Florida ex-felons push back restrictions on right to vote

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

MIAMI — The state of Florida cannot require ex-felons to pay all outstanding court fees, fines and restitution before they are allowed to vote, a federal judge here ruled Oct. 18. This decision is the latest development in the fight…


Striking Chicago teachers, school workers win support

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

CHICAGO — After two weeks on strike, 25,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union are picketing and holding nearly daily rallies around the city. They’ve won broad support in their fight for smaller class sizes and more support staff like…


Blackjewel miners’ encampment protest wins back pay

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

Coal miners in Cumberland, Kentucky, who blocked a coal train for two months, have won their fight to get the wages owed them. Their final paychecks had been clawed back by bankrupt Blackjewel bosses in July. “The credit for this…


Hong Kong protests back Catalan independence fight

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

Protesters in Hong Kong hold Catalan flags showing solidarity with Catalonia’s independence movement in Spain during the 20th week of marches for political rights Oct. 20. The action was on the Chinese mainland, in Kowloon, which is part of the…


Quebec senior residence workers strike for wages and more staff

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

GATINEAU, Quebec — The 110 workers at Le Monastere d’Aylmer senior residence picketed here Oct. 14, chanting and carrying signs saying, “Take Care of the Seniors” and Solidarity.” Members of Teamsters Local 106 have been on strike since Sept. 30.…


2020 campaign reflects crisis of US rulers’ two party system

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

Well short of the backing they need from Republicans to impeach and oust President Donald Trump before the 2020 election, many Democrats are becoming increasingly nervous that none of the 18 candidates contesting their party’s presidential nomination is capable of…


UFCW union local says ‘No!’ to any prison ban of ‘Militant’

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019

“While you can imprison the person, you cannot imprison their mind,” United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 President John Grant wrote Florida prison officials Oct. 16. “We call on you to do the right thing and respect the constitutional…


Steelworkers in New Brunswick fight Glencore lockout

Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019
United Steelworkers Local 7085 members, locked out by Glencore smelter in Belledune, New Brunswick, rally Oct. 8 in fight for job safety, outstanding back pay, against attack on pensions.

MONTREAL — Some 280 members of United Steelworkers Local 7085, locked out since April 24 by Glencore at its smelter in Belledune, New Brunswick, are determined to continue their fight. Workers had voted by 96% to strike. Hours before this…



The Turn to Industry: Forging a Proletarian Party

Advancing a working-class program requires a party working class in composition
Vol. 83/No. 41 - November 11, 2019
Miners block rails, Harlan County, Kentucky, July 2019, to stop Blackjewel bosses from hauling coal until wages owed them were paid. The nonunion miners won broad support and, in October, their back pay.

Below is the introduction to the new book, The Turn to Industry: Forging a Proletarian Party by Jack Barnes. Barnes is the national secretary of the Socialist Workers Party. Copyright © 2019 by Pathfinder Press. Reprinted by permission. BY JACK…