Vol. 74/No. 32      August 23, 2010

The Muni workers, who drive buses, streetcars, and cable cars here, have twice voted down a package of concessions negotiated by Mayor Gavin Newsom, Muni management, and the executive board of Transport Workers Union Local 250-A.

The drivers have been under pressure to accept restrictions in overtime pay and other cuts to make up for deficits in the transit agency budget. After they voted no the second time, they were hit with a barrage of attacks in the big-business press, calling them greedy and irresponsible, and blaming them for cutbacks in transit services and a fare increase from $1.50 to $2.00.

“The Democratic and Republican party politicians try to convince us that there is a limited pool of money in the city budget, and if this runs out, everyone has to be cut back,” Sánchez explained as he handed out campaign flyers to the drivers. “The Socialist Workers candidates say there is plenty of wealth in California, wealth we workers have created to provide for what working people need.”

When one of the drivers explained to Sánchez that Muni managers are pushing for cutting pensions of new hires, the candidate said that this was aimed at weakening the unions by dividing workers with more seniority from newer ones.

“We have to stop relying on the Republicans and the Democrats to solve our problems,” Sánchez added in the discussion. “These parties always put the interests of the bankers, real estate developers, and industrialists first. We need a labor party, based on a fighting union movement, that puts workers’ interests first. That’s a course toward taking political power from the capitalists who exploit us.”

The Socialist Workers candidates and their supporters have also joined the fight against the antiworker, anti-immigrant law SB 1070 in Arizona and have participated in recent demonstrations in opposition to a “secure communities” program being implemented in San Francisco that requires sending fingerprints of those in jail for any reason to Homeland Security.

On August 7 SWP gubernatorial candidate Lea Sherman and other campaign supporters joined a spirited three-mile march for immigrant rights through downtown San Jose. It was organized by Voluntarios de la Comunidad.

Protesters were eager to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on their jobs and working conditions. “We want deeds, not promises,” Efren Garcia told Sherman. A janitor for 15 years and member of Service Employees International Union Local 1877, he said conditions for workers have been nothing but “down, down, down.” Now he does double the work for the same pay. “On the job we need control over our conditions of work to protect against speedup, which jeopardizes health and safety,” Sherman responded.

“Factories aren’t providing work these days, and when they do you’re always in danger,” one participant stated at the open mike at the rally. “Stop the deportations! Give us papers!” she demanded.

After being introduced at the rally by Voluntarios de la Comunidad leader José Sandoval, Sherman was applauded when she emphasized, “The fight for immigrant rights is a fight for the whole working class.”

Pointing to the trade unionists who traveled on buses from Los Angeles to Phoenix the week before to stand up against SB 1070, she said, “This is an example for the entire union movement to emulate.”

“We say no to the ‘orders of removal’ of immigrant workers, no to the sweeps, no to the militarization of the border, stop the deportations and raids. For legalization of all undocumented workers now!” Sherman said.

After listening to her speech, several workers approached Sherman to find out more about the campaign. José Flores told her that he recently worked 65 hours in a week and was paid only $400. “My campaign calls for shortening the workweek with no cut in pay to spread the available work,” Sherman explained. “We also need a massive jobs program to put unemployed workers to work building houses, hospitals, day care centers, and mass transportation.

“I want you to get on television and debate the other candidates,” Flores responded. “I’m tired of so many false promises.”
 
 
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