Throughout the world, and at home here in Peterborough, poor and working people have met the unfolding political and economic conditions of the 21st Century with steadily growing mobilizations to fight for decent livelihoods, self-determination and peace. Underneath the official currents of globalization, the “War on Terrorism” and the agenda of multinational corporations, governments and international trade organizations; across many borders, we are the “unreported resistance”. Much of this work is being accomplished by new forms of organizing which have in common the usage of consensus or direct democracy for internal decision-making and a strategy which attacks the root causes of inequality and oppression while relying wherever possible on our own collective strength to make change, rather than appealing to a “higher power”. In recent years, groups like PCAP and OCAP have been organizing in our communities to defend, empower and advance the interests of unemployed, homeless and low-income people using these principles for organization and activity. The potential exists for a parallel network which would bring together working people from all different workplaces for mutual aid. As the economy, whether on a local or international level exists on the basis of our collective labour, it is essential for the pursuit of social justice that we recognize this and organize ourselves accordingly. Labour flying squads have existed before, often created spontaneously in the midst of a labour battle, as an effective, flexible tool able to quickly bring together workers and carry out an economic action with a very minimal amount of bureaucracy.
The Peterborough Labour Flying Squad seeks to build rank and file solidarity among workers engaged in social and economic struggles in the Peterborough area and beyond. Through the principal use of phone and email contact lists, participants will inform each other of any ongoing strikes, lock-outs, protests or other events related to social and economic justice. The Flying Squad can issue support to both labour union actions and workers defending their rights at non-unionized job sites. Calls for support and the coordination of Flying Squad intervention, will be organized over the email listserv, phone communication and group meetings, wherever interest for this exists. To maintain its’ full autonomy, the Flying Squad is not affiliated or accountable to any existing labour union, organization or political party. The Flying Squad welcomes the involvement of anyone who shares the principles of rank and file labour solidarity and militancy including union and non-union workers, unemployed and retired. The Flying Squad has held a couple of organizing meetings and will soon be joining the picket lines of local unions. Through the strength of grassroots organization, we aim to put our interests as working people, ahead of corporate profit and power.
