Vol. 72/No. 41      October 20, 2008

An interview with SWP vice presidential candidate Alyson Kennedy appeared in the September 26 online edition of the Seattle-Post Intelligencer. “Kennedy, a former coal miner and long-time union activist, is the running mate of presidential hopeful Roger Calero,” the paper said. “The two are campaigning on the platform of abolishing the country’s current wage system and automatically legalizing undocumented workers.” It explained that Kennedy “feels the working class needs to form a viable political party.”

“She and Calero advocate creating a ‘public works’ program comprised of union-wage jobs to build the country’s infrastructure. They advocate an ‘immediate halt on home and farm foreclosures’ and a shorter work week.”

“The real problem is the wages system,” Kennedy told the Post-Intelligencer. “We get back a little slice in the form of wages … they take the rest of it in the form of profits.”

On September 24 Kennedy and Mary Martin, the Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. Congress in the 7th District of Washington State, visited the picket lines and union hall of the International Association of Machinists, which is on strike against Boeing. Some 28,000 workers have joined the walkout against the company, which produces commercial and military aircraft.

Workers explained to the socialist candidates some of the issues behind the strike. “The company made billions in profit last year and now we want to get our fair share,” one worker said. Striker April Sweet explained that she had been working for Boeing for a year and a half and was making $11.80 an hour. The union wants to upgrade the starting pay, which has not changed since 1992.

Another striker explained that it can take a decade or more to get through the “six-year” wage progression to top pay, due to frequent, extended layoffs.

Amy Lawrence said she had been working for the company for 12 years. “I think we need more alternatives in the elections,” she said as she got a copy of the Militant and said she would read the SWP campaign brochure.

On September 25 Kennedy spoke before an ethnic and minorities studies class of 50 at Shorewood High School. “If revolutions have failed before because of a lack of leadership what is to say that it won’t fail here?” a student asked after her talk.

“The Cuban Revolution is an example of a revolution that has thrived and that’s because it has a leadership that bases itself on the workers and peasants,” Kennedy replied. “That’s the kind of revolutionary leadership we need to forge in this country.”

“How can we go up against an all-powerful government with its media and army?” another student asked her.

“We have to prepare to defend ourselves,” Kennedy answered. “We have the example of how Blacks defended themselves during the civil rights movement against the Ku Klux Klan, other right-wing forces, and the cops.”

“How can the working class run the government without any political experience?” a third student wanted to know.

“Let’s take the energy companies,” said Kennedy. “We should open up their books so working people can see what their real costs are and how much profit they’re making. We should nationalize the energy industry and place it under workers’ control. Then workers will be responsible for guaranteeing safety on the job, ending pollution, and providing safe and affordable energy.”
 
 
Related articles:
‘Wall St. Journal’ article features SWP campaign
SWP presidential campaign tour schedule
Socialist Workers List of States on the ballot  
 
 
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