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Town Hall Meeting this Sunday, June 26, to organize a Social Strike on SF's MUNI.
This Sunday, June 26th we will have a Town Hall meeting to discuss strategy and logistics for a city-wide fare strike against San Francisco's MUNI. We also want to discuss the potential for a Bay Area-wide transit strike, involving AC Transit, SamTrans and BART employees, together with MUNI riders and drivers.
We want to get the word out throughout the city for this with postering, leafleting and bus stop organizing. This is an effort to bring drivers and riders of public transit together against management, so we have invited MUNI drivers, as well as BART and AC Transit operators.
We want to get the word out throughout the city for this with postering, leafleting and bus stop organizing. This is an effort to bring drivers and riders of public transit together against management, so we have invited MUNI drivers, as well as BART and AC Transit operators.
Join your fellow riders and drivers of public transit to organize for a social strike against fare hikes, service cuts, and attacks on MUNI workers.
Sunday June 26th, 7pm to 10 pm, at Cellspace,
2050 Bryant Street (cross street 18th) in San Francisco's Mission
District.
WE CAN’T PAY -- WE WON’T PAY!
A wildcat social strike on all MUNI lines, where drivers don’t collect fares and riders don’t pay them, will stop attacks on working people
dead in their tracks!
$1.25 to 1.50? NO WAY!
CITY-WIDE FARE STRIKE ON MUNI!
REFUSE TO PAY!
Bosses and politicians’ power to mess up our lives is limited by our willingness to play along with their game…
MUNI bureaucrats want to raise fares, cut service, and fire MUNI operators. But large-scale on-the-job action, where MUNI drivers and riders act together, can stop managements’ attacks on working people.
City politicians say MUNI faces a $57.3 million dollar deficit. They don’t mention that mass transit is a free ride for bosses and billion dollar
corporations. MUNI exists to carry hundreds of thousands of wage-earners to our places of wage-slavery for corporate America. The labor power of MUNI riders produces billions in profits for big corporations downtown, yet the majority of downtown businesses don’t pay a dime for this
service.
The erosion of our working and living conditions will go on and on…
BUT WE CAN STOP THIS ATTACK RIGHT NOW WITH MASS RESISTANCE!
MAKE THE RICH PAY FOR WHAT THEY SQUEEZE OUT OF MUNI!
FARE STRIKES WORK
In Italy in the 1970’s, working people fought back successfully against inflated prices for goods and services. One part of this was on-the-job wildcat strikes by bus and streetcar drivers, acting together with riders, where transit operators “forgot” to collect fares- and riders refused to pay them. Actions like this create an immediate bond of solidarity between transit system employees and working class commuters. We can do this now in San Francisco.
To keep us under control, they have to keep us afraid and divided. WHEN ALL OF US ACT TOGETHER WE WILL HAVE ALL THE POWER IN THIS SITUATION.
BEFORE THIS GOES INTO EFFECT :
Talk with MUNI bus and trolley drivers, train operators and station agents. Spread the word about how riders and MUNI workers can act together against city government, MUNI management, and their big business bosses.
MUNI employees are organizing now -- see the SF Examiner's cover story from Friday June 17th. Many MUNI operators have expressed interest in this action. Talk with other riders -- help spread the word. Organize your local bus stop for a city-wide fare strike!
THE DAY THE NEW MEASURES TAKE EFFECT:
Be friendly and polite to MUNI personnel—and board MUNI without paying. Ride for free. The economic impact will force management to retreat!
DRIVERS- DON’T COLLECT FARES
RIDERS- DON’T PAY FARES
For more info and organizing material contact us at:
socialstrike [at] riseup.net
http://www.socialstrike.net
415-267-4801
Sunday June 26th, 7pm to 10 pm, at Cellspace,
2050 Bryant Street (cross street 18th) in San Francisco's Mission
District.
WE CAN’T PAY -- WE WON’T PAY!
A wildcat social strike on all MUNI lines, where drivers don’t collect fares and riders don’t pay them, will stop attacks on working people
dead in their tracks!
$1.25 to 1.50? NO WAY!
CITY-WIDE FARE STRIKE ON MUNI!
REFUSE TO PAY!
Bosses and politicians’ power to mess up our lives is limited by our willingness to play along with their game…
MUNI bureaucrats want to raise fares, cut service, and fire MUNI operators. But large-scale on-the-job action, where MUNI drivers and riders act together, can stop managements’ attacks on working people.
City politicians say MUNI faces a $57.3 million dollar deficit. They don’t mention that mass transit is a free ride for bosses and billion dollar
corporations. MUNI exists to carry hundreds of thousands of wage-earners to our places of wage-slavery for corporate America. The labor power of MUNI riders produces billions in profits for big corporations downtown, yet the majority of downtown businesses don’t pay a dime for this
service.
The erosion of our working and living conditions will go on and on…
BUT WE CAN STOP THIS ATTACK RIGHT NOW WITH MASS RESISTANCE!
MAKE THE RICH PAY FOR WHAT THEY SQUEEZE OUT OF MUNI!
FARE STRIKES WORK
In Italy in the 1970’s, working people fought back successfully against inflated prices for goods and services. One part of this was on-the-job wildcat strikes by bus and streetcar drivers, acting together with riders, where transit operators “forgot” to collect fares- and riders refused to pay them. Actions like this create an immediate bond of solidarity between transit system employees and working class commuters. We can do this now in San Francisco.
To keep us under control, they have to keep us afraid and divided. WHEN ALL OF US ACT TOGETHER WE WILL HAVE ALL THE POWER IN THIS SITUATION.
BEFORE THIS GOES INTO EFFECT :
Talk with MUNI bus and trolley drivers, train operators and station agents. Spread the word about how riders and MUNI workers can act together against city government, MUNI management, and their big business bosses.
MUNI employees are organizing now -- see the SF Examiner's cover story from Friday June 17th. Many MUNI operators have expressed interest in this action. Talk with other riders -- help spread the word. Organize your local bus stop for a city-wide fare strike!
THE DAY THE NEW MEASURES TAKE EFFECT:
Be friendly and polite to MUNI personnel—and board MUNI without paying. Ride for free. The economic impact will force management to retreat!
DRIVERS- DON’T COLLECT FARES
RIDERS- DON’T PAY FARES
For more info and organizing material contact us at:
socialstrike [at] riseup.net
http://www.socialstrike.net
415-267-4801
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Is this an Economics 101 joke? What guarantees us that the city government will back off the proposed $0.25 increase because some people are choosing not to pay? And where is the money NECESSARY to avoid fare increases, service reduction, and job cuts going to come from? A fare strike isn't gonna produce this money! The schools and social service sectors in the city are also in serious need of money, so start thinking of a better tactic. Til then, this MUNI rider (myself) ain't getting involved in no strike. Good luck!
Fire more bureaucrats.
Please re-read what we posted above:
"MUNI exists to carry hundreds of thousands of wage-earners to our places of wage-slavery for corporate America. The labor power of MUNI riders produces billions in profits for big corporations downtown, yet the majority of downtown businesses don’t pay a dime for this
service. "
Thanks.
"MUNI exists to carry hundreds of thousands of wage-earners to our places of wage-slavery for corporate America. The labor power of MUNI riders produces billions in profits for big corporations downtown, yet the majority of downtown businesses don’t pay a dime for this
service. "
Thanks.
It would probably make sense to include that Bart and Muni has already been raised recently. Furthermore, apathy will lead to the next 25 cent raise in just a short amount of time.
I'm glad workers and riders unite!
I'm glad workers and riders unite!
So what about the Muni cop's . Say that you want to not pay out of protest , what about the stupid Muni cop's they force you to pay one way or another , I know I was cought and had to pay $110.00 ticket for a $1.25 fare that's almost one hundered percent profit from a $1.25. What the fuck is wrong with this countery could sombody tell me - some body.
?
?
The whole point in this is that we aren't just talking about individual fare evasion, but a large-scale action. We all will have a strength in numbers that we haven't got when we try to act alone.
Your web page looks good!
"MUNI exists to carry hundreds of thousands of wage-earners to our places of wage-slavery for corporate America. The labor power of MUNI riders produces billions in profits for big corporations downtown, yet the majority of downtown businesses don’t pay a dime for this
service."
Businesses pay far more in taxes to locate in San Francisco than they would pay if they moved to the suburbs, or even out of state.
Additionally, Muni is heavily subsidized. The cost of the fare is nowhere near what it costs to provide the service.
Strange that the people protesting the fare increase are those most capable of paying it, while those who you claim would be most "victimized" by it are strangely silent.
service."
Businesses pay far more in taxes to locate in San Francisco than they would pay if they moved to the suburbs, or even out of state.
Additionally, Muni is heavily subsidized. The cost of the fare is nowhere near what it costs to provide the service.
Strange that the people protesting the fare increase are those most capable of paying it, while those who you claim would be most "victimized" by it are strangely silent.
The bottom line is this: Without Muni and other public transit agencies shepharding their employees to and from work, SF-based business would be fucked. Argue with that.
As someone who has leafleted Muni riders in favor of a fare strike, I can say that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Contrary to what John R. says, I found that support for a fare strike closely tracks class/income, with the more professional types the least interested.
Remember: If we refuse to pay, they'll run the buses and trains anyway!
As someone who has leafleted Muni riders in favor of a fare strike, I can say that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Contrary to what John R. says, I found that support for a fare strike closely tracks class/income, with the more professional types the least interested.
Remember: If we refuse to pay, they'll run the buses and trains anyway!
Would you like to fire some more teachers and social workers, while the "bureaucrat" cleanup happens? Sounds like Arnold Schwarznegger is on indybay proposing job cuts.
Just because a few managerial idiots are making more money than we would like them to make, MUNI's budget troubles exceed what little is going to be attained by "firing" some of the managers or board people.
Go get an endorsement form Arnold for this strike, it's just what he likes.
Just because a few managerial idiots are making more money than we would like them to make, MUNI's budget troubles exceed what little is going to be attained by "firing" some of the managers or board people.
Go get an endorsement form Arnold for this strike, it's just what he likes.
"The labor power of MUNI riders produces billions in profits for big corporations downtown"
Oh, that's right! MUNI was made to profit corporations downtown! Problem: the corporations downtown CREATED the industries that led to the capital that led to MUNI being created to begin with. Get off the ideological trip. If you want to argue that coporations should give a greater share (by taxes) to support MUNI, that's awesome! But to assume that MUNI is this workers entity that is the sole reason for downtown's profits, that is garbage and an arguement that will only work in a galaxy, far far away.
Let MUNI fare strike and come up with no place to get the money. The private sector will probably take over while you're arguing endlessly about how much bureaucracy (or none) is needed to run MUNI effectively. The corps. downtown will love to see this happen.
Oh, that's right! MUNI was made to profit corporations downtown! Problem: the corporations downtown CREATED the industries that led to the capital that led to MUNI being created to begin with. Get off the ideological trip. If you want to argue that coporations should give a greater share (by taxes) to support MUNI, that's awesome! But to assume that MUNI is this workers entity that is the sole reason for downtown's profits, that is garbage and an arguement that will only work in a galaxy, far far away.
Let MUNI fare strike and come up with no place to get the money. The private sector will probably take over while you're arguing endlessly about how much bureaucracy (or none) is needed to run MUNI effectively. The corps. downtown will love to see this happen.
John just snipes from the side because he didn't think of it and because his small "vanguard" pre-party isn't running it.
Look at the content of John R's message and it's clear that he's not any vanguardist leftist. His argument is right-wing through and through.
To Muni Rider #1: There's a reason the private sector doesn't take over mass transit: It's not profitable. So spare us your lame-brained "you're only going to help the corporations" crap.
Without Muni, SF-based business would be screwed. Muni is one of many government-subsidized infrastructural supports for capital. The problem is that too much of Muni is paid for by the working class through fares and taxes--and now SF elites want to make us pay more to wait longer for worse service.
Liberals may not get it, but the fact remains that if we refuse to pay they'll run the buses and trains anyway. What else can they do?
To Muni Rider #1: There's a reason the private sector doesn't take over mass transit: It's not profitable. So spare us your lame-brained "you're only going to help the corporations" crap.
Without Muni, SF-based business would be screwed. Muni is one of many government-subsidized infrastructural supports for capital. The problem is that too much of Muni is paid for by the working class through fares and taxes--and now SF elites want to make us pay more to wait longer for worse service.
Liberals may not get it, but the fact remains that if we refuse to pay they'll run the buses and trains anyway. What else can they do?
"There's a reason the private sector doesn't take over mass transit: It's not profitable."
Two things: 1)The private sector doesn't always mean one company taking over all of MUNI. 2) Plenty of major urban settings worldwide allow fairly open/liberal public transportation markets, meaning small businesses can get in on creating bus routes to meet riders demands. This method has reduced fares and "bureaucracy", while increased bus riding as an alternative to driving.
What do you expect with a public trasnportation system created to complement a capitalist urban structure (like downtown SF)? This anarcho-bus riding working-class meritocracy rhetoric and transportation system proposal being pushed in this thread sounds great ideologically, but far off realistically.
"Without Muni, SF-based business would be screwed. Muni is one of many government-subsidized infrastructural supports for capital. The problem is that too much of Muni is paid for by the working class through fares and taxes--and now SF elites want to make us pay more to wait longer for worse service."
When has eternal subsidizing led to anything but the demise of the Soviet Union? Make a better arguement for us riders when you promote subsidizing MUNI forever. Until then, subsidizing promotes more "bureaucracy" that has kept MUNI inefficient and unable to keep up with demand.
"Liberals may not get it, but the fact remains that if we refuse to pay they'll run the buses and trains anyway. What else can they do?"
What liberals are you talking about? This is so looney. If "we" refuse to pay, I don't think downtown businesses will give a shit, since we have to show up to work some way. Maybe people will start riding bikes to work, how will that help MUNI workers?
Not trying to sound shitty, but so far I'm not really hearing an answer to the many questions. I care about the MUNI workers, the riders, the routes, and definitely myself as a rider and resident of SF. But all this ultra "workers of the world" and "tax the rich" rhetoric isn't convincing for this issue.
Two things: 1)The private sector doesn't always mean one company taking over all of MUNI. 2) Plenty of major urban settings worldwide allow fairly open/liberal public transportation markets, meaning small businesses can get in on creating bus routes to meet riders demands. This method has reduced fares and "bureaucracy", while increased bus riding as an alternative to driving.
What do you expect with a public trasnportation system created to complement a capitalist urban structure (like downtown SF)? This anarcho-bus riding working-class meritocracy rhetoric and transportation system proposal being pushed in this thread sounds great ideologically, but far off realistically.
"Without Muni, SF-based business would be screwed. Muni is one of many government-subsidized infrastructural supports for capital. The problem is that too much of Muni is paid for by the working class through fares and taxes--and now SF elites want to make us pay more to wait longer for worse service."
When has eternal subsidizing led to anything but the demise of the Soviet Union? Make a better arguement for us riders when you promote subsidizing MUNI forever. Until then, subsidizing promotes more "bureaucracy" that has kept MUNI inefficient and unable to keep up with demand.
"Liberals may not get it, but the fact remains that if we refuse to pay they'll run the buses and trains anyway. What else can they do?"
What liberals are you talking about? This is so looney. If "we" refuse to pay, I don't think downtown businesses will give a shit, since we have to show up to work some way. Maybe people will start riding bikes to work, how will that help MUNI workers?
Not trying to sound shitty, but so far I'm not really hearing an answer to the many questions. I care about the MUNI workers, the riders, the routes, and definitely myself as a rider and resident of SF. But all this ultra "workers of the world" and "tax the rich" rhetoric isn't convincing for this issue.
No we don't.
See:
See:
For more information:
http://www.processedworld.com/carlsson/ ch...
that was very enlightening
And so does taking public transport. And so does ride-sharing: people will hitch rides if muni goes out.
But the disabled will have a hard time, not being able to ride bikes or hitchhike easily.
But in every big city in the world some form of public transport will exist, and San Francisco is no exception. And if its scab transport ie. not following the fare strike by being privately owned and not a part of the unionized driving force, then we'll have to deal with it.
But the disabled will have a hard time, not being able to ride bikes or hitchhike easily.
But in every big city in the world some form of public transport will exist, and San Francisco is no exception. And if its scab transport ie. not following the fare strike by being privately owned and not a part of the unionized driving force, then we'll have to deal with it.
Muni Rider #1:
You're "argument" is completely incoherent.
First, you argued against attacks on the Muni bureaucracy and claimed that a fare strike would play into the hands of the private sector which would relish the opportunity to take-over mass transit. On both counts your criticisms in this first instance were classic, vaguely left, liberal arguments--bureaucracy isn't always bad, while a private take-over of a public good would be.
Next, when that argument was challenged, you adopted the standard "libertarian" bullshit that open transit markets would solve the problem of high fares, poor service, and--get this--bureaucracy!
My guess is that you're someone who would like to see mass transit privatized and de-unionized, and doesn't give a shit one way or another about fare hikes, despite your suggestions to the contrary. But most of all, in the immediate term, you fear a fare strike. That's fine--you can pay while the rest of us smart riders don't (that's assuming that you're actually a muni rider at all).
You're "argument" is completely incoherent.
First, you argued against attacks on the Muni bureaucracy and claimed that a fare strike would play into the hands of the private sector which would relish the opportunity to take-over mass transit. On both counts your criticisms in this first instance were classic, vaguely left, liberal arguments--bureaucracy isn't always bad, while a private take-over of a public good would be.
Next, when that argument was challenged, you adopted the standard "libertarian" bullshit that open transit markets would solve the problem of high fares, poor service, and--get this--bureaucracy!
My guess is that you're someone who would like to see mass transit privatized and de-unionized, and doesn't give a shit one way or another about fare hikes, despite your suggestions to the contrary. But most of all, in the immediate term, you fear a fare strike. That's fine--you can pay while the rest of us smart riders don't (that's assuming that you're actually a muni rider at all).
http://www.shapingsf.org/ezine/transit/farenotfair.html
(snip)
And while we are at it (short of the abolition of wage-labor), let's demand to be paid for the full working day, including the hours of our lives wasted on public transit. Commute time is work, and it's time the employer paid for it!
P.S. to transit workers: The next time you're fighting the transit authorities and want to press grievances or wage demands or anything in a direct and powerful way, take a hint from the bus drivers in Milan, Italy, who have successfully used the strategy of keeping the transit going (thereby serving popular needs) but have refused to collect fares. Such a social strike can bring the managers to their senses much faster than any traditional strike (it will also generate a lot of popular support) . . . Warm regards to all you who "neglect" to enforce the cash nexus on your vehicles.
--Chris Carlsson.
This article originally appeared in Processed World #9,
(snip)
(snip)
And while we are at it (short of the abolition of wage-labor), let's demand to be paid for the full working day, including the hours of our lives wasted on public transit. Commute time is work, and it's time the employer paid for it!
P.S. to transit workers: The next time you're fighting the transit authorities and want to press grievances or wage demands or anything in a direct and powerful way, take a hint from the bus drivers in Milan, Italy, who have successfully used the strategy of keeping the transit going (thereby serving popular needs) but have refused to collect fares. Such a social strike can bring the managers to their senses much faster than any traditional strike (it will also generate a lot of popular support) . . . Warm regards to all you who "neglect" to enforce the cash nexus on your vehicles.
--Chris Carlsson.
This article originally appeared in Processed World #9,
(snip)
http://makeashorterlink.com/?B42833C5B
(snip)
The Joy of Revolution
(snip)
A particularly interesting and exemplary form of worker struggle is what is sometimes called a “social strike” or “giveaway strike,” in which people carry on with their jobs but in ways that prefigure a free social order: workers giving away goods they have produced, clerks undercharging customers, transportation workers letting everyone ride free. In February 1981 11,000 telephone workers occupied exchanges throughout British Columbia and carried on all phone services without charge for six days before being maneuvered out by their union. Besides winning many of their demands, they seem to have had a delightful time.(8) One can imagine ways of going further and becoming more selective, such as blocking business and government calls while letting personal calls go through free. Postal workers could do likewise with mail; transportation workers could continue to ship necessary goods while refusing to transport police or troops. . . .
(snip)
8. “One day into this thing, and I’m tired, but compared to the positive sensations that are passing through this place, fatigue doesn’t stand a chance. . . . Who will ever forget the look on management’s faces when we tell them we are now in control, and their services are obviously no longer needed. . . . Everything as normal, except we don’t collect phone bills. . . . We’re also making friends from other departments. Guys from downstairs are coming up to help out and learn our jobs. . . . We’re all flying. . . . Sailing on pure adrenalin. It’s like we own the bloody thing. . . . The signs on the front door say, CO-OP TEL: UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT — NO MANAGEMENT ALLOWED.” (Rosa Collette, “Operators Dial Direct Action,” Open Road, Vancouver, Spring 1981.)
(snip)
(snip)
The Joy of Revolution
(snip)
A particularly interesting and exemplary form of worker struggle is what is sometimes called a “social strike” or “giveaway strike,” in which people carry on with their jobs but in ways that prefigure a free social order: workers giving away goods they have produced, clerks undercharging customers, transportation workers letting everyone ride free. In February 1981 11,000 telephone workers occupied exchanges throughout British Columbia and carried on all phone services without charge for six days before being maneuvered out by their union. Besides winning many of their demands, they seem to have had a delightful time.(8) One can imagine ways of going further and becoming more selective, such as blocking business and government calls while letting personal calls go through free. Postal workers could do likewise with mail; transportation workers could continue to ship necessary goods while refusing to transport police or troops. . . .
(snip)
8. “One day into this thing, and I’m tired, but compared to the positive sensations that are passing through this place, fatigue doesn’t stand a chance. . . . Who will ever forget the look on management’s faces when we tell them we are now in control, and their services are obviously no longer needed. . . . Everything as normal, except we don’t collect phone bills. . . . We’re also making friends from other departments. Guys from downstairs are coming up to help out and learn our jobs. . . . We’re all flying. . . . Sailing on pure adrenalin. It’s like we own the bloody thing. . . . The signs on the front door say, CO-OP TEL: UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT — NO MANAGEMENT ALLOWED.” (Rosa Collette, “Operators Dial Direct Action,” Open Road, Vancouver, Spring 1981.)
(snip)
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