Revolutionary Industrial Unionism: The Industrial Workers of the World in AustraliaThe Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in Australia are better known for the stories told about them than for any document historical significance. Renowned for their audacity and hooliganism the 'Wobblies' were particularly notorious for their active opposition to World War I. This landmark book conveys the vitality and drama of Wobbly activity, and also assesses the impact of the IWW on Australian political and labour history. Drawing from an impressive range of sources, Verity Burgmann writes with vigour and passion about Wobbly culture, and describes their doctrines, methods and organisation. The book highlights the unique nature of the IWW in Australia, and traces Wobbly influence in much post-war activity. Now, with the widespread collapse of communism and the inadequacies of labour parties, the IWW, as an alternative form of revolutionary working-class politics, merits renewed investigation. |
Contents
Flowers to the rebels failed | 1 |
the arrival of the | 27 |
who were the Wobblies? | 61 |
the challenge to workingclass racism | 79 |
organisation and practice | 111 |
ethics and economics | 130 |
the critique of Laborism | 143 |
direct industrial action | 159 |
the state responds | 203 |
the release campaign | 229 |
What happened to the Wobblies? | 246 |
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Revolutionary Industrial Unionism: The Industrial Workers of the World in ... Verity Burgmann No preview available - 1995 |
Common terms and phrases
according activity Adelaide American amongst appeal arbitration argued Associations attempt August Australian Barker became become Big Union Broken Hill capitalism capitalist cause Chicago claimed Collection Committee Communism Communist Communist Party conscription Council craft demand Direct Action economic employers established existing expressed Federation fellow fight force Glynn groups Hall hand History ideas industrial unionism influence insisted interests International interview issue Item IWW Club jail joined Labor Party labour movement letter living Local March means meeting Melbourne ment methods militant Military Dt miners Minutes Moyle noted officials organisation police political position practice principles production propaganda Queensland Reeve refused release reported revolutionary Rushton sabotage September social socialist society solidarity South Wales Street strike struggle Sydney tion trade union trial Twelve wage Wilson Wobblies women workers working-class