Solidarity with the CNT-AIT!

Again this year, the whole of the International Workers' Association stand in solidarity with our Section in Spain, the CNT-AIT. The unions of the CNT-AIT face the repressive and vindicative actions of the union now known as CNT-CIT. The lawsuits and legal actions brought by the Spanish Section of the CIT, or ICL (International Confederation of Labor) threaten the CNT-AIT with serious financial loss and, for some members, even time in prison.

The situation has not changed since last year when we wrote this article: https://vivacntait.iwa-ait.org/iwa-days-of-solidarity-with-the-cnt-ait-s...

We explain that the changes that took place in the CNT, particularly over the past 15 years meant that a group of individuals who were both theoretically and practically inclined against the grassroots, non-hierarchical, internationalism of the CNT-AIT, based on revolutionary ideas and practices in line with anarcho-communism and anarcho-syndicalism, tried to re-fashion the organization to support clientele unionism and the professionalization of the organization, including financially profiting from the union's legacy. In order to achieve these goals, there was a period where the „reformers” spearheaded a number of purges from the organization, most infamously of those who exposed corruption or criticized these tendencies. At the same time, it sought to take control over the International Workers' Association and disenfranchise many of its member organizations. The results of all this were the exclusion from the IWA (as a consequence of their own auto-exclusionary actions) and the decision of part of our Section in Spain to remain the CNT-AIT, not to reform the CNT based on hierarchical practices and not to start a new international based on ideas that ran against the egalitarian traditions of the IWA.

Around the world, millions of workers have had problems with unpaid wages or benefits. This could mean not getting paid for the work done, but also includes failure to pay overtime, not paying required benefits or paying sub-minimum wages.

The Sections of the International Workers’ Association have set an annual week of actions to highlight this issue. Past actions have also included successful direct actions at workplaces where this has occurred. (For a report on last year's actions, see here: https://iwa-ait.org/content/report-international-week-against-unpaid-wages-10th-16th-october-2022)

As anarcho-syndicalists, we see solidarity, direct action, boycotts and self-organization as means to counter this problem and there are hundreds of examples of our unions using such means successfully,

More information will be published here before and during the week of actions: https://stopwagetheft.iwa-ait.org/

On December 9-11, 2022, the International Workers' Association held its international Congress in the city of Alcoy, Spain. Delegates arrived from around the globe and we were particularly glad to see a large number of comrades from South America, Asia and the Asia-Pacific Region. Hundreds of people visited the event and accompanying cultural programs organized in the days leading up to and during the Congress. The hall was full of people and one could get publications from all over the world.

The work of the Congress was rather intense and lasted the full three days in the room packed with delegates. A number of comrades who were not able to travel also joined us online.

During the Congress, we were able to discuss the results presented by working groups, such as the group responsible for developing stategies for newer and smaller organizations to increase workplace organizing activities. A text was presented to the Congress which we hope the Sections and Friends will find useful.