Interventions by US, Iranian rulers deepen crisis for toilers in Lebanon

Vol. 85/No. 35 - September 27, 2021

With Lebanon in the throes of an economic meltdown that has devastated working people and provoked massive protests, billionaire tycoon Najib Mikati was appointed prime minister Sept. 10. The formation of his administration comes after a 13-month deadlock among the…



Venezuela gov’t opens Mexico talks with opposition parties

Vol. 85/No. 35 - September 27, 2021
Venezuelans wait in line in Caracas for COVID vaccine Sept. 8. Washington’s punishing sanctions have disrupted vaccination, with only 11% of the population fully dosed. In the coming months, revolutionary Cuba is organizing to supply 12 million doses of its Abdala vaccine.

Representatives of the Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro and the country’s main capitalist opposition parties met in Mexico City Sept. 3-6. They agreed to terms for further talks aimed at breaking a polarized political deadlock between both sides, and the…


Boss, gov’t let nursing home evacuees suffer in Louisiana

Vol. 85/No. 35 - September 27, 2021
Inhumane conditions in warehouse in Independence, Louisiana, where 850 nursing home residents were sent after hurricane. It took days for the state to intervene, while 7 people died.

The Louisiana Department of Health shut down seven for-profit nursing homes and moved to revoke their licenses Sept. 7, after 850 senior citizens there were evacuated to a warehouse in Independence Aug. 27 and left in deplorable and degrading conditions…


Miners mark 100 years since union battle at Blair Mountain

Vol. 85/No. 35 - September 27, 2021
Above, West Virginia coal miners after 1921 battle at Blair Mountain. Fierce struggle by miners laid groundwork for growth of United Mine Workers union. Inset, West Virginia teachers in 2018 strike wore red bandanas in tribute to those miners.

Over Labor Day weekend in West Virginia, dozens of commemorations, including rallies, presentations, and re-enactments, marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Blair Mountain. This was one of the biggest armed conflicts ever fought between unionists and the bosses’…


SWP: ‘US forces out of Korea! Lift economic sanctions!’

Vol. 85/No. 35 - September 27, 2021

“We stand in solidarity with the Korean people’s struggle to reunify the country and restore Korea’s national sovereignty,” Steve Clark wrote for the Socialist Workers Party in a Sept. 9 letter to the North Korean government on the 73rd anniversary…


Longshore union in LA: ‘End US embargo of Cuba!’

Vol. 85/No. 35 - September 27, 2021

LOS ANGELES — Floyd Bryan, president of the Southern California District Council of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, reads the resolution passed by the union at its June convention demanding an end to the U.S. government’s embargo against Cuba.…


Social disaster from hurricane is a product of capitalist greed

Vol. 85/No. 34 - September 20, 2021
Volunteers organized by Cajun Navy group travel through flooded LaPlace, Louisiana, Sept. 2. Groups aided people, distributed food and supplies, showing power of working-class solidarity.

The deaths and social disaster left in the wake of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, New York, New Jersey and elsewhere are the result of the workings of capitalism and the class-divided realities it imposes on working people. The liberal media,…


Organize to back Nabisco, Warrior Met coal strikes!

Nabisco strikers in 5 states resist boss takeback drive
Vol. 85/No. 34 - September 20, 2021
Chicago unionists, Nabisco strikers rally Sept. 4 to spread word about national labor battle.

CHICAGO — Chanting “What do we want? A contract!” and “No contract! No cookies,” 200 strikers, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 1, their supporters and fellow unionists rallied outside Nabisco’s flagship bakery here…


Quebec meatpackers approve contract, end four-month strike

Vol. 85/No. 34 - September 20, 2021
Union of Olymel Workers at Vallee-Jonction was strengthened and the 1,000 packinghouse workers won hard-fought gains during four-month strike. Above, rally July 7 in Quebec City.

VALLEE-JONCTION, Quebec — After a hard-fought, four-month-long strike here, the 1,000 members of the Union of Olymel Workers at Vallee-Jonction voted by 78% to accept a new contract Aug. 31. They have seen their union strengthened through the battle and…