Build support for striking miners and steelworkers!

Miners plan weekly rallies to build support for strike
Vol. 85/No. 19 - May 17, 2021
Members of American Federation of Teachers join April 28 solidarity rally for United Mine Workers on strike against Warrior Met Coal in Brookwood, Alabama, in Tannehill State Park.

MCCALLA, Ala. — Over 1,100 United Mine Workers of America coal miners are locked in a serious strike against Warrior Met Coal bosses in Brookwood, Alabama. They are backed by family members, UMWA retirees and members from other mines, workers…


Protest gov’t order to shut down Quebec dock strike

Vol. 85/No. 19 - May 17, 2021

MONTREAL — On April 30 the minority Liberal Party government in Ottawa, with the support of the Conservatives, pushed a law through Canada’s Parliament declaring longshore workers at the Port of Montreal to be “essential workers” and ordering them to…


SWP Oakland campaign helps expand reach of the ‘Militant’

Vol. 85/No. 19 - May 17, 2021
Rebecca Williamson, SWP candidate for Seattle City Council, talks with construction worker Luis Montes, right, while campaigning to put Joel Britton on the ballot in California’s 18th Assembly District April 28. Montes, who worked at Tesla, said bosses “treat us like we’re stupid.”

OAKLAND, Calif. — Some 230 people were happy to sign to put Socialist Workers Party candidate Joel Britton on the ballot during a three-day petitioning window for the Aug. 31 special election for State Assembly in the 18th District. Election…


Myanmar protests, strikes continue popular fight to oust military junta

Vol. 85/No. 19 - May 17, 2021
Thousands march in Kyaukme City in Myanmar’s Shan state, part of May 2 nationwide Spring Revolution. Feb. 1 coup, imposition of military rule and growing repression against mass upsurge has brought workers, farmers, minority ethnic groups together in struggle.

Labor unions in Myanmar, alongside associations of farmers, students, Buddhist monks, ethnic minorities and others, are appealing for solidarity in the fight to oust the brutal military junta, which seized power Feb. 1. “Not only is the military shooting at…


Chauvin trial was a blow to rights workers fought for and need today

Vol. 85/No. 19 - May 17, 2021

“Isn’t a just and working-class demand to prosecute, convict and jail killer cops?” reader Kyle Edwards asks in response to the Militant’s coverage of the trial and conviction of Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin. We fight for the prosecution of cops…


Quebec teachers strike again for better pay, conditions

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021

CHAMBLY, Quebec — Some 73,000 primary and secondary school teachers across Quebec, who have been without a contract for over a year, are planning to walk out for the second time in two weeks to increase the pressure on Premier…


New hiring spurs workers struggles for jobs, unions

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021

U.S. bosses are hiring — from steel mills to construction sites to the restaurant business — as COVID-19 vaccinations spread, government lockouts are reduced and the ruling capitalist families see increased opportunities to profit. As production increases, and competition between…


Steelworkers refuse to give in to ATI bosses’ threats

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021

BRACKENRIDGE, Pa. — “Don’t try to strong-arm the steelworkers,” said Todd Barbiaux, president of United Steelworkers Local 1196. He was responding to demands by bosses at Allegheny Technologies Inc. that the union accepts the company’s latest offer by 5 p.m.,…


UK refuse workers vote to extend industrial action

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021
Natalie Garwood with Billy Spencer, a retired union delegate, at refuse workers’ picket in West Thurrock April 21. Garwood, the first woman refuse collector in U.K., has worked there 27 years. “Each time we’re forced to take action, we’ve come out on top,” she said.

WEST THURROCK, England — Refuse workers here held a mass meeting on their picket line April 21 and voted to extend their strike actions. The Unite union members work for the city, east of London. They’ve been striking daily for…