Myths and Legends About the IWW

By x344543.  This document is not the official position of the IWW, though many of the explanations are derived from original sources documents and historical accounts of the IWW balanced with feedback from dues paying IWW members.

The IWW has a long and colorful history. Inevitably people misunderstand, misinterpret, or mangle that long and colorful history. We created this page to challenge the myths and answer some of the questions.

• Myth #1 - I.W.W. stands for "International Workers of the World"
• Myth #2 - The IWW is a political organization and not a "real" labor union
• Myth #3 - The IWW doesn't negotiate contracts with employers
• Myth #4 - The IWW is violent and plans to overthrow the government
• Myth #5 - The IWW believes in destruction of property
• Myth #6 - The currently existing IWW is not the same organization as the historically famous IWW
• Myth #7 - The IWW is a fifth column, controlled by hostile powers
• Myth #8 - The IWW is an anarchist and/or anarcho-syndicalist union
• Myth #9 - The IWW is a Marxist organization
• Myth #10 - The IWW is a Communist Party front group
• Myth #11 - The IWW, like all unions, is controlled by organized crime
• Myth #12 - The IWW's ultimate goal is the establishment of a totalitarian society

Each of these myths have a grain of truth in them, but generally no more than a grain. Each myth includes an explanation, a theory of its origin, and solid evidence against each myth.