Why am I in the Industrial Workers of the World?
Why am I in the Industrial Workers of the World? [a little black cat sits in a field of red, asking the audience this question]
For the logo. Let me explain… [the little black cat is looking up at the insignia of the IWW, a globe in a circle beneath the letters I W W with three stars among them]
The better-known business unions in the states all have logos of varying appeal… [a collection of business union logos, including the Teamsters, the UAW, the SEIU, the AFLC-CIO and the UFCW]
But for all their history and iconography, none of them have what this logo has… Those three stars. [little black cat looks up at the IWW insignia, with the 3 stars glowing]
Really, for me, it’s the last of the three stars that matters the most. It represents the third and final aspect of our work… [The star is glowing in the center of the frame]
Emancipation [chains being broken]
Emancipation of the working class in struggle and at war, and the Earth that feeds and holds us all. [chains encompassing the planet Earth being broken]
Both the IWW and the business unions fight for higher wages and better benefits, which are both critically important, but… [a big, buff black cat flexes imposingly next to a big, buff dog. They are intimidating a blue duck who is sitting behind a desk labeled ‘boss’ and sweating nervously]
We seek to abolish the wage system, to realize Industrial Democracy and live in harmony with the Earth. We want The Big Win, not concessions. Learn more and join at iww.org! [the little black cat is saying all this while the third star glows nearby]
I used to be a wobbly. Had to resign after my previous manager was fired and I was left with a choice. Step up or we bring in someone else. I knew that if I stepped up I could use my position to advocate for my employees and did so all the way up to me being let go because I wouldn't stop fighting for them even after my boss would try and get me to fall in line. I hated that I needed to quit the wobblies to do so, but honestly I believe firmly I did more for my people doing that then being in the wobblies.