We are the working group (WG) “Sexta” of the General Syndicate of the Free Workers Union Bonn (FAU Bonn for short). As part of the nationwide trade union federation FAU, we are also networked in different regions and internationally and would like to use and strengthen these structures. Non-FAUistas are also most welcome to participate in our Bonn WG Sexta.

For several weeks Bonn’s Monday evening is under the sign of Corona protests. The resentments behind those protests are against the ongoing measures of the national, federal and communal governments and administrations to curb the pandemic. But there are several signs and proof that those protests are organised and operated by groups and individuals from the right-wing extremist spectre.

Mentioned groups and individuals represent the first row of those protests; banners and slogans are carried on by discernible fascists. So is their substance: The protection of the homeland, protection not for all but for those who follow the protest leaders with no sign of constructive criticism. It seems that the organisers of the Monday protests take the pandemic and its measures as pretext.
It is ovbious that the protests are about fascist hegemony on the streets. The call for protest is explicitly made to be held in Bonn, the former capital, where historically fascists, conspiracy believers and other misanthropes hardly had any public platform in the past.
Recent events must not be uncommented.

We don’t accept that public protests are dominated by right-wing enemies of life and encourage all citiziens and inhabitants who also don’t accept that those people have any space and platform in this city to take part in the rallys against those protests, next on Monday 03.01.22 (as well as 10.01. & 17.01. and the maybe following Mondays) at 17:30h (4:30pm) on Bonn Market Square.
Please wear a mask and get tested (not obligatory).

We, as emancipatory union, stand in tradition of societal participation and basic democratic together. There is a lot of legitimate dissatisfaction with Corona policies. Necessary demands are articulated too less such as deprivatisation of the health sector along the massive expansion of it as well as improving working conditions. Also the liberalisation of vaccine patents and actual reduction of risky contacts through a massive economic lockdown instead of regulations of privacy. In the second year of this pandemic it’s still obvious that policitcs and the market have failed. No major changes have been made. But we are promised and fooled that we can go back to normal very soon if we just accept this or that restrictional measurement. The promise to get back to “normal” has been a lie all along, a lief in which its propagators probably believed themselves.

Humanity won’t get rid of a virus with this dangerous characteristics neither easy nor fast. We demand a long-term strategy, binding assurances, liberalisation of vaccine patens and real social securities of those who suffer by the Corona measurements.

Those demands could only be met by policies who put their money where their mouth is and who respect human rights. Fascists taking the streets followed by thousands is no improvement in democratic participation in the pandemic.

Freie Arbeiter*innen Union
December 2021

A FLINTA* (women, lesbian, intersex, nonbinary, transgender, agender and others) section has recently been formed at FAU Bonn. We meet once a month. If you want to have a look around, discuss anarcha-feminism or get an impression of the FAU through us, feel free to write us:
flinta-fau-bonn@fau.org

We look forward to meeting you.

It’s enough, we need change!

We call for a protest in solidarity with the strikers at the University Hospital Bonn on November 16 at 5:30 PM!
For a better staffing ratio in nursing, for better pay for nurses, for a health care system that focuses on the health of patients instead of profits and against further privatization!

Dear colleagues,

The General Syndicate of the Free Workers’ Union (FAU) Bonn expresses its solidarity with you and your labor struggle. We wish you every success in your strike.

The conditions in the care sector have been critical for a long time. The fact that there have been no improvements even after the stresses and strains of the last few years is unacceptable. It is good that you are taking the step of fighting for appropriate wages. We especially admire that you also stand up for the colleagues who are blackmailable by the bosses because of their residence status.

We hope that your strike will be an inspiration for all nursing workers in the region and that this will be the beginning of a broad-based struggle for a decent health care system.

Greetings in solidarity, your FAU Bonn

Solidarity action: Free FFP2 masks

Recently, the availability of FFP2 masks has been a political issue. These masks filter aerosols and thus offer significantly better protection against coronavirus infections than paper or fabric masks. Both for the wearer and for the people around them. Unfortunately, in the distribution of these potentially life-saving masks, capitalism is once again showing its ugly side. First it was said that recipients of unemployment benefits (ALG 2) and basic income support will not get a subsidy for the purchase of these masks. Now it is instead of money, they will receive a voucher for FFP2 masks. However, these coupons have not yet been sent out. More so, the purchase with ration coupon is a humiliating experience, since unemployed persons are still massively stigmatized.

Continue reading “Solidarity action: Free FFP2 masks” →

International Solidarity Wins Victory in Bangladesh Workers’ Struggle

After nine months of protests and direct actions, such as the blockade of the Ministry of Labor and the siege of the company’s headquarters, accompanied by an international campaign, the textile workers of the Dragon Sweater Group have finally won back their salaries. A more detailed article can be found here.

Like numerous comrades in other places, we also organized solidarity actions in Bonn. Continue reading “#UnitedAgainstTheDragon: Workers finally get paid!” →