Vol. 81/No. 37      October 9, 2017

 

25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

 
October 9, 1992
BESSEMER, Alabama — “Who are we? Union!” “What time is it? Union time!” These chants rang out as some 150 members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 9226 struck Trinity Industries and set up picket lines at midnight September 19. Trinity is the nation’s leading producer of rail cars.

An impromptu rally began at the picket line when a local television news team arrived. “This company needed to be struck,” stated Keith Witherspoon, a welder. “Skilled welders, painters, and machinists make $10 an hour and pay $50 a week for insurance. The pay’s too low, and with so many layoffs we don’t always get 40 hours.” Management is also attempting to gut the seniority system.

October 9, 1967
U.S. ruling circles are more deeply split than ever over the Vietnam War. An important indication of this has been the emergence of a new crop of “doves” within the Republican Party, many of whom are calling for a Republican “peace” candidate in 1968.

The antiwar sentiment among capitalist politicians represents only a tactical difference within the ruling class over how best to defeat the world revolution — but it also creates new openings and opportunities for the antiwar movement. While no confidence can be placed in any capitalist politician, these opportunities should be seized and used to build the antiwar movement.

October 11, 1942
When, about two months ago, the Indian Congress decided to inaugurate a civil disobedience movement; when the British authorities arrested Gandhi and other leaders of the Congress; and when sections of the masses began to demonstrate against the government in different parts of India, the temptation was great to declare that the Indian Revolution had begun.

A realistic evaluation of all the factors involved in the situation dictates the necessity of a certain amount of caution in predicting the emergence of a revolution from the present revolutionary situation. All indications point to the willingness and readiness of the Indian masses to get rid of the British rulers.  
 
 
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