Vloerwerk in Utrecht, Radical Riders, Fundraising

Vloerwerk Utrecht

Vloerwerk has been an Amsterdam focused solidarity network since its beginning. That has now changed with the establishment of a base of members and supporters in Utrecht following the information evening at the ACU last weekend. This expansion of our network is still in its infancy but the early signs are good.

Some very capable and enthusiastic Utrecht-based organisers are taking the lead on this – in accordance with Vloerwerk’s principles of local action and self-organisation. The prospect of having autonomous groups in neighbouring cities which could lend support to one another is very exciting!

Radical Riders – a grassroots union for bike couriers

Bicycle delivery riders make up a huge number of workers in the low paid and low rights “gig economy” in the Netherlands. They have no union representation in the majority of cases. Riders are often faced with unsafe working conditions, stolen wages, and other problems that a union would traditionally address. The Radical Riders is a new grassroots union and mutual aid network, established with help from Vloerwerk and the Vrije Bond, that will draw its membership from riders across the major delivery companies.

You may already have seen their “RIDERS RISE UP” stickers across Amsterdam which is part of the initial recruitment drive. Please spread the word to anyone you know who rides for Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Gorillas, Flink, etc. If you would like to join, have questions, or want to request stickers please email radicalriders@riseup.net.

Fundraising for our deported comrade

In the course of a previous action of ours which was broken up by police, one of our members was arrested and deported back to their home country of Brazil. We have sought to support our comrade by raising money for his transition back to life in a land he left more than 20 years ago.

Fundraising has been going well so far, with a successful event at Joe’s Garage on Monday 13th of September and funds also being raised at the event in the ACU, Utrecht last Sunday. Donations from across the Vloerwerk network have been very generous. Thanks everyone! If you would like to make a donation, please send them to: Sjerp van Wouden, NL31INGB0006886074 with the message “donation vloerwerk”.