Getting organised… for workers’ control!

I’m hoping things are starting to pull together now at work. Myself and a couple of other more militant housekeepers are trying to get the ball rolling with organising our workmates in the union. There’s plenty going on at the moment in our hotel alone, let alone wider recession-stricken society.

As if being paid the piss-poor minimum wage hourly was some sort of privilege, our bosses have brought in this week (for room attendants) a pay-by-room policy. Room attendants (you know, the people that make a hotel what it is by making swanky rooms look swanky in the first place) are now paid £2.23 per room, and so are expected (i.e. ordered) to do at least 2.5 rooms in an hour – to make the minimum wage of £5.80. This policy as been dropped on the heads of barely-trained and inexperienced new workers, who cannot yet clean rooms this quickly. So it means that many are working 12 hour shifts, doing only one room per hour, giving them an hourly rate of pay of… £2.23! This scheme fits in totally with casualisation and suits the bosses fine. They tell you how many rooms to clean (could be 9 one day and 19 the next) and so determine whether you can pay the bills from one month to the next. The more casual and insecure they try to make us work, the less rights they know we are granted by law. A fleeting glance at our ‘contracts’ says more than enough: the employer reserves the right to give you work when there is work. Therefore, if the company cannot get enough customers, we suffer first with cuts in hours and then jobs. Yet the managers and their bosses get nice salaries and decide whether with have a right to eat and have a home.

This is why I have been posing the question of who runs the workplace, and who, of course should run the workplace: the bosses (a tiny minority) or the workers. I want to raise the banner of workers’ control. A more rational system is workers’ democracy, with committees in every workplace electing their leaders, who are completely accountable and recallable – not managers who get paid more for ordering you around and you had no choice in putting there. This sort of rank-and-file democracy has been achieved in the past, most notably in Russia during and after the Russian Revolution of 1917. In this case, councils of workers’ and soldiers’ deputies (Soviets) were built from below, against the bosses. This situation of dual power later lead to the conquest for power of the workers under the leadership of the Bolshevik party – the overthrow of the bosses and their system, capitalism. So what started under capitalism lead to the overthrow of the oppressors and pushed forward to a socialist future. The only failing was Russia’s cultural and economic backwardness and the failure of the working classes of surrounding countries (like the more advanced Germany) to spread the revolution and make it permanent. A vicious civil war between the workers and rulers ensued which rocked the country to the core and made it difficult for the productive forces to be built up further, as all energy and money was put into fighting back the capitalists from home and abroad. But the ground was laid for socialism by this true workers democracy (for a more detailed analysis of workers’ control click here and more more on the Russian Revolution click here).

This is why we need to continue to build a rank-and-file movement in the unions and in our workplaces, behind the backs of and against the employers. We can show them, through unity, (regardless of race, nationality or sexuality) who should be really running the world.

So whenever we are threatened with cuts in hours or pay, or even our jobs, we need to stand firm and fight back. This means strikes and occupations of workplaces when the bosses threaten closure or lay-offs. This tactic has worked countless times all over the world. Some say, ‘well, we can’t just occupy or go on strike because it’s illegal’. What we reply is: ‘Fuck the anti-trade union laws! We can break them through struggle and make them unworkable and obsolete!’ We can do this if we organise. This is what we are attempting to do day-by-day.

All I can say now is: LET’S DO IT!

FORWARD! News!

Hello there.

The blog has changed a little bit. You may have noticed certain stylistic changes (i.e. the theme and logo are different). That’s not really important anyway. The blog is also changing in that now it is not primarily going to focus on McDonald’s. The focus is now poorly-paid and insecure work in the service sector (“McJobs”), which broadens the blog’s reach. One reason for this change is that I am not a McWorker anymore! I therefore am not ‘on the inside’ anymore. I now work elsewhere, but in the same industry (this time as a housekeeper in a hotel). I still get paid little and have to suck up to people. The difference is that this time they are predominantly snotty and rich.

The idea is for workers from every McJob to contribute on what it’s like to be on the inside, how we can fight exploitation and organise for better wages and conditions, evetually posing the question of who holds power in society; the bosses or the workers. This question was posed practically and victoriously before in Russia (1917) and can be again.

We make everything, including the bosses’ profits, so why shouldn’t we plan and control what is made?! This is just one of the gross contradictions thrown up by capitalism, the bosses’ system. Everyone who reads this and believes that we can change the world must join forces, intellectually and practically, to organise a network of anti-capitalist and trade union activists. This can be the ultimate task of this blog and the beauty of the internet as a truly international medium for communication.

I will sign off here before this becomes too much of a manifesto (time for that later!). Let’s just see what we can do.

I’ll get things kick-started with a video of a demonstration organised by Revolution, the socialist youth group of which I am a member, against youth exploitation. A young worker at the restaurant was being paid in noodles instead of wages, so Revo sprung to action!

– Mikhail (McProle)

Solidarity with SOAS cleaners!

A new development. Students at London School of Oriental and African Studies have occupied the office of a head honcho. This is militant direct action following the racist detention of 9 cleaners at the university (employed by contractor ISS). This is relevant to any workers in the service industry, and shows what we can do if we organise and stand together – both students and workers. More news as the occupation develops. Victory to the occupation and the SOAS 9!
– McProle.

——–

Statement of Solidarity with SOAS Occupation

After a demonstration this morning by SOAS students to protest against the arrest and deportation of several cleaners at the London School of Oriental and African Studies, around 50 students occupied the Director’s office. Immigration officials raided SOAS at 6:30am on Friday 12th June and arrested nine cleaners, contracted to ISS.

It is no coincidence that this raid targeted militant workers who had recently been involved in successful struggles for union representation and the London Living Wage as part of the Justice 4 Cleaners campaign. They had also recently gone strike in support of Stalin Bermudez, the sacked SOAS Unison Branch Chair.

This racist attack took place with the full complicity of the SOAS university administration – with Alan Smith, Interim Secretary and Registrar, fatuously claiming that “we believe the checks were carried out quickly and in a sympathetic manner.” Students protested this morning against this disgusting behaviour, and have entered into occupation with the following demands:

We call on the directorate to request the secretary of state to immediately release the detainees and to prevent the deportation of the three cleaners who are still in detention in the UK.
For the directorate to release a public statement condemning what has happened to the SOAS cleaners and calling for their immediate release and return.
To campaign for the return of the cleaners who have already been deported.
To bring all contract staff in house. SOAS should not use contractors, ISS or others.
To keep immigration officers from entering campus under ANY circumstances or other forms of collaboration with immigration or police. Universities are for education not for state violence and oppression.
A year’s wage as reparations for all detained and deported staff.
To hold accountable SOAS managers who were complicit in facilitating the raid and detention of the cleaners, refusing to aid a sick worker and a pregnant woman.
To reinstate Jose Stalin Bermudez, the SOAS UNISON branch chair.
To respect the right to organise in Trade Unions unimpeded.
To provide space and resources for a public meeting to build support for the SOAS 9 and other migrants, in education and beyond, affected by immigration control and racism.
Amnesty for all those involved.

Five cleaners have already been deported as part of what will become a wider trend through the recession of attacks on the rights of the most under-represented and vulnerable section of workers.

REVOLUTION declares its complete solidarity with the action taken to protest against the vicious racism and victimisation of migrant workers.

London Student article here.

Our fault?

Since the aim of this blog is to be a sort of underground resistance – hence the inside job – I think it’s useful just to detail a little incident that occured the other day, on the job.

Basically, the long and the short of it is that the restaurant had to close early for no fault of our own. I was meant to be working an 8 hour shift but was told that I would only be working about 4. There was no mention of being paid for the whole shift, and in fact the manager for the night (it was a night shift) had been ordered to make us all go home bang on the dot (at 4am), so as to pay us as little as possible. These sneaky capitalists and their lackeys! Fortunately, cleaning needed to be done after closing so a few of us got to stay longer, but some were sent home with a loss of 3 or 4 hours’ pay.

I am sure this happens constantly in McD’s worldwide, as well as in other workplaces with a clock in/out system.

I keep bringing up the example of New Zealand and the “Supersize my Pay!” campaign, which, after 50 strikes won some great benefits and concessions for McD’s workers; scaled-up basic pay rates, scrapping of the different rates of minimum wage according to age, shift security and a one-off payment. The workers involved campaigned long, hard and with militancy (such as marching on and demonstrating at a McD’s managers conference) to recieve even these most basic rights. So it is clear that the struggle will be long for McD’s workers in the UK and the rest of the world, but that if we unite and fight with persistance, without being put off by the bosses’ threats, we can win. It is also crucial to coordinate, through strike and workplace committees, with other restaurants, as well as other workplaces, regardless of sector. During an historic crisis of capitalism, as the one we are seeing today worldwide, there is no way anyone can live on such poor wages.

For many these are the only jobs we’ve got a cat in hell’s chance of getting, as the bosses are cutting hours and sacking people wholesale to save their profits, and working those that remain into the ground. McD’s is growing and recruiting the desperate – those angry, young and poor enough to work for a pittance. But why should we take it?!

Click here for videos and info on this campaign.

Article: Retail workers of the world unite!

MARCH FOR JOBS ON MAY 16 IN BIRMINGHAM! More info here.

– McProle

McDonald’s vs. The Dictionary

Just thought I would bring this up.

The term “McJob” was printed featured in the Oxford English Dictionary as far back as 1986, defined as: “An unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, esp. one created by the expansion of the service sector.”

A few years ago (in 2003, to be precise) the publisher Merriam-Webster printed the term “McJob” in its Collegiate dictionary, with the definition “low-paying and dead-end work”. Well, sounds pretty damn precise to me. This term is also used widely today as slang for generally shit jobs in the service sector that aren’t necessarily with McD’s.

The funny thing is, McDonald’s and its bloated millionaire board of directors didn’t like the publicity (and its implications) this widely-disseminated word gave the corporation. First, they threatened to sue Merriam-Webster for infringement of trademark (as McD’s stamped the big ol’ TM on it in 1984), but in the end backed down. Instead, as we can still see on the Crew Room wall and on any literature advertising McD ‘careers’, they set out on a PR campaign to change its meaning to its complete opposite. So, a complete lie. If a ‘McJob’ was actually good it would have reliable shift patterns and decent pay for all (not less for the young), instead of a “culture of flexibility” (source: McD careers site) i.e. a culture of “the boss tells you when and how long your shifts are and that’s it, matey”. Yeah, so Ronald McDonald and his cronies’ (up in that ivory tower with the big ‘M’ on it) answer was to paint the “McJob”, so shamed in popular culture, as really quite lovely, flexible and fun.

McDonald’s even used this slogan in their advertising campaign in 2006: “McProspects – over half of our executive team started in our restaurants. Not bad for a McJob”. So they pretty shamelessly claim that £4.80 and hour (if you’re under 21) – with totally unreliable hours, managers breathing down your neck constantly and a complete contempt for trade unions and workers rights – is just dandy. Hmmm, I think that one’s worked a treat.

The reality is that the dictionary term is still accurate. If the bosses had changed it to ‘McExploitation’, they would’ve been onto a winner.

Ronnie raises the flag for McCapitalism!

– McProle

Workplace occupations: the way forward!

As it is now easy to see, the recession, the historic crisis of capitalism (the bosses’ system) is well underway. There are now over 2 million people unemployed in the UK, which is due to rise by another million by Xmas. This is coupled with massive job massacres all over the economy, in the car industry, retail and banking sectors most markedly. However, the millions of workers and families affected are not lying down and taking these attacks lightly. The slogan “WE WON’T PAY FOR THE BOSSES’ CRISIS!” is beginning to gain sway in reality through the everyday struggles of workers against the bosses’ attacks.

Recently, many threatened or fully closed workplaces have taken militant action against unfair redundancy terms (and even to get the most basic government level) and against the axing of their jobs and livelihoods. This happened in the Republic Windows and Doors factory in Chicago (link), the Prisme packaging factory in Dundee (link) and most recently at the Visteon car parts plants in Belfast and Enfield (link). Bosses at these plants sacked 565 jobs without any notice at all, and have offered only the measly government level of redundancy pay. Apparently the fat cats have not money to pay the workers. Really they are cutting and running while the going’s good to save their precious profits. Unite covenor John Maguire said in response: “We have been left with no choice but to occupy the factory to save our jobs and to defend jobs for the people of Belfast.” Too right! They make the workers pay for the crisis when it is their creation. An occupation shows that workers can run the workplace in the absence of parasitic bosses creaming off the profits, paying us poverty wages, wholesale sacking us, with the help of their management lackeys.

Many jobs have not yet been lost at McD’s, but many of us suffer underhand attacks everyday. Take for the example ‘flexible’ working practices which are portrayed in Crew Room propaganda as great for young people and students with lives to attend to, but are in reality only a way of playing us against each other, cutting our hours on a whim and telling us how many hours we should work; in short, being told when to work rather than choosing ourselves with a high level of insecurity. Coupled with this trickery there is the blatant youth discrimination inherent in the minimum wage, which varies according to age. There is no reason young people should be paid less than other workers, especially if we are doing the same work. Young people are not worth less. If we are the future, why are we treated like second-class citizens. If we’re not already shackled to massive student debt, we’re expected to stay dependent on our parents, or both. We should not stand for this. Plenty of heroic struggles have been won by McD’s workers all over the world already.

NEW ZEALAND – SUPERSIZE MY PAY!

Thousands of McWorkers in New Zealand, many in the Unite union, recently won a collective agreement on decent pay after 50 strikes!! That’s determination! There is a new clause to give employees shift security -if hours have to be reduced then as much as possible the reduction should be shared by all staff. In many restaurants, a lower minimum wage for young workers was scrapped and raised the same level of older employees that were doing the same job after all! Full details here.

PARIS McOCCUPATION

Workers in a Paris restaurant occupied for over 6 months (!) over low pay, insecurity and the right the organise in trade unions. There is little information available as to the outcome of this action, but the event itself says something about what can happen when workers organise themselves in trade unions and in committees on the shop floor – they chucked the managers out!! See the video here.

TRADE UNIONS

Trade unions are vital and already existing organs of struggle. The problem is that many workers, especially young workers in temp. jobs and in low-paid retail work, are let down by the union officials and bureacracies who refuse to organise workers that aren’t in well-paid and secure employment. We are some of the most desperate workers around; for decent pay, conditions and the right to organise against attacks by management.

Despite this inaction, we cannot disregard the unions, we need to fight within them for our demands, for the union officials to fight for us, to come into our workplaces and help organise. If we know our rights and stand together, we cannot be defeated. From this lawful basis we can then push forward to much, much more – workers control. It pose the question of who runs society and in whose interests. The answer is it should be the working class. We are the vast majority in society. Running the world for profit bleeds us dry and leaves us with only poverty and misery, while the fat cats at the top get fatter.

WE WON’T PAY FOR THEIR CRISIS! BEGIN THE FIGHTBACK!

Occupations at Visteon and other workplaces have shown the way forward to achieving our demands and showing the power of a united, coordinated workers movement. We can do the same in our workplace, with the formation of Crew Room committees to organise struggles, to fight within the unions for our representation, to know our basic rights at work and to push the movement forward and, learning from our comrades in New Zealand and Paris, to strike and win!

We have nothing to lose but our chains.
McWORKERS (and all other workers, for that matter) OF THE WORLD UNITE!

Welcome to the McWorkers’ Resistance blog!

This is the very first post in what I hope will be many.

The Inside McJob™ is a blog dedicated to organising and coordinating the resistance of super-exploited workers in McJobs all over the world. All posts will be by McD’s workers or from other workers with similar experiences of systematic exploitation at the hands of profit-hungry bosses with no regard for workers’ rights or paying decent wages, especially since most of those in McJobs are young, and are often already debt-ridden students.

The intention is to use the blog as a space for discussion of problems and grievances, as well as a place to organise meetings and circulate ideas about how we can fight Ronald McDonald and his minions.

The main aims are:
* to expose corruption and mistreatment by managers at work
* to explain why and how we can fight through rank and file organisation in trade unions, workplace commitees and direct action (such as strikes and stunts)
* to fight for equal pay for equal work and against the ageist and measly minimum wage which seeks only to divide us
* to link up with workers in other workplaces with similar problems – to unite and fight with  common goals to overcome the exploitation, misery, poverty and tyranny of capitalism
* to educate all workers in their basic rights at work under the current system and explain a programme for pushing forward to democratic workers’ control

All these will be set out in more detail in the forthcoming perspectives/aims document.

All posts will be anonymous.

The blog does not discriminate!

Forward to the victorious McRevolution!