“we have carried out an extensive campaign asking our people to join the appropriate trade unions and play a full part in the struggles of the British working class to improve their levels of wages, conditions of work etc.”
IWA, 1.2.64
As their name suggests the IWA is perhaps most well known as an organisation that supports workers and campaigns for workers’ rights. They encouraged members to join and become active within trade unions in Britain, whilst also critically engaging with the trade union movement for the racism and discrimination they experienced. IWA members supported industrial disputes around the country, campaigned for improved working conditions and played an active part in the People’s March for Jobs in 1981. Crucially they articulated the principle of ‘double exploitation’, demonstrating how Black workers were doubly exploited due to both the colour of their skin and their social class. The IWA however, believed that all workers’ (Black and white) should take responsibility for these struggles, and worked successfully with many groups of allies.
Archive material
Report by General Secretary of the IWA detailing the organisation’s relationship with trade unions (1967, 1WA 1.2.64)
Letter from IWA General secretary to members articulating the importance of working class solidarity (1969, IWA 1.2.68).
Report by the General Secretary of the IWA articulating the IWA’s critique of the trade union movement (1975, IWA 1.3.36).
Report by the General Secretary of the IWA detailing the IWA’s position in relation to the trade union movement (c.1975, IWA 1.3.36).
Memo from the Seamen’s Unions of India’ Union appealing for International solidarity (1977, IWA 1.3.46)
Letter from the General Secretary’s of the IWA encouraging engagement with the People’s March for Jobs in 1981 (1981, IWA 1.4.21).
Newspaper article critically commenting on the IWA’s support for striking women workers (1984, IWA 1.5.64)
IWA co-ordination committee report detailing IWA’s perspective on the trade union movement (1991, IWA 3.2.58).
Poster encouraging IWA members to vote for Bill Morris as TUC General Secretary (1991, IWA 3.2.59).
Poster calling for support for the Hillingdon Hospital Workers industrial action. (1991, IWA 3.7.15).