The International Workers of the World (IWW), commonly known as the Industrial Workers of the World, is an international labor union founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The IWW aims to organize all workers, regardless of industry or occupation, into one powerful, revolutionary union to overthrow capitalism and create a world based on economic and social justice.
The union's primary objective is to secure better working conditions and higher wages for its members through direct action, including strikes, boycotts, and sabotage. The IWW emphasizes the principles of solidarity, rank-and-file control, and industrial unionism. It seeks to unite workers across borders, genders, races, and skill levels into a single, all-inclusive organization.
The IWW has historically been associated with radical and militant labor activism, challenging traditional trade unions and advocating for radical social change. Its members, known as Wobblies, strive for the emancipation of workers from the control of capital by promoting worker self-management and opposing the exploitative practices of employers.
Over its long history, the IWW has played a prominent role in various labor struggles, including the fight for the eight-hour workday, better wages, and improved working conditions. While its influence and membership have fluctuated over time, the IWW continues to exist today, advocating for workers' rights and serving as a platform for revolutionary industrial unionism.
