[mobglob-discuss] Benefit Concert Report & Thanks

[Gordon Flett]

A benefit concert was organized by the IWW Vancouver/Coast Salish
Territory for the Modern Auto Plating workers, on strike against their
employer since January 24th, 2002. The concert took place at the WISE
Hall in Vancouver on July 1st, 2003, featuring the IWW Vancouver's good
friends Anne Feeney & Chris Chandler, donating their talents to raise
funds and support for the 46 strikers of USWA Local 2952. 

We had our IWW banner up, thanks to FW Dave Saraceno, high above us on
the balcony, and there was a big Steelworkers "Solidarity Forever"
banner at the front of the stage, and "Steelworkers On Strike" signs all
around the room. 

Great young local artist Joey Only, an organizer with the IWW's sister
organization in Vancouver, the Anti-Poverty Committee, opened the show
with a rousing set of working class and Wobbly tunes. This was the first
time that many people there had seen Joey, proudly wearing an IWW
t-shirt, perform, and they were suitably impressed. Joey's first song
was "Working Class Hero". Quite appropriate, as he himself fights on the
front lines of the class struggle almost every day. That's what Joey
Only is, a true working class hero, and we were proud to have him
perform for us. 

Scott McRitchie, the president of USWA Local 2952, spoke about the
workers' long struggle at Modern Auto, which is mostly a fight for
decent, safe working conditions, and against union-busting. The
workforce is mostly composed of immigrant men from Eastern Europe, and
some of their own members have now crossed the picket line, and are
scabbing on them. Their chief shop steward also spoke to the crowd about
this, and 2 other strikers were also in attendance as honoured guests.
But still they are hanging in and refusing to give up the fight,
determined to last "one day longer" than the company and their scabs. 

Anne and Chris, based in Pittsburgh, but currently on the road touring,
where they are most of the time, then delighted the crowd in their usual
fantastic way. Their unique Flying Poetry Circus act is something to
behold, and Anne played some solo tunes and related tales of other
Steelworker struggles she's been involved in. 

The night ended with a draw of raffle prizes that was a big hit and
raised some more funds for the strikers to aid in their struggle. 

We didn't have as large a crowd as we'd have liked, only 60 odd not
including organizers, but pretty good considering numerous complications
we ran into, including a competing concert on the same night, and the
fact that it was the "Canada Day" holiday with many people still out of
town. This was also the first time that the IWW has organized one of
these benefits without the co-sponsorship of the local labour council,
but as we are the premiere organizers of benefit concerts for struggling
workers in the area, that is how it will be from now on. Their
experience and participation has been invaluable to us, and a special
thanks must be given to John Fitzpatrick for all his guidance, and for
being such a great emcee for us in the past. We appreciate their
continued support, but it's time for us to start doing things like this
on our own, without relying on others so much, and to grow our own
organization. We can and will improve on attendance and money raised
next time, it's only going to get better and better. 

All in all a great event in every other respect. People had a great
time, you could feel the positivity in the air, and the Steelworkers
were thrilled that someone would care enough to do something like this
for them. Scott was very impressed that a single union would actually do
this for another, and we made a new ally in the Steelworkers, and they
will be receiving $320 proceeds from the benefit. 

Special thanks goes out to all the IWW organizers: Pat S., Marjorie
Brown, Dave Saraceno, Davide Turcato and Mark Dickson, whose hard work
made this all possible, and FW Graeme Moore for being our kickass emcee.
Also thanks to Murray Lamb for volunteering to be our door security, and
Roger the sound guy for his great work. Vanessa was a great bartender
who cleaned up winning 5 prizes in the raffle, and gave most of them
away to her fellow workers in the WISE Club bar afterwards. More thanks
to Calvin Woida of the APC, Susan Stout and other members of the
Solidarity Notes Choir who didn't perform this time for us but came out
in support, The Vancouver & District Labour Council, Vancouver Co-op
Radio, Julius Fisher of Working TV, Megan Adam of the APC and Flying
Folk Army, Meghan of the WISE Club, Joey Hartman, Jim Gorman, Maryann
Abbs, all others who came out, and anyone else I may have missed who
helped out. 

Thanks to CUSO, The Council Of Canadians, Spartacus Books, The Mouse &
The Bean Cafe, the Ten Thousand Villages fair trade store in
Kitsilano, and yes me, Gord Flett for the donations of the raffle
prizes. 

The most thanks is reserved for our great perfomers Anne, Chris, and
Joey, USWA Local 2952 President Scott McRitchie, and of course the
Steelworkers of Local 2952, the Modern Auto Plating workers who continue
to inspire us in their determination to last one day longer than their
scummy employer. We salute you.
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