We will certainly remember the year 2023 as one of the most active and
challenging. We devoted ourselves to activities with an international
dimension, such as events on the occasion of the centenary of the
International Workers' Association or the International Week against
non-payment of wages, but also solving problems at workplaces in
Slovakia, workshops, recreational events, etc. Here is the summary.
CAMPAIGN
100 years of MAP
On the occasion of 100 years of the International Workers' Association,
we organized public events in Bratislava (March 4) and Koshice (April 1)
with the participation of delegations from the Organise! (in
Bratislava), SolFed, WAS, PA and the MAP Secretariat.
During both, we clarified important historical events in the development
of MAP. The delegations then talked about current experiences from
anarcho-syndicalist practice in individual countries, but also, for
example, about how they came to the ideas of anarcho-syndicalism and why
they give them meaning from a practical point of view in their lives.
We added the Slovak context to the anniversary of the establishment of
MAP through an exhibition about our activities in the years 2000-2022.
The event in Koshice was additionally enriched with great performances
in the style of slam poetry and a concert. We had vegan refreshments at
both events - in Bratislava we provided it, in Koshice the local group
Food Not Bombs (FB), for which we are very grateful.
Problems at workplaces
In March, we closed a problem lasting more than a year in one restaurant
in Bratislava. We helped a former employee who contacted us write a
letter demanding payment of money, which included unpaid wages, health
insurance debt and lost unemployment benefits. The employer complied
with all of these requirements essentially within a few hours of sending
the letter.
We also addressed other problems at workplaces in various cities in
Slovakia and discussed with the workers the possibilities of solving
their problems and potential disputes. These were companies of different
sizes and focus (art school, IT company, car manufacturer, transport
company, etc.).
International week against non-payment of wages
The "week" was declared by MAP in 2019 with the aim of highlighting the
phenomenon of non-payment of wages and the possibility of struggle using
anarcho-syndicalist methods. From October 10 to 16, MAP unions drew
attention to this problem in various ways. For the first time in
Slovakia, we also prepared street promotion in the form of special
stickers and posters that were put up in Bratislava, Trnava and Koshice.
This attempt proved to be effective, as several people with unpaid wages
came forward thanks to the posters. You can find a summary of
international activities during the Week here:
https://www.priamaakcia.sk/Aktivity-pocas-Medzinarodneho-tyzdna-proti-nevyplacaniu-miezd.html
SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES
Participating in a queerfeminist demonstration
In Slovakia, several political parties are trying to enforce laws with
the aim of worsening the lives of women and queer people. There have
already been several demonstrations against these efforts, which we
supported also because they were organized in an egalitarian spirit and
included criticism of capitalism and state institutions. One of those
was the demonstration on March 8 in Bratislava.
Solidarity with CNT-AIT Spain
Together with other MAP organizations, we participated in days of
solidarity with CNT-AIT. We published a text about the situation and the
attempts of the Spanish unions belonging to the CIT international to
destroy the CNT-AIT union.
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
PA convention
An organization-wide PA meeting was held in November. We evaluated
previous activities in order to improve functioning and planned the next
period of activity.
Open meetings meeting30.9._Skalica_IG_2
Another of our regular activities are open meetings in Bratislava,
Trnava and Koshice. They are intended for people who want to actively
solve problems at work, contribute to the discussion with their own
topics, or participate in ongoing and planned PA activities. Thanks to
new contacts, we also managed to organize one open meeting in Skalica
and take the necessary steps for the first meetings in other locations
in 2024.
Shared reading
He has been engaged in this activity for several years, thanks to which
we could collectively talk about several interesting publications. In
the autumn, another round began with an exceptional text by the Group of
Internationalist Communists entitled "Fundamental Principles of
Communist Production and Distribution", which deals with the
organization of a society without capitalism and the state, presents a
devastating critique of state capitalism and represents the
possibilities of how to ensure economic life in a free self-governing
society. We are also interested in this topic in the broader context
associated with the vision of a non-capitalist society facing the
consequences of climate change.
MAP online meeting: Queer situation and struggles at workplaces in
different countries
In July, there was an online discussion about the connection between
queer struggles and struggles in the workplace. Friends from MAP from
Poland (ZSP), Slovakia (PA), the United Kingdom (SF), Serbia (ASI) and
the USA (WSA) participated in it. The main goal was to share experiences
from previous battles and activities.
Informal activities
In the summer, we went on a hike to the Schneeberg mountain in the
Austrian Alps.
Barbecues, which we organized in summer and autumn in Bratislava and
Koshice, were also related to relaxation and socialization.
2024_BA_opekacka
Climate Crisis Working Group
At the MAP congress in Alcoa in 2022, the MAP unions agreed to continue
the work of the working group on the climate crisis. Even in 2023, we
met with workers from other countries and discussed the current
situation and organizing around this issue from anarcho-syndicalist
positions.
PUBLICATIONS
A novelty among our publications was a leaflet in which we presented the
functioning of the anarcho-syndicalist union.
We have also prepared the second edition of the publication Bojujeme za
seba: Anarcho-syndicalism and class struggle. We personally participated
in the printing works at the Druckraum printing house in Vienna, which
is run by friends from the WAS union.
druckraum_tlac
We have also updated the temporary agency brochure, which contains
experiences with problems in temporary agencies, but also an attempt to
generalize, the legal framework of the issue and some advice on how to
succeed when problems arise.
PROMOTION
We participated in anarchist book fairs in Prague (May) and Brno
(October). In Prague, as part of the MAP centennial events, we also had
a presentation on the history of MAP, and we also came to Brno with an
exhibition on the history of our union and the presentation
"Anarcho-syndicalism - experiences with campaigns, disputes and the
functioning of the Priama Akcia union".
In addition, we visited several music and anti-fascist events with our
publications, where we established new contacts.
WORKSHOPS
Workshop on collective self-defense
During the first half of the year, we organized three workshops in
Bratislava. The first was focused on a collective approach to security
and self-defense. The goal was to learn to correctly assess safety in
various situations, how to behave when alone in a dangerous situation or
how to help someone from the position of a bystander.
Workshop and rodo in the Slovak language
The second workshop was devoted to language and the use of gender in
texts and in everyday speech, as the Slovak language historically has
strong patriarchal elements that exclude women and non-binary people. In
connection with the centenary of MAP, we have decided that the practical
part of the workshop will be modifications of the existing Slovak
translation of the MAP statutes.
Workshop on dominance techniques
The third workshop focused on dominance techniques that we encounter in
and outside the workplace. We have learned how to recognize these
techniques, defend against them, and prevent them from being used
against us and our associates. Techniques such as ridicule, obfuscation,
withholding information, blaming or the double bind lead to the
construction and maintenance of power structures. And since the struggle
against such structures is an important theme of anarchism and
anarcho-syndicalism, we consider it important to constantly learn how to
respond to these techniques, whether in workplaces, schools or activist
collectives.
All three workshops were conducted by persons who have experience with
the mentioned topics. Thanks again!
PLANS FOR 2024
We would briefly summarize the plans as follows: more activities aimed
at solving problems in the workplace (including student brigades), open
meetings in regions where they have not been held before, workshops,
activities aimed at relaxation, socialization and promotional
activities, and much more. If you want to get involved or make contact,
come to one of the events where we will be, or fill out the online form:
https://www.priamaakcia.sk/zapoj-sa.
Union Direct Action
https://www.priamaakcia.sk/Sprava-o-cinnosti-zvazu-Priama-akcia-za-rok-2023.html
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
challenging. We devoted ourselves to activities with an international
dimension, such as events on the occasion of the centenary of the
International Workers' Association or the International Week against
non-payment of wages, but also solving problems at workplaces in
Slovakia, workshops, recreational events, etc. Here is the summary.
CAMPAIGN
100 years of MAP
On the occasion of 100 years of the International Workers' Association,
we organized public events in Bratislava (March 4) and Koshice (April 1)
with the participation of delegations from the Organise! (in
Bratislava), SolFed, WAS, PA and the MAP Secretariat.
During both, we clarified important historical events in the development
of MAP. The delegations then talked about current experiences from
anarcho-syndicalist practice in individual countries, but also, for
example, about how they came to the ideas of anarcho-syndicalism and why
they give them meaning from a practical point of view in their lives.
We added the Slovak context to the anniversary of the establishment of
MAP through an exhibition about our activities in the years 2000-2022.
The event in Koshice was additionally enriched with great performances
in the style of slam poetry and a concert. We had vegan refreshments at
both events - in Bratislava we provided it, in Koshice the local group
Food Not Bombs (FB), for which we are very grateful.
Problems at workplaces
In March, we closed a problem lasting more than a year in one restaurant
in Bratislava. We helped a former employee who contacted us write a
letter demanding payment of money, which included unpaid wages, health
insurance debt and lost unemployment benefits. The employer complied
with all of these requirements essentially within a few hours of sending
the letter.
We also addressed other problems at workplaces in various cities in
Slovakia and discussed with the workers the possibilities of solving
their problems and potential disputes. These were companies of different
sizes and focus (art school, IT company, car manufacturer, transport
company, etc.).
International week against non-payment of wages
The "week" was declared by MAP in 2019 with the aim of highlighting the
phenomenon of non-payment of wages and the possibility of struggle using
anarcho-syndicalist methods. From October 10 to 16, MAP unions drew
attention to this problem in various ways. For the first time in
Slovakia, we also prepared street promotion in the form of special
stickers and posters that were put up in Bratislava, Trnava and Koshice.
This attempt proved to be effective, as several people with unpaid wages
came forward thanks to the posters. You can find a summary of
international activities during the Week here:
https://www.priamaakcia.sk/Aktivity-pocas-Medzinarodneho-tyzdna-proti-nevyplacaniu-miezd.html
SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES
Participating in a queerfeminist demonstration
In Slovakia, several political parties are trying to enforce laws with
the aim of worsening the lives of women and queer people. There have
already been several demonstrations against these efforts, which we
supported also because they were organized in an egalitarian spirit and
included criticism of capitalism and state institutions. One of those
was the demonstration on March 8 in Bratislava.
Solidarity with CNT-AIT Spain
Together with other MAP organizations, we participated in days of
solidarity with CNT-AIT. We published a text about the situation and the
attempts of the Spanish unions belonging to the CIT international to
destroy the CNT-AIT union.
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
PA convention
An organization-wide PA meeting was held in November. We evaluated
previous activities in order to improve functioning and planned the next
period of activity.
Open meetings meeting30.9._Skalica_IG_2
Another of our regular activities are open meetings in Bratislava,
Trnava and Koshice. They are intended for people who want to actively
solve problems at work, contribute to the discussion with their own
topics, or participate in ongoing and planned PA activities. Thanks to
new contacts, we also managed to organize one open meeting in Skalica
and take the necessary steps for the first meetings in other locations
in 2024.
Shared reading
He has been engaged in this activity for several years, thanks to which
we could collectively talk about several interesting publications. In
the autumn, another round began with an exceptional text by the Group of
Internationalist Communists entitled "Fundamental Principles of
Communist Production and Distribution", which deals with the
organization of a society without capitalism and the state, presents a
devastating critique of state capitalism and represents the
possibilities of how to ensure economic life in a free self-governing
society. We are also interested in this topic in the broader context
associated with the vision of a non-capitalist society facing the
consequences of climate change.
MAP online meeting: Queer situation and struggles at workplaces in
different countries
In July, there was an online discussion about the connection between
queer struggles and struggles in the workplace. Friends from MAP from
Poland (ZSP), Slovakia (PA), the United Kingdom (SF), Serbia (ASI) and
the USA (WSA) participated in it. The main goal was to share experiences
from previous battles and activities.
Informal activities
In the summer, we went on a hike to the Schneeberg mountain in the
Austrian Alps.
Barbecues, which we organized in summer and autumn in Bratislava and
Koshice, were also related to relaxation and socialization.
2024_BA_opekacka
Climate Crisis Working Group
At the MAP congress in Alcoa in 2022, the MAP unions agreed to continue
the work of the working group on the climate crisis. Even in 2023, we
met with workers from other countries and discussed the current
situation and organizing around this issue from anarcho-syndicalist
positions.
PUBLICATIONS
A novelty among our publications was a leaflet in which we presented the
functioning of the anarcho-syndicalist union.
We have also prepared the second edition of the publication Bojujeme za
seba: Anarcho-syndicalism and class struggle. We personally participated
in the printing works at the Druckraum printing house in Vienna, which
is run by friends from the WAS union.
druckraum_tlac
We have also updated the temporary agency brochure, which contains
experiences with problems in temporary agencies, but also an attempt to
generalize, the legal framework of the issue and some advice on how to
succeed when problems arise.
PROMOTION
We participated in anarchist book fairs in Prague (May) and Brno
(October). In Prague, as part of the MAP centennial events, we also had
a presentation on the history of MAP, and we also came to Brno with an
exhibition on the history of our union and the presentation
"Anarcho-syndicalism - experiences with campaigns, disputes and the
functioning of the Priama Akcia union".
In addition, we visited several music and anti-fascist events with our
publications, where we established new contacts.
WORKSHOPS
Workshop on collective self-defense
During the first half of the year, we organized three workshops in
Bratislava. The first was focused on a collective approach to security
and self-defense. The goal was to learn to correctly assess safety in
various situations, how to behave when alone in a dangerous situation or
how to help someone from the position of a bystander.
Workshop and rodo in the Slovak language
The second workshop was devoted to language and the use of gender in
texts and in everyday speech, as the Slovak language historically has
strong patriarchal elements that exclude women and non-binary people. In
connection with the centenary of MAP, we have decided that the practical
part of the workshop will be modifications of the existing Slovak
translation of the MAP statutes.
Workshop on dominance techniques
The third workshop focused on dominance techniques that we encounter in
and outside the workplace. We have learned how to recognize these
techniques, defend against them, and prevent them from being used
against us and our associates. Techniques such as ridicule, obfuscation,
withholding information, blaming or the double bind lead to the
construction and maintenance of power structures. And since the struggle
against such structures is an important theme of anarchism and
anarcho-syndicalism, we consider it important to constantly learn how to
respond to these techniques, whether in workplaces, schools or activist
collectives.
All three workshops were conducted by persons who have experience with
the mentioned topics. Thanks again!
PLANS FOR 2024
We would briefly summarize the plans as follows: more activities aimed
at solving problems in the workplace (including student brigades), open
meetings in regions where they have not been held before, workshops,
activities aimed at relaxation, socialization and promotional
activities, and much more. If you want to get involved or make contact,
come to one of the events where we will be, or fill out the online form:
https://www.priamaakcia.sk/zapoj-sa.
Union Direct Action
https://www.priamaakcia.sk/Sprava-o-cinnosti-zvazu-Priama-akcia-za-rok-2023.html
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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