Socialist Alternative

By Syed Fazal Abbas, Secretary General TURCP and PWFP and Azam Janjua, Vice president PWFP and Organiser TURCP, Islamabad Aug 30, 2010

More than 26,000 telecom workers in Pakistan have been on indefinite strike since 16 August. They are demanding a 50% increase in wages as announced by the government for the public sector. These workers in the semi-privatised telecom industry started their protest campaign and partial strike earlier in August, but the telecom authorities refused to accept the demand.

By Joe Higgins, MEP Ireland Aug 30, 2010

Business and media circles are agog at “the most significant development in philanthropy” for many decades. Forty US based billionaires have pledged to give half of their wealth to “charity” while living or on their death.

By The CWI Aug 30, 2010

The international day of workers’ action, called by the European Trade Union Confederation for 29 September, could be an event of major importance for the working class movement and the CWI. The day itself, which will see co-ordinated protests, action and general strikes, has the potential to shake the continent. Europe’s capitalist governments are intent on continuing their brutal war of austerity and attacks against the working class, at the behest of their masters: the international markets. It could play a decisive role in hammering home the power of the international working class and stop their savagery in its tracks. The CWI will work enthusiastically to mobilise workers and youth to take action on the day, under the banner of international struggle and solidarity, against Europe’s axe-wielding governments and the dictatorship of the capitalist markets.

By Eljeer Hawkins, Bronx, New York Aug 20, 2010

On August 28, the right-wing populist Tea Party Movement, an assortment of conservative organizations, and Fox News commentator Glenn Beck will descend on Washington, D.C. for the so-called “Restoring the Honor” rally. For the black freedom movement, August 28 marks the 47th anniversary of the great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Dr. King’s oratorical benchmark “I Have a Dream” speech. The selection of this day by the Tea Party Movement and Glenn Beck is blatantly intended to tarnish the memory of that historic day when the Civil Rights Movement marched to demand that President Kennedy and Congress end Jim Crow in the South and extend full citizenship rights to African-Americans.

By Pete Ikeler, Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York Aug 2, 2010

According to President Obama, America has come “90 percent of the way” towards ending racism. This statement, however, is violently contradicted by the brutal police killing of Oscar Grant, a young black man, by a police officer in Oakland, CA on New Years Day. The case provoked angry demonstrations in Oakland after the police officer was recently found guilty of involuntary manslaughter—by a jury without a single black member. This drives another nail in the coffin of the idea about the “end of racism” that Obama holds so dear.

By Steve Edwards, , President of AFSCME Local 2858 (Chicago) and member of Socialist Alternative’s National Committee Aug 2, 2010

With 1.4 million current members and 200,000 retirees, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is one of the biggest unions in the U.S., representing as the name implies, public workers at every level except for employees of the Federal government.

By Ted Virdone Jul 23, 2010

Socialist Alternative representative Ramy Khalil debated Tea Party leader Keli Carender on the radio. Listen to the debate here from Pacifica-affiliated KBCS 91.3 FM Voices of Diversity on July 21, 2010.

By Adam Ziemkowski, Alternativa Socialista Revolucionaria (CWI in Bolivia) Jul 7, 2010

In the elections of December 2009 and April 2010, once again the oppressed Bolivian masses showed their desire for fundamental change to eradicate the deep problems which continue to plague this country.

By Senan, CWI Jul 7, 2010

In May of this year the Nepali masses once again demonstrated their thirst for a revolutionary transformation of society, when they took to the streets in their tens of thousands. The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN (M)) called for a general strike and protests on 1 May to demand the resignation of the new Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal.

By Virginie Pregny, Gauche Revolutionnaire (CWI in France) and Cedric Gerome, CWI, London Jul 7, 2010

On Thursday 24 June, about two million workers took to the streets in about 200 cities and towns of France in a national day of action called by the main trade union organisations (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, UNSA, FSU and Solidaires) against the pension reforms. This is the centre-piece of the wave of attacks concocted by the Sarkozy-Fillon government, aimed at slashing up to €100 billion from public spending by 2013. Many capitalist voices, in France and internationally, are already pushing for ‘supplementary efforts’, arguing that such a move remains insufficient.

By Tony Wilsdon Jun 30, 2010

The idea that education is the great social leveler in US society is drummed into our heads since kindergarten. Peter Sacks’excellent book, which has just been published in paperback, exposes this myth through a mountain of facts and insightful analysis.

By The Socialist, Socialist Party England and Wales Jun 30, 2010

The G20 meeting in Toronto of the leaders of the main capitalist governments of the world demonstrated a complete incapacity to solve the huge problems that confront us, particularly those hardest-hit – the poor and the working class – by the economic crisis.

By Christopher Persampieri, Roofing Laborer, Abingdon, MA Jun 29, 2010

Being a supervisor for five years at a Fortune 500 company made me a socialist. When I first entered management I was a Republican and honestly believed that if you worked hard and the company prospered, you would prosper as well.

By Marty Harrison, Executive Board Member of PASNAP, Member of Socialist Alternative’s National Committee, (personal capacity) Jun 28, 2010

The 28-day strike of 1,500 nurses and professional/technical staff, represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), beat back a long list of concessionary demands at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. Significantly, the hospital backed off its proposed “gag” clause which threatened staff with discipline and fines for any negative public statement about Temple. Further, the administration was forced to reinstate a limited dependent tuition benefit after illegally eliminating it unilaterally in March 2009. (For details on the settlement, see my May 21 article in labornotes.org).

By Rob Mirabito, Carpenters Local 33 (personal capacity) Jun 28, 2010

In the film Capitalism: A Love Story, Michael Moore points out that the richest 1% of the American population owns more financial wealth (net worth minus net equity of a home) than the bottom 95% combined. A more recent study using data from 2007 shows the top 1% owning 48.4% of the non-home wealth, while the bottom 95% owned only 20% (politifact.com). There are different ways to crunch these numbers, but in any and every case it’s clear that the rich are getting richer while working people and the poor are left behind.

By Christine Thomas Jun 26, 2010

The conclusions drawn by the influential feminist, Natasha Walter, in her latest book, Living Dolls, may surprise readers of her earlier material. In an honest reappraisal of her position, Walter now accepts that sexism and discrimination against women are ever more widespread, and that it is not possible to separate the personal from the political in capitalist society. CHRISTINE THOMAS reviews this change.

By Teddy Shibabaw Jun 26, 2010

On May 17 several undocumented immigrant youth staged a sit-in at Arizona Senator John McCain’s office demanding he support the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin and Richard Lugar.

By Bryan Koulouris Jun 25, 2010

On March 30 of this year, the New York Times reported “the Obama administration is proposing to open vast expanses of water along the Atlantic coastline, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the north coast of Alaska to oil and natural gas drilling, much of it for the first time.” Three weeks later, disaster hit Deepwater Horizon.

By Pete Ikeler Jun 25, 2010

The neo-liberal transformation of New York City since the mid-1970s has meant increasing pain and social exclusion for working people, but especially for people of color.

By Ramy Khalil Jun 24, 2010

Cindy Sheehan came to prominence in 2005 when she set up a protest camp outside of President Bush's ranch, waiting to ask him simply why he had to send her son to die in Iraq. In 2008 she ran for Congress as an Independent against the top Democrat Nancy Pelosi, winning an impressive 16% of the vote, beating the Republican, and coming in second place.

By Patrick Ayers Jun 24, 2010

Europe is facing its biggest economic and political crisis in decades. Large state debts in a number of smaller European Union countries are undermining confidence in the euro, compounding the effects of the global downturn. To get out of this spiral of crisis, European ruling classes are demanding big cuts in living standards from workers. The danger they face is that the massive opposition to these cuts will grow over into open revolt.

By Ryan Timlin, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 Minneapolis, (personal capacity) Jun 23, 2010

In the largest nurses’ strike in U.S. history, 12,000 walked out of 14 Twin Cities (Minnesota) hospitals on June 10th, and are set to strike again. Prepared by months of big informational pickets, billboard ads, and internal organizing, the 24 hour strike was solid. The chants on the large and lively picket lines were frequently drowned out by honking cars showing the broad public support.

By Teddy Shibabaw Jun 22, 2010

To effectively combat the anti-immigrant “law and order” rhetoric, the most essential point to popularize is that the American corporate elite have created a vicious cycle with their free-trade, imperialist policies against Latin America. Decades of military adventures, covert operations and systematic economic pressures have geared much of Latin America’s economy toward the profit needs of U.S.-based multinational corporations, no matter the impact to ordinary workers and farmers in those countries.

By Jesse Lessinger Jun 22, 2010

State legislatures nationwide have slashed billions of dollars from public education as they deal with revenue shortfalls brought on by the economic crisis. According to a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures, the 50 states must close over half a trillion dollars in deficits by 2013, which could include laying off an estimated 100,000-300,000 teachers this year.

By Alan Jones Jun 22, 2010

The Democratic Party has continued to drift to the right with the Blue Dog Democrats in Congress setting the pace in trying to please their corporate masters, and Obama has betrayed even the most feeble promises of change, trying to be a “bipartisan” corporate politician. People demanded real change by electing Obama, but he has been beholden to both big business and the unnecessary “reaching across the aisle” to Republicans. This is due to the big business nature of the Democratic Party.

By Alan Jones Jun 19, 2010

The right-wing populist, anti-government, anti-Obama Tea Party movement has kept making headlines over the past year. Tea party activists have been influential in the Republican Party’s drive to try to make gains in the 2010 mid-term elections. An April NYT/ABC poll showed 18% of the population identifying themselves as “supporters” of the Tea Party.

By Teddy Shibabaw Jun 18, 2010

Spring 2010 was a season of resurgence for the immigrant rights movement, with the largest demonstrations since the immigrant rights movement erupted in 2006. Anger was already building at stepped up ICE raids, deportations, and lack of action from Congress or Obama on comprehensive immigration reform. On March 21, 200,000 marched on Washington demanding reform.

By Bryan Koulouris Jun 18, 2010

Words fail to fully describe the devastation in the gulf. Eleven lives lost, ecosystems destroyed, thousands of livelihoods are ruined, and the calamity continues. This will become the greatest environmental disaster in U.S. history.

By Jesse Lessinger Jun 14, 2010

Among the most advanced struggles for the future of education across the country is taking place in Chicago. For several years a new opposition caucus in the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) called the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) has organized and mobilized teachers, parents and students to confront the big business agenda for education in Chicago, dubbed Renaissance 2010.

By Socialist Alternative Jun 13, 2010

They ignored the warnings about dangers of a spill. They disregarded safety procedures. They cut corners on methods for preventing blowouts. All of this was done in pursuit of one thing: the 'black gold' of crude oil found miles below the ocean's surface which can then be turned into mega-profits.

By Aysha Zaki, CWI Lebanon Jun 1, 2010

The following is the translated text of a leaflet (in Arabic) that is being distributed in Beirut today by supporters of the CWI in Lebanon during a mass protest against the massacre of peace activists by the IDF last weekend.

By socialistworld.net Jun 1, 2010

Below we provide an initial response from Socialist Struggle Movement in Israel (CWI) following the killing of protesters during the IDF takeover of the international aid convoy, last night. We call on everyone to participate in demonstrations and protests.

By Joe Higgins, MEP Ireland Jun 1, 2010

News reports have not yet provided a definitive account of the extent of the IDF attack on the flotilla of eight humanitarian aid ships on their way to Gaza. However, it is clear that IDF forces have taken over some of the ships and at least 10 unarmed activists have been slaughtered and others injured. There are at least eleven Irish nationals on this flotilla and we do not yet know the condition they are in.

By Robert Bechert Jun 1, 2010

Despite huge bail-out plans, world financial markets continue to batter the EU. The very existence of the eurozone is in question. Although the Greek working class is in the frontline, deep cuts are being implemented internationally.

By Ted Virdone May 29, 2010

A representative of Socialist Alternative debated a representative of the Tea Party movement at the May 8, 2010 Northwest Socialism Conference in Seattle. Watch the video here!

By SocialistAlternative.org May 22, 2010

Justice newspaper, Labor Notes and SocialistAlternative.org have chronicled the strike and victory of hospital workers at Temple University in Philadelphia. The labor movement has been riddled with defeats, and this strike is a shining example of well-organized workers’ struggle for a better future. Strike leader and Socialist Alternative National Committee member Marty Harrison recently provided this exclusive interview.

By Tom Crean and Will Soto May 21, 2010

In the spring of 2006, millions of immigrants, overwhelmingly Latino and working class, came onto the streets of dozens of cities and towns, culminating in the rebirth of May Day in the United States. This represented the beginnings of the first real mass social movement in this country in a generation. The scale of the protests caught most of the organizers completely by surprise. It was nothing less than the uprising of one of the most exploited and oppressed sections of the population and was reminiscent of the Civil Rights movement of the 50s and 60s. It also demonstrated the enormous social tinder lying just under the surface of American society as well as the rapidity with which real developments in the working class can occur.

By Marty Harrison May 21, 2010

After a hard-fought, month-long strike at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, the nurses and technical/professional staff can proudly say, “We won!” Union members’ determined solidarity and their support from the community, the broader labor movement, and political leaders beat back concessions demanded by the hospital on union rights, wages, and working conditions.

By Joshua Koritz, member of AFSCME Local 3650 (personal capacity) May 15, 2010

In 2010, there are three corporate candidates for Massachusetts Governor: Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker, and Tim Cahill. All differ on some issues but agree on a basic program: cut, slash and layoff. Jill Stein, of the Green/Rainbow Party, stands out as being against the big business agenda, for living wage jobs and guaranteed quality health care rather than the Massachusetts mandated insurance scam.

By Andy Moxley May 12, 2010

Only a few weeks ago, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) announced their endorsement and co-founding of a new political party in North Carolina entitled the “North Carolina First” Party (NC First). Currently NC First is petitioning to gain the 85,000 signatures necessary to become a state-recognized political party, an extremely difficult but accomplishable task. On the surface, this looks (and is promoted) to be a bold move by the largest public sector union in the United States to give a stronger voice to working people. Unfortunately, this initiative falls into familiar political trappings.

By William Forester May 11, 2010

The disaster caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig was a human disaster but not of the workforce’s making. It is due to decisions of the oil companies and the government. A year ago, BP, the oil company leasing the rig, did an environmental study of the operation. This study claimed there was almost no possibility of a severe failure which would produce a large oil spill. It is clear that because of this claim there was no emergency plan. In fact, initially after the explosion BP was in denial, claiming that no oil was leaking! Now they are scrambling to try and find a solution to something they claimed would not happen.

By Justin Harrison May 11, 2010

On April 20, 2010, a scant 27 days after the five year anniversary of the BP Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170, the state of the art deepwater drilling rig Deepwater Horizon leased by BP, exploded, burned and sank into the Gulf of Mexico killing 11 workers and injuring 17. Raw crude oil from the uncapped exploratory well that the Horizon was drilling began pouring into the ocean at an undetermined rate.

By Socialist Alternative Reporters May 10, 2010

The Northwest Socialism Conference, held Saturday, May 8 at Seattle University, marked a big step forward for socialists in Washington State. More than a 140 people from all over Western Washington came to discuss socialism and the conference’s theme “Revolutionary Ideas for Changing the World.” The number of participants mushroomed over the course of three sessions throughout the day. An initial crowd of 75 grew to approximately 140 for the last session featuring a debate with a Tea Party member, forcing the conference to move to a larger room.

By The Socialist, Socialist Party England and Wales May 7, 2010

An environmental catastrophe threatens the US coastline surrounding the Gulf of Mexico following an explosion and sinking of the BP leased Deepwater Horizon oil rig on 20 April.

By Teddy Shibabaw May 6, 2010

This year’s May 1st, International Workers’ Day, was marked by hundreds of thousands marching to support immigrant rights. In over 80 cities across the U.S. actions included marches, rallies and student walkouts as well as civil disobedience. Following on the heels of the 200,000 strong March 21st immigrant rights rally in Washington DC, the movement had already been developing momentum due to the built up frustration on lack of action from Congress or the Obama White House. The recent passage of the racist anti-immigrant law SB 1070 in Arizona just added fuel to the fire, all but promising the May 1st demos would be much bigger than previously anticipated.

By SocialistAlternative.org May 6, 2010

Arizona Republican leaders have thrown down the gauntlet to immigrants with new racist legislation. Anyone who “reasonably” looks like an “illegal” immigrant must be stopped by the police and forced to cough up documents and identification. When asked what an undocumented worker looks like, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer had no answer. Clearly, the bill will affect anyone with brown skin or an accent.

By Xekinima (CWI in Greece) May 6, 2010

Yesterday, workers across Greece took part in a huge general strike in angry opposition to a new "austerity cuts package." The strike hit all public and private sectors and closed down airports, docks and stopped all public transport. In Athens over 200,000, possibly 300,000, marched in the biggest ever trade union protest.

By Pete Mason, Socialist Party (CWI England & Wales) May 6, 2010

As the Copenhagen summit approached last December, Scientific American ran a striking cover story, A Plan for a Sustainable Future. This showed how wind, water and solar power could supply the entire world’s energy needs by 2030. (November 2009) Renewable energy is superabundant. Authors Mark Jacobson of Stanford University and Mark Delucchi of the University of California show that accessible sunlight alone (excluding sunlight that falls on the oceans) could provide more than 40 times the amount of energy being consumed around the world today.

By Peter Taaffe May 6, 2010

It is clear that a wave of arrests and repression against left and social movement activists in Kazakhstan is gathering pace.

By Katie Quarles May 5, 2010

Since getting elected with the support and money of the LGBT community, Obama has done little more than pay lip service to LGBT issues. He has consistently refused to support Gay Marriage (supporting only “civil unions”). In the more than a year that the Democrats have controlled the White House and Congress, the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) - banning gay marriages from being federally recognized – has not been repealed, and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would federally ban employment discrimination against LGBT people, has not been enacted. Even Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) - which bans LGBT people from openly serving in the military - has been slightly weakened but has not been repealed.

By Tony Wilsdon May 5, 2010

According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2007, African Americans still can expect to live 6-10 fewer years than whites and face higher rates of illness. Central to this is lack of access to health care. In its recent annual report, the Urban League stated: “Uninsurance rate for blacks is about 21% - almost double the 12% rate for whites. Latinos have the highest uninsurance rate at 34%.” In the Democrats’ new bill, undocumented workers (mostly Latino) are left without any of the new meager benefits.

By Ben Gallup May 3, 2010

In April President Obama called for hundreds of millions of acres of coastal waters to be opened for oil and gas exploration and drilling. This means a horrifying assault on ecology, beaches, and coastal tourist economies - but big profits for the energy industry.

By Dani Indovino May 2, 2010

For decades, women have had more trouble paying for their health care and medications than men (Gallup-Health-ways Well-Being Index). More than one in seven women lack insurance coverage. The main reason for this disparity is insurance being tied to full-time employment, while according to the Government Accountability Office, only 52% of women (compared to 73% of men) are employed full-time. Women who work part time or have made the decision to stay at home are forced to pay all of their medical expenses out of pocket, or vie for private insurance on the free market.

By Teddy Shibabaw May 2, 2010

In 2003, then Illinois State Senator Obama gave a speech before a union audience, laying out the potential for introducing real universal health care – a single-payer plan. “I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal health care program. But … first we have to take back the White House, we have to take back the Senate, and we have to take back the House.” The Democrats did just this. But single payer never made it to the table. The passage of the health care bill now begs the question: How is it that the Democrats, with a popular, charismatic president and a large historic majority in both Houses of Congress, could only come up with an inadequate, pro-corporate reform bill?

By Jesse Lessinger May 1, 2010

All around the country it’s the same story: state and local governments are short on cash and saying they have to cut spending on education, health care, and other social services. Meanwhile, record Wall Street bonuses of over $140 billion were reported for 2009 by the very same banks which received hundreds of billions in taxpayer bailouts. This is a crisis the rich created, but they want ordinary working people to pay for it.

By Rob Mirabito, Member of Carpenters Union Local 33 (personal capacity), Boston, MA May 1, 2010

We’ve all heard this phrase. It implies that those without one are lazy and that jobs are there for those who are willing. 9.7% of the adult population isn’t working, and I’d be willing to bet my next unemployment check that most of them want to work. This translates to almost 15 million people who are considered unemployed. There are nearly 9 million who are under-employed because they can’t find a full-time job. As usual, those at the bottom are hit hardest.

By Andreas Payiatsos, Xekinima (CWI Greece) and Nial Mulholland (CWI) May 1, 2010

The worst capitalist crisis since the 1930s has led to increasing crises and change across the world. In the last months, Greece has been at the epicenter of turmoil in Europe, which now threatens the very core of the European Union. The Greek workers' resistance to the bosses' attacks provides an inspiring example to working people across the world who are struggling against the effects of the economic crisis.

By Pete Ikeler Apr 30, 2010

After the immense hopes placed by millions of Americans in Obama, the Democrats have again shown themselves for what they really are: a party beholden to the interest of big business.

By Patrick Ayers Apr 30, 2010

President Obama and the Democrats have finally thrust aside the obstructionist Republicans and passed health reform. Declaring “a new season in America,” Obama has promised that coverage will be extended to more than 30 million people. Some repulsive practices of insurers will be curbed with new regulations. While most reforms will not be implemented until years down the road, some changes this year will benefit children, young people, and the elderly.

By Calvin Pope Apr 30, 2010

After last fall reaching its highest levels since the Great Depression, official U.S. unemployment has improved slightly to 9.7%, while actual unemployment and underemployment remain far higher. Last month, the highest ever long-term unemployment rate was recorded, with 6.5 million Americans out of work for six months or longer.

By Genevieve Morse, Classified Staff Union / MTA (Personal Capacity) Apr 30, 2010

METHUEN, Mass.- On March 7 over 300 workers at a Shaw’s Supermarket distribution center voted to go on strike. Shaw’s had asked the workers to freeze their pensions and increase their health care payments by 30%. Management also wanted to lay off over 20 full-time workers. Instead of giving the workers a raise, the company’s initial proposal was to give them a Shaw’s gift card.

By Marty Harrison, PASNAP Executive Board Member (personal capacity) Apr 29, 2010

1,000 nurses and 500 professional/technical workers at Temple University Hospital struck on March 31 after working without a contract for the last six months. The workers are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP).

By Dylan Seo Apr 29, 2010

On March 21 of this year, the immigrant worker rights movement was reborn with hundreds of thousands protesting in Washington, D.C. An “immigration reform” bill is being discussed in the halls of power, co-sponsored by Democrat Charles Schumer and Republican Lindsey Graham. While many immigrants’ rights activists are excited for the prospect of this bill passing, the legislation would leave many workers as indentured servants under a guest worker program while tax-payer money would be wasted on militarization of the border.

By Justice Apr 24, 2010

CORE - the Caucus of Rank and File Educators - is a group of teachers who work for the Chicago Board of Education and who recently put together, through a democratic internal election process, a slate that is challenging the incumbent leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union in the elections this May.

By Alton Sierra Apr 23, 2010

Oregon has a history of rejecting sales tax and other regressive tax increases, but now the state faces a large budget deficit. To cover $727 million of this deficit, measures 66 and 67 increase the corporate minimum tax, paid by two thirds of corporations that do business in Oregon, to $150, and an increase on income tax paid by the highest 3% of earners.

By Tom Crean, United Federation of Teachers (NYC), chapter leader (personal capacity) Apr 22, 2010

In February, the school board in Central Falls, Rhode Island, the poorest and most densely populated city in the state, voted to fire all 93 teachers and staff at the city’s only high school because it is allegedly “failing.” On March 1, speaking before the US Chamber of Commerce, President Obama cited this mass firing as a model of how to hold schools and teachers “accountable.” The local school board was actually following one of four “turn around” models the Obama administration has put forward for districts to get a share of the $3.5 billion School Improvement Grant.

By Zhenya Otto and Ainur Kurmanov and Rob Jones Apr 8, 2010

In a remarkable 24 hours, mass protests broke out in Talaz, in northern Kyrgyzstan, quickly spreading throughout the country. The capital, Bishkek, was quickly rocked by a mass uprising, which the authorities tried to put down using snipers and armored personnel carriers. Despite dozens shot dead, the masses just surged forward, attacking government buildings, seizing weapons to resist the riot police, before the latter came over to support the uprising. By the evening, the government had resigned and the President, Bakayev had reportedly fled the capital, with his Air Force Jet No 1 taking off from the US airbase Manas at the edge of the city.

By Peter Taaffe, General Secretary, Socialist Party, cwi in England and Wales Apr 7, 2010

The majority of union leaders today are completely unprepared to meet the current onslaught on jobs and public services. But that does not mean that the inevitable resistance is destined for defeat. On the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the poll tax to England and Wales, Peter Taaffe looks back on the ‘unofficial’ mass movement which humbled the seemingly invincible Margaret Thatcher.

By Marty Harrison, Executive Committee of Temple University Hospital Nurses’ Association and Member of the Philadelphia Central Labor Council (personal capacity) Apr 5, 2010

1,000 nurses and 500 professional and technical workers at Temple University Hospital struck at 7 am Wednesday after working without a contract for the last six months. The workers are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP).

By Marty Harrison, Executive Committee of Temple University Hospital Nurses’ Association and Member of the Philadelphia Central Labor Council (personal capacity) Apr 1, 2010

Note: the strike began at 7am on March 31, 2010.

By Fran Karas Mar 25, 2010

There is a palpable feeling of euphoria that extends beyond Washington over the passage of what is known as the Obama Health Care bill in the House of Representatives. The US Health Care Act passed with a narrow majority of 219-212 with not a single Republican vote in favor – despite Obama’s and the Democrats’ efforts to make the bill as attractive as possible to the conservative Republican base. There is something to be said about scoring a victory against the Tea Partiers and the frenzied right-wing demagogues that seemed to have captured the airwaves the last few months. But, sadly, it’s a hollow victory.

By Socialist Party (CWI in Australia) Mar 18, 2010

Scandals over the past few months have given rise to people’s concerns about the reliability of scientific evidence on climate change. Recent polls have also suggested that concern about the threat of global warming is weakening in Australia.

By Andreas Payiatsos, Xekinima (CWI Greece), Athens, and Niall Mulholland, CWI, London Mar 17, 2010

Last week, Greece was again brought to a standstill by the collective action of the organized working class. Workers joined the third general strike in three weeks against the government’s draconian austerity package, hitting 90% of public sector workplaces and also up to 90% of large private sector concerns. It was a further display of the enormous power of the working class when it is organized and acts in a united fashion.

By Jesse Lessinger Mar 14, 2010

The nation-wide protests of students and education workers against budget cuts to schools on March 4 was the most significant day of resistance to the economic downturn since the crisis erupted in 2008. It is an important harbinger of bigger struggles to come.

By Revolutionary Socialist Alternative (ASR), CWI-Bolivia Mar 11, 2010

Years have passed since the beginning of the mass movements against neoliberal capitalism in Bolivia that opened the way for the electoral victory of Evo Morales´s MAS and the reforms that they have introduced since coming to power. Now Bolivia stands on the edge of a massive change, with increasing bureaucratization of the MAS government threatening the gains of the revolutionary upsurge.

By Teddy Shibabaw Mar 10, 2010

In his State of the Union address, Obama boldly announced a three-year spending freeze starting in 2011 that will affect every area of the budget except the “Defense” budget, Veterans Administration, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. This threatens funding for education, transportation, fiscal aid to state governments, housing and food assistance, all kinds of regulatory agencies and many other as yet unknown essential social programs.

By Brett Hoven, Twin Cities Ford Assembly Plant, UAW local 879 (personal capacity) Feb 26, 2010

On January 23, over 100 United Auto Workers (UAW) activists and union oppositionists gathered in Detroit to discuss how to build on the momentum produced by the national contract rejection by Ford workers last November. This was the first time in history that UAW members in the Big Three automakers have voted against a contract endorsed by the UAW leadership.

By Jesse Lessinger Feb 26, 2010

Socialist Alternative is in political solidarity with the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). With sections in over 35 countries around the world, the CWI is a global socialist organization working to unite the working class and poor in a fight against global capitalism and for democratic socialism.

By Greg Beiter, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (personal capacity) Feb 26, 2010

In 2009, Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire and the Democrat super-majority in the state legislature wrung out a $9 billion deficit through an all-cuts budget, hacking away at everything in sight from education and health care to services for children, the poor, and the elderly. Big business and the rich, by contrast, escaped unscathed – the state’s regressive tax system remained horrendously skewed in favor of corporations like Boeing, Microsoft, Weyerhauser, Amazon, and the rich who own them.

By SocialistAlternative.org Mar 6, 2010

A new movement of students and education workers has erupted in response to the vicious budget cuts raining down on public education in state after state. The media coverage of March 4th actions across the country – and particularly in California, the epicenter of the new movement – was extensive. But this was by no means a spontaneous outburst of resistance. The protests were organized by student and public sector union activists who are on the front lines of this growing movement.

By Jeff Booth Mar 4, 2010

Howard Zinn, historian, professor and left-wing activist, died on January 27th at the age of 87. Best known for his book “A People’s History of the United States”, Zinn and his many other historical and dramatic writings were gaining in popularity at the time of his death.

By Genevieve Morse, Classified Staff Union / MTA (Personal Capacity) Feb 26, 2010

You wouldn’t know it, but a study found that Massachusetts provides the least amount of support for higher education in the entire U.S., (Illinois State University’s Center for the Study of Education Policy in cooperation with the State Higher Education Executive Officers). Usually regarded as one of the top states for quality public education, funding has been slashed for the last five years. Astonishingly, funding has been cut by 37% over the last two years.

By Bryan Watson Feb 26, 2010

Despite defiant declarations to fight on, it’s clear Obama and the Democratic Party’s signature domestic legislation, health care reform - and the hopes of millions for guaranteed health care - are in dire straits.

By Will Soto Feb 26, 2010

Following modern history’s only successful slave revolution, the U.S. government refused to recognize Haiti upon its 1804 declaration of independence. This reflects the intense hostility of the U.S. (and the other big powers) to the Haitian Revolution and the mortal fear of its revolt spreading to slaves in the U.S and throughout the Americas. the United States did not recognize Haiti’s independence until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War.

By Alan Jones Feb 26, 2010

Stung by the shock defeat in the Massachusetts special Senate election, President Obama had proclaimed that he was prepared to curb the major banks and Wall Street. He referred to the bonuses in Wall Street –amounting to over $150 billion as “obscene.” “If these folks want a fight, it’s a fight I am willing to have... Never again will the American taxpayer be held hostage by a bank that is too big to fail,” he said.

By George Martin Fell Brown Feb 26, 2010

The National Tea Party Convention, held on February 4-6 in Nashville, was billed as a grassroots gathering of conservative activists against the bank bailouts and Obama’s health care plan. The “grassroots” character of the event, however, was undermined by the $549 price of admission and the heavily publicized lobster banquet.

By Calvin Pope Feb 26, 2010

A month after the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, over 230,000 people are now estimated dead. Another 300,000 have been injured and 460,000 people are living in makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince. Food aid has been extremely slow to arrive, and desperate Haitians carry signs pleading for assistance: “Help us, we’re starving,” (Associated Press, 2/12/10). A million people are now estimated homeless.

By Ty Moore Feb 26, 2010

After a year of demoralization and crisis, suddenly Republicans are optimistic about the 2010 elections. In the wake of Scott Brown’s upset victory in the Massachusetts Senate race and falling poll numbers for Obama and his policies, many commentators are proclaiming a swing back to the right in popular opinion.

By Tom Crean, Delegate and Chapter Leader, United Federation of Teachers NYC (personal capacity) Feb 26, 2010

For the U.S. corporate elite, “education reform” – which means privatizing as much as possible of the school system and attacking the collective power of teachers – is a strategic task. To these people, New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg and his henchman, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, are heroes.

By Rob Mirabito, Carpenters Local 33 (personal capacity) Feb 26, 2010

For bankers, the new year started the way it usually does: with massive, unjustifiable bonuses. The numbers are staggering on their own, but the situation becomes infuriating when you consider the state of the economy. Bonuses given out by major banks and securities firms for 2009 were reported to be a record-setting $145 billion, up 18% from 2008 (Wall Street Journal, 1/14/10).

By Socialist Struggle Movement (CWI in Israel/Palestine) Feb 26, 2010

One thousand people demonstrated on Friday 19 February, in the Palestinian village Bil`in, in the occupied West Bank, marking 5 years of persistent struggle and weekly demonstrations by the village against the Israeli Separation Fence, which annexes 50% of their land (about 2 square kilometres) for the benefit of the adjacent large ultra-orthodox settlement, Modi`in-`ilit.

By Dan DiMaggio Feb 23, 2010

Thousands of janitors in the Twin Cities are preparing to strike, if necessary, for decent wage increases, affordable health care, paid sick days, and in defense of full-time jobs.

By Patrick Ayers Feb 22, 2010

In a 5-4 vote in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court has struck down one hundred years of restrictions on corporate spending in election campaigns. On the surface, the Court has posed it as an issue of “rights”. However, at root, the decision is more about the crushing power of corporations in the U.S. More than ever, we need to build a fightback.

By Philip Locker Feb 20, 2010

“There’s no question this is extraordinary – the worst situation in 50 years.” That’s how Susan Urahn, director of the Pew Center for the States, described the massive budget deficits facing state governments across the country on ABC News. “We saw a $180 billion cumulative budget gap in 2009 and predict the same for 2010.”

By Lynn Walsh, Socialist Party (CWI in England & Wales) Feb 19, 2010

The economic crisis in Greece is sending shockwaves through Europe’s financial and political infrastructure. The threat of debt default has fuelled feverish speculation on bond markets. The only issue on which the EU and Greek political establishment agrees is that the working-class will have to pay through savage cutbacks. This, in turn, is sparking social upheaval. Lynn Walsh reports on the gravest challenge to the eurozone since the launch of the euro currency.

By Lynn Walsh, Socialist Party (CWI in England & Wales) Feb 19, 2010

Trade union activists expect class bias in the courts and employment tribunals. But rarely has a tribunal delivered such a blatantly biased judgment based on class interest. The employment tribunal judge declared open season for the persecution of Trotskyists, whom he considers "unworthy of protection" in a democratic society.

By Steve Early Feb 18, 2010

In New York City, insurgent slates in Transport Workers Union Local 100 and Teamsters Local 804 recently won hard-fought union elections, and pledged a rank-and-file focus.

By Greg Beiter, ATU 587 Shop Steward, Seattle, WA Feb 18, 2010

On February 15, over 6,000 gathered in Olympia, WA on the steps of the state capitol building to protest further cuts to education, health care, and social services, and attacks on state workers.

By SocialistAlternative.org Feb 9, 2010

Washington St. - If students, teachers, and staff are firmly united, organized, and mobilized to win public support, these cuts can be defeated. Students, faculty, and staff throughout the University of California system when confronted with a devastating 32% increase in tuition organized rallies, marches, strikes and occupations of campus administration buildings. Their movement scored an important initial victory by forcing Republican Governor Schwarzenegger to publicly commit to finding funds for the University system. According to a top level aid to the Governor, the decisive factor in compelling the Governor to find the money was the protests by UC students and staff!

By Alton Sierra Feb 8, 2010

Wall Street bonus season has begun again, with billions handed out in bonus pay as banks and investment firms report gigantic 2009 profits.

By Will Soto Feb 2, 2010

The recent earthquake has hit the poorest metropolitan area in the Americas and brought a new wave of devastation to a country that had already suffered the worst effects of capitalism, poverty and imperial meddling.

By Jesse Lessinger Jan 30, 2010

NEW YORK CITY—On January 26, around 2,000 teachers, students and parents attended a rally called by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and then entered a mass hearing of the Panel for Education Policy (PEP) at Brooklyn Tech High School. The overwhelming majority, if not the entirety of those that attended were there to speak out against mayor Bloomberg’s proposal to close 19 public schools, which would be voted on by the PEP at the end of the hearing.

By Bryan Koulouris Jan 21, 2010

Unimaginable a few short weeks ago: Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat in Massachusetts was won by a Republican. Two months ago, Martha Coakley had a 31 percentage-point lead in polls over the obscure Republican state senator Scott Brown. Most had thought that the real race was over for Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat when the Democratic primary ended. After all, the seat had been held by the Democratic Party for over 58 years, most of that time by two brothers with the last name Kennedy. Just over a year ago, Obama had carried Massachusetts by 26%. What happened?

By Niall Mulholland Jan 21, 2010

The humanitarian catastrophe that has befallen Haiti beggars belief. The powerful earthquake that struck on 12 January left many thousands dead, with estimates running to 200,000 and more. The flimsy slum dwellings in Port-au-Prince, the capital, collapsed, as did public buildings, including schools and hospitals. Many thousands are still missing and more are badly injured.

By Dave Carr Jan 20, 2010

While desperate survivors in Haiti’s destroyed capital of Port-au-Prince tried to find food, water and shelter, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton breezed into the main airport for a photo opportunity, diverting aid relief flights which included a field hospital from the charity Médecins Sans Frontières.

By Aidan Beatty Jan 19, 2010

Much has been said about the change promised by Barack Obama prior to his election, and the depressing continuity between his administration and those of Bush and Clinton. During the drawn-out months of his election campaign, there were even some rumblings in right-wing media circles that an Obama presidency would not be “sufficiently” pro-Israel. Comparisons were drawn with Jimmy Carter’s supposedly pro-Palestinian administration, while a false controversy was manufactured in Obama’s friendship with the moderate, and indeed quite uncontroversial, Palestinian historian Rashid Khalidi. It is clear, however, that even prior to November 2008, Obama was never going to buck the trend when it came to Washington’s long-term “special relationship” with Israel.

By Marlon Pierre-Antoine, Cedar Rapids branch of Socialist Alternative Jan 14, 2010

Democratic Governor Chet Culver of Iowa is attempting to implement a 10% ($600 million) across the board cut to the state budget. With the support of both his own party and the Republicans, no program is off limits - Medicare, food stamps, public education and more are all on the chopping block.

By Niall Mulholland Jan 13, 2010

Disaster has struck the impoverished people of Haiti once again; a powerful earthquake, on January 12, toppled buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince.

By Jeff Booth Jan 9, 2010

The future for working people under capitalism can be seen most sharply by looking at its impact on young people. The recession has accelerated already falling living standards for U.S. youth and hit young people harder than any other section of the population. 16 to 24 year-olds have lost at least 2.5 million jobs since December 2007. As of September 2009, only 46% of youth between 16 and 24 were actually working – the lowest figure on record since 1948 when the government started keeping track of this statistic.

By Bryan Koulouris Jan 9, 2010

The Youth Fight for Jobs campaign in Britain caught the attention of Socialist Alternative and Justice newspaper. With over a million young people now out of work, the campaign has organized dynamic, high-profile actions to demand jobs and affordable education. Bryan Koulouris from Justice interviewed Ben Robinson and Sarah Sachs-Eldridge, two leaders of Youth Fight for Jobs (YF4J).

By Brett Hoven, Twin Cities Ford Assembly Plant, UAW local 879 (personal capacity) Jan 9, 2010

In late October, in a historic show of rank-and-file opposition, Ford’s 41,000 hourly workers voted down proposed contract modifications endorsed by the company and the international leadership of the United Auto Workers (UAW). The modifications would have removed limits on hiring low-wage entry-level workers and frozen their wages for six years, while also limiting the right to strike. This was the first national Ford contract to be voted down by UAW members since 1976 (Detroit Free Press, 10/31/09).

By Steve Edwards, President, AFSCME Local 2858, personal capacity Jan 7, 2010

On October 31, 65 activists met at a Chicago union hall to discuss the crisis facing public sector workers and the services we provide.