October Strike – Telegram
October Strike
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This is a channel for discussion on the October Strike.

The current suggested demands are:
* A $20 minimum wage
* 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
* Universal Healthcare
* 25% Flat Corporate Tax
* Environmental Regulation

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Anyone in the Tampa Bay Florida region striking?

I'm looking to organize on the sun coast. Anyone in that area? Tampa, Sant Petersburg, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Pinellas area?

https://redd.it/okkegr
@Octoberstrike
Covid + the General Strike

just a broad question for you all, as it’s been on my mind recently -

With another spike of covid coming up, how do you think this will effect the turnout for the upcoming strike? Do y’all think the anger of workers having to be exposed to the public yet again, for less than a livable wage, is going to cause more people to join in the cause?

It’s definitely gotten me more passionate about workers rights. I’m really frustrated. I’m exposed to a lot of people each day, yet we’re being told not to enforce the new mask mandates as to not risk confrontations with the customers. it’s infuriating, and I know I’m not the only one pissed off.

https://redd.it/otws83
@Octoberstrike
Afraid it won't happen?

I absolutely love the idea of a successful general strike in the US and really want this to happen. But I'm afraid it won't. What are the odds of this gaining traction?

I feel that somebody undertaking the effort to initiate a general strike is a sign of the times by itself, I also feel that there are enough people so fed up with the current conditions they'd be willing to participate. This alone makes me somewhat optimistic, yet another piece of evidence of the radicalization of the American working class.

Yet at the same time, I'm afraid things will go wrong/things won't go anywhere (this subreddit has 711 members as of right now. I'm anxiously awaiting further development of that number). I'm also thinking of the highly dubious claim on the website that striking workers don't need to fear for their jobs because they are supposedly protected. That is NOT true and extremely dangerous advice.

So, what y'all think?

https://redd.it/ok56f4
@Octoberstrike
some changes that I think are important / actionable

1. the demand for a 4 day work week should include “8 hour days”, otherwise the reality will be “10-hour days for 4 days”. I think the gist should be for a reduction in the 40 hour work week, instead of a reduction in the days worked
2. the minimum wage should be tied to local living wage at the very least. I think $20 is ambitious but would act as an iron anchor and drag the rest of the demands down. Perhaps tie it to a technical study of living wage per-region, such as this one by MIT
3. it’s important to make clear that this shouldn’t just be a single Friday of striking
4. it’s important to make clear that the threat of a general strike is often times just as useful as the strike itself. Calling your legislators and telling them about the planned strike and how many people plan to attend will perhaps make change happen before striking is necessary

https://redd.it/ok3605
@Octoberstrike
One day isn't enough

If we want this strike to work and strangle the economy enough to get these changes, this strike will need to last weeks. the strike is necessary, but as of right now if we just do one day, it won't work and will not cause real change.

https://redd.it/ojxi05
@Octoberstrike
Some questions/concerns

CW: genocide, ableism, colonialism (comment if another CW is needed pls!)

Sorry, this is gonna be long, but I have several questions and concerns I haven't seen addressed in depth in this thread so far (if I missed them please let me know). I sent an email and will paste the text below! Thanks to all those who read!!

My questions:

1) Why are these particular goals prioritized, and where did the exact numbers come from?

2) Are there plans for more general strikes in the future? And if so, what might future goals be if the present ones are met?

3) As the government is already untrustworthy and has clearly done little to stop corporations from breaking already existing laws, how do we ensure these new goals will actually be enforced even if legislation is passed?

My concerns:

1) I see that one of the goals is a ban of single-use plastics. After the onset of single-use plastic straw bans in some areas of the US, many disabled people who rely on such plastics in order to drink have not only been further isolated from common activities others can partake in without thought, but many have also suffered verbal and sometimes even physical abuse for continuing to use these single-use plastics. There are many articles out there which illustrate the experiences of disabled people who have suffered as a result of this. So while I absolutely support reduction of plastic waste, I believe this effort would be much more effective if it focused on corporations reducing non-biodegradable plastics used in their products and/or creating less damaging alternatives that are actually useful and accessible for disabled people. Especially considering the effects of the pandemic have disabled millions of people, and at least 1/3 of the US population is disabled, I think it is essential to include the needs of disabled people in any demands of the government.

2) I believe it would be beneficial to also acknowledge the role of the US military in global capitalist destruction and work toward the goal of withdrawing occupational military forces and removing sanctions from countries in the Global South. These genocidal warlords are the ones causing the most problems for the most people around the world. The US military and the corporations that produce its products are, after all, some of the biggest polluters in the world, and it is actively destroying lands and slaughtering people both in the US and around the globe. As a majority of the highest polluters are fossil fuel companies, and the US has fought many wars over fossil fuels alone, they play a huge role. The existence of sanctions and blockades also prevents many countries (such as Cuba, Iran, Venezuela etc.) from being able to source their goods more locally or to produce their own goods, which creates a heavy reliance on US-based corporations and their incredibly harmful mass production. Places that can't afford these goods and imports for their people starve and die. Without an acknowledgement of the damage the US military causes, especially to economically stifled countries suffering under imperialism from the US and its allies, I personally don't know how effective corporate environmental regulations can be in this moment of environmental crisis. The US military's reign of terror is, in my opinion, an essential talking point when addressing environmental matters and any matters of rights and justice.

3) While worker exploitation is a huge issue, I believe it is unfair to focus primarily on the economic needs of working people when so many - especially disabled, currently and formerly incarcerated, unhoused, and undocumented people - are unable to work in the first place, or have to work under the table because they cannot get a more "traditional" job. Non-workers or those working under the table are frequently forced into poverty and are also often excluded from a lot of economic aid provided by the government. Many people's unemployment benefits will soon be plummeting or being cancelled altogether, and a lot of these people cannot return to work. I
believe it is necessary for us workers to stand in solidarity with and work toward economic stability for those struggling with these issues, as well.

4) (Not from my original email but to reiterate) Like others have said or alluded to, fighting for Land Back and reparations for Black and Indigenous people in the US are also incredibly important. We have to acknowledge and work to undo the horrific history of this violent country and the continued colonization and genocide enacted and enabled by both the US and its allied occupational forces.

My final thoughts. If we aren't fighting for full liberation of ALL oppressed peoples on this planet, what is the point of fighting at all? If strikes are about negotiations, we need to be asking for all we can possibly get out of this, because if we ask for any less, we do little other than disrespect those who have been fighting for liberation since the advent of white supremacist capitalist exploitation. And those in charge will always give us less than we ask for anyway. Go big or go home, as they say. I'm personally not a fan of asking to be treated like a person, and I think a broader focus should be put on demanding and FIGHTING for liberation rather than asking. However, if more is done, this project has potential to change a lot of people's lives. We just have to make sure no one is left out of the equation.

Thanks everyone!

https://redd.it/ok8bx5
@Octoberstrike
There are situations in which you can legally be fired for participating in a general strike. Suggest updating the website for accuracy.

The website behind this general strike contains misleading information regarding whether or not you can be fired for going on strike.

It’s important to be upfront that the NLRA does not apply to domestic workers or farm workers (California is the only US state to offer mostly equivalent legal protection to striking farm workers).

There is not any protection under that law against being fired for striking or labor organizing activity if you work in those industries. The NLRA also does not apply to supervisors or managers, or workers who are independent contractors. It also places restrictions on the rights of medical workers to go on strike. Furthermore, Railroad workers are covered under a different law that I believe places some restrictions on strike activity (I’m not familiar enough with it to go into any detail).

Furthermore it is debatable whether or not you are protected for striking without some direct connection to improving working conditions or pay from your employer. I’m not aware of any successful case where someone was reinstated in their job because they were fired for participating in a politically-motivated strike, at least under the NLRA.

There is also the practical side of things. Realistically an employer can fire you and claim to be doing it for any number of reasons. Unless you have smoking gun evidence that they did it because of your strike activity and lots of documentation on your history as an outstanding worker, the NLRA is toothless. This isn’t just an issue in the context of a general strike, this is a bigger issue with US labor organizing in general.

And although unionized employees can theoretically argue that their union should support the strike, given the bureaucratic, mainstream-orientation of all major unions in the US, that is unlikely to happen. Which is a problem because unionized workers can legally be fired for striking without union approval.

——

Ignoring these realities and papering over them is tantamount to encouraging working people to “economically martyr” themselves under false pretenses.

General strikes—if they are going to be at all meaningful or effective—have to arise from a broader, militant, and class-conscious workers movement. If that foundation doesn’t exist, this kind of activity isn’t going to accomplish anything. This is a lesson that has already been learned through historical example, no need to waste energy relearning it.

https://redd.it/ojuj01
@Octoberstrike
When the time comes who is going to help lead this strike?

Of course it is important to start within your own community and spread the word. Create a support system for those who will be impacted most by this strike. But we will need a General strike committee, Negotiating committee, Picketing committee, Publicity committee, Financial/fundraising committee. We also need to listen to the people, there are many individuals saying there are more that need to be added to the list of demands. The disabled community and BIPOC are often forgotten. There is the very current issue of the over 1,000 remains of indigenous children in the US and Canada as well as Line 3.

https://redd.it/ojznb7
@Octoberstrike
Letter template to House and Senate Reps and RESIST BOT - text SIGN PCINLG to 50409

This can be sent to Senators and House Reps. Visit [https://resist.bot/petitions/pcinlg/](https://resist.bot/petitions/pcinlg/) or text SIGN PCINLG to 50409.

​

Dear \[Representative’s Name\],

As your constituent, I am writing today to ask for your support of the National General Strike taking place on October 15, 2021. I know that you are very busy, but I ask you to publicly support the National General Strike because we need to make progress in the fight for equality, healthcare, and quality of life for the American people, as well as drastic change in our efforts to slow global warming.

The main goals of the National General Strike are:

* 25% corporate tax rate (No loopholes)
* Free healthcare for all
* 12 weeks paid parental leave
* A $20 minimum wage
* A four-day work week
* Stricter Environmental Regulations on Corporations (Bans on single-use and micro plastics, as well as limited emissions)

The U.S. Government is not serving its people and, as your constituent, I am asking for your support in fighting for this change. You can visit [octoberstrike.com](http://octoberstrike.com/) to learn more, but a few ways in which the U.S. Government is failing its people are:

* The United States is the only developed country that requires zero paid time off for parental leave.
* Unemployment rose to 14% in 2021 because companies refused to raise wages.
* Only 100 corporations are responsible for 71% of all global carbon emissions.
* The federal minimum wage hasn't been raised since 2009.
* 40 million Americans live at, or below the national poverty line.
* Pharmaceutical companies are extorting patients for medications.
* The average American is $90,460 in debt just to afford basic necessities such as housing, food, clothes, education, and medical bills.

If you support any of the goals that I’ve mentioned above, which I believe that you should, please support Americans in this strike. I am asking just asking for your support of the National General Strike, but also for your support to be public. Your constituents and the American people as a whole need positive changes to be made and we need them now. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the positive steps you are taking to support the National General Strike taking place October 15, 2021.

Sincerely,

\[Insert Your Name\]

\[District or State\]

\[Contact Information (if you wish/want a reply)\]

https://redd.it/ok7f5v
@Octoberstrike
Additional Demands/ Discord link

The demands so far are ok, but are leaving many things out!

Like with all issues, we need to hear input from the disabled community and BIPOC folks; they have been saying this for centuries, and they deserve our attention in this matter.

We need to demand disability rights and land back, especially now with line 3 and demanding that indigenous burial grounds are left alone and recognized by the US govt.

Strikes do not happen as often as they should, so this one NEEDS TO COUNT! No person should be left behind.

- cease construction of line 3
- disability accommodations & abolishing sub minimum wage for disabled folks
- defunding of police and prison industrial complex

In general, we cannot stop out striking efforts until food, housing, and healthcare are available for all, with no strings attached.

remember that during this strike, as always, a strong community that looks out for each other is an essential defense against corrupt corporations and capitalism. Here is a discord link of folks from around the US who are actively organizing mutual aid:

https://discord.gg/D4sy44zf

Stay safe, look out for your communities, and stay strong y’all

https://redd.it/ojw8tp
@Octoberstrike
Any chance we can make this international?

The demands fit in other countries like Canada. They can be edited slightly if needed and fliers can be modified. Shutting down the global market would be incredibly powerful.

https://redd.it/ojmo0z
@Octoberstrike
Americans with disabilities

I need to work with accommodations and occasional time off. I finally got let go in February after nearly 10 years of hell since my diagnosis and I know I can never work in this country again without hurting my mental health.

How does the strike help the ADA community which already has trouble finding employment?

https://redd.it/ojo752
@Octoberstrike
State specific strike subreddits?

Title says it all basically, should we start smaller state based communities and try to start having more local groups? I’m pretty isolated socially so I don’t really ha e any other ways to reach out.

https://redd.it/ojm99m
@Octoberstrike
How to make this non-partisan?

Just want to be sure this is an effective action that unites everyone in the working and middle class against the ruling class effectively and not a repeat of Occupy Wall Street. The view I'm coming from now is someone who was on the ground with OWS but has become completely disillusioned with that scene because of "cancel culture", the quest for purity, identity politics, Trump derangement disorder, and Church of Covid type stuff. What I'm seeing here seems geared towards a young, far-left crowd. Who wants to brainstorm ways to make this something that pulls in a wider range of ages and political views? I love the idea of a general strike and demanding a higher standard of living and open discussions about the problems of late-stage capitalism, but I don't want to be the only lockdown skeptic to show up. I also don't totally agree with the free healthcare thing for weird reasons related to the events of 2020. Who wants to talk about it in a polite, nuanced way?


EDIT: For the people having a knee-jerk reaction to lockdown skepticism, maybe read some posts on r/LockdownCriticalLeft to get started on understanding that point of view. Anti-lockdown leftists are a small segment of the population, but skeptics in general are not. It's good to know where they're coming from, as they comprise a good portion of the working class-- which is what this is supposed to be geared towards.

https://redd.it/ojyoix
@Octoberstrike
what’re some additional info points/facts that I can provide to encourage others to strike?

I plan on putting up posters/having flyers, but I live in the midwest and am afraid that posters alone will only be helpful in spreading the word to other leftists. I want to be able to provide additional facts to get more people to participate or at least do more research of their own about current working conditions. I’m thinking about providing stats about ceo’s income vs workers, how the minimum wage hasn’t increased, etc. I’m also aiming towards info/persuasion that isn’t “too leftist” just so that there’s a better chance that more central democratic people can be reached.

https://redd.it/ojqcgb
@Octoberstrike
No-strike contracts

Some of us work under Union Contracts with a no-strike clause and as such aren't legally protected if we participate. While I would certainly support a wildcat strike if we can muster up enough support without the union, what are some other ways those of us under those existing Union contracts can help? I'm sure many of my co-workers that are unwilling to take that kind of risk would still want to help in some way.

https://redd.it/ojhqhh
@Octoberstrike
Rural community strike tips?

The spots where I work are incredibly conservative with no resources or mutual aid orgs besides a church-run soup kitchen. I’ve been having a hard time trying to figure out how to do support when I can’t find other folks willing to participate,,,

I’ll be working at a job in a larger city but still can’t find resources! There is a college there though that I go to. (I’ll probs put up posters there and see if I could start a club or something adjacent to a group)

I have no clue how to inspire or spread the word in ways that are of interest to rural conservative communities! I feel like there’s little I can do in these areas, but if anyone has a similar experience on organizing and supporting with these types of communities I’d be overjoyed!!!

https://redd.it/ojh2pv
@Octoberstrike
Only 10% of American workers are represented by a union. The other 90% are unrepresented. If unions want to back this strike, that's awesome. If not, it will be successful without them.
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm

https://redd.it/ojhvbo
@Octoberstrike