Vol. 74/No. 2      January 18, 2010

“[I’m] proud to hand over this Christmas ‘bonus’ bribe to the workers’ movement, who can be counted on to put it to good use,” wrote Joe Kapsner, a worker from Birchwood, Minnesota. “I can only reject this blood-soaked pittance as a worker. It has come in the face of significant speed-up on the job. Happy to see that this discussion on blood money is being thoroughly covered in the Militant. Keep up the good work!”

In Los Angeles, four workers at Farmer John, a large pork slaughterhouse, sent in “holiday bonuses” totaling $400. “The company has been running the line faster than ever, with resulting injuries,” wrote Naomi Craine, who works at the plant. “In the last 10 days one worker cut his fingers with the wizard knife and needs surgery. Another broke two fingers trying to unjam a belt.”

Contributing these “bonuses” to the Capital Fund is part of the proud tradition of workers in the revolutionary socialist movement not accepting company “blood money” bribes. They’re called that because they’re used to buy our silence about speedup, long hours, and unsafe working conditions. They come with our blood and that of fellow workers on them.

Among the many contributions, Chuck Guerra, a meat packer at the JBS Swift plant in Marshalltown, Iowa, sent checks from three workers, each one for $28 from a $25 gift card and a “free” pound of ground meat the boss gave them for the holidays.

Janet Post, John Staggs, and Brian Nevins sent in a total of $72, including two $12 bonuses they received at a glove factory in Delaware.

Contributions of $139.35 came in from Dennis Richter, Leroy Watson, and Laura Anderson, three workers at Quantum Foods in Chicago. The money came from $75 in gift certificates for Jewel, a grocery chain, and a “safety bonus” of $64.35 that Anderson received.  
 
 
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