About the IWW (english)

The IWW is a revolutionary global union, fighting for better conditions today and economic democracy tomorrow. By training our members in powerful organising methods, direct-action and direct-democracy, we put power in the hands of workers.

We believe that ordinary people are best placed to lead and create change, both at work and in society. We put our members in charge, training each and every one to build and lead their workplace unions, organise their own campaigns and take the action that wins.

We’re an active and fighting union. We know solidarity is strength, and we prove it by looking after each other. We provide advice and representation when you have problems at work, but we’re much more than that.

We’re not here to provide a service; we’re here to build a movement, winning bigger and better victories for working people as our movement grows in strength and confidence.

Originally formed in 1905, the IWW has a rich and proud history, organising workers into revolutionary ‘industrial unions’ along the supply chain of their industry. This form of union organisation provides workers with the maximum clout in any dispute with employers.

When workers in one section of an industry have an issue, their fellow workers along the supply chain can take action to support them, having maximum impact on the running of that industry and hitting the employer where it hurts. This is the basis of our slogan, “an injury to one is an injury to all”.

This is how we can defend and improve our pay, terms and conditions of employment. This is how we can build a better future. Political democracy is (at least) severely limited without democracy within the economy, within industry. The production and distribution of goods and services is the real power that shapes our society.

In the hands of the few – our employers – this power benefits the few. In the hands of all working people it could benefit everyone. Who else but us, working people, produce and distribute all the world’s goods and services? We make the world turn yet see little of the wealth and make few of the decisions.

Organised into industrial unions, linked together into one big movement, we could take possession of our industries and run them democratically for the good of all. Your union is your future. Get involved. Join the IWW today!