The government of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin is massing forces along the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Begin is demanding that Syria remove antiaircraft missiles that were moved into Lebanon after two Syrian helicopters were shot down by Israeli jets on April 28.

Bashir Gemayal, leader of the armed bands of ultra-right, pro-Israel Phalangist Party of Lebanon, will soon visit Washington to meet with high Reagan administration officials. And the Pentagon is moving the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal to a position off the coast of Lebanon, and moving a second aircraft carrier, USS Independence, into the Mediterranean Sea.  
 
May 28, 1956
Auto layoffs continue to throw more and more workers out of their jobs. An overwhelming majority of those laid off since the first of the year are not eligible to “supplementary unemployment benefits” under the AFL-CIO United Automobile Workers “Guaranteed Annual Wage” plan, which goes into effect on June 1.

As unemployment mounts, increasing numbers of AFL-CIO United Automobile Workers Union members are calling for the 30 hour week at 40 hours pay as the only effective means of stemming the rising tide of layoffs. They are demanding that the UAW International Executive Board invoke the principle of the living agreement to reopen the contract for the inclusion of the 30 for 40 demand.

The auto workers are looking to their leaders to find a solution to the scourge of layoffs sweeping the industry. Both labor and management, says [a] UAW appeal, have a “heavy moral obligation” to cooperate in finding a solution to the “alarming” unemployment situation in the farm implement and auto industries.  
 
June 1, 1931
The dock-workers of the Duluth-Superior harbor went back to work on May 15 after an unsuccessful strike to resist a wage cut of 15%. Since this strike is one of many defensive struggles being conducted by sections of the working class in Minnesota its lessons are of great value to the revolutionary movement.

The strike followed the announcement of reduction in wages from 75 cents to 60 cents for all dock-men by the Great Lakes Transit Co., the association of all shippers. There was splendid response from the men. The partial success of the previous season strike was the reason. There was but little scabbing. The strike-breakers were imported from other ports. A strike committee of twenty-five was elected to lead the struggle. Mass picketing was started. Around six hundred workers were involved.  
 
 
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