For the past three years, an occupation, which is still taking place, at a motor parts factory in Florence has developed into a template for how naturally we can form into mutually beneficial communities when we can control and have a say over how things are managed. And crucially, how we don’t need or should have, a hierarchical power structure above us.

With demonstrations of over 40,000 and support from liberation movements, climate justice organisations, musicians and artists (their social events really put us to shame in this country), student occupations, international groups and trade unions, their sense of solidarity and strength shines through in the colourful and lively demonstrations taking place in the area. Our friends at the Reel News activist collective have been over and provided for us a rare view of these events, not to be found in the mainstream media

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Reel news has been organising film showings of the footage which have been inspiring and very thought provoking. It’s clear the workers have a chance of winning – which would be to raise €1million to implement a cooperative model under workers control. The workers are aware that won’t be the end of the battle as the bosses would continue to seek ways to undermine their production.

It is in our interests that they win. We do also have a history of occupations in this country and we remember the Visteon factory occupations in 2009 and the NUT John Roan school strike and occupation in 2015. We can look to our own experiences but look at what we can learn from the GKN workers who are taking this to the next level and providing a glimpse of what’s possible. We should enquire as to what ingredients are needed for maximum success and seek to make practical links with the workers there.

Workers at Port Talbot and Grangemouth must be looking at interest in how the workers have moved away from fossil fuel and damaging production and produced carbon bikes and solar panels. As the workers know, there will be market forces at play to undermine production at all levels so this raises the need for these questions to be discussed widely and practically in the movement. Who controls production and how would we plan things?

Dario Salvati, shop steward at the factory points out in the film that yes, this is an important discussion in terms of planning around energy, but because this is also about community, it brings forward a social plan, and how we can use the same approach towards all human processes, together and in mutual assistance.

Consider becoming a shareholder in this very important initiative. They are nearly there and have raised €850,000 so far. You can find details here on how to financially support.

Circulate details of this struggle widely in your networks and trade unions. Consider sending a delegation over in September to support the next big event. You can find a model motion here.

#meTU encourages all its supporters to support this campaign and think of ways to get the message out there. Please feel free to send in any reports or ideas on what our role can be in assisting this inspiring and important community struggle. If anyone is interested in forming part of a #meTU delegation to go over in September, please drop us a line at metuwomen@gmail.com