1.PROGRAMME (1879)

Northern Union of Russian Workers

To the Russian workers

Recognising the extremely harmful aspect of the political and economic oppression which descends on our heads with all the force of its implacable arbitrariness; recognising the whole intolerable burden of our social condition which deprives us of every opportunity and hope for some kind of tolerable existence; recognising finally that it is becoming more and more impossible to endure this order of things, which threatens us with complete material deprivation and the paralysis of our spiritual strength, we, the workers of Petersburg, at a general assembly from 23 to 30 December 1878 have conceived the idea of organising an all-Russian union of workers which, uniting the uncoordinated forces of the urban and rural working population and explaining to it its own interests, aims and aspirations, will serve it as a sufficient bulwark in the struggle with social injustice and will give it the organic internal bond that it needs for the successful conduct of the struggle.

The organisation of the Northern Union of Russian Workers should have a strictly defined character and should pursue precisely those aims which are laid down in its programme.

Workers will only be elected to membership of this Union by at least two people who are more or less well known.

Every worker who wishes to become a member of the Union must acquaint himself beforehand with the programme which follows and with the essence of its social teaching.