CINCINNATI — Dennis Richter, Socialist Workers Party candidate for vice president, brought the party’s working-class program to rail workers at the CSX Queensgate yard here Oct. 28. Jennifer Noell was among those who stopped to talk.
“I’ve seen your campaign supporters out here at the gate over the weeks,” Noell said. She said she’s currently working as a clerk, “but I’ve done all kinds of jobs in different yards, including driving forklifts and other equipment, both here and in upstate New York. I’d like to know what you think can be done to improve things for those of us who work for the railroads.”
“I was a rail worker for over 16 years,” Richter replied. “Today workers on the railroads are fighting against increasingly dangerous working conditions. The companies’ drive for profits threatens lives every day. And not just the lives of rail workers.” He pointed to the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, last year and the subsequent fire and burn off of toxic chemicals. “These so-called accidents show the danger of the bosses’ profit drive to all working people.
“The Socialist Workers Party’s campaign poses the need for working people to quit relying on the Democrats and Republicans, the parties of big business,” Richter said. “It presents a fighting program to address the conditions of all workers, those of us who are unionized and those without unions. We need our own party, a party of labor. Workers need to take power away from the class of ruling billionaires. We need workers power.”
“I’m glad I stopped to talk with you today,” said Noell. She signed up to get a subscription to the Militant and wished Richter, “all the best in your campaign.”