---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Vasilis Kostakis <[email protected]> Date: Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 1:57 PM Subject: Re: [seizing_building_commoning] Greek Factory Under Workers Control To: Michel Bauwens <[email protected]> Cc: Orsan Senalp <[email protected]>, George Papanikolaou < [email protected]>
A brief report: http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/occupied-greek-factory-begins-production-under-workers-control/2013/02/17 > Betreff: [seizing_building_commoning] Greek Factory Under Workers > Control > Datum: Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:01:08 -0500 > Von: Marina Sitrin <[email protected]> > Antwort an: > seizing_building_commoning@**lists.riseup.net<[email protected]> > An: > seizing_building_commoning@**lists.riseup.net<[email protected]> > > > > *Occupied Greek Factory Begins Production Under Workers Control* > > *Occupy, Resist, Produce!* > > “We see this as the only future for worker’s struggles.” > > Makis Anagnostou, Vio.Me workers’ union spokesman > > Tuesday, February 12, 2013 is the official first day of production under > workers control in the factory of Viomichaniki Metalleutiki(Vio.Me) in > Thessaloniki, Greece. This means production organized without bosses and > hierarchy, and instead planned with directly democratic assemblies of > the workers. The workers assemblies have declared an end to unequal > division of resources, and will have equal and fair remuneration, > decided collectively. The factory produces building materials, and they > have declared that they plan to move towards a production of these goods > that is not harmful for the environment, and in a way that is not toxic > or damaging. > > “With unemployment climbing to 30% - sick and tired of big words, > promises and more taxes - not having been paid since May 2011, the > workers of Vio.Me, by decision of the general assembly of the union > declare their determination not to fall prey to a condition of perpetual > unemployment, but instead to take the factory in their own hands to > operate themselves. It is nowtime for worker’s control of Vio.Me.!” > (Statement of the Open Solidarity Initiative, written together with the > workers of Vio.Me – full statement: Viome.org <http://www.viome.org>) > > Workers in Vio.Me stopped being paid in May of 2011, and subsequently > the owners and managers abandoned the factory. After a series of > assemblies the workers decided that together they would run the factory. > Since then, they have occupied and defended the factory and the > machinery needed for production. They have continued to reach out to > other workers and communities throughout Greece, receiving tremendous > support. The solidarity and support of all of these groups, communities > and individuals, has made an important contribution towards the survival > of the workers and their families thus far. > > This experience of worker’s occupation to workers recovery and control > is not new – either historically or currently. Since 2001 there are > close to 300 workplaces that are run democratically by workers in > Argentina, ranging from health clinics and newspapers and schools, to > metal factories, print shops and a hotel. The experience there has shown > that workers together cannot only run their own workplace, but can do it > better. The example of Argentina has spread throughout the Americas, and > now to Europe and the US. In Chicago, workers of New World Windows have > begun production under workers control after years of struggles with > former owners and bosses. And now in Greece, workers are again showing > that the way forward – out of unemployment – refusing the crisis – is > workers control and directly democratic self-management. > > > > “We urge all workers, the unemployed and all those who are affected by > the crisis to stand by the workers of Vio.Me and support them in their > effort to put in practice the belief that workers can make it without > bosses! To participate in the struggle and organize their own fights > within their work places, with directly democratic procedures and > without bureaucrats.” (Union’s website: biom-metal.blogspot.gr > <http://www.biom-metal.**blogspot.gr <http://www.biom-metal.blogspot.gr>>) > > As with all factory recuperations, the question of initial financing is > central. While solidarity has been able to maintain the lives of the > workers of Vio.Me and their families, the capital needed to continue > production is huge. The workers’ union has a business plan that is > sustainable, but will take time to get off the ground. These first > months are crucial. Financial help can make all the difference. Any > contribution is helpful. > > Direct financial support can be sent to the Vio.Me workers’ union in > Thessaloniki through the International Solidarity Website: viome.org > <http://www.viome.org> > > Solidarity Statements as well as questions can be sent to: > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]**> > > Signed, > > Thessaloniki Solidarity Initiative, Brendan Martin (Working World), > Dario Azzellini and Marina Sitrin > > Supporters of this initiative include: > > David Harvey, Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, John Holloway, Silvia Federici, > George Caffentzis, David Graeber, Mag Wompel (labournet.de > <http://labournet.de>) and The Cooperativa de Trabajo lavaca, Buenos > Aires, Argentina > > > > -- > Seamos realistas, hagamos lo imposible ~ che > > > > > > -- > P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net > > <http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation>Updates: > http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens > > #82 on the (En)Rich list: http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/ > -- kostakis.org <http://p2pfoundation.net/Vasilis_Kostakis> -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net <http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation>Updates: http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens #82 on the (En)Rich list: http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/
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