A-Infos (en) Ireland, Anarchist Workers Solidarity 114 is now online

March - April 2010 Edition of the Workers Solidarity freesheet. ---- PDF of Workers 
Solidarity 114 Southern Web Edition http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire/linktopdf --- Public 
Service Work-To-Rule http://www.wsm.ie/story/6355 ---- Haiti: Intervention and Imperialism 
http://www.wsm.ie/story/6356 ---- Transformation Agenda http://www.wsm.ie/story/6357 
Solidarity Books opens its doors in Cork http://www.wsm.ie/story/6358 -- That's Capitalism 
http://www.wsm.ie/story/6359 European anarchists meet in Parishttp://www.wsm.ie/story/6360 
---- Keep Water Free http://www.wsm.ie/story/6361 ---- Review of An Anarchist FAQ 
http://www.wsm.ie/story/6362 ---- Thinking About Anarchism http://www.wsm.ie/story/6363

Anarchism and the WSM

With the big freeze over, the WSM recommenced activities early in 2010. As well as the 
activities mentioned in the article on Solidarity Books in this paper, our Cork branch has 
also commenced a 12-week discussion series on anarchism at that venue. Thus far, this has 
covered topics such as ‘Parliament or Democracy’, ‘Nationalism and Imperialism’, 
‘Oppressions’ and ‘Lessons from Russia and Spain’.

The WSM also organised well-attended public meetings in Cork and Dublin on Haiti titled 
‘Catastrophe and the Legacy of Imperialism’ with a Paris-based Haitian journalist and 
representative from the Latin American Solidarity Centre speaking. We have also been busy 
preparing a new ‘Radio Solidarity’ show, which will hit the airwaves on Dublin’s Near FM 
in the coming weeks.

Elsewhere, we held, in conjunction with Organise! from Belfast, a picket of the German 
embassy in Dublin in support of the Free Workers Union (FAU), which has been prohibited by 
the courts in Germany from calling itself a union. The FAU has been in dispute with the 
Babylon Mitte cinema in Berlin on behalf of the workers there for a number of months. The 
WSM also sent two delegates to the European Anarkismo conference of affiliated anarchist 
organisations in Paris in February. The aim of this event was “to improve communication 
between our different organisations, to develop common understanding and strategies with 
regards to workplace organisation, migration and the European Union” (see 
www.anarkismo.net for more details).

WSM members continue their involvement in their unions, the Seomra Spraoi social centre 
(www.seomraspraoi.org), Shell to Sea (www.corribsos.com) and Haiti Solidarity Ireland, a 
newly set-up “broad-based coalition to support Haitians in their struggle against foreign 
intervention and for an inclusive, democratic and equitable Haiti”. We attended protests 
in support of strikers in Green Isle in Naas and in solidarity with Pat O’Donnell, jailed 
for his role in opposing the Corrib Gas project.

Internally, the WSM has reorganised our structures so as to try and devote more time to 
particularly important projects, such as organising in the trade unions, Shell to Sea, 
fundraising, combating unemployment and the upcoming struggle against water charges. We 
hope that these new structures will improve our efficiency and increase our impact but 
there is no substitute for power in numbers so if you are interested in getting involved, 
get in touch!


In This Issue

Public Service Work-To-Rule http://www.wsm.ie/story/6355

Since the middle of January civil and public servants have engaged in a work-to-rule in an 
attempt to force a reversal of the pay cuts announced by the government in the December 
budget. Across the country workers in government offices, colleges, schools, hospitals 
etc. are taking action, which they hope will result in a change of government policy.

Haiti: Intervention and Imperialism http://www.wsm.ie/story/6356

The horrific death toll from the earthquake in Haiti briefly focused the world’s attention 
on the plight of the Haitian people. The earthquake was a natural disaster coming on top 
of decades of human disasters imposed upon the people as its economy has been forced to 
transform to suit the needs of transnational corporations. This is the reason so many 
people were packed into substandard accommodation in Port-au-prince.

Transformation Agenda http://www.wsm.ie/story/6357

This is a plan to secure “efficiencies” by getting people to work harder and for longer, 
meaning that some existing jobs can be scrapped. Of course there are some sensible 
suggestions for improving services, but they mask an agenda for getting rid of jobs.

Solidarity Books opens its doors in Cork http://www.wsm.ie/story/6358

Cork has a tradition of being open to alternative ideas, a tradition reflected in our name 
as 'the rebels' and in the history of Barracka Books and other radical bookshops which 
have popped up in the city over the years. Solidarity Books, though, is the first of its 
kind to be set up and organised by Cork anarchists.

That's Capitalism http://www.wsm.ie/story/6359

Tullow Oil chief executive, Aidan Heavey, took home a total pay package of €25,962,983 
last year.

European anarchists meet in Paris http://www.wsm.ie/story/6360

Over the weekend of February 5th the Workers Solidarity Movement sent delegates to Paris 
for a conference of European groups involved in Anarkismo.net. This multi-lingual news and 
analysis website is supported by 31 organisations around the world.

Keep Water Free http://www.wsm.ie/story/6361

The ruling class strategy of making working people pay for the crisis has seen public and 
private sector pay cuts, job losses, welfare reductions and slashing of important services 
like special needs assistants for children with physical and mental problems. Coming soon, 
if Cowan and Gormley have their way, is the return of a domestic water tax.

Review of An Anarchist FAQ http://www.wsm.ie/story/6362

This is easily the most comprehensive FAQ on anarchist theory, history and practice 
available today. The Anarchist FAQ provides the answers to questions as straightforward as 
“What is Anarchism?” but also responds to inquiries about what an anarchist society would 
look like. It first appeared online as a rebuttal to claims that “anarcho-capitalism” was 
a form of anarchism but its scope has since been hugely expanded.

Thinking About Anarchism http://www.wsm.ie/story/6363

The word anarchy has its’ origins in the Greek an-archos, meaning absence of a ruler. 
Since the mid-1800's, anarchism has developed as a definite political theory which aims to 
create a society without bosses and without authoritarian rule.
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