25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018

December 27, 1993 Washington manipulated its economic might to shove concessions down the throats of Paris and Tokyo as the world trade talks under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade closed December 15. After caving in…


Working people win gains, dignity in French protests

Yellow vest actions continue, inspire workers worldwide
Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018
“Yellow vests,” working people from small towns, countryside, win support for their struggle in Cissac-Medoc, France, Dec. 5. Sign at right says “Urgent, purchasing power, dignity for all.”

The over three-week-long revolt of the “gilets jaunes” — yellow vests — has shaken the rulers in France. These are working people and small proprietors from small towns and rural areas who have borne the burden of years of being…



‘Militant’: Take story of yellow vest movement to US workers

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018

As readers look over the coverage and pictures of the yellow vest protests in France on the front page of this week’s Militant, we think you’ll see yourself. Workers, farmers, small shop owners, young and old, native-born and immigrant, demanding…



US rulers push Beijing for trade and tariff concessions

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018

At the behest of Washington, Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, a top executive and daughter of the founder of the giant Chinese telecom company Huawei, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Dec. 1. This is the latest front in a wider conflict…


New readers of Militant, books: Join SWP in campaigning!

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018

The Militant  welcomes the 1,400 new subscribers to the paper, and the workers, young people and others who bought 999 books on working-class politics by leaders of the Socialist Workers Party. This represents an advance for the reach of the…


Chicago charter teachers win strike for higher pay, smaller classes

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018
Teachers picket Acero charter schools in Chicago Dec. 4 during victorious five-day strike. Teachers won smaller class sizes, pay raises, better working conditions and prohibition against Acero giving out information on immigration status of students, teachers and families.

CHICAGO — Teachers and staff at Acero charter schools here celebrated a victory Dec. 9 after a five-day strike. “Today our students and families have won — bottom line,” Chicago Teachers Union staff member Andy Cooks told the gathering. A…


Workers face capitalist disdain in wake of wildfire social catastrophe

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018
SWP member Joel Britton, left, talks with carpenter Tony Worino in his RV at fire refugee center in Chico, Calif. “How do the rich control everything and manipulate us?” Worino asked.

CHICO, Calif. — Since firefighters declared the Camp Fire 100 percent contained, the extent of the social catastrophe that accompanied the blaze — a product of the dog-eat-dog capitalist profit system — is becoming clearer. The catastrophe took the lives…


Kaiser health care workers strike over heavy workload

Vol. 82/No. 48 - December 24, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO — Some 4,000 mental health care workers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics across California began a strike Dec. 10 that is set to last five days.  The National Union of Healthcare Workers and their supporters mounted a…