke!eton of the fo!!ow#n( t#'e!#ne and there are 'ore *ue t#on 'ark and !e deta#!+

Autu$n 2003 " )C*MA $eets ))

In Port!and% I ou(ht out 'y &#"y"!e 'e en(er "o''un#ty+ I !earned that there had &een o'e er#ou !a&or or(an#<#n( and wa !ed to C#!:Pete for 'ore #nfor'at#on+ Pete wa a for'er 'e en(er and IWW or(an#<er who worked e1ten #)e!y on the Tran er)e or(an#<#n( "a'pa#(n+ He a! o worked at the a'e pu& a 'y # ter+ Syn"hron# t#"a!!y% &efore Pete "ou!d e)en "onta"t fe!!ow worker #n Ch#"a(o% !o"a! IWW 'e'&er had (otten w#nd of 'e en(er I atte'pt to or(an#<e the' e!)e % heard the "a!! for he!p% and &e(an to attend WCBMA 'eet#n( + IWW 'e'&er Matt $e!!ard and Co!#n Bo en &e(an a d#a!o(ue &etween the WCBMA and the GMB a&out IWWA ty!e un#on or(an#<#n(% offer#n( d#re"t a"t#on te"hn#*ue % '#!#tant !a&or h# tory% 'e en(er or(an#<#n( e1per#en"e #n Port!and% or(an#<#n( &a ed on o!#dar#ty not &ureau"ra"y% and the #dea that a"know!ed(e'ent fro' a (o)ern'ent # not ne"e ary to a"t #n un# on+

0o/e$1er 2003 " U 230 Oranizing Co$$ittee 'or$ed

The Ch#"a(o IWW for'ed an IU.;/ or(an#<#n( "o''#ttee+ It #n#t#a!!y "on # ted of four IWW 'e'&er +

#ece$1er 2003 " 'oru$ 4ith .ete

The Ch#"a(o IWW a(reed to &r#n( Pete out to Ch#"a(o for a few day to ta!k a&out the Port!and "our#er or(an#<#n( effort and a 'eet#n( or(an#<ed &y the

WCBMA and the Ch#"a(o GMB+ E)er ;/ 'e attended+

en(er

'e1ruary 2003 " Arro4 U&rising

A "oup!e of 'e en(er at Arrow wanted to tr#ke for a h#(her "o''# #on rate+ Co!#n and M$ 'et w#th the' and ta!ked the' out of #t% fear#n( that u"h an a"t#on wou!d &e )ery pre'ature and that #t !a"ked upport+ A nu'&er of 'e en(er at Arrow *u#t+

(eading fro$ *ehind

I wou!d !#ke to po#nt out that de"# #on 'ade out of fear are &ound to fa#!+ A! o% #n t#n"t to a"t are perhap the on!y th#n( we ha)e that keep u #n tou"h w#th our natura! an#'a! nature #n our en)#ron'ent % 'o t of wh#"h are o )ery far re'o)ed fro' nature+ In t#n"t are ur)#)a!+ A "oup!e of 'e en(er at Arrow were fee!#n( e1p!o#ted enou(h to want to do the 'o t dar#n( th#n( they "ou!d do #n the#r po #t#on+ In the end% the out"o'e wa no d#fferent than #t wou!d ha)e &een had they &een f#red+ Be"au e of the de #re of the or(an#<er to keep the "a'pa#(n under"o)er and the 8#'a(#ned9 re pon #&#!#ty they a u'ed for the re u!t of the "a'pa#(n% a (enu#ne pa #on to do o'eth#n( wa t#f!ed+ I "ha!!en(e e)ery or(an#<er% 'y e!f #n"!uded% to th#nk a&out how &e t to d#re"t ener(y rather than u&du#n( or "ontro!!#n( #t+ Consider what it might look like to lead from behind+ I "aut#on a(a#n t ta!k#n( anyone out of do#n( anyth#n(% a th# re*u#re too 'u"h #nf!uen"e o)er the pa #on of peop!e + I a' "ur#ou to know #f there wa a d# "u #on #n th# #tuat#on% or #f anyone offered d#re"t a"t#on te"hn#*ue other than tr#k#n(+

March 2003 " A 0e4 *eginning5 ndustrial Organizing Co$$ittee 'or$ed

Intended to !ead the or(an#<#n( effort% an Indu tr#a! Er(an#<#n( Co''#ttee 8IEC9 for'ed w#th four peop!e+ IWW or(an#<er de"#ded that the f#r t ta k were to &u#!d the &ody of the IEC to repre ent the de'o(raph#" of the worker % or(an#<e hop "o''#ttee and 'ap out the #ndu try+ I returned to Ch#"a(o around th# t#'e and 5o#ned the IEC+ IWW or(an#<er were "!ear!y (u#d#n( the pro"e > 'e en(er or(an#<er were not ure what wa (o#n( on e1a"t!y a we had o'ewhat &!#nd!y put our tru t #n the IWW or(an#<er + Wh#!e M$ and Co!#n et out to a""o'p!# h the#r ta k % other 'e'&er of the "o''#ttee were &u y tak#n( #t a!! #n4the new tru"ture% pra"t#"#n( 'eet#n( pro"edure% the e1"!u #)ene % our now for'a! ro!e a !eader #n our "o''un#ty% the awkwardne of keep#n( the IEC a e"ret% (ett#n( our a #(ned ta k done% how#n( up to 'eet#n( % et "etera+ Dur#n( th# per#od% "o'pared to that of the WCBMA% I fe!t that I wa a!on( for the r#de rather than a"t#)e!y "reat#n( and "ontr#&ut#n(A!e1# "a'e to Ch#"a(o to ho!d an Er(an#<er Tra#n#n( w#th M$ and Co!#n+ E#(ht 'e en(er % #n"!ud#n( 'y e!f% attended+ Th# # the on!y other for'a! or(an#<#n( tra#n#n( #n wh#"h I ha)e part#"#pated &e #de the A@CACIE weekend% and #t wa 'u"h 'ore dyna'#" and he!pfu!+ Pete arr#)ed #n Ch#"a(o at the end of Mar"h to work a a fu!!At#'e or(an#<er for the IWW+ H# pre en"e wa we!"o'e and h# e1per#en"e re)ered+ I wa the 'e en(er repre entat#)e on Pete: a""ounta&#!#ty

"o''#ttee+ Pete wrote o""a #ona! report on the or(an#<#n( a"t#)#ty and there were o""a #ona! "o''#ttee "onferen"e "a!! + I !# tened #n% &ut d#d not part#"#pate )ery 'u"h+ St#!! #n the pro"e of un"on "#ou a& orpt#on% I fe!t apart fro' the tru"ture of #t a!!+ Me en(er or(an#<er en ed e"re"y and fe!t "onfu #on urround#n( 'eet#n( of the IWW or(an#<er % and perhap the IWW #n (enera!+ Me en(er were not aware of the IU.;/ Er(an#<#n( Co''#ttee% nor of the IWW: re"ent #ntent to a"t#)e!y upport (ra root or(an#<#n(+ @ew 'e en(er had taken #t upon the' e!)e to !earn a&out the IWW or attend a GMB 'eet#n(+ I ee now that IWW or(an#<er were aware of and 'ot#)ated &y the 'a"ro tru((!e of oppre #on throu(h !a&or wh#!e 'e en(er or(an#<er were 'ot#)ated &y the#r dayAtoAday "ha!!en(e on the 5o&+ A "on "#ou effort to re"on"#!e the two purpo e &y atte'pt#n( to tea"h 'e en(er how the#r #tuat#on wa &ut a '#"ro"o ' of the who!e wou!d ha)e &een he!pfu! at th# t#'e+

A&ril 2003 " ,ho& Co$$ittees Take ,ha&e

Thank to Pete: ener(y and (u#dan"e% worker fro' Standard% Ju#"k #!)er% En T#'e% CMS% and Dyna'e1 &e(an to 'eet re(u!ar!y+ Re'#n# "ent of the WCBMA: o& e #on w#th def#n#n( and 'ak#n( 'e'&er % IWW or(an#<er e'pha #<ed #(n#n( peop!e up+ I wa un"o'forta&!e w#th th# pu h% &ut !a"ked the e1per#en"e to under tand why I fe!t th# way+

,&ring 2003 " )C*MA 6easse$1les7 #isasse$1les

E1"#ted &y the #dea of the WCBMA% new 'e en(er S"ott G#& on 'ot#)ated #t to rea e'&!e and 'eet#n( &e(an a(a#n after an appro1#'ate twoA'onth h#atu + Another #n tan"e of yn"hron#"#tyK unaware of the 'e en(er or(an#<#n( 'o)e'ent% S"ott had 5u t &e"o'e a 'e'&er of the IWW )#a the #nternet+ The WCBMA 'et e)ery other week at the Hand!e&ar and e'p!oyed a pa AtheAhat po!#"y for "o!!e"t#n( due + Indu try pro&!e' were d# "u ed% the !oaner &#ke pro(ra' (ot off the (round% and 'e'&er "o!!e"ted k#d &#ke and d# tr#&uted the' at an e!e'entary "hoo! fe t#)a!+ The Hand!e&ar &e"a'e a p!a"e for or(an#<#n( oneAonAone 'eet#n( to &r#n( peop!e #nto the or(an#<#n( and IWW 'e'&er #(nAup% pr#'ar#!y fro' the poo! of peop!e fro' the WCBMA+ Er(an#<#n( "on "#ou ne a'on( &#ke 'e en(er (rew dur#n( th# t#'e+ A!thou(h the top#" wa not d# "u ed 'u"h at WCBMA 'eet#n( % #t d#d do'#nate+ Cook#n( &a"k% #t # tran(e to ee how S"ott and I a"ted a the =!eader = of the WCBMA at th# t#'e wh#!e M$ and Co!#n *u#et!y o& er)ed 'eet#n( + Contra t th# w#th IEC 'eet#n( % where M$ and Co!#n !ed and where I fe!t% a I:)e 'ent#oned% a!on( for the r#de+ A(a#n I th#nk that 'ore atte'pt "ou!d ha)e &een 'ade to re"on"#!e the two per pe"t#)e and effe"t#)e!y "o'&#ne the or(an#<at#on 4th# happened e)entua!!y w#th the CCU+ Between IEC and hop "o''#ttee 'eet#n( 'o t of the "urrent and for'er !eader of the WCBMA% who were a! o hea)#!y #n)o!)ed #n the IWW or(an#<#n( "a'pa#(n% found !#tt!e ener(y for the WCBMA+ Ta"k!#n( &#( pro&!e' #n the #ndu try had a!way &een the (oa!+ The IWW do'#nated enou(h to 'ake the WCBMA fee!

fut#!e+ After a "oup!e of 'onth had waned to none+

'eet#n( attendan"e

May 2003 " ,tandard8s ,uccessful ,ho& Co$$ittee

S"ott G#& on% the 'a#n or(an#<er at Standard Cour#er% wa f#ned #!!e(a!!y for a un#for' )#o!at#on after &e#n( potted &y h# &o on the treet w#thout h# re*u#red )e t+ He wa #nfor'ed of the )#o!at#on when he not#"ed the L./ dedu"t#on fro' h# pay"he"k+ He and h# hop "o''#ttee to(ether 'ar"hed #n on the &o three t#'e + E)entua!!y the f#ne wa o)erturned and the )e t po!#"y re "#nded+ Short!y after th# )#"tory S"ott wa f#red+ The "a'pa#(n: f#r t Unfa#r Ca&or Pra"t#"e 8UCP9 wa f#!ed w#th the Ca&or Board% "!a#'#n( he had &een f#red for part#"#pat#n( #n "o!!e"t#)e a"t#)#ty> th# wa a! o )#"tor#ou + S"ott re"e#)ed &a"k pay and Standard wa re*u#red to po t not#"e to th# effe"t+

!une 2003 " Organizing Continues /ia the OC and Co$et

Pete !eft Ch#"a(o after three 'onth off work+ At the t#'e% the IEC had a&out #1 re(u!ar 'e'&er + It "on # ted ent#re!y of IWW or(an#<er and &#ke 'e en(er + De p#te there &e#n( no dr#)er % the "o''#ttee rou(h!y ref!e"t the de'o(raph#" of the #ndu try+ Worker fro' a!! three 'a5or "o'pan#e % CMS% Arrow and Dyna'e1 were repre ented+ The (roup p!otted a ur)ey to rea"h out to dr#)er + Me en(er or(an#<er at the "o'pany Co'et &e(an to rea"h out to other 'e en(er at the#r "o'pany+ The#r 'a5or # ue wa that worker pay"he"k d#d not a'ount to '#n#'u' wa(e+ W#th#n a "oup!e of day the

threat of or(an#<#n( pu hed 'ana(e'ent to "o'p!y w#th '#n#'u' wa(e !aw +

!une 2003 " 9uicksil/er and ,to& 0 CA

Short!y after Pete !eft town% the "o'pany Ju#"k #!)er de"#ded to "han(e the !e(a! tatu of the#r worker fro' e'p!oyee to #ndependent "ontra"tor and h#re the Nat#ona! Independent Contra"tor A o"#at#on 8NICA9 to 'ana(e the'+ NICA # known &y worker #n the #ndu try to &e a "a' that "har(e worker for the pr#)#!e(e of a pay"he"k and ena&!e "o'pan#e to '# "!a #fy the#r worker + The Stop NICA Co''#ttee for'ed #n re pon e to Ju#"k #!)er: a"t#on+ Me en(er #''ed#ate!y f!yered Ju#"k #!)er: head*uarter on W+ Huron+ Wh#!e we d#d not u""eed #n topp#n( Ju#"k #!)er fro' "ontra"t#n( w#th NICA% we d#d de!ay the pro"e and perhap "au e the &o e o'e (r#ef+ Mo t #'portant!y% we &e(an a "o''#ttee w#th a "!ear and r#(hteou (oa! that few "ou!d oppo e+ E)#den"e e1# t that the Me en(er Ser)#"e Indu try A o"#at#on% the tatew#de =&o e un#on= founded &y Arrow: owner Phy!!# App!e&au' 8 he (et around9% d# "u ed the =un#on threat= on the#r e'a#! foru' at th# t#'e+

!uly 2003 " #ri/er Outreach

IEC 'e'&er &e(an a te!ephone ur)ey of dr#)er 'e en(er % the f#r t or(an#<ed effort to #n"!ude the' #n the "a'pa#(n+ @our or f#)e peop!e (athered #n one p!a"e for a u""e #on to "a!! and ur)ey dr#)er + It # u efu! to ha)e 'any peop!e #n one p!a"e at one t#'e do#n( the a'e work+ Con "#ou !y "reat#n( pa"e to hare e1per#en"e and d# tr#&ute the work # a )ery (ood #dea+

Shop "o''#ttee "ont#nued at e)era! hop % )ary#n( #n tren(th and nu'&er+ No "o''#ttee wa "apa&!e of fun"t#on#n( w#thout an IWW or(an#<er pre ent+ I u pe"t that th# wa &e"au e the hop "o''#ttee % ha)#n( &een a (oa! handed down fro' the IWW or(an#<er : "on"ept of (ood or(an#<at#ona! tru"ture for the #ndu try% were o'ewhat #'po ed+

!uly 2003 " ,uccessful ,alting

IWW or(an#<er M$ took a 5o& at Arrow+ A # h# nature% he d#d e1"ept#ona! work% wa )a!ued &y the "o'pany and e)entua!!y pro'oted to d# pat"her+ It # #ntere t#n( that S"ott G#& on% another a"t#)e or(an#<er% wa a! o h#(h!y )a!ued &y 'ana(e'ent and pro'oted to d# pat"her when he worked at @a ter+ In fa"t% I th#nk he turned down a 'ana(e'ent po #t#on+

!uly 2003 " Targeted 'undraising

The IEC d# "u ed the po #&#!#ty of h#r#n( a fu!!At#'e or(an#<er and ra# ed fund to th# end+ I &e!#e)e the fund "a'e pr#'ar#!y fro' Co!#n: effort or(an#<#n( a &enef#t d#nner% a !etterAwr#t#n( appea! to IWW 'e'&er % and a 'at"h#n( (rant fro' IWW head*uarter + An a'a<#n( 8appro1#'ate9 L./// wa ra# ed+

,e&te$1er 2003 " )) :eneral Asse$1ly

Three a"t#)e or(an#<er attended the IWW GA #n Ed'onton+ S"ott: tr#p wa pa#d for &y the Ch#"a(o GMB% '#ne w#th an IWW "ho!ar h#p for wo'en or(an#<er % and M$: &y the Genera! E1e"ut#)e Board 8M$ at on th# "o''#ttee of the IWW at th# t#'e9+ The h#(h!#(ht for 'e wa a pane! d# "u #on on "urrent or(an#<#n( that #n"!uded or(an#<er of tru"ker #n

Sto"kton and South Street worker In p#re and &e #n p#red+

#n Ph#!ade!ph#a+

Th# e1per#en"e he!ped 'e re!ea e 'ore fear of peak#n( #n pu&!#"+ I (rew up o'eth#n( of a !oner+ Pro&a&!y due to poor "o''un#"at#on k#!! and !ow "onf#den"e% peop!e #n (enera! had &een #nt#'#dat#n( to 'e #n"e "h#!dhood+ De p#te a!! th# % I #''ed#ate!y fe!t )ery "o'forta&!e w#th the !a#dA&a"k% CanadaA ty!e (ather#n( #n Ed'onton+ My ner)ou ne and fear d# appeared when I rea!#<ed that a!! I had to do wa ta!k a&out 'y own e1per#en"e to a 'e!!ow (roup of peop!e% 'any of who' had &een dr#nk#n( tron( Canad#an &eer for hour pr#or to the pane!+ The e IWW peop!e were noth#n( to fear and 'ore !#ke 'y e!f than I "ou!d ha)e #'a(#ned+ Unfa'#!#ar w#th the for'a! pro"edure of the 'eet#n( I d#d not part#"#pate 'u"h #n the 'eet#n( % &ut I d#d en5oy peak#n( on the pane! and o"#a!#<#n( w#th 'y fe!!ow worker + I !eft th# (ather#n( w#th a new per pe"t#)e on our work #n Ch#"a(o% w#th the new% #n"red#&!e rea!#<at#on that there are peop!e a!! o)er the (!o&e do#n( the )ery a'e work+ En the p!ane r#de ho'e% M$ e1p!a#ned to S"ott and I how #'portant #t # to under tand that other peop!e #n)o!)ed #n the "a'pa#(n wou!d !ook up to u a !eader e)en when we don:t ne"e ar#!y fee! !#ke one+ It # therefore ne"e ary to &e!#e)e #n the "a'pa#(n and our a&#!#ty to !ead #t at a!! t#'e % to a"t pa #onate a&out #t a!way % e)en when we weren:t part#"u!ar!y fee!#n( #t+ I a(ree w#th the f#r t tate'ent+ The e"ond I now ee a too #dea!# t#" and a u'e too 'u"h #'a(#ned re pon #&#!#ty+ I f#nd #t d#ff#"u!t and "on #der #t d# hone t to fe#(n pa #on% and "annot a"t !#ke I

know where a "a'pa#(n # (o#n( #f I rea!!y don:t+ Th# wou!d &e a "a e of the &!#nd !ead#n( the &!#nd+ I a' !earn#n( that #t # &etter to &e!#e)e #n e)ery th#n( I do or ay% e)en #f #t # a"know!ed(#n( that I:)e no #dea of the &e t a"t#on #n a "ha!!en(#n( #tuat#on or appea!#n( to the (roup for #n p#rat#on &e"au e 'y own ener(y for the "a'pa#(n # wan#n( and I don:t know why+ Su"h a"know!ed(e'ent en"oura(e hone t "o''un#"at#on &y e1a'p!e and take the pre ure of !eader h#p fro' the =!eader= onto the (roup% pro&a&!y few of who' ha)e had opportun#t#e to hare re pon #&#!#ty and !eader h#p &efore+ We:re a!! !earn#n(+ We "an:t "reate new !eader #f we ne)er (#)e anyone the opportun#ty to !ead+

Autu$n 2003 " ,tand1y &u1lished

The IEC pu&!# hed an # ue of the <#ne Stand&y+ Wh#!e one of the or#(#na! Stand&y pu&!# her wa on the IEC% the re pon #&#!#ty to (et #t to(ether fe!! on other 'e'&er and u!t#'ate!y Co!#n &e"a'e ed#tor+ Co!#n # r#(hteou and doe ad'#ra&!e work and I ha)e no #dea how he 'ana(e to a""o'p!# h a 'u"h awe o'ene a he doe + Howe)er% Stand&y wa a!'o t too we!! put to(ether for a 'e en(er <#ne+ It d#d not ha)e the a'e fee! a the or#(#na! Stand&y% and a a re u!t #t arou ed 'a!! &ut )o"a! oppo #t#on+ It wa a "!a h of o!dAt#'er "ontent w#th the#r tatu and f#nan"#a! worth #n the "o''un#ty and a youn(er (enerat#on of doA(ooder !ook#n( out for the (ood of the who!e+ Unfortunate!y% not another <#ne wa pu&!# hed+ Dur#n( th# t#'e% 'any IEC 'e'&er &e(an to fee! the 'eet#n( &e"o'#n( &urden o'e and th# wa why on"e en5oya&!e ta k !#ke <#ne 'ak#n( were not (ett#n( done+ S#'p!y how#n( up to 'eet#n( &e"a'e an

ade*uate "ontr#&ut#on to the or(an#<#n( effort+ We were often and on!y to(ether #n 'eet#n( #tuat#on + Th# # dan(erou &e"au e our &e t #dea "o'e when we:re re!a1ed and open to new #n p#rat#on+

#ece$1er 2003 " Andrea (ea/es To4n; Considers 6eturn

I 'o)ed to Ar#<ona at the &e(#nn#n( of 7anuary+ I wa (ratefu! for a!! of the e1per#en"e and (!ad to ha)e "ontr#&uted to the 'o)e'ent toward o!#dar#ty &ut a! o (!ad to 'o)e on+ Before !ea)#n(% howe)er% at the !a t po #&!e 'o'ent a I wa wa!k#n( out the door after the !a t IEC 'eet#n( I e)er attended% M$ p!anted the eed that &rou(ht 'e &a"k to town+ He h#fted h# ta"t#" to 'ake 'e tay fro' (u#!t to (enu#ne appre"#at#on+ He to!d 'e that the IWW wou!d ha)e an off#"e pa"e to work out of &y the u''er hou!d I de"#de to take the po #t#on a the fu!!At#'e or(an#<er+ In pr#or d# "u #on a&out the pa#d or(an#<er po #t#on% I had &een pu h#n( for o'e&ody "urrent!y work#n( on the "a'pa#(n rather than an out #der% and )o"a!#<ed 'y op#n#on that that per on hou!d &e S"ott+ I had not "on #dered 'y e!f a po #&#!#ty &e"au e I knew I:d &e !ea)#n( town+ My e(o we!!ed w#th the #n"er#ty of h# appre"#at#on and the )# #on of work#n( out of the IWW off#"e+ I had "reated the po #&#!#ty of a pa#d 5o& for 'y e!f4 wou!dn:t 'y 'a''a &e proud4&y do#n( what "a'e natura!!y to 'e+ I ha)e a !ot of !o)e> I #n"ere!y d#d want to "ont#nue the r#(hteou work for 'y "o''un#ty+ I fe!t honored% perhap proud% to (et to

work for 'y fr#end + So for the f#r t t#'e I "on #dered return#n( to Ch#"a(o to take the po #t#on+

March 2002 < )ork ,to&&age at Arro4

E)er H/M% "!o e to B/ &#ker at Arrow hut off the#r rad#o for an afternoon and u""eed #n hutt#n( down the &#ke &oard for the re t of the day+ The work toppa(e "a'e after un'et re*ue t to 'ana(e'ent for a ra# e #n the#r "o''# #on + A e"ond 5o& a"t#on a few week !ater re u!ted #n a day !on( !o"kAout and the f#r#n( of two worker + After #nten e and ad'#ra&!e ne(ot#at#on o)er a er#e of 'onth % Arrow a(reed to 'o t of the worker : de'and +

A&ril 2002 " 'ull-Ti$e Organizer 0egotiations

Co!#n% M$ and I d# "u ed )#a e'a#! the re pon #&#!#t#e of a fu!!At#'e or(an#<er% and I drafted a 5o& de "r#pt#on+ I thou(ht a y te'at#" way to hand!e (r#e)an"e hou!d &e pr#or#t#<ed% a hou!d tra#n#n( and en"oura(#n( #ntere ted or(an#<er % and that there hou!d &e o'e y te' for a""ounta&#!#ty !#ke da#!y !o( and week!y report and a !o"a! teer#n( "o''#ttee+ I a(reed to &e pa#d LG/// per 'onth for f#)e 'onth fro' the fund ra# ed pe"#f#"a!!y for th# purpo e% and &e(#n the 5o& after "entenary 87u!yANo)9+

May 2002 " The OC #issol/es

The re u!t of or(an#<er &urnout were fe!t a !e and !e ener(y f!owed fro' #nd#)#dua! #nto or(an#<#n(+ The IEC d# o!)ed% a we!! a a!! hop "o''#ttee &ut Arrow: + Mu"h !#ke the "#r"u' tan"e urround#n( the de'# e of the WCBMA% I &e!#e)e that th# wa a re u!t of the #'po #t#on of too r#(#d an or(an#<at#ona! tru"ture+ Er(an#<er who re'a#ned a"t#)e "ho e #n tead to pr#or#t#<e work )#a Arrow: tron( hop

"o''#ttee and throu(h the Stop NICA Co''#ttee rather than tru((!e to keep the IEC a!#)e+

On ,tructure
We now ha)e two #n tan"e w#th#n the a'e "a'pa#(n of fa#!ed #'po #t#on of r#(#d or(an#<at#ona! tru"ture + They do not work &e"au e they do not a!!ow for "reat#)e f!ow and adaptat#on to "#r"u' tan"e + They pre)ent peop!e fro' "on"eptua!#<#n( re pon e out #de the !#'#t of the tru"ture 8#t: often referred to a =the &o1=9+ We were a!! o wrapped up #n the IECA hop "o''#ttee tru"ture that #t had to d# o!)e &efore any one of u "ou!d under tand why #t wa not work#n(+

On *urnout
When you "an ee &urnout on the hor#<on and you don:t ha)e p!an to re!o"ate to another "#ty% p!ea e &e (ood to your e!f+ It 5u t 'ean that you ha)e &een tak#n( #n 'ore t#'u!# than you are u ed to pro"e #n(+ A!!ow your e!f the t#'e and pa"e to #nte(rate the new #nfor'at#on% e)en #f #t 'ean tak#n( a "oup!e tep &a"k fro' your e1pe"ted a"t#)#t#e % your "o''un#ty or "a'pa#(n+ Dour fr#end and fe!!ow worker 'u t a""ept your de"# #on4how "an any&ody ar(ue w#th% =I:' tart#n( to fee! "ra<y and #n"apa&!e of do#n( anyth#n( u efu!F= They 'ay e)en !earn fro' you #f you "an "o''un#"ate what e1a"t!y # (o#n( on w#th your &ad e!f+ And ure!y they w#!! appre"#ate you e)en 'ore when you are a&!e to tep up your "o''#t'ent a(a#n% 'u"h w# er and hea!th#er for ha)#n( a!!owed your e!f t#'e to hea!+ P!ea e &e '#ndfu! that tre # a k#!!er and that we do not want #t to e1# t #n the new wor!d+

On 6es&onsi1ility
Cha!!en(#n( the trad#t#ona!!y he!d not#on of re pon #&#!#ty ha re!#e)ed 'e of 'u"h (u#!t+ In fa"t% I dou&t I "ou!d ha)e produ"ed th# report had I not done o+ And o I "ha!!en(e e)ery reader to "on #der the def#n#t#on of re pon #&#!#ty% to *u#t th#nk#n( of your e!)e a re pon #&!e for th# or that ta k% th# (roup of peop!e% or e)en the #dea e'er(#n( fro' your own &ra#n+ Th# k#nd of re pon #&#!#ty re*u#re a k#nd of po e #on o)er the ta k% per on or #dea+ Po e #on "reate &urden % fear of !o and the de #re to "ontro!+ Do we a!! under tand how po e #on of anyth#n( # an #!!u #onF If not% "on #der how th# ent#re "ountry ha &een ra# ed up on to!en !and% yet t#!! peop!e &e!#e)e that they own #t% that they worked hard for #t% and that they de er)e #t+ Sto!en !and # d#)#ded up and o!d to the h#(he t &#dder% wh#!e e!fA u ta#n#n( "o''un#t#e &a ed on !aw of nature are #ntent#ona!!y &roken up+ De % e)en the thou(ht #n our head % !et: *u#t po e #n( the' too+ Aren:t e)en our thou(ht the produ"t of a!! that to wh#"h we:)e &een e1po edF P!ea e #'p!y &e re pon #&!e+ A!!ow your e!f the pa"e #n your &ody% your '#nd% and your en)#ron'ent to #'p!y re pond+ It # th# way that the #'po #n( tru"ture w#!! d# o!)e and we:!! ha)e the pa"e to "reate the new wor!d #n the he!! of the o!d+

Making ,&ace for the CCU

Both the WCBMA and the IEC had to d# o!)e #n order to 'ake roo' for the CCU+ Current and future 'e'&er of the CCU 'u t &e 'ade aware of the pro"e e that d#d not work o that they "an re"o(n#<e and re # t "ontro!!#n( tru"ture hou!d they "o'e up a(a#n+ Th# # a& o!ute!y ne"e ary #n order to "reate

o'eth#n( new and endur#n(+ A! o% p!ea e keep #n your awarene the de #red out"o'e wh#!e "ooperat#)e!y work#n( out the deta#! + Don:t t#ptoe around the word re)o!ut#on% fear#n( #t too rad#"a!+ E)eryone fee! the #''#nent "han(e e)en #f they ha)e not yet thou(ht a&out #t> tru t that they w#!! "at"h on+ Perhap t#'e hou!d &e 'ade at the &e(#nn#n( of e)ery 'eet#n( to re'e'&er where the CCU f#t #nto the &#( p#"ture+ I &et #t wou!d &e worthwh#!e to &r#ef!y report on other or(an#<#n( "a'pa#(n and "on #der o"#a! "han(e and pea"efu! re)o!ut#on% 5u t to keep e)ery&ody hu'&!e and aware of the &#( p#"ture+

!une 2002 " Andrea *ack on the ,cene

I arr#)ed &a"k #n Ch#"a(o 5u t #n t#'e for the IWW "entenary "e!e&rat#on (ather#n(% #ntend#n( to work fu!!At#'e on "our#er or(an#<#n( for f#)e 'onth + Me en(er were t#!! (ather#n( at the Hand!e&ar on Monday n#(ht + @or'er 'e en(er or(an#<er ar"a t#"a!!y w# hed 'e the &e t of !u"k when I to!d the' what I wa do#n(% "!a#'#n( that =there: noth#n( (o#n( on+= Th# wa not at a!! true+ De % the o!d tru"ture had &roken down+ But the tor"h had &een kept !#t &y worker fro' Arrow% who had &een throu(h an #nten e% )ery u""e fu! "a'pa#(n% and &y the Stop NICA Co''#ttee% who had &een 'eet#n( re(u!ar!y and had put to(ether a trate(y and (r#e)an"e pro"edure for the ent#re #ndu try+ Word of a!! th# awe o'e a"t#)#ty% howe)er% had not rea"hed the 'e en(er who were not d#re"t!y #n)o!)ed+ I re"o(n#<ed that open#n( "hanne! of "o''un#"at#on wa 'y pr#or#ty+

6e/elation on Co$$unication
The pro"e of wr#t#n( a!! of th# down # a'u #n( to 'e+ A"tua!!y% open#n( "hanne! of "o''un#"at#on w#th#n 'y e!f wa 'y pr#or#ty% &ut &e"au e I wa not yet "on "#ou of th# % the ent#re e1per#en"e I:)e do"u'ented here ha &een a too! for 'e to !earn how to "o''un#"ate+ My father wa a& ent for the 'o t part+ My 'other wa a (reat pro)#der and a hard worker &ut e'ot#ona!!y d# tant+ She had !a"ked the po #t#)e 'a "u!#ne #nf!uen"e #n her !#fe a we!!+ My Ge'#n# #&!#n( (ot a!on( (reat w#th ea"h other% &ut I wa the e!de t% a Nery Ser#ou Capr#"orn% too 'ature for "artoon + I wa hy and awkward #n h#(hA "hoo!% #n)o!)ed #n o 'any "!u& that I rare!y had to eat !un"h 8or &e o"#a!9 #n the "afeter#a% &ut 'art and "o'forta&!e enou(h an wer#n( *ue t#on #n "!a that the wo'an (roo'ed for the ro!e of )a!ed#"tor#an feared 'e% wh#!e #n e"ret I pra"t#"ed the art of pro"ra t#nat#on+ I d#dn:t fee! o 'art #n "o!!e(e+ So'ehow I 'a#nta#ned a BAa)era(e and fed 'y e(o #n tead throu(h part#"#pat#on #n "o'pet#t#)e row#n( and &e"o'#n( phy #"a!!y tron(+ Pro"ra t#nat#on wa n:t o u""e fu! at the Un#)er #ty of Ch#"a(o% a you '#(ht #'a(#ne% and #t took two year here &efore I !et (o of the &e!#ef that I wanted to &e a do"tor when I (rew up+ I d#dn:t date unt#! the a(e of B- 8I a' -/ now9+ It wa not unt#! I found 'y e!f on the freakA!aden 'e en(er "ene that 'y o"#a! "onf#den"e (rew% and I found a )o#"e when I not#"ed that the on!y 5o& that had rea!!y 'ade 'e fee! a!#)e wa a! o &!atant!y e1p!o#t#n( 'e?

The e day I a' (ett#n( (ood at "o''un#"at#n( w#th the peop!e #n 'y #''ed#ate en)#ron'ent> I a' e)en &r#d(#n( the "o''un#"at#on (ap w#th 'y parent + I a' t#!! work#n( on "o''un#"at#n( w#th the re t of the wor!d+ In fa"t% th# report # 'y f#r t "on "#ou atte'pt to "o''un#"ate fro' the heart w#th a potent#a!!y !ar(e (roup of unknown peop!e% w#thout re(ard to whether or not any&ody w#!! read throu(h to th# po#nt% or what any of you '#(ht th#nk of 'e #n the end+ I ha)e had to for(et that I 'u t produ"e a report for the un#on &e"au e they funded 'y 5o&% or &e"au e #t # 'y re pon #&#!#ty% and re pond to the #nterna! (u#!t I:)e &een "arry#n( &e"au e I ha)en:t &een "o''un#"at#n( that wh#"h need to &e hared+ =I do not e1# t #n a )a"uu'+ E)eryth#n( I do ha an effe"t on the ent#rety of "reat#on+= 8fro' Mat# yahu% a+k+a+ Ra&&# Re((ae: a!&u' Shake off the Du tOAr# e9+

!uly 2002 " Andrea8s 6ole #efined

I wa enthu #a t#" to (et "o''un#"at#on (o#n( )#a a <#ne and a new !etter r#(ht away unt#! M$ po#nted out to 'e that #n"!u #)ene tru'p e1ped#en"y4a !e on fro' the !a t # ue of Stand&y and #t u& e*uent "ontro)er y+ Idea!!y% ure4pro5e"t ou(ht to &e worked on &y a 'any peop!e a #ntere ted+ But the #tuat#on I found 'y e!f #n wa not #dea!+ Peop!e d#dn:t know there wa a un#on and weren:t #ntere ted #n work#n( on #t+ C#ke the f#r t upr# #n( at Arrow% a #n"ere pa #on to a"t wa d# "oura(ed &a ed on fear and #'a(#ned author#ty+ Pr#or to 'y new ro!e a fu!!At#'e or(an#<er% no&ody "ou!d ha)e o&5e"ted had I de #red to "reate a <#ne+

Un"on "#ou !y I re ented the !#'#tat#on of 'y new ro!e &ut !a"ked the #n #(ht ne"e ary to "ha!!en(e M$: a ert#on+ H# #'p!e tate'ent dra t#"a!!y "han(ed 'y out!ook on 'y 5o&+ I &e"a'e hyperAaware of 'y ro!e #n the "a'pa#(n and how 'y de"# #on '#(ht affe"t #t+ I d#d not fee! "o'forta&!e 'ak#n( any de"# #on for the (roup+ It ee'ed the on!y peop!e who "on #dered the "a'pa#(n a a who!e any'ore were M$ and I+ SuperA or(an#<er S"ott G#& on had f!ed the "ene% reported!y of &urnout+ I &e"a'e )ery "on "#ou that I wa no !on(er work#n( #n the #ndu try% and "on"erned a&out how I '#(ht appear to work#n( 'e en(er % part#"u!ar!y to the "ore of new peop!e who had ne)er een 'e &efore+

On Authority
U!t#'ate!y a!! the "onf!#"t aro e fro' the *ue t#on of author#ty+ Who wa author#<ed to !ead th# "a'pa#(n% tho e 'e en(er who had &een w#th #t fro' the &e(#nn#n(% or the IWW 'e'&er who howed up 5u t #n t#'e w#th the #nfor'at#on needed to keep the WCBMA true to #t or#(#na! #ntentF I ha)e hown how &oth the WCBMA and the IWW !eader were keen on #'po #n( tru"ture+ The truth wa that ne#ther the IWW or(an#<er nor the 'e en(er !eader knew e1a"t!y how to (o a&out the hu(e ta k of or(an#<#n( the 'e en(er #ndu try #n Ch#"a(o+ The IWW or(an#<er "!ear!y po e ed uper#or know!ed(e a&out !a&or or(an#<#n( &ut on!y one of the' had had a"tua! e1per#en"e or(an#<#n( #n the #ndu try #n a d#fferent "#ty% on a 'u"h 'a!!er "a!e%

and w#th )ar#ed #nterpretat#on of u""e + But they were )ery enthu #a t#" at the opportun#ty to or(an#<e% had a theory of how to (o a&out #t and a f!o"k of upport+ They "!a#'ed the author#ty+ Me en(er or(an#<er % who a! o 'et up w#th )ar#ed #nterpretat#on of u""e wh#!e *u#te #nno"ent!y "reat#n( the WCBMA% re"o(n#<ed that the IWW had o'eth#n( that they needed and a""epted the he!p &!#nd!y+ Me en(er or(an#<er d#d not re"o(n#<e the author#ty they had o)er the#r own e1per#en"e or the#r know!ed(e of what wa &e t for the#r own "o''un#ty+

+arly Challenges as 'ull Ti$e Organizer

I u pe"t I appeared to &e too pa #)e for M$ #n the &e(#nn#n(+ There wa "onf!#"t &etween u that wa fe!t &ut ne)er poken of unt#! now+ It en"oura(ed the fee!#n( of # o!at#on and un"erta#nty that a!ready e1# ted w#th#n 'y e!f+ I !#ke the 'etaphor of "o''un#"at#n( the way you r#de your &#ke+ Be *u#"k and d#re"t w#th #t+ Art#"u!ate thou(ht when they "o'e to '#nd> #f you tuff the' #n your &a( #t w#!! ure!y (et d# torted and !#ke!y "o)ered w#th &eer+ I fe!t !#ke I wa tart#n( o)er% e1"ept that th# t#'e there were two 'ot#)ated peop!e who "ou!dn:t "o''un#"ate effe"t#)e!y #n tead of n#ne or ten who at !ea t weren:t afra#d to (et e'ot#ona!+ The or(an#<#n( "a'pa#(n had an onAa(a#nAoffAa(a#n reputat#on and 'any for'er or(an#<er were d# en"hanted w#th or(an#<#n( a!to(ether and had 'o)ed on to other endea)or +

(earning fro$ our Mistakes

W#th <ero en e of author#ty% I fe!t <ero upport+ I "a'e to under tand that the "a'pa#(n wou!d unfo!d #n #t own t#'e+ I knew fro' ha)#n( o& er)ed the

"a'pa#(n fro' #t &e(#nn#n( that to for"e #t a!on( w#th 'y ener(y and 'y w#!! wou!d er)e noth#n( #n the end+ I wou!d not a((re #)e!y pu h peop!e to #(n up for the un#on% the !# t of IU.;/ 'e'&er #n poor tand#n( e)#den"e enou(h that that part#"u!ar ta"t#" doe not work+ I wa #n fa"t tart#n( o)er+ I knew that the (oa! wa to "reate an endur#n(% de'o"rat#" or(an#<at#on of worker #n the "our#er #ndu try+ No&ody "ou!d pretend any'ore that they knew what #t ou(ht to !ook !#ke4a !e on fro' the IEC+ The u'&re!!a of the IWW wa a!! the tru"ture ne"e ary to "onne"t the new or(an#<at#on w#th the !ar(er tru((!e+ We "ou!d not a!!ow per ona!#t#e and e'ot#on to do'#nate4a !e on fro' the WCBMA+

A 0e47 .u1lic Ca$&aign

Ba ed on the )ery pu&!#" a"t#on that took p!a"e at Arrow% I a u'ed that the "a'pa#(n wa now pu&!#"+ I he #tated to 'ake e)en th# a u'pt#on% &ut de"#ded!y took tep to end the e"re"y+ I fe!t that e)ery&ody needed to know that or(an#<#n( wa and # and w#!! "ont#nue to 'o)e forward and that #ntere ted peop!e needed to &e(#n 'eet#n( re(u!ar!y+ I wa open a&out the fa"t that I wa (ett#n( pa#d to he!p the un#on (row+ If we had a 'ode! for the new un#on #n '#nd% #t wa that of a worker "enter+ M$ had "o'e up w#th a !# t of po #&!e pro(ra' for the un#on u"h a !oaner &#ke % free hea!th "!#n#" % GED f#nan"#n( and !oan for 'e'&er % a (r#e)an"e "o''#ttee% ta1 work hop % &#ke repa#r work hop % et"+% a u'#n( that u"h an e1ten #)e !# t wou!d (#)e peop!e p!enty of "ho#"e #f they wanted to (et #n)o!)ed+

I a(reed that a!! of the e were (ood #dea % &ut w#th the under tand#n( that peop!e are 'ore !#ke!y to put effort #nto that wh#"h they are pa #onate a&out% the#r own #dea + I wa 'ore #ntere ted #n "reat#n( a pa"e that a!!owed for the free f!ow of #dea + I #'a(#ned that the un#on wou!d &e open to e)ery worker #n the #ndu try and that e)eryone wou!d &e we!"o'e at 'eet#n( whether they were due Apay#n( 'e'&er or not+ I #'a(#ned "reat#n( a nurtur#n(% e!fA uff#"#ent "o''un#ty that knew how to !# ten and !earn fro' ea"h other &y en"oura(#n( k#!!A har#n( and rad#"a! "o''un#tyAre!#an"e+

=oga $eans Union

M$ the ta k'a ter% Andrea the nurturer+ Perhap we were dea!#n( w#th o'e deep dark (ender # ue F We &oth took tep toward "reat#n( the pro(ra' !# ted a&o)e and peop!e d#d p!u( #nto the'+ I a! o atte'pted to put #nto pra"t#"e 'y not#on of "o''un#ty &y offer#n( 'y know!ed(e of yo(a to 'e en(er + We &orrowed a 'a a(e ta&!e and &e(an to 'eet week!y for yo(a and 'a a(e+ No% #t wa not d#re"t!y re!ated to or(an#<#n( nor o&)#ou !y po!#t#"a!% &ut e ent#a! for 'e en(er: hard"ore &od#e to 'o)e #n d#fferent% 'ore u&t!e way + It u&t!y en"oura(e th#nk#n( #n d#fferent way + Re'e'&er#n( the tre of the IEC day and know#n( that our &e t #dea "o'e when we are re!a1ed% I fe!t that &r#n(#n( peop!e to(ether #n a "h#!! en)#ron'ent that ne#ther d# tr#&uted ta k nor en"oura(ed the "on u'pt#on of a!"oho! wa perhap the 'o t po #t#)e #nf!uen"e I "ou!d #'part+ That near!y e)ery o"#a! "ene ee' dr#nk#n( &eer and pend#n( 'oney to re*u#re # hu(e!y

fru trat#n( to 'e and #nd#"at#)e of how o"#eta! tru"ture keep u down+ St#!!% o'e peop!e &rou(ht &eer a!on( to yo(a+ Th# wa f#ne% &ut the pre en"e of '#nd re*u#red to !ead a yo(a pra"t#"e #n a phy #"a! pa"e a "attered a 'y own '#nd "a'e and went+ It wa nonethe!e a worthwh#!e endea)or% a a!! endea)or are+

Magic at the Tho$&son Center

I pent a !ot of t#'e at the Tho'p on Center% the unoff#"#a! &reak roo' for 'e en(er #n the Coop% "onne"t#n( and re"onne"t#n( w#th peop!e+ Confu ed a&out ro!e and re pon #&#!#t#e a I wa % I fe!t 'ore "o'forta&!e #f I had a f!yer to hand out or a ur)ey to ad'#n# ter+ Howe)er% I had a wonderfu! re)e!at#on wh#!e 5u t #tt#n( around one day+ I wa fee!#n( de pondent% not know#n( how to "o''un#"ate w#th 'y fe!!ow worker around 'e% when 'y per pe"t#)e "han(ed+ @or 5u t a 'o'ent the e(o faded and I &e"a'e a w#tne to 'y e!f+ I re'e'&ered that I wa not a work#n( 'e en(er any'ore% and that t#'e han(#n( out at the Tho'p on Center wa not 'y down t#'e a #t wa for the other % a #t had &een for 'e #n the pa t+ I !#tera!!y aw 'y e!f fro' a&o)e4 tron(% ha#ryA !e((ed% attra"t#)e% youn(# h wo'an4 #tt#n( there a'on( 'o t!y youn(% thou(h a w#de a(eAran(e of 'en+ The (ender d#fferen"e tu"k out+ It !ooked unu ua!+ I fe!t e1"ept#ona!+ I "ou!d no !on(er a"t !#ke a de pondent e1A'e en(er a #f I were t#!! wa#t#n( for the ne1t 5o&% re ent#n( the "a!! when #t "a'e+ I re"o(n#<ed that 'y 5o& wa to he!p peop!e out of the#r de ponden"y &y &r#n( the' to(ether% &y 'ak#n( the'

tron( throu(h the#r un#on+ How I:d do that wa not "!ear% a!thou(h 'y purpo e wa "ry ta!+

t#!!

Addictions +ncouraged at Cal8s

Me en(er often (ather at th# "entra!!y !o"ated &ar% 'o t re!#(#ou !y after work on @r#day + It wa one p!a"e I "ou!d han( out w#th 'y fr#end and not fee! !#ke I needed to &e work#n(+ The a!"oho!# ' #n the "o''un#ty # *u#te d# tur&#n( to 'e% a!thou(h I re"o(n#<e #t a 5u t a '#"ro"o ' of the a!"oho!# ' #n our who!e o"#ety+ I ha)e ne)er &een a hu(e fan of dr#nk#n(+ My "rut"h% a! o hared &y 'any #n the "o''un#ty% wa 'ar#5uana+ I ha)e #n"e topped u #n( the a"red her& a a "rut"h and )a!ue the "!ar#ty I ha)e "!a#'ed a a re u!t+ Intere t#n( thou(h% that #n the pro"e of k#"k#n( the ha&#t I re"o(n#<ed that I &e(an to u e #t on a da#!y &a # when I &e(an work#n( a a 'e en(er+ S'oke pot? Go to work? Then po# on your e!f w#th a!"oho! at happy hour to &#t"h and for(et a&out the day? It: a #"k% #"k wor!d+ Not &ad% &ut er#ou !y #"k+ I:d tarted 'e en(er#n( #n the w#ntert#'e &e"au e I thou(ht 'y "han"e of &e#n( h#red a an #ne1per#en"ed wo'an wou!d &e h#(her dur#n( th# ea on+ It d#dn:t take !on( &efore 'orn#n( tarted to hurt% and I wondered why I kept do#n( #t day after day% adorn#n( 'y &ody w#th !ayer after !ayer to (o out #n the 'adne of Ch#"a(o: Coop #n u&A<ero te'perature to pu h paper around to keep the 'a"h#ne (o#n(+ S'ok#n( a 'orn#n( &ow! wa a!! I "ou!d do to (et 'e out the door+ I under tand now that add#"t#on feed add#"t#on and a' "on "#ou !y try#n( to rep!a"e 'y de tru"t#)e ha&#t w#th "reat#)e ha&#t +

Before 'ar#5uana% I:d tarted on the "#(arette + Before "#(arette % I:d pend hour and hour p#"k#n( 'y p!#t end + Before that% I o& e #)e!y &#t 'y na#! + But &efore any of the e% I u ed to !o)e to 5u((!e+ I k#"ked a at hand&a!! and dou&!e dut"h+ P!ay#n( 'u #" wa 'y e'ot#ona! out!et #n h#(h "hoo!+ Con "#ou !y tra"#n( the h# tory of ea"h ha&#t and re'e'&er#n( what I u ed to do to dea! w#th the wor!d &efore they et #n ha &een )ery he!pfu! to 'e wh#!e !ett#n( the de tru"t#)e ha&#t (o+

!uly 207 2002 " )hat Ha&&ened at Arro4>

In an effort to &r#n( "urrent or(an#<#n( e)ent to the "on "#ou ne of the "o''un#ty% Arrow 'e en(er he!d a foru' to e1p!a#n the#r )#"tor#ou and enterta#n#n( tru((!e+ A&out G. 'e en(er attend% 'o t of the' fro' Arrow+

August 67 2002 " )ill 6ogers Annual Messenger Me$orial &icnic

Th# part#"u!ar e)ent # tota!!y r#(hteou % and h#(h!y "e!e&rated &y 'e en(er + So'e&ody 'u t take the #n#t#at#)e to (et #t to(ether+ Guene)ere had a!way done o #n the pa t> I or(an#<ed #t th# year+ It # re!at#)e!y ea y to or(an#<e &e"au e peop!e a!ready know a&out #t and e1pe"t #t+ If peop!e want to "reate a phy #"a! 'e'or#a! that # awe o'e% &ut a!way there # t#'e to peak a&out and honor 'e en(er who ha)e a"r#f#"ed the#r !#)e for the#r 5o&+ St#!! o& e ed w#th 'y =ro!e= #n 'y "o''un#ty% I wa re!u"tant to peak% a!thou(h peop!e were pro&a&!y e1pe"t#n( #t+ I a' (ratefu! for the 'e'ora&!e and #n p#r#n( pee"he &y Andre and S'okey+

August -07 2002 " Another (arge nfor$ational Meeting

Re'#n# "ent of Pete: day % we "a!!ed a 'eet#n( to #nfor' e)eryone a&out the un#on+ Appro1#'ate!y B/ peop!e attended% 'o t of who' where a!ready #n the or(an#<#n( !oop+ We had &orrowed a pro5e"tor fro' the B#ke @ederat#on and M$ had prepared a !#"k power po#nt pre entat#on+ We:d a #(ned 8we "ou!d ay% "ontro!!ed9 d#fferent 'e en(er to ta!k throu(h )ar#ou part of the pre entat#on+ It wa )ery we!! done% &ut pro&a&!y not ne"e ary (#)en the "rowd+ An o!dAt#'er CMS &#ker who "a'e to the 'eet#n( after I:d ta!ked to h#' Ca!: reported!y "a!!ed the 'eet#n(4horror of 'y horror P "!#*ue# h+

20?20 Hindsight
Had I the #(ht and the tren(th of w#!! at the t#'e% I wou!d ha)e &een 'ore a ert#)e+ I wou!d ha)e re"o(n#<ed that the "a'pa#(n wa at a d#fferent p!a"e #t wa when Pete arr#)ed% that the 'a #nfor'at#ona! 'eet#n( had a!ready &een done% and went forward w#th re(u!ar un#on 'eet#n( r#(ht away+ But I wa t#!! #n fear 'ode and not a&!e to #dent#fy the hyperA "ontro!A"on "#ou ne )#&e #n the a#r+ Mak#n( de"#ded de"# #on for the (roup% howe)er "attered% wa not a""epta&!e+ It wa a "onfu #n( t#'e for 'e+ I a' try#n( to "o'p!ete!y hone t a&out how a!! of the e e1per#en"e ha)e &een !e on #n f#nd#n( 'y )o#"e and a ert#n( 'y true e!f+ I a' re'#nd#n( 'y e!f #n th# do"u'ent of a!! of the !e on a 'u"h a I a' to any of you+

,e&te$1er 2-37 2002 " )) :eneral Asse$1ly in .hiladel&hia

M$% Mar ha!!% Andre and I dro)e to Ph#!!y for th# (ather#n(+ I a' (ratefu! I went% a!thou(h throu(hout I wa torn &etween pend#n( t#'e on the Ph#!ade!ph#a 'e en(er "ene and #tt#n( throu(h A e'&!y !#ke a re pon #&!e un#on 'e'&er+ My new #dea a&out re pon #&#!#ty had not yet entered 'y "on "#ou ne + In the end% I &enef#ted fro' &oth+ I wa #n p#red &y the a"t#)# ' of our new 'e en(er fr#end and the Ph#!!y 'e en(er "o''un#ty+ S'a!!er than Ch#"a(o% the 'e en(er there were t#(ht% and #n"red#&!y we!"o'#n( and #n)#t#n(+ I droo!ed o)er the#r new!y pu&!# hed <#ne and the "reat#)e% r#(hteou &a( hop Re!oad wh#"h pran( up fro' the )# #on of a for'er 'e en(er who kept the !o)e #n the "o''un#ty+ At GA% I wa t#!! not "o'forta&!e w#th the for'a!ne of #t a!! nor wa I near!y a "onf#dent "o''un#"at#n( a I wa at the Ph#!!y &#ke 'e en(er pot!u"k+ C#ke the pre)#ou year: A e'&!y% I fe!t I d#d not ha)e 'u"h to "ontr#&ute other than 'y report on 'y work+

,e&te$1er -37 2002 " 'irst Meeting of the Chicago Couriers Union
I fe!t awkward fa"#!#tat#n( th# f#r t 'eet#n(+ I at at the front of the roo'% a!thou(h we !ater arran(ed 'eet#n( o that e)ery&ody at e#ther #n a "#r"!e or around a !on( ta&!e+ I !#ke the !atter eat#n( arran(e'ent &etter+ The 'o t 'e'ora&!e part of th# 'eet#n( for 'e wa )ot#n( on a na'e for the un#on+ I pu hed for the na'e =W#ndy C#ty Cour#er Un#on%= #n order to pay ho'a(e to our root + I wa the on!y one who )oted for th#

na'e% and &e"a'e k#nd of p# y that no&ody e! e thou(ht #t #'portant to re"o(n#<e where we had (rown up fro'+ The truth # % no&ody knew+ I rea!#<ed then that I wa the on!y per on #n the roo' who had &een throu(h a!! of #t% and the on!y per on at a!! who had re'a#ned "o''#tted throu(hout+ I a!one he!d the fu!! h# tory of th# "a'pa#(n% and I had not yet hared any of #t+

,u1se@uent Meetings
At ear!y 'eet#n( % I tr#ed to ha)e an a(enda ready to (o+ Howe)er% re'e'&er#n( Co!#n: e1a'p!e !ead#n( IEC 'eet#n( % we w#t"hed to "reat#n( the a(enda on the f!y at the &e(#nn#n( of ea"h 'eet#n( to en"oura(e (roup owner h#p o)er the 'eet#n( and part#"#pat#on+ It wa enterta#n#n( to no'#nate d#fferent peop!e to "ha#r the 'eet#n( and w#tne the#r rea"t#on and perfor'an"e + My w# h that e)ery 'e en(er wou!d fee! we!"o'e at CCU 'eet#n( wa rea!#<ed when the &ody of the CCU )oted that e)ery work#n( 'e en(er wou!d ha)e a )o#"e and a )ote at 'eet#n( % w#th the e1"ept#on that on!y 'e'&er of the CCU #n (ood tand#n( "ou!d )ote on 'oney 'atter +

Money Matters
Dur#n( th# t#'e I had% a u ua!% 'y own f#nan"#a! # ue + In #n#t#a! "on)er at#on w#th Co!#n and M$ re(ard#n( 'y pay a a fu!!At#'e or(an#<er% I a(reed that the pay rate &e !owered !#(ht!y #n order to u ta#n #t for a !on(er per#od of t#'e% and a""epted LG/// for f#)e 'onth % 7u!y throu(h No)e'&er% B//.+ At the e1pe"ted fu!!At#'e ;/ hour per week% th# work out to L0+B. an hour+

I:d app!#ed for food ta'p a oon a I arr#)ed #n Ch#"a(o+ My rent a)era(ed L;// per 'onth% wh#"h wa a"tua!!y pretty (ood+ I had to redu"e 'y L-./ a 'onth tudent !oan pay'ent to the a& o!ute '#n#'u' of L./> #ntere t # t#!! a""ru#n(+ By Septe'&er% I "ou!dn:t keep up f#nan"#a!!y and had to take on 'ore !u"rat#)e apart'ent pa#nt#n( 5o& + @or th# rea on% I re*ue ted to redu"e 'y tatu to partA t#'e and e1tend #t one 'onth+ The &ody of the CCU (ranted 'y re*ue t+ I worked partAt#'e and wa pa#d L.// a 'onth fro' E"to&er to De"e'&er+ @#nan"#a!!y% th# 5o& d#d not work out )ery we!! for 'e and I a' t#!! uffer#n( the "on e*uen"e + I "ou!d not "on #der #t a(a#n under #'#!ar "#r"u' tan"e + I wou!d "on #der #t a(a#n under d#fferent "#r"u' tan"e + Ene 'onth of fo"u ed% ade*uate!y "o'pen ated and upported work 'ake 'u"h 'ore en e to 'e than #1 'onth of un upported% "atter&ra#ned work+ I 'ar)e! now at how we !a&orA"on "#ou freak were a&!e to 5u t#fy pay#n( and a""ept#n( u"h a !ow wa(e+ I th#nk that a #tuat#on 'ore &enef#"#a! to e)eryone wou!d &e to pend 'ore or(an#<#n( 'oney on the 'e'&er h#p #t e!f% there&y "reat#n( 'ore or(an#<er +

Handling :rie/ances
The Stop NICA Co''#ttee had de)e!oped a for' to tra"k #nd#)#dua! (r#e)an"e that wa we!! done and worked to o'e e1tent+ We "onne"ted w#th a !awyer at a !a&or !aw f#r' who wa #ntere ted #n what we were do#n(+ It d#d not !ook !#ke anyth#n( they had e)er een &efore+ It wa )ery awe o'e to w#tne M$ e1p!a#n#n( o!#dar#ty un#on# ' and the u""e e we ha)e had #n #t pra"t#"e to a "oup!e of e1pert !awyer #n a "orporateA!ook#n( off#"e+ They were #'pre ed+

,e&t -67 2002 " ,4a$&y8s :et-=r-*ike6eady-for-)inter )orksho&

The work hop wa open a!! day% a!thou(h on!y a&out four peop!e howed up% other than the or(an#<er + Swa'py% I re'e'&er% wa under tanda&!y fru trated &y the !ow turnout+ He had put h#' e!f% h# na'e and h# k#!! out there for any&ody to take ad)anta(e of for free% and on!y a "oup!e of peop!e a""epted h# offer to he!p+ We d#d (et around to a"know!ed(#n( that the work hop wa #ndeed a u""e + We "a'e to the "on"!u #on that e)ery e)ent &enef#t e)ery&ody who part#"#pate + E)en thou(h 'o t of the part#"#pant were the u ua! one % we had a (ood t#'e and an opportun#ty to #ntera"t #n a new way+ E)eryone who howed up !earned how to true a whee!+ Thank you Mar ha!!% Swa'py% and Ceo+

,e&te$1er 2002 " *ike 20-2 .lan

En Septe'&er BG% I attended a Mayor: B#ke Ad)# ory Coun"#! 'eet#n(% a *uarter!y 'eet#n( of "#ty &ureau"rat and &#ke ad)o"ate + @ortunate!y% #t wa the day of the un)e#!#n( of the B#ke B/G. P!an% wh#"h # the e1tended )er #on of the B#ke B/G/ P!an of Su''er B//-+ At th# part#"u!ar 'eet#n(% Arrow: Phy!!# wa!ked #n !ate% k# ed "#ty off#"#a! on the "heek% pre ented the e"t#on on 'e en(er and !eft ear!y+ En!y one of the u((e t#on 'ade &y 'e en(er re(ard#n( tandard#<#n( &u#!d#n( a""e po!#"#e had &een #n"orporated #nto the !ate t draft of the p!an+ We "a!!ed a 'eet#n( at the Hand!e&ar to p!an a re pon e+ S#'#!ar to two year a(o% peop!e were r#!ed+

We fe!t #(nored% d# re pe"ted% and de!#&erate!y !eft out of the pro"e + I under tand that d#re"t a"t#on # prefera&!e to po!#t#"a! a"t#on% &ut #t wou!d ha)e &een hard to #(nore the e'ot#ona! rea"t#on e)ery&ody ee'ed to fee! a&out th# u&5e"t% part#"u!ar!y Phy!!# : a u'ed author#ty o)er the 'e en(er #ndu try+ Eur re pon e "a'e #n the for' of a !etter and a two and a ha!f pa(e re pon e to pe"#f#" po#nt #n the P!an a we!! a u((e t#on not #n"!uded #n the P!an at a!!+ We #n"!uded a pet#t#on of 0H #(nature #n upport of our u((e t#on + It wa a!! wr#tten "o!!e"t#)e!y% we worked hard (ather#n( re pon e and 'ak#n( #t "#tyA off#"#a! pre enta&!e+ Eur pr#'ary re*ue t wa to e ta&!# h a Cour#er Ta k @or"e of the Mayor: B#"y"!e Ad)# ory Coun"#! to addre 'e en(er # ue + We #(ned the !etter fro' the Ch#"a(o Cour#er Un#on+ No further a"t#on wa taken% howe)er% on our part+ I uppo e the ener(y and fo"u re*u#red to work w#th the "#ty wa n:t there+ I do &e!#e)e #t # ne"e ary to work &oth w#th#n and out #de of the y te' #n order to "reate endur#n( "han(e+ We:re (o#n( to ha)e to re)a'p the y te' o'eday% re'e'&er+ We ou(ht to !earn what doe n:t work+ A! o% work#n( w#th#n wou!d "reate a 5o& for a &#ke 'e en(er to do noth#n( &ut re ear"h the #ndu try+ Sound worthwh#!e to 'e+

,e&te$1er 2002 " Messenger *an 6e/ersed

S'okey the 'e en(er had &een &anned fro' a &u#!d#n( for ha)#n( #n h# po e #on an e'pty p#pe+ Th# part#"u!ar &u#!d#n( ha a r#d#"u!ou &u#!d#n( entran"e po!#"y+ Ced &y M$: effort % the un#on (athered #(nature for a pet#t#on% "a!!ed the &u#!d#n( 'ana(e'ent% and u""e fu!!y re)er ed the &an+ The

&u#!d#n( 'ana(er "!a#'ed he wa not aware of the de"# #on+ Th# # )a!ua&!e #nfor'at#on% a I:)e a!way u pe"ted that e"ur#ty (uard (et "arr#ed away w#th the#r #!!u ory author#ty+

#ece$1er 2002 " *ike 6e&air )orksho&s and (oaner *ikes

Ced &y Ceo and Ste)e% we hooked up w#th the "o''un#ty &#ke hop We t Town B#ke to offer 'onth!y repa#r work hop free to &#ke 'e en(er +

#ece$1er 2002 " Here are the Aoices

Th# e)ent "on # ted of a twoAweek art how and two part#e at the A"'e Art Center+ It wa #n p#red &a"k #n 7u!y wh#!e I wa "!ean#n( up the IWW off#"e+ I found a !ar(e &eaut#fu! 'o)#e po ter of =The Wo&&!#e = that Car!o Corte< had donated to the GMB+ Con #der#n( what to do w#th #t% Co!#n u((e ted a k#n( the fo!k at the (a!!ery Me t#<arte #n P#! en for "heap fra'#n( #dea % a (a!!ery where Car!o had pent 'u"h t#'e and had 'any fr#end + There I poke to Efran Be!tran% a tudent at the "enter and an a"t#)# t and art# t% who u((e ted a &enef#t art how for the &#ke 'e en(er + Month !ater% w#th 'ore upport and pon or than I "an !# t here% we pu!!ed #t off and ra# ed a&out LG.//+ The art how featured fe!!ow worker Car!o Corte< a we!! a work &y fe!!ow 'e en(er % o'e 'e'&er of the un#on% o'e not+ There wa a "hedu!ed open '#" n#(ht% where e#(ht 'e en(er perfor'er enterta#ned and e)ery&ody part#ed down+ There wa a e"ond party fo"u ed 'ore on the !#fe of Car!o w#th poken word and a un#on on( #n(Aa!on( !ed &y # ter worker Anna Stan(e% fo!!owed &y 'ore &ootyA hak#n( enterta#n'ent+ There were raff!e and food and dr#nk and 'u"h 'erryA'ak#n(+ Ceo and I% a'on( other %

had pent a !ot of t#'e dur#n( the pre)#ou prepar#n( for th# +

'onth

Here are the No#"e wa o at# fy#n( for 'e &e"au e #t "reated the pa"e I #'a(#ned for the "o''un#ty to #ntera"t and hare the#r "reat#)e art + They appre"#ated the )enue )ery 'u"h+ We were a!! a&!e to "at"h a (!#'p e of and &e #n p#red &y Car!o Corte<% who pa ed on hort!y &efore the CCU e)o!)ed% and I a' o (ratefu! of how we!! I "a'e to know h#' throu(h h# artwork and h# fr#end + We re"e#)ed a "r#t#": "ho#"e award fro' the Ch#"a(o Reader and pa"e on NPR% Ste)e Edward: how+ They re*ue ted two peop!e% one to #n( un#on on( and one to an wer *ue t#on a&out the e)ent and peak a&out Car!o : artwork+ Anna Stan(e an( and poke+ I took the other pot+ Anna wa awe o'e% &ut I fu'&!ed and ta''ered o 'u"h I wa "ut "o'p!ete!y fro' the f#na! )er #on+ I uppo e I wanted the (!ory of &e#n( on NPR% for(ett#n( that I "ou!d not e)en peak #n front of 'y own peop!e at the 'e en(er p#"n#"? I t#!! had work to do+

#ece$1er 2002 " Andrea (ea/es Again March 2006 " Arro4 6eunion
The CCU he!d a party to "e!e&rate the oneAyear ann#)er ary of the work toppa(e at Arrow+ Many peop!e attended+ The 'a5or#ty of the worker who were #n)o!)ed #n the work toppa(e ha)e #n"e e#ther &een f#red or *u#t+ The un#on wa not "apa&!e of e#ther topp#n( the f#r#n( or w#nn#n( worker the#r 5o& &a"k+ The NCRB d#d not f#nd 'er#t #n any of the UCP f#!ed &y the f#red worker +

March 2006 " )) Organizing ,u$$it in Austin7 TB

I a' o (ratefu! for th# e)ent+ It wa here where I f#r t &e(an th#nk#n( a&out the Cour#er Un#on after !ea)#n( Ch#"a(o #n De"e'&er+ After a "han(e #n en)#ron'ent% I wa a&!e to ee 'ore and #t wa th# u''#t that pro'pted 'e to p#e"e to(ether 'u"h of what I ha)e wr#tten down here+ And the food wa e1"ept#ona!+

!une 2006 " 'ood 0ot ,tand1y

I returned to Ch#"a(o for a )# #t and 'ana(ed to 'ake th# happen% an #dea we:d had 'onth a(o+ It "a'e to(ether *u#"k!y w#th the he!p of 'any 'e en(er and wa )ery we!! re"e#)ed+ I ha)e found throu(h 'y t#'e w#th the CCU that the &e t way to (et a pro5e"t !#ke th# done # to (et peop!e to(ether at the a'e t#'e for what '#(ht &e "a!!ed a work#n( 'eet#n(+ S#'p!e enou(h% &ut #t took year of #tt#n( throu(h ta!k &efore I under tood how to 'ake th# happen+ In th# #n tan"e% w#th#n a "oup!e of hour o'e&ody had 'ade a ten"#! for #(na(e% we:d "oord#nated who:d put up #(n and where% o'e&ody fet"hed pray pa#nt% other went du'p ter d#)#n(% other p!anned on (ett#n( up ear!y to "ook and found a k#t"hen pa"e to u e% another found r#"k haw tran portat#on+ A!way o'e&ody need to keep the fo"u and "oord#nate the effort% to 'ake ure e)eryone # do#n( o'eth#n( and e)eryth#n( # (ett#n( done+ Th# wa 'y 5o& &e"au e I 'ade the or#(#na! pu h for #t+ Th# '#(ht &e a (ood e1a'p!e of !ead#n( fro' &eh#nd% &e"au e #n the end #t d#d not appear that I had !ed anyth#n( or anyone+ It worked !#ke "!o"kwork% and wa appre"#ated )ery 'u"h the ne1t day+ So'eone a#d to

'e% =you 'u t ha)e &een a 'e u ua!!y no&ody "are a&out u += Dup+

en(er &e"au e

On Union7 the )ord

At the t#'e of th# wr#t#n(% I a' )ery "on "#ou that I ha)e &een &oth phy #"a!!y and ener(et#"a!!y a& ent fro' the Ch#"a(o Cour#er Un#on #n"e I !eft% and a' aware that th# need to "han(e+ I a' eek#n( way to keep "o''un#"at#on open w#th Ch#"a(o% a we!! a new way to (et #n)o!)ed #n the IWW a a who!e+ I a' work#n( on pro5e"t #n 'y own "o''un#ty% wh#"h e1# t #n Sedona% AQ% a on"e free "a'p#n( and (ather#n( pa"e #n the nat#ona! fore t now do'#nated &y r#"h repu&!#"an % the#r rea! e tate% and 'any peop!e prof#t#n( off of the "ore of p#r#tua! eeker who f!o"k to th# a'a<#n(!y &eaut#fu! !and+ I 5u t (ot word that D#"k Cheney # 'o)#n( here% wh#"h # #'p!y 'ot#)at#on to (et the A!!AA'er#"an% Ant#AWar Mar"h#n( Band to(ether+ I a' "arefu!!y p!ott#n( the r# e of the IWW here and a!ready ha)e e)era! peop!e to #(n up% 5u t a oon a I update 'y de!e(ate "redent#a! + I ha)e &een th#nk#n( a !ot a&out &a!an"e a I:)e &een wr#t#n( th# h# tory% perhap you ha)e p#"ked up on o'e of the dua!#t#e + When I &e(an 'e en(er#n( 'y "o''un#ty h#fted fro' 'o t!y wo'en to 'o t!y 'en% and I:)e &een wonder#n( why 'o t of 'y fr#end and tea"her ha)e &een 'en o)er the !a t e)era! year + The !a"k of a po #t#)e 'a "u!#ne #nf!uen"e 8wh#"h doe not ne"e ar#!y ha)e to "o'e fro' a 'an9 #n 'y ear!y !#fe 'u t ha)e thrown 'e way out of tou"h w#th 'y 'a "u!#ne #de% and there are 'en #n 'y !#fe &e"au e I ha)e 'u"h to !earn fro' the'+

I now re"o(n#<e the IAdonItA(#)eAaA h#t att#tude a a 'a "u!#ne tra#t I need to "on "#ou !y adopt+ Th# "ontra t w#th the o!d o& e #on w#th appearan"e and whatAother A'#(htAth#nkAofA'e+ I u ed to re ent the "onf#den"e that appeared to "o'e o natura!!y to 'en% the way 'y &rother wou!d &!ow off a!! the ru!e % for e1a'p!e% and the fa"t that I had to work o hard for the re!at#)e!y !#tt!e "onf#den"e that I:d de)e!oped+ I now "!a#' a!! the "onf#den"e I need to perfor' the work I wa &orn to do+ Thank you% 'y &rother + I don:t a"tua!!y th#nk you ha)e a!! the "onf#den"e you appear to ha)e% &ut your e1"e ha hown 'e 'y !a"k% and for th# I a' (ratefu!+ I want to ay a word to the wo'en #n the &#ke 'e en(er "o''un#ty% who are o powerfu! and o e1"ept#ona!+ De % I do th#nk #t wou!d &e n#"e #f 'ore wo'en howed up to CCU 'eet#n( + It wou!d &e n#"e #f there were 'ore of a &a!an"e of the e1e #n the #ndu try+ It wou!d &e n#"e #f there were 'ore of a &a!an"e of the dua!#t#e w#th#n our e!)e + We need to &e "on "#ou of th# dua!#ty% "on #der our ='a "u!#ne= and our =fe'#n#ne= tra#t % and #ntera"t "on "#ou !y to e1po e where the other # weak+ We need to "!a#' the power w#th a!! the !o)e that ha &een (ranted to u a "reator % the power we ha)e &een den#ed for (enerat#on and (enerat#on % #n order to d# "o)er the true 'ean#n( of the word union+ It: the y#n and the yan(% the patr#ar"hy and the 'atr#ar"hy% un#ted #n &a!an"e+ Perhap th# *uote fro' the &e(#nn#n( of S#nead E:Connor: Un#)er a! Mother "an do th# "on"ept &etter er)#"e 8I:)e u& t#tuted the word ant#dote for oppo #te &e"au e I th#nk #t 'ore a""urate9K

3I do th#nk that wo'en "ou!d 'ake po!#t#" #rre!e)ant &y a k#nd of pontaneou "ooperat#)e a"t#on% the !#ke of wh#"h we ha)e ne)er een% wh#"h # o far fro' peop!e: #dea of tate tru"ture and )#a&!e o"#a! tru"ture that #t ee' !#ke tota! anar"hy+ And what #t rea!!y # # )ery u&t!e for' of #nterre!at#on wh#"h do not fo!!ow a ort of h#erar"h#"a! pattern wh#"h # funda'enta!!y patr#ar"h#"a!+ The Rant#doteS to patr#ar"hy # not 'atr#ar"hy &ut fratern#ty% and I th#nk #t # wo'en who are (o#n( to ha)e to &reak the p#ra! of power and f#nd the tr#"k of "ooperat#on+6 I wou!d !#ke to e1tend e1tre'e thank to 'y &#ke 'e en(er "o''un#ty+ Dou howed 'e enou(h !o)e and a""eptan"e to &reak 'y #!en"e and !ead 'e down the path to d# "o)er that the true 'ean#n( of the word Un#on !#e w#th#n 'y own e!f+ It ha 'ade 'e )ery tron(+ I !ook forward to d# "o)er#n( 'y ro!e #n the future of &oth the CCU and the IWW% a we!! a the ro!e of our Ene B#( Un#on #n the (reat re)o!ut#on that # ure to "o'e+ E' Shant# 8Un#)er a! Pea"e9 and So!#dar#ty @orfu"k#n(e)er% Andrea Murphy ,-.//0.