On July 10, janitors walked off the job and started night picketing outside key downtown buildings in Houston. These workers clean the offices of some of the richest corporations in the world, including Chevron, Hines, Shell Oil, and J.P. Morgan. They are paid less than $9000 annually, which is less than half the poverty level. … Continue reading Houston Janitors Walk Out
Tag: union
Solidarity with Egyptian Workers at Pirelli Tire Company
Workers at the Alexandria Tire Company (Pirelli) in Egypt are on strike against management’s arbitrary refusal to implement agreements that were concluded with workers in the presence of representatives of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), as well as their refusal to comply with workers’ legal rights. Situated on the Cairo-Alexandria desert … Continue reading Solidarity with Egyptian Workers at Pirelli Tire Company
New government in Greece
The elections to the Greek Parliament of June 17 were needed because after the elections of May 6 no parties were able to form a coalition government. The result, not unexpectedly, was a “victory” for the rightwing New Democracy (ND), with 29.7% (compared to 18.9% from May 6). The left alliance SYRIZA rose from 16.8% … Continue reading New government in Greece
Democrats Defeated in Wisconsin
The Gov. Scott Walker victory in Wisconsin’s recall election last month should not surprise us. The Democrats are incapable of defeating the right. Don’t the last 30 years demonstrate that? Every vote for a Democrat has meant the success of the “Republican” agenda, based on the loyalty of both parties to the 1%. In fact, … Continue reading Democrats Defeated in Wisconsin
NY bosses lock out 8500 energy workers
On July 1, Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) of New York City, one of the nation’s top energy providers, cut off contract negotiations by locking out 8500 members of the Utility Workers United of America Local 1-2 (UWUA). The lockout was not a strike, but a one-sided refusal by Con Ed bosses to bargain.
OPSEU getting ready to fight
By JULIUS ARSCOTTVice president, OPSEU Local 532The 38,000 members of the Ontario public service are entering a new round of bargaining this fall, amidst a wave of labour concessions across both the private and public sectors. The Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU), the largest public sector union in the province, is readying itself. The … Continue reading OPSEU getting ready to fight
Ontario teachers gear up for battle — despite divisions
By BARRY WEISLEDERTORONTO—Labour Day 2012 inaugurates a season of intense class conflict between public service workers and the Ontario Liberal government. Teacher union officials are now locked in battle with their erstwhile supposed-ally, Premier Dalton McGuinty, whose Spring budget demands major concessions to balance the books at the expense of education and other social amenities. … Continue reading Ontario teachers gear up for battle — despite divisions
QUEBEC: Mass struggle continues / Election pending
By ROBBIE MAHOODMONTREAL—As many as 80,000 protesters hit the streets of Montreal on July 22, proof that the mass struggle over the Liberal government`s unilateral decision to raise university tuition fees has far from dissipated. The central slogan this time was “Out with the Neo-Liberal Parties,” reflecting the growing radicalization produced by the struggle and … Continue reading QUEBEC: Mass struggle continues / Election pending
Nursing home workers fight concessions
By ERNIE GOTTAHARTFORD, Conn.—As of Aug. 1, nearly 700 SEIU 1199 workers are on strike at various nursing homes in Connecticut due to the unfair labor practices of HealthBridge Management. HealthBridge is owned by the Straus brothers of New Jersey, who report annual profits of $45.5 million dollars.The National Labor Relations Board issued a formal … Continue reading Nursing home workers fight concessions
Wisconsin: Reason 1,000,001 why we need a Labor Party!
<!--[if !mso]><![endif]--> The Gov. Scott Walker victory in Wisconsin’s recall election last month should not surprise us. The Democrats are incapable of defeating the right. Don’t the last 30 years demonstrate that? Every vote for a Democrat has meant the success of the “Republican” agenda, based on the loyalty of both parties to the 1%. In … Continue reading Wisconsin: Reason 1,000,001 why we need a Labor Party!
Chicago Teachers Union authorizes strike
<!--[if !mso]><![endif]--> CHICAGO—In a strong show of rank-and-file unity, close to 90% of the membership of the Chicago Teachers Union authorized the union to strike if the union’s leadership is unable to negotiate a contract with Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s handpicked school board. The strike vote was conducted as the mayor has conducted a union-busting campaign against … Continue reading Chicago Teachers Union authorizes strike
On the Wisconsin Election Results
<!--[if !mso]><![endif]--> The Walker victory disappoints but it does not surprise me. One thing’s for sure, the Democrats are incapable of defeating the right. Does not the last 30 years demonstrate that? Every vote for a Democrat has meant the success of the Republican agenda, whether or not by rotten deals cut with Republicans or … Continue reading On the Wisconsin Election Results
Spread the Quebec Strike! Solidarity with the Students!
As the winds of mass protest and demands for change continue to surge across Quebec, now is the time for students and working people in English Canada to march in solidarity with the students' movement. What began as opposition to tuition hikes in Quebec has grown into a fight against austerity and a defence of … Continue reading Spread the Quebec Strike! Solidarity with the Students!
Quebec Student Revolt Continues
<!--[if !mso]><![endif]--> MONTREAL—On May 19, Quebec’s Liberal government passed draconian legislation, Law 78, to smash the mass student strike that has shaken Quebec society over the past four months. The so-called Loi de Matraque (truncheon law) is an attack on the rights of association, demonstration and free speech. It suspends academic sessions at all Quebec … Continue reading Quebec Student Revolt Continues
Another look at the ILWU Longview strike
Real victories in today’s labor movement are few and far between. Indeed, there are none over the past 40 years or so, especially in the U.S., that were powerful enough to stop the crisis-ridden system of exploitation and oppression in its tracks and open the door for a labor offensive capable of inspiring millions to … Continue reading Another look at the ILWU Longview strike
Big May Day Turnout in New York City
NEW YORK—May 1 was a day of celebration, rage, and solidarity. Taking to the streets for International Worker’s Day were some 10,000 to 20,000 mostly working-class New Yorkers. Dozens of May Day actions culminated in a big rally and march from Union Square in lower Manhattan. The march went south on Broadway to Wall Street, … Continue reading Big May Day Turnout in New York City
Puerto Rico student leader: ‘Never give up!’
Below is an interview with Puerto Rican student activist Gamelyn Oduardo, a featured speaker at the March 23-25 conference of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC). The interview was conducted by Socialist Action reporters Lisa Luinenburg and Ana Noli. It has been slightly edited for space reasons.Socialist Action: Could you give an overview of the … Continue reading Puerto Rico student leader: ‘Never give up!’
What is a General Strike?
Lately, with the growth of the Occupy movement, there’s been a lot of talk about the general strike as a weapon of the class struggle. The Occupy Oakland port shutdown on Nov. 2 was referred to as a one-day general strike. And various Occupy sites around the United States talked about calling a general strike for … Continue reading What is a General Strike?
Lessons of the Seattle General Strike of 1919
What is a General Strike?Lately, with the growth of the Occupy movement, there's been a lot of talk about the general strike as a weapon of the class struggle. The Occupy Oakland port shutdown on Nov. 2 was referred to as a one-day general strike. Now there is talk in various Occupy sites around the United … Continue reading Lessons of the Seattle General Strike of 1919
Protests, hunger strikes in Palestine and Bahrain
<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]--> Every year on March 30, Palestinians and supporters rally to commemorate Land Day, the anniversary of the 1976 rallies inside the 1948 borders of Palestine in which the Zionist authorities gunned down six protesters fighting to save their land from ethnic cleansing. This year the demonstrations were coupled with a “Global March … Continue reading Protests, hunger strikes in Palestine and Bahrain
International activists to address UNAC conference
Heading the list of international presenters at the March 23-25 Stamford, Conn., conference of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) is Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, wife of the former president of Honduras, José Manuel Zelaya, who was sent into exile by a U.S. backed military coup.On Feb. 11-12, the founding conference of the Liberation and … Continue reading International activists to address UNAC conference
Chicago workers occupy factory, win temporary reprieve
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]-->CHICAGO—Over three years after they inspired workers across the nation by successfully occupying the Republic Windows and Door factory, on Feb. 23 members of UE Local 1110 once again occupied their workplace, now run by Serious Energy. The occupation was in response to management’s surprise announcement the same day … Continue reading Chicago workers occupy factory, win temporary reprieve
ILWU Local 21 Victory!
Special Note: As we go to press, the EGT conglomerate has formally recognized ILWU Local 21 as the bargaining representative for all workers at its Longview, Wash., terminal and on all vessels that load grain from that facility. Contract negotiations are underway and expected to be concluded on union-favorable terms in the next few days. Until … Continue reading ILWU Local 21 Victory!
Occupy debates the call for a May 1 general strike
At least 15 sites of the Occupy Movement have endorsed a call for actions on May Day 2012, including a general strike, initiated by Occupy LA (OLA). The debate within New York’s Occupy Wall Street (OWS) over whether to endorse the call is illustrative of the ideological differences within the movement, as well as the … Continue reading Occupy debates the call for a May 1 general strike
Austerity tightens in Greece
Parallels between ancient Greece and current Greece are not lacking in recent times, and the “Greek tragedy” has been served up in all journalistic sauces. In the country that invented democracy to put an end to debt slavery, the European bourgeoisie imposes its reactionary approach: even if the institution of slavery is not (yet) re-established, … Continue reading Austerity tightens in Greece