War on the Docks: Strikes & Struggles of Chilean Port Workers!

<p><span class="_4n-j fsl">War on the Docks!<br>Conversations with the President of the Federation of Portworkers of Iquique<br><br>After a vicious military coup in 1973, Chile became a neoliberal test subject of epic proportions. The generals and capitalist economists involved developed a brand new constitution to suppress labor activity and to privatise the schools, healthcare system, and other social services. Though thousands of leftists were tortured, murdered, and disappeared, the end of the dictatorship has seen the rise of several combative social movements, including the workers struggle. Several years of militant strikes have not only pushed for a better standard of living for many of the exploited workforce, but have challenged the opp<span class="text_exposed_show">ressive labor laws limiting activity. The port workers have been leading this struggle and have been heavily influenced by the Anarchist movement in Chile. To this end it has been building a rank and file base from which to fight for class independence from Chile's ruling political parties.<br><br>Nelson Francino Valdes is the President of the Federation of Portworkers of Iquique. He was involved in several struggles/strikes, including a month long national strike in 2014. That year, Valdes was also a featured speaker at the Labor Notes conference in Chicago. He is currently Chile's delegate to the upcoming International Dockworkers Council in Miami.<br><br>Nelson will share the stories of how the port workers have won victories through militant rank and file organizing; the importance of strategic workplace organizing that is multisectoral – uniting labor, education, and neighbor struggles; and the current international fight against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.</span></span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">October 17, 7-9pm</span></span></p><p><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Flying Squirrel Community Space, 285 Clarissa St.</span></span></p><p><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/182502638858715/</span></span></p>

<p><span class="_4n-j fsl">War on the Docks!<br />Conversations with the President of the Federation of Portworkers of Iquique<br /><br />After a vicious military coup in 1973, Chile became a neoliberal test subject of epic proportions. The generals and capitalist economists involved developed a brand new constitution to suppress labor activity and to privatise the schools, healthcare system, and other social services. Though thousands of leftists were tortured, murdered, and disappeared, the end of the dictatorship has seen the rise of several combative social movements, including the workers struggle. Several years of militant strikes have not only pushed for a better standard of living for many of the exploited workforce, but have challenged the opp<span class="text_exposed_show">ressive labor laws limiting activity. The port workers have been leading this struggle and have been heavily influenced by the Anarchist movement in Chile. To this end it has been building a rank and file base from which to fight for class independence from Chile's ruling political parties.<br /><br />Nelson Francino Valdes is the President of the Federation of Portworkers of Iquique. He was involved in several struggles/strikes, including a month long national strike in 2014. That year, Valdes was also a featured speaker at the Labor Notes conference in Chicago. He is currently Chile's delegate to the upcoming International Dockworkers Council in Miami.<br /><br />Nelson will share the stories of how the port workers have won victories through militant rank and file organizing; the importance of strategic workplace organizing that is multisectoral – uniting labor, education, and neighbor struggles; and the current international fight against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">October 17, 7-9pm</span></span></p> <p><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Flying Squirrel Community Space, 285 Clarissa St.</span></span></p> <p><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Facebook event: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/182502638858715/">https://www.facebook.com/events/182502638858715/</a></span></span></p>