Illinois ballot measure weakens the labor movement

Vol. 86/No. 42 - November 14, 2022

CHICAGO — The Nov. 8 ballot in Illinois includes Amendment 1, a referendum to change the state constitution that many union and Democratic Party officials promote as a “Workers Bill of Rights.” In fact, it does nothing to advance workers’…


Corn Nuts strikers stick together, win contract

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022
Members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 85 celebrate approval of new contract, thank fellow workers who supported their strike. Contract raises wages and improves medical plan.

FRESNO, Calif. — “We’re going back with our heads up high!” strike stalwart Raul Hernandez told the Militant  here after the 40 workers at Corn Nuts — members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 85 — voted…


Strikers demand higher pay at two refineries in France

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022

Strikes by members of the Confederation Generale du Travail union (CGT) continue at two refineries owned by Total Energies in France Oct. 24. Workers at the Gonfreville and Feyzin refineries are demanding a 10% pay hike. Their union points to…


‘Post-Gazette’ workers strike over medical costs, company attacks

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022

PITTSBURGH — Pressmen, typographers, mailers and delivery drivers struck the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  Oct. 6. Reporters and other newsroom employees joined them 12 days later.  “We’re striking about our health care,” Keith Wytiaz, a 25-year Post-Gazette  pressman, told the Militant. “The…


1962 ‘Missile’ Crisis: Cuban toilers beat back US threats

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022
Demonstrations broke out across U.S. and worldwide after Kennedy administration’s announcement of naval blockade against Cuba’s socialist revolution, which took world to brink of nuclear war. Above, protest outside United Nations in New York against threat of Washington invasion of Cuba. Inset, Cuban militia members prepare to defend their revolution arms in hand. Slogan on truck door says, “Standing firm with Fidel.”

Sixty years ago the U.S. rulers pushed the world to the brink of nuclear war in what is widely known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Many books have been written presenting Washington’s and Moscow’s point of view on what occurred.…


Working class taking power is road to meaningful learning

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022
After Cuba’s workers and peasants came to power, Che Guevara, center, led in introducing voluntary labor as the socialist revolution deepened. That way, he said, a worker can see himself not as a commodity, but can “understand his full stature as a human being.”

The French edition of Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? Class, Privilege, and Learning Under Capitalism by Jack Barnes, national secretary of the Socialist Workers Party, is one of Pathfinder’s Books of the Month for November. It explains how class…


25, 50, and 75 years ago

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022

November 10, 1997 HOUSTON — Over 200 people gathered Oct. 5 at the University of Houston for the Che Guevara Commemoration Conference. The keynote speaker was Angela Davis, currently a professor in feminist and African American studies at the University…


Letters

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022

‘Send me your newspaper’ I ran across one of your newspapers that was left in a cell after I moved in. It wasn’t the full edition, but I loved the articles on Ukraine and the way you support the overworked…


Protests demand Australia grant visas to 1,000s of asylum-seekers

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022
Some 1,500 people rally in Canberra, Australia, Sept. 6 demanding the ruling Labor Party government carry out its promise to grant permanent visas to thousands of asylum-seekers.

SYDNEY — A protest set for Nov. 6 here will challenge the Australian Labor Party government’s failure to carry out a promise to grant permanent visas to thousands of asylum-seekers. For years they have been barred by successive governments from…


Meeting discusses political legacy of Thomas Sankara

Vol. 86/No. 41 - November 7, 2022

WASHINGTON — Some 30 people, many originally from Africa, came together here Oct. 17 to discuss the political legacy of Thomas Sankara, the central leader of the 1983-87 revolution in Burkina Faso and the country’s president. This is the 35th…