Rail workers protest as gov’t imposes contract, bars strike

Rallies from Washington, DC, to Sparks, Nevada
Vol. 87/No. 1 - January 2, 2023
Over 40 unionists at SMART-TD-organized rally Dec. 13 in Denver back rail workers’ struggle over job conditions, for safer crew sizes and family-friendly work schedules.

CHICAGO — In rail yards and on locomotives across the country discussion and debate continue among rail workers over how to respond to the ongoing attacks from the rail bosses and the government. These include grueling schedules, draconian attendance policies,…


Rail workers fight attacks by bosses and their gov’t

Biden, Pelosi lead Congress to bar right to strike
Vol. 86/No. 46 - December 12, 2022
Rail workers picket Omaha meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns BNSF railroad, April 30, part of hard-fought battle for livable schedules, paid sick days, control over work conditions.

LINCOLN, Neb. — It has become increasingly clear to a growing layer of working people over the last year that the fight of the rail workers and their unions against the profit-driven rail bosses and their government allies in Washington…


Support Ukraine independence! Moscow troops get out now!

Vol. 86/No. 46 - December 12, 2022

The Ukrainian people are waging a determined fight to push Moscow’s invading forces out of their country and restore their sovereignty over all Ukraine. The Kremlin’s incessant airstrikes that have targeted vital infrastructure and left 6 million without power have…


SWP launches 2023 campaign: Ilona Gersh for Chicago mayor

Vol. 86/No. 46 - December 12, 2022

CHICAGO — The Socialist Workers Party announced Nov. 29 that it is running Ilona Gersh, a lifelong fighter for the interests of the working class, for mayor of Chicago. Gersh is a bakery worker and member of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco…


Tehran regime repression fails to stop protests and strikes in Iran

Vol. 86/No. 46 - December 12, 2022
Striking workers at Isfahan iron smelting factory Nov. 26. Unionists have waged a series of strikes against boss, government attacks alongside widespread protests sweeping Iran.

Despite the death of more than 400 protesters and the arrests of thousands, the bourgeois clerical regime in Iran has not been able to stop working people and youth from joining protests and strikes that have swept the country since…


Democrats, antifa push anti-Catholic attacks, bigotry

Vol. 86/No. 46 - December 12, 2022

Over the last two years there have been at least 170 attacks on Catholic churches across the U.S. In 38 states and the District of Columbia, week after week churches have had services disrupted, windows broken out, bullets shot through…


UAW calls Dec. 17 ‘Solidarity Day’ for Case strikers

Vol. 86/No. 46 - December 12, 2022

Striking members of United Auto Workers Local 180 and their supporters are building a “Solidarity Day” for Dec. 17 to press their contract fight against the bosses at Case New Holland. “It’s being broadcast in a lot of places,” Yasin…


US railroad unions set Dec. 9 strike deadline

Rail workers take on years of boss attacks, disdain
Vol. 86/No. 45 - December 5, 2022
Obreros ferroviarios en Lincoln, Nebraska, 2 nov. Jakob Forsgren, segundo de la derecha, presidente de Local 1320 de BMWE. Él y el conductor Lance Anton están circulando mensaje de solidaridad para trabajadores escolares en Canadá en lucha común contra leyes antisindicales.

LINCOLN, Neb. — A class showdown looms today on the railroads. The largest rail union — the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union, or SMART-TD — which organizes over 30,000 conductors, brakemen, yardmen and some of the locomotive…


Ontario school workers debate vote on gov’t contract offer

Vol. 86/No. 45 - December 5, 2022
School workers and supporters rally in Toronto Nov. 4 after CUPE members walked off job, forcing Ontario government to back down, rescinding draconian anti-strike law. This set an example for unionists everywhere facing gov’t threats against use of union power to support workers’ interests.

TORONTO — The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing 55,000 Ontario education workers, agreed Nov. 20 to present a proposed contract from the Ontario provincial government to the workers for decision and called off a strike set to begin the…


Working people in Ukraine key to fight against Moscow’s war

Vol. 86/No. 45 - December 5, 2022
Oleg Shumei performs “Maidan” and other songs at Nov. 21 Maidan Reminiscences event in Lviv, Ukraine, on ninth anniversary of onset of popular uprising that overthrew pro-Moscow regime of Viktor Yanukovych. Dignity and Freedom Day was celebrated all across Ukraine.

The determined resistance of Ukraine’s working people and the country’s fighting forces continues to deal military setbacks to the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his assaults against the existence and independence of their country. Putin also faces growing…