Interview with Solidaridad Obrera

JH
Posts: 402 Joined: 11-02-07
Submitted by JH on 4 May, 2008 - 21:28.

There's an interesting interview (in Spanish) with members of Solidaridad Obrera at
http://www.alasbarricadas.org/noticias/?q=node/7514
Topics covered include the Madrid Metro cleaners strike, the split that led to the formation of the SUT, relations with the CNT and CGT, and the possibilities of the anarcho-syndicalist unions working together.

syndicalist
Posts: 1368 Joined: 15-04-06
12 May, 2008 - 14:59

Interesting enough. The comments following the interview also are of interst.

JH
Posts: 402 Joined: 11-02-07
15 May, 2008 - 10:23

There's more on this at http://www.alasbarricadas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=35179
Some at least of this discussion seems more constructive than the comments following the interview.

ftony "crews are for boats"
Posts: 3705 Joined: 26-05-04 Location: East London
30 May, 2008 - 15:47

how do SO relate to the CNT/CGT? i've heard them mentioned before but i can't remember the context...

OliverTwister "Tied directly to Bekken and the Philly camp"
Posts: 2215 Joined: 10-10-05 Location: San Francisco, USA
30 May, 2008 - 15:47

They tend to think of themselves as the bridge between the two.

JH
Posts: 402 Joined: 11-02-07
30 May, 2008 - 22:36
ftony wrote:
how do SO relate to the CNT/CGT? i've heard them mentioned before but i can't remember the context...

They're in favour of the CNT, CGT and SO (and possibly other small groups) reuniting, a proposal that hasn't received any support from the CNT and CGT. The interview also mentions a proposal they made to the CNT and CGT for a looser anarcho-syndicalist coordinating structure. This was also rejected but maybe it's something that could be more achievable. SO started as a split from the CGT and they're critical of what they see as a tendency for the CGT to get integrated into the system, particularly through indirect financial support from the state. Relations with the CGT seem reasonable though. Going off the interview relations with the CNT are more problematic - with some hardliners in the CNT being quite hostile. The basic point of difference with the CNT is that SO leaves it to individual unions to decide whether or not to take part in the works committees.

According to the interview SO have international links with the CNT-F, among others. Apparently at one point they applied to join the IWA but were turned down. I don't know whether they have any contact with the IWW.