The Making of an Organizer: A History and Analysis of the Chicago Courier's Union, 2003-2006

8/13/2019 The Making of an Organizer: A History and Analysis of the Chicago Courier's Union, 2003-2006

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The Making of

an Organizer

A History and Analysis of the

Chicago Couriers Union2003-2006

By Andrea Murphy


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WITH RESPECT AND GRATITUDEfor the work and perona! a"r#f#"e of Matt $e!!ardand Co!#n Boen% for a!! of the "y"!e 'een(er&o!d enou(h to "ontr#&ute to u"h a rad#"a! "a'pa#(n%for the )##on of the e*ua!!y rad#"a! an"etor of theIndutr#a! Worker of the Wor!d and the tep they

took toward #t% and for the e!der of the IWW and a!! of'y #ter and fe!!ow worker who d#!#(ent!y take teptoward the a'e )##on one hundred year !ater+

&y Andrea Murphy,-.//0.

ro1y2fre#n(+net
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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ntroduction

3If you fo!!ow your &!#% you put youre!f on a k#nd oftra"k that ha &een there a!! the wh#!e% wa#t#n( for

you% and the !#fe that you ou(ht to &e !#)#n( # the oneyou are !#)#n(+ Where)er you are4#f you are fo!!ow#n(your &!#% you are en5oy#n( that refreh'ent% that !#few#th#n you% a!! the t#'e+6

7oeph Ca'p&e!!% fro' Sa"r#f#"e and B!#% partfour of the Power of Myth #nter)#ew er#e w#th B#!!Moyer

The fo!!ow#n( do"u'ent # one atte'pt to pro)#de ah#tor#"a! t#'e!#ne and ana!y# of what # now knowna the Ch#"a(o Cour#er Un#on 8CCU9+ The CCU # notyet an off#"#a! &ran"h of the Indutr#a! Worker of theWor!d 8IWW9+ It e1#t under the u'&re!!a of theIWW: Ch#"a(o Genera! Me'&erh#p Bran"h 8GMB9+The CCU # a part of the Mun#"#pa! Tranport Worker%Indutr#a! Un#on 8IU9 nu'&er .;/ w#th#n the IWW+

There e1#t do"u'entat#on to upport perhap ha!f ofthe word "onta#ned w#th#n+ The other ha!f # &aed"o'p!ete!y on the perona! e1per#en"e of a #n(!eor(an#


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fro' the e)ent of the pat+ It # a!o #ntended forany&ody #ntereted #n 'y own de)e!op'ent a anor(an# 'y e)o!ut#on fro' an #ne"ure wo'an"ond#t#oned to keep to here!f to a "apa&!e and

"onf#dent or(an#


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auren H#!!: !yr#" =ou "an (et the 'oney% you "an(et the power% 5ut keep your eye on the f#na! hour%="o'e to '#nd+ I now undertand how fa#!ure ##'po#&!e o !on( a fo"u re'a#n on the de#red

out"o'e% and the de#red out"o'e # tru!y for h#(het(ood of a!! that # a!#)e+


6/47

!anuary 2003 " #yna$e% Hires AndreaMy de"##on to app!y for ke 'een(er 5o& "a'eafter a per#od of un'ot#)ated une'p!oy'ent+ I had5ut re"ent!y rea!#


7/47

!une 2003 " 'irst Meeting of the Third

ncarnation of the )indy City *icycleMessenger Association

The Hand!e&ar% a kethe'ed retaurant opened &yr#(hteou ke ad)o"ate had re"ent!y opened+ To th#day% 'een(er (ather there re(u!ar!y on =Meen(erMonday= n#(ht for free fr#e and "heap &eer+ It wahere where I not#"ed that e)ery&ody% 'ye!f #n"!uded%"o'p!a#ned a&out the a'e #ue% a e)eryone dea!tw#th er#ou a'ount of &u!!h#t on a da#!y &a#+

Meen(er "o'pan#e #n Ch#"a(o ha)e workere1p!o#tat#on down to an art+ Ma5or #ue #n"!ude feefor re*u#red un#for' and e*u#p'ent% !ow wa(e%tenden"y for "o'pan#e to o)erh#re "reat#n( a'p!etand&y t#'e% no hea!th #nuran"e for a dan(erou5o&% 'a5or#ty '#"!a#f#ed #ndependent "ontra"tor

worker tatu% and e)ere and #n"on)en#ent &u#!d#n(a""e po!#"#e+ There ee'ed a !a"k of repe"t ate)ery turn4fro' "o'pan#e% e"ur#ty (uard and thepu&!#"+ We fe!t we were re(arded a !ow!y er)ant%fordden #n the 'a5et#" pu&!#" pa"e #n 'otdowntown &u#!d#n( a!thou(h we rout#ne!y tookphy#"a! r#k to perfor' a er)#"e o eent#a! to the

operat#on of the "ap#ta!#t 'a"h#ne+

In an atte'pt to top "o'p!a#n#n( and tart do#n(o'eth#n(% a 'a!! (roup of 'een(er de"#ded to"a!! a 'eet#n( to d#"u what we "ou!d do a&out our"o''on pro&!e' and the thena&tra"t #dea of5o#n#n( a un#on+ At the end of the 'eet#n(% #t wa

de"!ared the f#rt 'eet#n( of the W#ndy C#ty B#"y"!eMeen(er Ao"#at#on 8WCBMA9+ We a(reed to #n)#teSa' S'u"ker% an e'p!oyee of the A@CI who I had'et dur#n( the tra#n#n( weekend% to an up"o'#n('eet#n( to hed o'e !#(ht on the un#on #ue+


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+arly ,u$$er 2003 " *uilding the)C*MA

Appro1#'ate!y ;/ peop!e howed up to the un#on*uet#on and anwer 'eet#n( w#th Sa' S'u"ker+ In anuthe!!% he po#nted out the !o(#t#"a! d#ff#"u!t#e ofor(an#


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#np#red "o''un#t#e a"ro the p!anet+ Natura!!y%"o''on fee!#n( of e1p!o#tat#on a!o he!p &r#n( peop!eto(ether+ The WCBMA er)ed #'p!y to fo"u the"o''un#ty: ener(y+

The *ike 200 .lanAnother po#t#)e e1per#en"e dur#n( th# t#'e wa therepone fro' 'een(er to the "#ty: B#ke //P!an% a !#t of re"o''endat#on fro' the Depart'entof Tranportat#on to the "#ty to #'pro)e a!! ape"t of"y"!#n( #n Ch#"a(o &y the year //+ Meen(er fe!tthat 'u"h 'ore "ou!d &e done than wa u((eted to#'pro)e the #tuat#on of ke 'een(er% and howedup en 'ae at a pu&!#" 'eet#n( w#th ; #dea to#'pro)e the P!an+ Meen(er% author and a"t#)#tTra)# Cu!!ey pu&!#"!y aked the "#ty off#"#a! why'een(er the'e!)e were not "onu!ted #n the

draft#n( of the p!an% and wa reponded to po#t#)e!ywhen he aked #f 'een(er "ou!d ha)e a eat on thead)#ory "oun"#! of the P!an 8a!on(#de Phy!!#App!e&au'% the e!fappo#nted =off#"#a!= 'een(er)o#"e and owner of Arrow Meen(er Ser)#"e9+ It ne)erd#d happen% howe)er% and !ater draft re)ea!ed thatnot one #n(!e 'een(er re"o''endat#on 'ade the

"ut+ Th# e1per#en"e de'ontrated that po!#t#" # a(a!)an#


10/47

Part#"#pant tr#ed to "on"#ou!y "o''un#"ate"o!!e"t#)e!y+ We tud#ed and ued Ro&ert: Ru!e ofrder% &ut e'ot#ona! and perona! #ue too oftendo'#nated 'eet#n(+ The tru((!e the (roup fa"ed

were the natura! (row#n( pa#n of a "o''un#ty!earn#n( how to &e "ata!yt#"> we were atte'pt#n( todo o'eth#n( new to u+ Spe"#f#"a!!y we had d#ff#"u!tyde)##n( a 'e'&erh#p and due tru"ture for theWCBMA+

I fee! #t #'portant to note that 'any pro&!e' &e(an

wh#!e atte'pt#n( to #'p!e'ent a tru"ture+ Stru"tureare !#'#t#n( &y nature% and "on"eptua!!y !#nked to"ontro!+ E'ot#ona!!y "har(ed d#a(ree'ent aroundth# top#" !owered the 'ora!e of the (roup o'e% and&y w#ntert#'e the WCBMA had topped 'eet#n(+ Theoff#"er fe!t frutrated and o)erworked+ Meet#n( had&e"o'e 'ore of a "hore than "reat#)e% fu!f#!!#n( work+

I had topped 'een(er#n( and worked a one ofMayor Da!ey: B#ke A'&aador fro' 7une toSepte'&er+ I worked w#th#n the Ch#"a(o!and B#"y"!e@ederat#on 8CB@9% the )ery effe"t#)e nonprof#t kead)o"a"y (roup #n !ar(e part repon#&!e for a!! of the"#ty: "y"!e a"h#e)e'ent+ I fe!t e)en 'ore

entren"hed #n the "y"!e "o''un#ty% and I !#ked #t+

I wa a !#nk &etween the under(round 'een(erwor!d and the pu&!#" ad)o"ate% and tr#ed to &r#d(e the"o''un#t#e whene)er po#&!e+ The CB@ waupport#)e of the 'o)e'ent #n the 'een(er#ndutry a!thou(h I often fe!t !#ke they "on#dered u apa#n(% wh#'#"a! phae+ I !eft Ch#"a(o for Port!and #n"to&er when the a'&aador eaon ended and d#dnot return unt#! Mar"h+


11/47

Be"aue I wa not #n Ch#"a(o for the fo!!ow#n( f#)e'onth% I d#d not wr#te the ke!eton of the fo!!ow#n(t#'e!#ne and there are 'ore *uet#on 'ark and !edeta#!+

Autu$n 2003 " )C*MA $eets ))In Port!and% I ou(ht out 'y "y"!e 'een(er"o''un#ty+ I !earned that there had &een o'eer#ou !a&or or(an#


12/47

WCBMA and the Ch#"a(o GMB+ )er ;/ 'een(erattended+

'e1ruary 200 " Arro4 U&risingA "oup!e of 'een(er at Arrow wanted to tr#ke fora h#(her "o''##on rate+ Co!#n and M$ 'et w#ththe' and ta!ked the' out of #t% fear#n( that u"h ana"t#on wou!d &e )ery pre'ature and that #t !a"kedupport+ A nu'&er of 'een(er at Arrow *u#t+

(eading fro$ *ehindI wou!d !#ke to po#nt out that de"##on 'ade out offear are &ound to fa#!+ A!o% #nt#n"t to a"t areperhap the on!y th#n( we ha)e that keep u #n tou"hw#th our natura! an#'a! nature #n our en)#ron'ent%'ot of wh#"h are o )ery far re'o)ed fro' nature+Int#n"t are ur)#)a!+ A "oup!e of 'een(er at

Arrow were fee!#n( e1p!o#ted enou(h to want to do the'ot dar#n( th#n( they "ou!d do #n the#r po#t#on+ Inthe end% the out"o'e wa no d#fferent than #t wou!dha)e &een had they &een f#red+ Be"aue of the de#reof the or(an#


13/47

March 200 " A e4 *eginning5

ndustrial Organizing Co$$ittee'or$ed

Intended to !ead the or(an#


14/47

"o''#ttee+ Pete wrote o""a#ona! report on theor(an#


15/47

,&ring 200 " )C*MA easse$1les7

#isasse$1lesE1"#ted &y the #dea of the WCBMA% new 'een(erS"ott G#&on 'ot#)ated #t to reae'&!e and 'eet#n(&e(an a(a#n after an appro1#'ate two'onth h#atu+Another #ntan"e of yn"hron#"#tyK unaware of the'een(er or(an#


16/47

fut#!e+ After a "oup!e of 'onth 'eet#n( attendan"ehad waned to none+

May 200 " ,tandard8s ,uccessful ,ho&

Co$$itteeS"ott G#&on% the 'a#n or(an# th# wa a!o )#"tor#ou+ S"ott re"e#)ed &a"k

pay and Standard wa re*u#red to pot not#"e to th#effe"t+

!une 200 " Organizing Continues /ia the

OC and Co$etPete !eft Ch#"a(o after three 'onth off work+ At thet#'e% the IC had a&out #1 re(u!ar 'e'&er+ It

"on#ted ent#re!y of IWW or(an#


17/47


18/47

Shop "o''#ttee "ont#nued at e)era! hop% )ary#n(#n tren(th and nu'&er+ No "o''#ttee wa "apa&!e offun"t#on#n( w#thout an IWW or(an#


19/47

Sto"kton and South Street worker #n Ph#!ade!ph#a+Inp#re and &e #np#red+

Th# e1per#en"e he!ped 'e re!eae 'ore fear of

peak#n( #n pu&!#"+ I (rew up o'eth#n( of a !oner+Pro&a&!y due to poor "o''un#"at#on k#!! and !ow"onf#den"e% peop!e #n (enera! had &een #nt#'#dat#n( to'e #n"e "h#!dhood+ Dep#te a!! th#% I #''ed#ate!y fe!t)ery "o'forta&!e w#th the !a#d&a"k% Canadaty!e(ather#n( #n Ed'onton+ My ner)oune and feard#appeared when I rea!#


20/47

know where a "a'pa#(n # (o#n( #f I rea!!y don:t+ Th#wou!d &e a "ae of the &!#nd !ead#n( the &!#nd+

I a' !earn#n( that #t # &etter to &e!#e)e #n e)ery th#n(

I do or ay% e)en #f #t # a"know!ed(#n( that I:)e no#dea of the &et a"t#on #n a "ha!!en(#n( #tuat#on orappea!#n( to the (roup for #np#rat#on &e"aue 'y ownener(y for the "a'pa#(n # wan#n( and I don:t knowwhy+ Su"h a"know!ed(e'ent en"oura(e honet"o''un#"at#on &y e1a'p!e and take the preure of!eaderh#p fro' the =!eader= onto the (roup% pro&a&!y

few of who' ha)e had opportun#t#e to harerepon#!#ty and !eaderh#p &efore+ We:re a!! !earn#n(+We "an:t "reate new !eader #f we ne)er (#)e anyonethe opportun#ty to !ead+

Autu$n 200 " ,tand1y &u1lishedThe IC pu&!#hed an #ue of the


21/47

ade*uate "ontr#&ut#on to the or(an#


22/47

work for 'y fr#end+ So for the f#rt t#'e I "on#deredreturn#n( to Ch#"a(o to take the po#t#on+

March 200 < )ork ,to&&age at Arro4)er /% "!oe to / ker at Arrow hut off the#rrad#o for an afternoon and u""eed #n hutt#n( downthe ke &oard for the ret of the day+ The worktoppa(e "a'e after un'et re*uet to 'ana(e'entfor a ra#e #n the#r "o''##on+ A e"ond 5o& a"t#on afew week !ater reu!ted #n a day !on( !o"kout and thef#r#n( of two worker+ After #ntene and ad'#ra&!e

ne(ot#at#on o)er a er#e of 'onth% Arrow a(reed to'ot of the worker: de'and+

A&ril 200 " 'ull-Ti$e Organizeregotiations

Co!#n% M$ and I d#"ued )#a e'a#! the repon#!#t#e

of a fu!!t#'e or(an#


23/47

"o''#ttee and throu(h the Stop NICA Co''#tteerather than tru((!e to keep the IC a!#)e+

On ,tructureWe now ha)e two #ntan"e w#th#n the a'e "a'pa#(nof fa#!ed #'po#t#on of r#(#d or(an#


24/47

On es&onsi1ilityCha!!en(#n( the trad#t#ona!!y he!d not#on ofrepon#!#ty ha re!#e)ed 'e of 'u"h (u#!t+ In fa"t% Idou&t I "ou!d ha)e produ"ed th# report had I not

done o+ And o I "ha!!en(e e)ery reader to "on#derthe def#n#t#on of repon#!#ty% to *u#t th#nk#n( ofyoure!)e a repon#&!e for th# or that tak% th#(roup of peop!e% or e)en the #dea e'er(#n( fro' yourown &ra#n+ Th# k#nd of repon#!#ty re*u#re a k#nd ofpoe#on o)er the tak% peron or #dea+ Poe#on"reate &urden% fear of !o and the de#re to "ontro!+

Do we a!! undertand how poe#on of anyth#n( # an#!!u#onF If not% "on#der how th# ent#re "ountry ha&een ra#ed up on to!en !and% yet t#!! peop!e &e!#e)ethat they own #t% that they worked hard for #t% and thatthey deer)e #t+ Sto!en !and # d#)#ded up and o!d tothe h#(het dder% wh#!e e!futa#n#n( "o''un#t#e&aed on !aw of nature are #ntent#ona!!y &roken up+e% e)en the thou(ht #n our head% !et: *u#tpoe#n( the' too+ Aren:t e)en our thou(ht theprodu"t of a!! that to wh#"h we:)e &een e1poedF

P!eae #'p!y &e repon#&!e+ A!!ow youre!f the pa"e#n your &ody% your '#nd% and your en)#ron'ent to#'p!y repond+ It # th# way that the #'po#n(tru"ture w#!! d#o!)e and we:!! ha)e the pa"e to"reate the new wor!d #n the he!! of the o!d+

Making ,&ace for the CCUBoth the WCBMA and the IC had to d#o!)e #n order

to 'ake roo' for the CCU+ Current and future'e'&er of the CCU 'ut &e 'ade aware of thepro"ee that d#d not work o that they "an re"o(n#


25/47

o'eth#n( new and endur#n(+ A!o% p!eae keep #nyour awarene the de#red out"o'e wh#!e"ooperat#)e!y work#n( out the deta#!+

Don:t t#ptoe around the word re)o!ut#on% fear#n( #t toorad#"a!+ E)eryone fee! the #''#nent "han(e e)en #fthey ha)e not yet thou(ht a&out #t> trut that they w#!!"at"h on+ Perhap t#'e hou!d &e 'ade at the&e(#nn#n( of e)ery 'eet#n( to re'e'&er where theCCU f#t #nto the ( p#"ture+ I &et #t wou!d &eworthwh#!e to &r#ef!y report on other or(an#


26/47

e/elation on Co$$unicationThe pro"e of wr#t#n( a!! of th# down # a'u#n( to'e+ A"tua!!y% open#n( "hanne! of "o''un#"at#onw#th#n 'ye!f wa 'y pr#or#ty% &ut &e"aue I wa not

yet "on"#ou of th#% the ent#re e1per#en"e I:)edo"u'ented here ha &een a too! for 'e to !earn howto "o''un#"ate+

My father wa a&ent for the 'ot part+ My 'otherwa a (reat pro)#der and a hard worker &ute'ot#ona!!y d#tant+ She had !a"ked the po#t#)e

'a"u!#ne #nf!uen"e #n her !#fe a we!!+ My Ge'#n##&!#n( (ot a!on( (reat w#th ea"h other% &ut I wa thee!det% a ery Ser#ou Capr#"orn% too 'ature for"artoon+ I wa hy and awkward #n h#(h"hoo!%#n)o!)ed #n o 'any "!u& that I rare!y had to eat!un"h 8or &e o"#a!9 #n the "afeter#a% &ut 'art and"o'forta&!e enou(h anwer#n( *uet#on #n "!a thatthe wo'an (roo'ed for the ro!e of )a!ed#"tor#anfeared 'e% wh#!e #n e"ret I pra"t#"ed the art ofpro"rat#nat#on+

I d#dn:t fee! o 'art #n "o!!e(e+ So'ehow I'a#nta#ned a Ba)era(e and fed 'y e(o #nteadthrou(h part#"#pat#on #n "o'pet#t#)e row#n( and&e"o'#n( phy#"a!!y tron(+ Pro"rat#nat#on wan:t ou""efu! at the Un#)er#ty of Ch#"a(o% a you '#(ht#'a(#ne% and #t took two year here &efore I !et (o ofthe &e!#ef that I wanted to &e a do"tor when I (rewup+ I d#dn:t date unt#! the a(e of - 8I a' -/ now9+ Itwa not unt#! I found 'ye!f on the freak!aden'een(er "ene that 'y o"#a! "onf#den"e (rew% andI found a )o#"e when I not#"ed that the on!y 5o& thathad rea!!y 'ade 'e fee! a!#)e wa a!o &!atant!ye1p!o#t#n( 'e?


27/47

Thee day I a' (ett#n( (ood at "o''un#"at#n( w#ththe peop!e #n 'y #''ed#ate en)#ron'ent> I a' e)en&r#d(#n( the "o''un#"at#on (ap w#th 'y parent+ Ia' t#!! work#n( on "o''un#"at#n( w#th the ret of the

wor!d+ In fa"t% th# report # 'y f#rt "on"#ou atte'ptto "o''un#"ate fro' the heart w#th a potent#a!!y !ar(e(roup of unknown peop!e% w#thout re(ard to whetheror not any&ody w#!! read throu(h to th# po#nt% or whatany of you '#(ht th#nk of 'e #n the end+ I ha)e had tofor(et that I 'ut produ"e a report for the un#on&e"aue they funded 'y 5o&% or &e"aue #t # 'y

repon#!#ty% and repond to the #nterna! (u#!t I:)e&een "arry#n( &e"aue I ha)en:t &een "o''un#"at#n(that wh#"h need to &e hared+ =I do not e1#t #n a)a"uu'+ E)eryth#n( I do ha an effe"t on the ent#retyof "reat#on+= 8fro' Mat#yahu% a+k+a+ Ra& Re((ae:a!&u' Shake off the DutOAr#e9+

!uly 200 " Andrea8s ole #efinedI wa enthu#at#" to (et "o''un#"at#on (o#n( )#a a


28/47

Un"on"#ou!y I reented the !#'#tat#on of 'y new ro!e&ut !a"ked the #n#(ht ne"eary to "ha!!en(e M$:aert#on+ H# #'p!e tate'ent drat#"a!!y "han(ed'y out!ook on 'y 5o&+ I &e"a'e hyperaware of 'y

ro!e #n the "a'pa#(n and how 'y de"##on '#(htaffe"t #t+ I d#d not fee! "o'forta&!e 'ak#n( anyde"##on for the (roup+

It ee'ed the on!y peop!e who "on#dered the"a'pa#(n a a who!e any'ore were M$ and I+ Superor(an#


29/47

and w#th )ar#ed #nterpretat#on of u""e+ But theywere )ery enthu#at#" at the opportun#ty to or(an#


30/47

"a'pa#(n fro' #t &e(#nn#n( that to for"e #t a!on( w#th'y ener(y and 'y w#!! wou!d er)e noth#n( #n theend+ I wou!d not a((re#)e!y puh peop!e to #(n upfor the un#on% the !#t of IU.;/ 'e'&er #n poor

tand#n( e)#den"e enou(h that that part#"u!ar ta"t#"doe not work+

I wa #n fa"t tart#n( o)er+ I knew that the (oa! wa to"reate an endur#n(% de'o"rat#" or(an#


31/47

I a(reed that a!! of thee were (ood #dea% &ut w#ththe undertand#n( that peop!e are 'ore !#ke!y to puteffort #nto that wh#"h they are pa#onate a&out% the#rown #dea+ I wa 'ore #ntereted #n "reat#n( a pa"e

that a!!owed for the free f!ow of #dea+ I #'a(#ned thatthe un#on wou!d &e open to e)ery worker #n the#ndutry and that e)eryone wou!d &e we!"o'e at'eet#n( whether they were duepay#n( 'e'&er ornot+ I #'a(#ned "reat#n( a nurtur#n(% e!fuff#"#ent"o''un#ty that knew how to !#ten and !earn fro'ea"h other &y en"oura(#n( k#!!har#n( and rad#"a!

"o''un#tyre!#an"e+

=oga $eans UnionM$ the tak'ater% Andrea the nurturer+ Perhap wewere dea!#n( w#th o'e deep dark (ender #ueF We&oth took tep toward "reat#n( the pro(ra' !#teda&o)e and peop!e d#d p!u( #nto the'+ I a!o atte'ptedto put #nto pra"t#"e 'y not#on of "o''un#ty &yoffer#n( 'y know!ed(e of yo(a to 'een(er+ We&orrowed a 'aa(e ta&!e and &e(an to 'eet week!yfor yo(a and 'aa(e+ No% #t wa not d#re"t!y re!atedto or(an#


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frutrat#n( to 'e and #nd#"at#)e of how o"#eta!tru"ture keep u down+ St#!!% o'e peop!e &rou(ht&eer a!on( to yo(a+ Th# wa f#ne% &ut the preen"e of'#nd re*u#red to !ead a yo(a pra"t#"e #n a phy#"a!

pa"e a "attered a 'y own '#nd "a'e and went+ Itwa nonethe!e a worthwh#!e endea)or% a a!!endea)or are+

Magic at the Tho$&son CenterI pent a !ot of t#'e at the Tho'pon Center% theunoff#"#a! &reak roo' for 'een(er #n the oop%

"onne"t#n( and re"onne"t#n( w#th peop!e+ Confueda&out ro!e and repon#!#t#e a I wa% I fe!t 'ore"o'forta&!e #f I had a f!yer to hand out or a ur)ey toad'#n#ter+

Howe)er% I had a wonderfu! re)e!at#on wh#!e 5ut#tt#n( around one day+ I wa fee!#n( depondent% notknow#n( how to "o''un#"ate w#th 'y fe!!ow workeraround 'e% when 'y perpe"t#)e "han(ed+ @or 5ut a'o'ent the e(o faded and I &e"a'e a w#tne to'ye!f+ I re'e'&ered that I wa not a work#n('een(er any'ore% and that t#'e han(#n( out at theTho'pon Center wa not 'y down t#'e a #t wa forthe other% a #t had &een for 'e #n the pat+

I !#tera!!y aw 'ye!f fro' a&o)e4tron(% ha#ry!e((ed% attra"t#)e% youn(#h wo'an4#tt#n( therea'on( 'ot!y youn(% thou(h a w#de a(eran(e of'en+ The (ender d#fferen"e tu"k out+ It !ookedunuua!+ I fe!t e1"ept#ona!+ I "ou!d no !on(er a"t !#ke adepondent e1'een(er a #f I were t#!! wa#t#n( forthe ne1t 5o&% reent#n( the "a!! when #t "a'e+ Ire"o(n#


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tron( throu(h the#r un#on+ How I:d do that wa t#!!not "!ear% a!thou(h 'y purpoe wa "ryta!+

Addictions +ncouraged at Cal8sMeen(er often (ather at th# "entra!!y !o"ated &ar%'ot re!#(#ou!y after work on @r#day+ It wa onep!a"e I "ou!d han( out w#th 'y fr#end and not fee!!#ke I needed to &e work#n(+ The a!"oho!#' #n the"o''un#ty # *u#te d#turn( to 'e% a!thou(h Ire"o(n#


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Before 'ar#5uana% I:d tarted on the "#(arette+ Before"#(arette% I:d pend hour and hour p#"k#n( 'y p!#tend+ Before that% I o&e#)e!y t 'y na#!+ But&efore any of thee% I ued to !o)e to 5u((!e+ I k#"ked

a at hand&a!! and dou&!e dut"h+ P!ay#n( 'u#" wa'y e'ot#ona! out!et #n h#(h "hoo!+ Con"#ou!ytra"#n( the h#tory of ea"h hat and re'e'&er#n(what I ued to do to dea! w#th the wor!d &efore theyet #n ha &een )ery he!pfu! to 'e wh#!e !ett#n( thedetru"t#)e hat (o+

!uly 207 200 " )hat Ha&&ened at Arro4>In an effort to &r#n( "urrent or(an#


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August 07 200 " Another (arge

nfor$ational MeetingRe'#n#"ent of Pete: day% we "a!!ed a 'eet#n( to#nfor' e)eryone a&out the un#on+ Appro1#'ate!y /peop!e attended% 'ot of who' where a!ready #n theor(an#


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,e&te$1er 2-7 200 " )) :eneral

Asse$1ly in .hiladel&hiaM$% Marha!!% Andre and I dro)e to Ph#!!y for th#(ather#n(+ I a' (ratefu! I went% a!thou(h throu(hout Iwa torn &etween pend#n( t#'e on the Ph#!ade!ph#a'een(er "ene and #tt#n( throu(h Ae'&!y !#ke arepon#&!e un#on 'e'&er+ My new #dea a&outrepon#!#ty had not yet entered 'y "on"#oune+

In the end% I &enef#ted fro' &oth+ I wa #np#red &ythe a"t#)#' of our new 'een(er fr#end and thePh#!!y 'een(er "o''un#ty+ S'a!!er than Ch#"a(o%the 'een(er there were t#(ht% and #n"red#&!ywe!"o'#n( and #n)#t#n(+ I droo!ed o)er the#r new!ypu&!#hed


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na'e% and &e"a'e k#nd of p#y that no&ody e!ethou(ht #t #'portant to re"o(n#


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I:d app!#ed for food ta'p a oon a I arr#)ed #nCh#"a(o+ My rent a)era(ed L;// per 'onth% wh#"hwa a"tua!!y pretty (ood+ I had to redu"e 'y L-./ a'onth tudent !oan pay'ent to the a&o!ute

'#n#'u' of L./> #nteret # t#!! a""ru#n(+ BySepte'&er% I "ou!dn:t keep up f#nan"#a!!y and had totake on 'ore !u"rat#)e apart'ent pa#nt#n( 5o&+ @orth# reaon% I re*ueted to redu"e 'y tatu to partt#'e and e1tend #t one 'onth+ The &ody of the CCU(ranted 'y re*uet+ I worked partt#'e and wa pa#dL.// a 'onth fro' "to&er to De"e'&er+

@#nan"#a!!y% th# 5o& d#d not work out )ery we!! for 'eand I a' t#!! uffer#n( the "one*uen"e+ I "ou!d not"on#der #t a(a#n under #'#!ar "#r"u'tan"e+ I wou!d"on#der #t a(a#n under d#fferent "#r"u'tan"e+

ne 'onth of fo"ued% ade*uate!y "o'penated and

upported work 'ake 'u"h 'ore ene to 'e than#1 'onth of unupported% "atter&ra#ned work+ I'ar)e! now at how we !a&or"on"#ou freak werea&!e to 5ut#fy pay#n( and a""ept#n( u"h a !ow wa(e+ Ith#nk that a #tuat#on 'ore &enef#"#a! to e)eryonewou!d &e to pend 'ore or(an#


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,e&t 67 200 " ,4a$&y8s :et-=r-*ike-eady-for-)inter )orksho&

The workhop wa open a!! day% a!thou(h on!y a&outfour peop!e howed up% other than the or(an#


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We fe!t #(nored% d#repe"ted% and de!#&erate!y !eft outof the pro"e+ I undertand that d#re"t a"t#on #prefera&!e to po!#t#"a! a"t#on% &ut #t wou!d ha)e &eenhard to #(nore the e'ot#ona! rea"t#on e)ery&ody

ee'ed to fee! a&out th# u&5e"t% part#"u!ar!y Phy!!#:au'ed author#ty o)er the 'een(er #ndutry+ur repone "a'e #n the for' of a !etter and a twoand a ha!f pa(e repone to pe"#f#" po#nt #n the P!ana we!! a u((et#on not #n"!uded #n the P!an at a!!+We #n"!uded a pet#t#on of 0 #(nature #n upport of

our u((et#on+ It wa a!! wr#tten "o!!e"t#)e!y% weworked hard (ather#n( repone and 'ak#n( #t "#tyoff#"#a! preenta&!e+ ur pr#'ary re*uet wa toeta&!#h a Cour#er Tak @or"e of the Mayor: B#"y"!eAd)#ory Coun"#! to addre 'een(er #ue+ We#(ned the !etter fro' the Ch#"a(o Cour#er Un#on+

No further a"t#on wa taken% howe)er% on our part+ Iuppoe the ener(y and fo"u re*u#red to work w#ththe "#ty wan:t there+ I do &e!#e)e #t # ne"eary towork &oth w#th#n and out#de of the yte' #n order to"reate endur#n( "han(e+ We:re (o#n( to ha)e tore)a'p the yte' o'eday% re'e'&er+ We ou(ht to!earn what doen:t work+ A!o% work#n( w#th#n wou!d

"reate a 5o& for a ke 'een(er to do noth#n( &utreear"h the #ndutry+ Sound worthwh#!e to 'e+

,e&te$1er 200 " Messenger *ane/ersed

S'okey the 'een(er had &een &anned fro' a

&u#!d#n( for ha)#n( #n h# poe#on an e'pty p#pe+Th# part#"u!ar &u#!d#n( ha a r#d#"u!ou &u#!d#n(entran"e po!#"y+ ed &y M$: effort% the un#on(athered #(nature for a pet#t#on% "a!!ed the &u#!d#n('ana(e'ent% and u""efu!!y re)ered the &an+ The


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&u#!d#n( 'ana(er "!a#'ed he wa not aware of thede"##on+ Th# # )a!ua&!e #nfor'at#on% a I:)e a!wayupe"ted that e"ur#ty (uard (et "arr#ed away w#ththe#r #!!uory author#ty+

#ece$1er 200 " *ike e&air )orksho&sand (oaner *ikes

ed &y eo and Ste)e% we hooked up w#th the"o''un#ty ke hop Wet Town B#ke to offer'onth!y repa#r workhop free to ke 'een(er+

#ece$1er 200 " Here are the oicesTh# e)ent "on#ted of a twoweek art how and twopart#e at the A"'e Art Center+ It wa #np#red &a"k#n 7u!y wh#!e I wa "!ean#n( up the IWW off#"e+ I founda !ar(e &eaut#fu! 'o)#e poter of =The Wo&&!#e= thatCar!o Corte< had donated to the GMB+ Con#der#n(

what to do w#th #t% Co!#n u((eted ak#n( the fo!k atthe (a!!ery Met#


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had pent a !ot of t#'e dur#n( the pre)#ou 'onthprepar#n( for th#+

Here are the o#"e wa o at#fy#n( for 'e &e"aue

#t "reated the pa"e I #'a(#ned for the "o''un#ty to#ntera"t and hare the#r "reat#)e art+ Theyappre"#ated the )enue )ery 'u"h+ We were a!! a&!e to"at"h a (!#'pe of and &e #np#red &y Car!o Corte


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March 2006 " )) Organizing ,u$$it in

Austin7 TBI a' o (ratefu! for th# e)ent+ It wa here where If#rt &e(an th#nk#n( a&out the Cour#er Un#on after!ea)#n( Ch#"a(o #n De"e'&er+ After a "han(e #nen)#ron'ent% I wa a&!e to ee 'ore and #t wa th#u''#t that pro'pted 'e to p#e"e to(ether 'u"h ofwhat I ha)e wr#tten down here+ And the food wae1"ept#ona!+

!une 2006 " 'ood ot ,tand1yI returned to Ch#"a(o for a )##t and 'ana(ed to 'aketh# happen% an #dea we:d had 'onth a(o+ It "a'eto(ether *u#"k!y w#th the he!p of 'any 'een(erand wa )ery we!! re"e#)ed+ I ha)e found throu(h 'yt#'e w#th the CCU that the &et way to (et a pro5e"t!#ke th# done # to (et peop!e to(ether at the a'e

t#'e for what '#(ht &e "a!!ed a work#n( 'eet#n(+S#'p!e enou(h% &ut #t took year of #tt#n( throu(hta!k &efore I undertood how to 'ake th# happen+ Inth# #ntan"e% w#th#n a "oup!e of hour o'e&ody had'ade a ten"#! for #(na(e% we:d "oord#nated who:dput up #(n and where% o'e&ody fet"hed praypa#nt% other went du'pter d#)#n(% other p!anned on

(ett#n( up ear!y to "ook and found a k#t"hen pa"e toue% another found r#"khaw tranportat#on+

A!way o'e&ody need to keep the fo"u and"oord#nate the effort% to 'ake ure e)eryone # do#n(o'eth#n( and e)eryth#n( # (ett#n( done+ Th# wa'y 5o& &e"aue I 'ade the or#(#na! puh for #t+ Th#

'#(ht &e a (ood e1a'p!e of !ead#n( fro' &eh#nd%&e"aue #n the end #t d#d not appear that I had !edanyth#n( or anyone+ It worked !#ke "!o"kwork% and waappre"#ated )ery 'u"h the ne1t day+ So'eone a#d to


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'e% =you 'ut ha)e &een a 'een(er &e"aueuua!!y no&ody "are a&out u+= up+

On Union7 the )ordAt the t#'e of th# wr#t#n(% I a' )ery "on"#ou that Iha)e &een &oth phy#"a!!y and ener(et#"a!!y a&entfro' the Ch#"a(o Cour#er Un#on #n"e I !eft% and a'aware that th# need to "han(e+ I a' eek#n( way tokeep "o''un#"at#on open w#th Ch#"a(o% a we!! anew way to (et #n)o!)ed #n the IWW a a who!e+

I a' work#n( on pro5e"t #n 'y own "o''un#ty% wh#"he1#t #n Sedona% AQ% a on"e free "a'p#n( and(ather#n( pa"e #n the nat#ona! foret now do'#nated&y r#"h repu&!#"an% the#r rea! etate% and 'any peop!eprof#t#n( off of the "ore of p#r#tua! eeker who f!o"kto th# a'a


45/47

I now re"o(n#


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3I do th#nk that wo'en "ou!d 'ake po!#t#" #rre!e)ant&y a k#nd of pontaneou "ooperat#)e a"t#on% the !#keof wh#"h we ha)e ne)er een% wh#"h # o far fro'peop!e: #dea of tate tru"ture and )#a&!e o"#a!

tru"ture that #t ee' !#ke tota! anar"hy+ And what #trea!!y # # )ery u&t!e for' of #nterre!at#on wh#"h donot fo!!ow a ort of h#erar"h#"a! pattern wh#"h #funda'enta!!y patr#ar"h#"a!+ The ant#dote topatr#ar"hy # not 'atr#ar"hy &ut fratern#ty% and I th#nk#t # wo'en who are (o#n( to ha)e to &reak the p#ra!of power and f#nd the tr#"k of "ooperat#on+6

I wou!d !#ke to e1tend e1tre'e thank to 'y ke'een(er "o''un#ty+ ou howed 'e enou(h !o)eand a""eptan"e to &reak 'y #!en"e and !ead 'e downthe path to d#"o)er that the true 'ean#n( of the wordUn#on !#e w#th#n 'y own e!f+ It ha 'ade 'e )erytron(+ I !ook forward to d#"o)er#n( 'y ro!e #n the

future of &oth the CCU and the IWW% a we!! a thero!e of our ne B#( Un#on #n the (reat re)o!ut#on that# ure to "o'e+

' Shant# 8Un#)era! Pea"e9 andSo!#dar#ty @orfu"k#n(e)er%Andrea Murphy

,-.//0.


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Documents

The Making of an Organizer: A History and Analysis of the Chicago Courier's Union, 2003-2006