Vol. 78/No. 2      January 20, 2014

“Enclosed is a $250 blood money contribution that came by way of a Christmas bonus. Thank you for taking it off my hands. I know you will put it to good use,” wrote Amanda Ulman, who works as an assembler in a computer manufacturing plant in Houston, in a note with a check to the Socialist Workers Party Capital Fund.

Bribes from bosses intended to convince workers to accept speedup, wage cuts, concession contracts and dangerous working conditions — “blood money” — is a cornerstone of the Capital Fund, which helps finance long-range work of the party. These bribes take various forms: safety, attendance, production and “profit-sharing” bonuses; contract-signing incentives; and holiday “gifts.”

Some $900 in blood money contributions were sent in December.

“This is a $25 contribution from a blood money holiday gift card the bosses at the popcorn factory gave out at work,” wrote Mary Martin from Seattle Dec. 22. “They bragged that exchanging merchandise or gift cards with all their vendors, they didn’t actually have to spend a dime on us for these ‘gifts.’”

Maggie Trowe in Des Moines, Iowa, sent in $317.90, a “Christmas bonus” at the plastics factory where she works. It was personally delivered by the company president and vice president along with two plant managers.

“With it they gave us a letter thanking ‘team members’ for helping the company make large profits,” Trowe wrote. “We have been working forced overtime every other weekend and there have been several injuries on the job. It’s a pleasure to turn this blood money into something the communist movement can use.”

To donate to the fund, contact a Militant distributor near you, listed on page 8.

— EMMA JOHNSON