August 16, 1999
Thousands of working people, youth, soldiers, and others have hit the streets in cities and towns throughout Serbia. They are taking advantage of the first openings since the U.S./NATO bombardment of Yugoslavia began March 24 to express their outrage against the Belgrade regime and its policies.
The main demand is the resignation of president Slobodan Milosevic, explained Dusan, a leader of the Student Union of Yugoslavia. “The demonstrations are positive,” said Dusan, who asked that his last name not be used. “It’s the only way to get rid of Milosevic, who is to blame for the war.”
Working people are now faced with the disastrous results of the imperialist bombing campaign. While electricity and water services are mostly restored, the massive destruction of the country’s infrastructure has left millions of workers without income.
August 16, 1974
DETROIT — More than 250 women attended the Southeast Michigan Organizing Conference of the Coalition of Labor Union Women. The conference was organized for the purpose of establishing chapters in the five counties of Southeast Michigan.
The composition reflected the breadth of CLUW’s appeal and the heterogeneity of women in the labor movement. About one third were Black. All ages were represented, from young women just entering the workforce to union retirees. The vast majority were rank-and-file members, but all levels of union leadership were involved.
Olga Madar, national president of CLUW, stressed the importance of going to the unions and orienting them to fight for women’s issues. To do this effectively, she said, the unions will have to be democratized so that they represent the needs of all their members.
August 15, 1949
JOBLESS MILLIONS NEED ACTION NOW
Our Program on Unemployment
The following is the program of the Socialist Workers Party and The Militant to ensure decent living standards for the growing army of unemployed and their families:
- For a federal system of unemployment compensation equal to full regular union wages for all unemployed and for the entire period of unemployment.
- For full-scale public works of a socially beneficial character, including government-built low-rent housing, hospitals, schools, etc., to provide jobs at union wages and to be financed by the billions now going for war preparations.
- For a 30-hour week, six-hour day with no reductions in take-home pay.
- For an all-out campaign for higher wages to raise mass purchasing power.