Myth #12 - The IWW's ultimate goal is the establishment of a totalitarian society

The defenders of capitalism would have workers believe that their system is the most free and enlightened economic system in human existence, even if they readily admit its many failings. They argue that all alternative economic systems lead to bureaucratic tyranny. They associate the IWW (in fact they associate most labor unions) with the worst examples of bureaucratic centrally planned economies, but this ignores the vast wealth of literature that demonstrates that other non-capitalist alternatives can and do exist, and if they were allowed to exist unmolested, they would function far better than capitalism even in its most "ideal" conception at providing freedom and prosperity to the greatest number.

There are critics or even those hostile to capitalism who also adhere to this myth as well.  Most notable among those that do are the so-called "Green anarchists".

"Green Anarchism" represents a broad belief system with many sub tendencies and varying beliefs. Commonly held views include the belief that large-scale industry is inherently destructive to the environment and inherently stifling to workers. They argue that most large scale industries are undesirable and unnecessary, that humans should live as "close to nature" as possible, and that where work is necessary, it should be organized on a completely ad hoc basis in workshops that are held in common by a small, local community. The goal of the working class should not be to simply abolish capitalism, but to abolish work altogether (and most would make the distinction that work for pleasure, such as carving a chair, weaving a blanket, or growing crops for personal sustenance do not count as the type of work they seek to abolish.  The IWW doesn't necessarily disagree with this vision--much).

However, the IWW has always argued for the emancipation of the working class, not the enslavement of it. Along these lines, the IWW has often been the first to argue for the shortening of the workweek. In the first third of the 20th Century, the IWW organized for shorter workdays as part of its demands. When the standard workday was 10-12 hours, the IWW demanded that the length of the workday be reduced to eight (with no reduction in wages). When eight-hour workdays became standard, the IWW demanded a reduction to six or even four-hour workdays (again with no reduction in wages). But this is only part of the IWW's goal of abolishing wage slavery. The IWW has also argued in favor of the use of labor saving devices to benefit workers (rather than to reduce the workforce at the expense of the working class), and increased staffing levels so that even in a short shift two workers can reduce the drudgery of a job performed by a single worker engaged in repetitive, physically demanding tasks (this is sometimes known as "15 minutes on, 15 minutes off" or some variation of the same). All of these demands, if met, would result in a substantial increase in personal freedom and an equally substantial decrease in the stress and toil for all members of the working class.

As for the abolition of large-scale industry and living "close to nature", the IWW does not necessarily oppose these ideas either, but the IWW also does not necessarily endorse them. It may not be possible to have clean water; food, housing, and healthcare for everyone; and the "good things in life", even with a sustainable population without large scale industry. Even if it isn't, the IWW believes that workers have the right to demand that large-scale industry be as tolerable as possible and certainly in harmony with the earth. To argue otherwise would be foolish and ultimately suicidal.  Many--though not all--IWW members believe that many modern technologies can both be non-invasive to a wilderness environment and at the same time liberating in nature, such as renewable energy generation, for example.

Employers play on the fears of workers by spreading this myth of the totalitarian slave society, because it represents the opposite of what members of the IWW (and most workers) want. Meanwhile it is the employing class who benefits most by subjecting the working class to increasingly regimented, longer, lower paying workdays. Whenever the US Government or subordinate state governments try to weaken overtime laws, ask yourself who are the loudest supporters of such schemes. It isn't the IWW; it's the employing class.