Union flying squad
Encyclopedia
A union flying squad is an unofficial group of autonomous workers (usually members of a single trade union
) who carry out actions for the benefit of their labor struggle. Squads are a form of affinity group
s and may be formed by union members who feel that the union bureaucracy
is not working satisfactorily in their interest or for the interest of a unified labor movement. In the case of some democratic and militant unions like the Canadian Auto Workers
, flying squads were formed with the support and encouragement of the official union structures. They may be called in to bulk up picket lines, to discourage bosses from using strikebreaker
s. The first reference to a flying squad may originate with a remark by Friedrich Engels
during an uprising in Paris during the 19th century.http://affinityproject.org/practices/flyingsquads.html
Flying squads emerged in North America
during the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934
. They have seen somewhat of a revival since the 1990s, particularly in local unions in Ontario
such as the Canadian Auto Workers and the Canadian Union of Public Employees
.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
) who carry out actions for the benefit of their labor struggle. Squads are a form of affinity group
Affinity group
An Affinity group is usually a small group of activists who work together on direct action.Affinity groups are organized in a non-hierarchical manner, usually using consensus decision making, and are often made up of trusted friends...
s and may be formed by union members who feel that the union bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is an organization of non-elected officials of a governmental or organization who implement the rules, laws, and functions of their institution, and are occasionally characterized by officialism and red tape.-Weberian bureaucracy:...
is not working satisfactorily in their interest or for the interest of a unified labor movement. In the case of some democratic and militant unions like the Canadian Auto Workers
Canadian Auto Workers
The Canadian Auto Workers is one of Canada's largest and highest profile social unions. While rooted in Ontario's large auto plants of Windsor, Brampton, Oakville, St...
, flying squads were formed with the support and encouragement of the official union structures. They may be called in to bulk up picket lines, to discourage bosses from using strikebreaker
Strikebreaker
A strikebreaker is a person who works despite an ongoing strike. Strikebreakers are usually individuals who are not employed by the company prior to the trade union dispute, but rather hired prior to or during the strike to keep the organisation running...
s. The first reference to a flying squad may originate with a remark by Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels was a German industrialist, social scientist, author, political theorist, philosopher, and father of Marxist theory, alongside Karl Marx. In 1845 he published The Condition of the Working Class in England, based on personal observations and research...
during an uprising in Paris during the 19th century.http://affinityproject.org/practices/flyingsquads.html
Flying squads emerged in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
during the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934
Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934
The Minneapolis General Strike of 1934 grew out of a strike by Teamsters against most of the trucking companies operating in Minneapolis, a major distribution center for the Upper Midwest. The strike began on May 16, 1934 in the Market District and ensuing violence lasted periodically throughout...
. They have seen somewhat of a revival since the 1990s, particularly in local unions in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
such as the Canadian Auto Workers and the Canadian Union of Public Employees
Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector - although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well...
.