Ludic Subversion for Trade Unions
“The immediate aim of the trade unions, therefore, was limited to waging the day-to-day struggle against Capital, as a means of defence against the continuous abuses of the latter, i.e., questions concerning wages and working hours. This activity of the trade unions is not only justified, but also necessary. On the other hand, the trade unions, without being aware of it, became the focal points for the organisation of the working class, just as the medieval municipalities and communities became such for the bourgeoisie. If trade unions have become indispensable for the guerilla fight between Capital and Labour, they are even more important as organised bodies to promote the abolition of the very system of wage labour. – Solomon Abramovich Lozovsky.
Those with power have long used wargames to plan ahead, rehearse crises and get inside their opponents heads. Bosses, governments and militaries all employ these practices it. This event is about taking those tools and putting them to work for the labour movement.
This session is for workplace organisers who want to try a different way of preparing for campaigns, training reps and building members’ confidence. Over the course of this event you’ll be given the opportunity to play a series of games designed around class struggle and worker organising and reflect on how similar approaches could be used in your organising.
The session will open with a group discussion on serious games and wargaming as tools and testbeds for labour organising. From there, you’ll get hands-on with the games themselves and reflect together on how they could fit into your own union’s organising and education work.
No gaming experience needed. Just bring your organising experience and your questions.
Lunch will be provided by Games Transformed. This event is a joint event between Games Transformed, Class Wargames, Jarrow Insights, King’s College London, Equity and IWGB.
Friday 30th October
10:00 – 16:30
Proposition Studios,
279 Cambridge Heath Rd,
London E2 0EL
Register on Luma