History of AWSM 2008-2021

INTRODUCTION: A new decade has begun with bosses and politicians internationally continuing to encourage war, austerity, and xenophobia. It’s tempting to look at this and become depressed, to give up the struggle and just stay home and watch dancing cats on the internet.

With this in mind, it’s worth recognising that despite the difficulties involved, those of us fighting this system can have an impact and can achieve successes along the way. Below is a historical timeline listing some of the activities our own small organisation has been involved in as part of the fightback.

We cannot be sure of final victory but we are damn sure that doing nothing will guarantee defeat. Come and join us in being part of the effort, after all, we will ALL be able to dance when we’ve won, not just the cats!

Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM) has been involved in a number of campaigns and issues since our inception. In 2008 we worked on raising awareness about government attacks on workers’ rights via a 90 Day Act. This legislation allowed for the firing of employees within the first 90 days of being hired with no warning or explanation given.

In 2009 we promoted the concerns of locked out aviation workers, participated in May Day demonstrations in multiple locations and demonstrations in support of indigenous rights related to local council representation in Auckland, and for pay equity for women outside parliament in Wellington. Near the end of that year, thousands of workers in 27 cities demonstrated to demand a lifting of the wage freeze for public sector workers. AWSM members were active in 5 cities where the demonstrations happened.

In 2010 AWSM participated in demonstrations in support of call centre workers, striking cleaners, teachers, fast food workers, and pickets by retail workers at an electronics shop and a rally in opposition to an increase of levies on workers wages for accident compensation. We also began to hold monthly public discussion evenings in Christchurch and Wellington, which included film showings on the Spanish Civil War and other historical struggles and were well attended. An AWSM internal conference was held that refined some organisational principles.

In 2011 AWSM members assisted grassroots mutual aid efforts in Christchurch, following a major earthquake. Again we participated in May Day activities. Members were also active in anti-fascist work. We also reported on the daily life of hospitality workers, vineyard workers, and beneficiaries.

In 2013 we wrote about the sale of public assets, the conditions of sex workers, forestry workers, indigenous rights, welfare, and housing. AWSM took part in public demonstrations and meetings about homelessness and the genetic modification of food.

In 2014 our organisation wrote about anti-electorialism and attempted to raise awareness of the basic anarchist position on that issue and about government attacks on workers’ rights that would limit break times while at work.

In 2015 we wrote about the history of the housing crisis in Aotearoa, the consequences of neoliberalism, and environmentalism.

In 2016 we published articles about the Olympics, the futility of supporting Social Democratic movements, anti-militarism, and attempts by the government to enforce zero-hour contracts for workers, and opposition to gangsterism.

In 2017 AWSM wrote about immigration, the Private-Public Partnership of assets, housing, a rail strike, and interviewed social activists. We also participated in a successful anti-Nazi rally in Wellington.

Between 2018-2019 we wrote on numerous issues, including striking bus workers, abortion, striking retail workers, movie and book reviews, conspiracy theories, the Christchurch massacre, housing, and in support of Rojava.

We also participated in pickets by striking nurses, memorial gatherings for victims of the Christchurch massacre, observed right-wing rallies in Wellington and Rotorua, actively opposed a visit by the British monarchy, took part in school climate strike marches, environmental meetings, and undertook action days distributing our posters and stickers. We also provided financial support to others and built connections with organisations internationally.

We began 2020 with a propaganda tour of the North Island. This involved distributing stickers and leaflets in 10 cities and towns. We have interviewed an education worker and a charity worker. We have written movie, book, and TV reviews. We have done articles advocating not voting in parliamentary elections, political-financial scandals, radical politics & the queer community, the Coronavirus, ANZAC Day, the condition of the contemporary Left, the richest person in Aotearoa, a personal experience of suicidal ideation and its links to capitalism, the position of pakeha in relation to Aotearoa and the cannabis referendum. 

We have actively opposed fascist propaganda efforts in a number of locations.

In addition, AWSM has extended its international profile by working closer with anarchist organisations in other countries. This has included the issuing of joint statements of support for Rojava, May Day, solidarity with George Floyd, women’s’ struggles, and opposing the Raupatu of the indigenous Mapuche of Chile. We have also attended the conference of the Anarchist Communist Group (ACG), a fraternal organisation based in the UK.

We have published a substantial polemic on anti-electoralism and plan the history of our organisation. On top of this, we have initiated a very successful weekly online meeting for those wanting to join and/or support our work. We conducted an anti-election campaign via propaganda distribution and other efforts in our communities across the 3 main islands. AWSM distributed material arguing the need to continue opposing capitalism during the Christmas period. 

2021 started with a propaganda tour distributing stickers and leaflets in various locations across the North Island. This included Gisborne, Rotorua, Tirau, Cambridge, Hamilton, Raglan, Wellington, Paekakriki, Otaki, Greytown, Petone, and Lower Hutt. We have also published a new edition of our newsletter ‘Solidarity’ and begun its nationwide distribution.

We have held a face-to-face members meeting in Wellington where we discussed ideas for moving our organisation forward. We are also having regular online meetings for members and supporters. 

If you are interested in playing your part in our various ongoing activities…get in touch!