Help IWOC Hold Their Annual Conference in Tough Times

Call from the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) to support their upcoming annual conference. Support campaign fund, here.

The Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was created over ten years ago to help facilitate outside solidarity for organizing, strikes, and other actions for self-emancipation by people locked up in prisons and jails, who are treated as slaves. From humble but committed origins, we have helped support the two biggest (known) prison strikes ever, in 2016 and 2018 , both of which occurred mainly in the so-called United States but inspired solidarity actions by those locked up in territories dominated by other governments.

What We’re Doing

The IWOC Conference, held annually since before Covid with two years missed due to the pandemic, is a temporary organizing and relationship building space that allows attendees to learn, engage and grow with one another as we focus on the specific intersection of imprisonment and labor exploitation, and on direct solidarity with the most impacted (imprisoned people). This is something very, very few other organizations do.

There are a few things that make IWOC different, but not necessarily more or less valuable, than other abolitionist organizations. Here are some of those differences:

• We are a union for prisoners, and our incarcerated members are full members of the IWW. No other union in the U.S. does this.
• We focus on labor and profit as levers for change in the hands of those most impacted, rather than focusing on “proper channels.”
• We do not engage in electoral politics, or support politicians, ever.

How This Money Will Be Spent

This money will be spent on the following things, in this order of importance:

• Lodging for attendees of the conference
• Travel funds for attendees of the conference
• Accessibility features and food for the conference
• If any is left over after this, general IWOC use

Possible Questions Answered

Who is coming?: If this fundraiser goes well, we are hoping to fund the attendance of formerly incarcerated members, family members of currently incarcerated members, interested IWW members, interested members of other unions, and relevant organizers & advocates for total emancipation from across the so-called U.S. and, ideally, other places too.

Why does an in-person conference matter?: We have many productive virtual meetings throughout the year. Our annual conference is a very meaningful experience for all attendees, but especially those who have suffered at the hands of criminal-legal systems the most. The same depth of meaning, learning, communication, relationship building and camaraderie is simply not possible through virtual events.

Is this a conference that prioritizes the most impacted?: Yes. Many formerly incarcerated members attend, and we typically make time for currently incarcerated members to call in and engage.

Can I come?: Maybe! Email us at [email redacted] and let’s talk about it. Of course, funds are limited, hence the fundraiser, so no promises. Also, even if you can fund your own way there, we reserve the right to decide who attends our conference and who does not.

Are you tax-deductible?: No. You’re either about it or you’re about your bag.