Questions Index

• (1) I am a student, a retired worker, and/or I am unemployed; can I still be an IWW member?
• (2) I am a member of another union; can I still I join the IWW?
• (3) I am a worker in a workers' cooperative or a collective; can I join the IWW?
• (4) I am self-employed; can I still I join the IWW?
• (5) There's no IWW branch near me; can I still join?
• (6) I have coworkers and/or friends who want to join; how do I sign them up?
• (7) I am a member of an independent union, not affiliated with an existing labor federation. Can we affiliate with the IWW?

(1) I am a student, a retired worker, and/or I am unemployed; can I still be an IWW member?

Yes. According to the IWW Constitution, under Article II (Membership), Section 1(b):

No unemployed or retired worker, no working-class student, apprentice, home- maker, prisoner or unwaged volunteer on a project initiated by the IWW or any subordinate body thereof shall be excluded from membership on the grounds that s/he is not currently receiving wages.

(2) I am a member of another union; can I still I join the IWW?

Yes. However your other union may try to prohibit membership in the IWW, but there is no legal way they can do this.

Paid staff members of unions may also join the IWW as long as they do not have the power to unilaterally hire and/or fire other union staff members.

On the other hand, officers in other unions may not join the IWW, and members of the IWW may only become officers of other unions under certain circumstances, as outlined in the IWW Constitution, under Article II (Membership), Section 1(c):

No member of the Industrial Workers of the World shall be an officer of a trade or craft union or political party. Branches may allow IWW members to become officers of trade or craft unions as long as these exceptions are reported to the General Administration and no IWW member receives significant pay (more than dues rebate and expenses) as a result of being an officer or official in a union that does not call for abolition of the wage system.

(3) I am a worker in a workers' cooperative or a collective; can I join the IWW?

Yes. According to the IWW Constitution, under Article II (Membership), Section 1(b):

Workers employed in cooperatives democratically run by their employees are welcome to membership.

Although the language specifically says "cooperatives", the language has consistently been interpreted to mean workers' cooperatives and workers' collectives.

As for why workers in collectives and/or cooperatives might want to join the IWW, we recommend you read this page.

(4) I am self-employed; can I still I join the IWW?

Theoretically Yes. According to the IWW Constitution, under Article II (Membership), Section 1(b):

Members who become temporarily self- employed may retain their membership or apply for withdrawal cards, which are issuable also to those who must withdraw when they become employers.

There is no provision prohibiting self-employed workers from joining. Certainly, membership in the IWW is open to what are known as "independent contractors". If you are self-employed, you should contact us and be prepared to describe your situation before you join.

(5) There's no IWW branch near me; can I still join?

Absolutely! Membership in the IWW is open to all wage-earners and/or members of the Working Class. If you cannot find an IWW branch in your community, you can even organize your own!

(6) I have coworkers and/or friends who want to join; how do I sign them up?

There are several ways you can do this:

(1) Direct your coworkers and/or friends to this web site and show them the Join Now feature;

(2) Direct your coworkers and/or friends to the nearest IWW branch; or

(3) First Join the IWW, and then Contact Our Central Office and ask to be delegated. Delegates have the power to sign up new IWW members and collect dues from current IWW members.

(7) I am a member of an independent union, not affiliated with an existing labor federation. Can we affiliate with the IWW?

If all of the following conditions are met, your independent union may affiliate with the IWW:

(1) Your other union holds an inclusive, fair, membership-wide, secret-ballot referendum and the majority (50% + 1 vote) of the membership casting ballots votes in favor of affiliation with the IWW;

(2) Your other union's Constitution and Bylaws are compatible with the IWW Constitution, or your other union's membership votes to amend their union's Constitution and Bylaws so that they become compatible with the IWW Constitution;

(3) Your other union is not a craft union (i.e. it limits membership to certain crafts or trades within specific industries)--or if your other union is a craft union, it agrees to become an industrial union;

(4) Affiliation with the IWW is conditionally approved by the IWW's General Executive Board; and

(5) Affiliation with the IWW is not challenged by the membership of the IWW who're not also part of your other union.

There are several reasons why a recently established independent union might favor affiliation with the IWW, not the least of which is the IWW has a long history and is a stable organization. Additionally, affiliating with the IWW will save your independent union the time and energy spent on legal paperwork, as well as federal reporting paperwork required under your region's labor laws (if applicable). Finally, the IWW's reputation as a militant, democratic, fighting union will give your independent union additional visibility.