The bosses at Wheeling-Pitt won an edge over their competitors in 1985 when they used the cover of bankruptcy proceedings as a pretext to end the guaranteed pension benefits workers in the industry had won over years of struggles. They are determined not to give in to the union demands. In fact they need to push for much deeper concessions if they are to boost their profit rates and stay ahead of their rivals. There will be no limit to the bosses' offensive against labor, except that which workers, organized together, fight to impose.
The outcome of this battle is also significant because it comes at a time when Democrats and Republicans are pushing a whole-scale assault on federal retirement pensions workers shed their blood to win in the labor struggles of the 1930s. Holding the ground against one company's assault on pension benefits can only aid the larger battle to defend Social Security and Medicare.
The capitalists' representatives in government are clearly on the company's side. Ohio state officials, for instance, denied unemployment compensation to the strikers in that state; West Virginia officials are about to rule on whether to provide benefits there.
The turnout at a December 22 support rally in Steubenville, Ohio, shows a glimpse of what's possible in organizing solidarity. Steelworkers and other unionists from throughout the area came, many bringing donations collected at their plant gates and union meetings. They included workers like those at WCI Steel and Ravenswood Aluminum Corp. who have been through labor battles of their own in the last several years, and bring those class- struggle experiences with them.
Much broader support is needed. Strike backers can organize collections of funds and material aid. You can visit the picket lines at the eight struck mills in the Ohio Valley, and bring others from your factory, farm, or school as well. You can invite striking steelworkers to address your union local, community meeting, or classroom to tell the truth about their fight and counter company propaganda.
We also urge our readers, as they join in , to bring the Militant, New International and Pathfinder books to the picket lines, to make available the experiences and lessons of workers' struggles around the world to these fighters standing up to the steel barons.