The Militant - October 31, 2005 -- On the picket line

Vol. 69/No. 42 October 31, 2005

On the picket line

Striking hospital workers assaulted in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO—Several striking hospital workers, members of the Service Employees International Union, were physically assaulted by California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) security personnel October 13 after a candlelight vigil at the hospital. Dietary aide Lorena Hernandez was hospitalized with abdominal injuries after being kicked to the ground. Two days later, hundreds of hospital workers and supporters attended a union rally to protest the attacks. Some 800 unionists employed by CPMC have been on the picket lines since September 13.

—Laura Anderson

Boilermakers fight lockout
MEREDOSIA, Illinois—The 148 members of Boilermakers Local 484 have been locked out by the Celanese Corporation here since June 5. Celanese bought the plant, which produces highly toxic glue, resin, and adhesives, in February. The union granted the company a 120-day extension to present a contract. Three months later, Celanese demanded up to a 33 percent cut in pay, the elimination of 20 percent of the jobs, and a reduction of health-care benefits.

When the workers asked for an extension and more information, the bosses locked them out and brought in scabs. The unionists have set up Camp Solidarity on the front lawn of a supporter who lives across the road from the plant. No union members have crossed the 24-hour picket line. A court injunction limits the number of pickets to six. But a little down the road, retirees and family members maintain another picket line every day.

—Ilona Gersh
and Rollande Girard

Subway workers strike in Sweden
STOCKHOLM—Subway workers walked out here during the October 6 morning rush hour to protest the union-busting moves of Connex, the company that for the past couple of years has been running the privatized subway system. The unionists are members of Service and Communication Workers (SEKO) Local 119. They struck to protest the company’s firing of union president Per Johannsson. Connex has threatened to sue workers if they strike again. The walkout affected traffic. Only 18 of 55 trains were running October 6.

—Dag Tirsén

AirTran workers join Teamsters
More than 2,400 customer service representatives, ramp workers, and reservation agents from AirTran Airways filed with the National Mediation Board October 11 to be represented by the Teamsters, according to a union press release. The majority are based in Atlanta, at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and an area reservation center. The rest are stationed at 40 other airports and reservation centers across the country. These are the last nonunion workers at the company. About 3,000 other AirTran workers based in Orlando have already joined the union, including 475 mechanics, stock clerks, and tech training instructors.

Related articles:
Meat packers on strike in Alberta confront scabs, boss violence
‘No choice but to organize,’ say truckers in South
Northwest Airlines to annul all union contracts
Ontario smelter workers strike to defend benefits
Teachers walk out in British Columbia
Sprint Nextel workers walk out in four states

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