Vol. 77/No. 19      May 20, 2013

Alongside the subscription effort, readers of the paper, workers involved in labor struggles and other working people, are discussing organizing a conference of fighting workers this summer.

Such a gathering would be an opportunity for those thinking about how to respond to the capitalist crisis and the rulers’ ongoing attacks on our wages, working conditions, rights and very dignity to come together, exchange experiences and discuss the next steps in building a fighting working-class movement.

With its coverage of union struggles, social protest actions and important developments in world politics — all from the point of view of the interests of the working class — the Militant is an integral part of drawing workers together for such a gathering.

Facilities have been booked for July 18-20 in Oberlin, Ohio.

“The projected active workers conference is about workers themselves sharing experiences and figuring out what needs to be done about the crisis, as well as reflecting on past struggles,” said Bryce Phillips, a 22-year-old laid-off food worker and Militant supporter from Kent, Wash. “I want to go because it will be enlightening to meet and learn firsthand about workers who have been in struggle, some of whom I have been reading about in the Militant.”

“Discuss and organize is what the working class needs to do,” John Bossi, a long-time construction worker, responded when Militant supporters from Los Angeles knocked on his door in San Pedro May 4 and raised the idea of working together on such a conference. He bought a copy of the paper, saying he would subscribe in a couple weeks.

“A conference this summer is a great idea,” Miriam Canales, a former teacher, told Dan Fein, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of New York, as she joined him to campaign at a May 7 debate sponsored by the National Organization for Women.

Dozens of subscriptions and books were sold at May Day actions across the country and internationally.

“What caught my attention is that everything in the paper was on the side of the workers. It wasn’t about someone else doing things ‘for us,’” bakery worker Christian Chicas told Militant distributors at the Hempstead, N.Y., May 1 action as he bought a subscription.

Annalucia Vermunt reported from Auckland, New Zealand, that Militant supporters visited some of the workers who had subscribed to the paper at the Canterbury Meat Packers Rangitikei plant. They fought a nine-week lockout in 2011, pushing back some of the company’s worst demands but going back to work with a concession contract.

Union Shed President Mary-Ann Kaka explained that the biggest challenge since going back has been building unity among workers, since some 200 had crossed the picket line during the lockout. Union membership has begun to increase, she added.

Kaka renewed her subscription and bought a copy of The Cuban Five: Who They Are, Why They Were Framed, Why They Should Be Free. She was keen to learn how things had turned out for the American Crystal Sugar workers in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa who were locked out at the same time. (See “After 20 Months Sugar Workers Approve Contract, Lockout Ends” in May 6 issue.)

Militant supporters in Montreal sold 18 subscriptions last week and 20 copies of The Cuban Five, wrote Beverly Bernardo. This includes 17 copies of the newly published French-language edition of the book, three of them sold going door to door.

If you are interested in joining the effort to expand the circulation of the working-class press and discuss with others the need for a conference of fighting workers, call Militant distributors in your region (see directory) or contact the Militant at (212) 244-4899 or themilitant@mac.com.  
 
 
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