History of Resistance: The Industrial Workers of the World organizing at Jimmy Johns, 2008-Present
From 2008 to the present, workers at Jimmy Johns have organized against one of the most vehemently anti-union franchises from the inside, challenging their bosses and using collective, direct action to fight for better working conditions and collective power. Come out to the Public House (co-operative bar, 815 E. Locust, Milwaukee) on Thursday, September 24th, 6:00-7:30 PM) to hear about how this happened, and is still happening. You will be able to hear about the conversations between co-workers, agitation around shared grievances, building a workplace committee and marches on the boss that built up worker strength in the Twin Cities from 2008-2010. There will also be information on the union-busting efforts when the campaign went public, retaliation, organizing response, and the spread of IWW organizing to Jimmy Johns at other cities. The event will also explore the nature of Jimmy Johns’ business that breed such resistance, implications of the campaign, and the differences between this grassroots, direct-action organizing on the shop floor and contemporary fast food organizing in the “Fight for 15” efforts.
Workers at Jimmy Johs organized as part of the Industrial Workers of the World, so their fight was also an effort to abolish capitalism and create a better world. Yet revolutionary aims wasn’t just a matter of long-term ambitions, it informed active, daily activity to challenge capitalism on the shop floor.
Following the presentation there will be a participatory discussion on implications of this history for present day organizing in Milwaukee. Please, come with questions and an interest in talking.
There is an identical fb page produced by the Public House, it’s located at: https://www.facebook.com/events/695477077254778/ Only one event.
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
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