Vol. 77/No. 14      April 15, 2013

“Thank you for the opportunity to be able to convert a tiny portion of Walmart’s bloody bonuses into funds for ultimately ending capital accumulation forever,” Morrie Dietrich wrote in a note he sent in with a check for $140 as a blood money contribution to the Socialist Workers Party Capital Fund. Dietrich works greeting and providing customer services at Walmart in Des Moines. He said it’s mainly a safety bonus and paid out depending on the reported injury rate.

“Blood money” refers to company bonuses and other boss bribes to get workers to accept wage cuts, speedup, hazardous working conditions and concession contracts. Donations go to long-range work of the party, financed by the Capital Fund.

Eric Simpson in San Francisco works at United Airlines and contributed $60. “This check showed up the same day IAM members were mailing in our ballots for or against a tentative contract,” he wrote. “Thirty thousand workers are voting. I don’t think the bribe will affect their decision, however. Vote No!” He added that the bribe was originally for $100, but the federal government took 40 percent for themselves.

“Enclosed is blood money for the Capital Fund,” wrote Leslie Dork, who works as a nurse in Albuquerque, sending in $1,200. “I think it’s supposed to make me feel better about having nine personal days taken away.”

To make a contribution, contact Militant distributors on page 6.

—EMMA JOHNSON