Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
Since 2008, workers from warehouses in the Italian Po-Valley are successfully resisting.
At the end of July, the struggle spread to H&M.
We are being exploited like animals.
Our shift schedule is absurd.
Only one the day beforehand do we know if and when we will work.
And we are informed about the end of the shift just one hour before.
We've "mixed" part-time contracts, that means they can deploy us as the want.
Although we should work 30 hours a week
at the end of the week we reach 50 hours.
- And today, this is an unlimited strike?
- We are on an unlimited strike, and we don't allow anyone through! Strike!
Strike! Strike!
The struggle spread from Stradella to the nearby Casalpusterlegno where workers blocket their warehouse on August 20.
Folks, one after the other, in groups of four, five
they finally start to come to us!
Already the whole morning do we hear the usual rubbish, one hundred times,
in all companies: "Come on, we will sort it out..."
- They never sorted anything out!
And now the workers understand that, too.
We should not be frightened, they are not our enemies.
They are workers like us. They are proletarians like us.
As their colleagues, they have to find the courage to join up
and demand what they are entitled to. Not more, and not less.
That is just the beginning. We should not be scared.
Because you send an awesome message! You send a message!
You are great!
Unity, Unity!
Unity! Unity!
In the whole of Italy they are watching you at the moment!
The Italians, who say that the immigrants would steal their jobs
when in fact Italians and migrants are struggling here side by side.
We came over here because over there always money was missing in the pay packet.
There are people who've worked here since 2011-12, for 4 different cooperatives.
And we still don't have an unlimited contract.
They always leave us on wage level 6.
When we say they should correct the wage slips
they always say: "Next month."
- What has happened this morning?
Earlier on you were over there, with those who did not strike.
- We heard what they said.
They said that when they entered all of them were hired.
While we still have not been hired..
Over here! Over here!
Applause for those who came over to our side!
That is basically the reality in Italy:
While the young windbags think about all kinds of bullshit,
and think that there are no poor people
here Italians and migrants fight side by side
in order to safe these peoples asses and their future.
As we are women/ we are not afraid./
Out of love to our children,/ out of love to our children./
As we are women/ we are not afraid./
Out of love to our children,/ we defend the alliance./
The alliance will grow./
For us socialists/ for us socialists./
The alliance will grow./
We, the socialists/ want freedom./
And freedom does not come,/ because there is no unity./
Scabs with the boss,/ scabs with the boss,/
and freedom does not come,/ because there is no unity./
Scabs with the boss,/
"The must all be killed!"/
And the league will grow./
For us socialists/ for us socialists./
And the league will grow./
For us socialists./ We want freedom./
As we are women/ we are not afraid./
We have a sharp tongue,/ we have a sharp tongue./
Although we are women/ we are not afraid./
We have a sharp tongue,/ and we can defend ourselves well./
The league will grow,/ and us socialists,/
and us socialists./
And the league will grow./ And us socialists want freedom./
And you high masters,/ being so proud,/
give up your pride,/ give up your pride./
And you high masters/ being so proud,/
give up your pride,/ and open your purse!/
And the league will grow,/ and us socialists./
And the league will grow./
I have a swolen heart!
The union SI Cobas calls for boycott actions in front of H&M shops until the demands of the striking workers are met.
Footage: SI Cobas Editing: labournet.tv