The I.W.W. (Industrial Workers of the World) is a member-run union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the job, in our industries and in our communities. Here are some I.W.W. Fun Facts:
- Founded in Chicago in 1905
- I.W.W. members are referred to as wobblies
- There are general membership branches all around the world—Australia, Germany & Austria, the United Kingdom, & China, just to name a few!
We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially. This means we organize all workers producing the same goods or providing the same services into one big union, rather than dividing workers by skill or trade, so we can pool our strength to win our demands together.
Since the I.W.W. was founded in 1905, we have made significant contributions to the labor struggles around the world and have a proud tradition of organizing across gender, ethnic, and racial lines long before such organizing was popular.
We invite you to become a member whether or not the I.W.W. happens to have representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, and recognize that unions are not about government certification or employer recognition but about workers coming together to address common concerns. Sometimes this means refusing to work with dangerous equipment and chemicals. Other times it means agitating around particular issues or grievances in a workplace or industry.
The IWW in Boston, MA strives to build local and regional working class solidarity as a General Membership Branch of the IWW through organizing, advocacy, and promotion of worker’s rights.
Membership in the branch is by voluntary association of members in good standing of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) who reside or work in the Greater Boston Area and much of the Eastern half of Massachusetts.
If you are a worker—not an employer or member of law enforcement—you can join the IWW. If you are unemployed you can join the IWW!
Email boston at iww.org, or read more about joining today!