We, the workers of Vio.Me., abandoned by
an employer who owes us huge amounts -accrued and overdue- decided to keep the
plant and survive against the imposed on us imperatives of the capitalist
crisis and the anti-labor measures connected with it.For two and a half years now (and while the entire society is suffering) we try to stay alive, strong, full of energy and away from the fear of personal depression, through processes of absolute democracy and horizontality.
We decided that in the factory we keep occupied we can do exactly what the rulers, the mainstream media and their minions describe and present to the working class as impossible.
We have managed to not only survive but to also promote a solution for the reopening of the factory under workers' control and self-managed production through the workers’ assembly.
Through numerous meetings with the Ministry of Labour and our daily struggle, we managed to promote a solution that allows us to bring our vision into practice.
Today, we, once more, address our colleagues and all
the people who have stood beside us since the first moment, giving us the
courage to continue.
Today we ask you to support the struggle which we fight together, by
allowing us to attach on our statutes your signature as a “solidarity supporter”,
thus opening to the majority of society the opportunity to participate in the
democratic processes of the operation of the factory. We ask you to become part
of this struggle that opens the way for factories to pass into the hands of
workers, for a society without bosses and exploitation.
In solidarity,
the workers of Vio.Me.
Who is a "Solidarity-Supporter”: in the context of its continuous contact with
all sectors of society, the Vio.Me. cooperative recognizes in its new statute
the role of the "Solidarity supporter", who, in return for a small but steady economic
contribution corresponding to cleaning products manufactured by the
cooperative, is entitled to have continuous information on all the Vio.Me. - related developments, both
in terms of the struggle and the production process, thus helping in shaping
the development of the project with his/her informed advisory vote. In this
way, a bridge is built between labor and the social control of
production, a bridge that will enable us all to actively participate in the
most important project of workers’ self-management in Greece.
“Solidarity-Supporter” as defined in the Statute of the Vio.Me
Social Cooperative: Individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity and religion,
who agree with and are inspired by the principles of the Social Cooperative and
who wish to contribute to the achievement of its objectives, such as those
specified in this Statute, may participate as Solidarity-Supporters of the
project. In order to acquire this capacity, they are required to send an
electronic request giving their details (name, profession, place of residence,
e-mail) to protbiometal@gmail.com.
(*NOTE: For the
moment, due to technical limitations, only Solidarity-Supporters residing in
Greece may contribute financially in exchange for products. For those residing
in other countries, this will become possible as soon as the Vio.Me. Social
Cooperative expands its distribution network. Everyone is encouraged, however, to sign up as solidarity supporter).
The
non-payment of the contribution does not lead to the loss of the
capacity and rights of the Solidarity-Supporter if this is due to real economic
weakness communicated to the Administrative Committee. The Solidarity-Supporters
are welcome and encouraged to attend the General Meetings of the Vio.Me. - Social Cooperative, in
the context of which they are free to express their opinions and they also have
the right of an advisory vote. They are entitled to be informed about the
activities of the Social Cooperative, the annual financial balance sheets, any
changes in the Statute and any other important developments. The responsibility
of keeping the Solidarity-Supporters updated as well as that for any decision
concerning their status, rights and obligations, in addition to those specified
in this paragraph, lies with the General Assembly. 