The Unione Sindacale Italiana (USI), which translates to Italian Syndicalist Union in English, is an anarchist trade union organization that originated in Italy. Founded in 1912, the USI aimed to promote the interests of the working class through direct action and the principles of revolutionary syndicalism.
The USI is characterized by its commitment to a class-struggle approach in advancing the rights of workers. It rejects political parties, advocating instead for autonomous workers' self-management and economic democracy. The union believes that the workers themselves should be in charge of their own struggles and destinies, without the need for hierarchical structures or representation by politicians.
Operating within a framework of solidaristic principles, the USI strives to create a society based on social justice, equality, and freedom. It emphasizes the importance of solidarity and mutual aid among workers, promoting direct actions like strikes, boycotts, and sabotage as effective means to challenge exploitative labor practices and oppressive systems.
The USI maintains a horizontal organizational structure without formal leaders or centralized decision-making bodies. It advocates for the establishment of workplace and community assemblies, where all participants have an equal say and can collectively make decisions that affect them.
In summary, the Unione Sindacale Italiana is an anarchist trade union in Italy that advocates for workers' rights, rejects political parties, promotes autonomous self-management, and employs direct action as a tool for social change and liberation.
