February 26, 2001
The entire labor movement has a stake in supporting efforts by the coal miners to defend and extend black lung benefits. It is part of the fight for human dignity, the right to a safe workplace, and for the employers to be responsible for the damage they do to the bodies and lives of working people.
The decision by a federal judge to put new regulations affecting black lung benefits on hold, the product of a vigorous campaign by the coal bosses, means that miners and widows who wish to file for black lung benefits cannot do so for several months at best.
The social movement that is growing among working and retired miners and their families and others in the coalfield communities from Pennsylvania and West Virginia to Utah and Colorado strengthens the fight for health care, safe working conditions, and dignity for the entire working class.
February 27, 1976
In less than a week, MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola) has made a series of military gains. By Feb. 13 MPLA forces, backed by thousands of Cuban troops, were within 130 miles of the positions held along Angola’s southern border by the South African army.
The racist minority regime in Pretoria has threatened to throw its military forces into action if MPLA attempts to extend its drive to the border between Angola and South African-occupied Namibia (South-West Africa).
Parallel with its military advances, the MPLA has also made major diplomatic gains. On Feb. 11, William Eteki M’Boumoua, the general secretary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), announced that the MPLA’s People’s Republic of Angola had been recognized by the OAU as Angola’s legitimate government.
February 26, 1951
The belated resignation of the labor members from the Wage Stabilization Board was an act of self-preservation. They could no longer stifle the anger of the workers against the oppressive burdens of war mobilization. War profiteers are running wild and trampling labor underfoot. The question is: what to do?
The break with the board was a step in the right direction. Formation of the United Labor Policy Committee is a necessary move toward labor unity against the government-Big Business offensive. The United Committee should summon a conference of rank and file delegates from all local unions. Such a democratically chosen and truly representative Congress of Labor would check the anti-labor drive.
No more trust in the two old capitalist parties! Organize labor’s own political party to fight for these demands on the political field.