[THREAD] We yabber on about workplace organising a lot, but what actually is it? It's really simple; learn about the workplace, talk to colleagues, & build an organising team. You can start right now!
First things first, workplace mapping...
#YourJobYourUnion #YJYU #IWW 1/9

Knowledge is power! Workplace mapping is a process to learn about the workplace and to visualise it. It helps you understand the geography, the social networks, and the production process itself.
Mapping means several different things: 2/9

(1) Gathering contacts & info: Collect contact info for as many workmates as possible. Ask for copies of workers' contracts, get copies of the company's rules, policies, & procedures (be as discreet as you can!) 3/9

(2) Charting: Survey the physical layout of the workplace. Draw it out on a piece of paper, starting with your own building. Where is the boss' office & the canteen? Where's the busy foot traffic? Where is the smoking area? Would it be safe to have a confidential chat there? 4/9

(3) Economic mapping: Learn about the production process. What do each of the departments do? Are workers concentrated together or divided up? How is it all organised? Think creatively & strategically; what would happen if this/that group of workers suddenly stopped working? 5/9

(4) Social mapping: Learn about relationships. Who is friends with who, who is the boss' relative, who is sympathetic to a union, who might be a snitch? Are there social groups? What are the common languages & who speaks them? 6/9

(5) Identify social leaders: Who is particularly popular and well respected? Who are the influential workers? Who is the person that everyone goes to when they have a problem? Does anyone have history of standing up to the boss? 7/9

Mapping is an evolving process. As your team gets bigger your map & understanding of the workplace will become more nuanced. But, whether you're working or on furlough, the above is plenty for you to begin with yourself! 8/9

Our next thread will be about having one-to-one conversations with workmates, but mapping is a super place to get started organising your own workplace!

Join IWW ( http://iww.org.uk/join ) & reach out for support: [email protected] & [email protected] 9/9