‘501’ deportations by Australian gov’t are attack on working class

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021
Above, immigration detention center on Christmas Island, remote Australian territory in Indian Ocean. Hundreds of “501 detainees” are imprisoned there, facing deportation under Canberra’s law using “character grounds” to cancel visas of long-term residents. The law especially targets workers from New Zealand. Left, a fire at compound Jan. 10 after several days of sit-in protesting indefinite detention without family visits or contact with anyone.

  SYDNEY — Defending Canberra’s policy of stepping up deportations of “criminals,” Minister of Home Affairs Peter Dutton called it “taking the trash out” to “keep Australia safe.” His comments coincided with a Channel 9 TV report titled, “Con Air:…


Solidarity with workers resisting boss attacks!

Warrior Met coal miners win support in ‘battle of our lives’
Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021
April 21 rally in McCalla, Alabama, to support mineworkers on strike for higher wages, safety, pensions against Warrior Met Coal. Right, picket line same day at mine entrance in Brookwood.

MCCALLA, Ala. — At a rally attended by 450 people here April 21, striking miners from the Brookwood coal mine were joined by union retirees, family members and contingents from other unions. The event was held at Tannehill State Park…


SWP ‘stimulus’ donations head toward $150,000!

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021

Over the past week 10 contributors donated $12,740 to bring the contributions to the Socialist Workers Party from U.S. government $1,400 “stimulus” payments to $148,040 from 121 people. The U.S. government continues to send out the stimulus payments. Make a…


Blackjewel miner joins strike of Warrior Met ‘brothers’

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021

MCCALLA, Ala. — I hooked up with Chris and Wendy Lewis and their son Dalton, right, at the April 21 rally here. Chris and Dalton are veterans of the 2019 fight against the Blackjewel coal bosses. Backed by their families…


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…


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.,…


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…


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…


Autoworkers strike Prysmian plant in Texas over pay, hours

Vol. 85/No. 18 - May 10, 2021

SCOTTSVILLE, Texas — “Strike until it’s right!” members of United Auto Workers Local 3057 chant on the picket line in front of the gate of Prysmian Group in East Texas. Over 200 UAW members went on strike March 26 after…