The Militant - 8/10/98 -- Socialists Campaign In N.Y.

Vol.62/No.29 August 10, 1998

Socialists Campaign In N.Y.

BY MAURICE WILLIAMS
"We campaigned for two days in upstate New York where we collected 300 signatures and sold 80 copies of the Militant and one subscription," said Mary Ann Schmidt and Nancy Rosenstock. The two activists were petitioning to get Socialist Workers Party candidates Al Duncan for governor, Ruth Robinett for lieutenant governor, and Rose Ana Berbeo for U.S. Senate on the ballot.

"We visited the plant gate of New Venture Gear in East Syracuse where members of the United Auto Workers snatched up 47 copies of the Militant," said Schmidt. "UAW members at the Curtis Screw plant in Buffalo also bought nine papers."

The socialist workers also campaigned at the Anheuser- Busch brewery in Baldwinsville, New York, where workers are going through contract negotiations. Frank Aldrich told the Militant that his main concerns about the contract were the elimination of past practice and a two-year review of workers' attendance. He bought the Militant to find out more about the GM strike and said a "no" vote on the contract was needed now. Five workers bought copies of the Militant, and one purchased a subscription.

"We are aiming to collect 22,000 signatures by mid- August to get the candidates on the ballot," said Rosenstock. "Anyone who would like to help should contact the campaign office at 718-230-8643."

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"We have just concluded a successful effort to gather 4,900 signatures in a two-week period to put me on the ballot for governor of Minnesota and John Hawkins on the ballot for lieutenant governor," said socialist workers candidate Tom Fiske. "We collected signatures for the other candidates on the Socialist Workers slate: Heather Wood for U.S. Congress 4th C.D. and Michael Pennock for U.S. Congress, 5th C.D."

Fiske said petitioners reported that the demands of the campaign which got the most enthusiastic response were for a shorter work week with no cut in pay, against police brutality, and for federal subsidies for child care centers. Defense of affirmative action programs and demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Persian Gulf and Yugoslavia were also popular.

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"We talked to thousands of working people in Detroit and filed nearly 4,500 signatures to put Socialist Workers candidate Holly Harkness on the ballot for U.S. Congress in the 15th C.D.," wrote campaign supporter Jay Ressler. He said Harkness and her supporters joined picket lines and demonstrations by striking GM workers in Flint, Michigan.

"In three days my co-worker Bud Haithcoat and I collected 45 signatures on the job to put my campaign for U.S. Congress on the ballot in New Jersey," said Susan Anmuth. "We talked to co-workers during breaks and between shifts at the Ford plant in Edison, New Jersey. Four of them renewed their Militant subscriptions and one summer hire bought an introductory sub."

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