SWP: Defend free speech, political rights!

Vol. 87/No. 32 - August 28, 2023

Below is a statement issued Aug. 15 by Róger Calero, Socialist Workers Party candidate for New York City Council District 48. Working people and all defenders of constitutional protections of free speech and assembly should oppose the campaign by the…



Finding a job is even harder for former prisoners

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023

A New York Times article in July claimed the “U.S. unemployment rate is hovering near lows unseen since the 1960s” and “everyone who wants a job, has a job.” At the same time, it pointed to one problem: “Ex-Prisoners Face…


Rail workers fight for control of safety, working conditions

Vol. 87/No. 30 - August 14, 2023
Amtrak 2021 Montana derailment killed three, injured 49. NTSB found BNSF had not maintained the tracks and slashed the workforce, boosting workloads and causing fatigue.

LINCOLN, Neb. — There are thousands of rural towns across the U.S. crisscrossed by railroad tracks where trains pass through daily. Since the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment and burn-off of some 900,000 pounds of toxic vinyl chloride in East…


Residents, rail unions fight for control over safety, health

Vol. 87/No. 29 - August 7, 2023
Protesters in Lisbon, Ohio, July 22, demand lifelong Medicare coverage for residents in area of East Palestine stricken ill from Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment and toxic burn-off.

LISBON, Ohio — Residents of this area around East Palestine, who continue to be affected by the toxic chemicals released by the Norfolk Southern derailment and burn-off Feb. 3, and rail workers across the country are continuing to fight for…


Lac-Mégantic marks 10 years since deadly derailment

Vol. 87/No. 29 - August 7, 2023

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — The 10th anniversary of the July 6, 2013, Lac-Mégantic oil train derailment, which killed 47 people and burned out the city’s downtown, has sparked a broad discussion among working people here on how to fight for safety…


Supreme Court ruling for web designer is win for free speech

Vol. 87/No. 28 - July 31, 2023
Colorado web designer Lorie Smith won her Supreme Court case June 30 on her right, under First Amendment protections of free speech from government interference, not to endorse messages she disagrees with. This victory defends constitutional liberties for working people.

The U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote June 30 ruled that a Colorado commercial website designer has the right under the First Amendment — which protects free speech from government interference — to refuse to endorse messages she disagrees…


Pittsburgh rally backs striking Wabtec workers

Vol. 87/No. 27 - July 24, 2023
Pittsburgh rally backs striking Wabtec workers

PITTSBURGH — Two hundred and fifty people rallied at the Wabtec corporate headquarters here July 6 to back 1,400 members of United Electrical Workers Locals 506 and 618. The locals have been on strike at the company’s locomotive manufacturing plant…



The Weber decision: a gain for the working class

Vol. 87/No. 26 - July 17, 2023

In June 1979 the Supreme Court upheld a contract negotiated by the United Steelworkers of America with Kaiser Aluminum. In order to upgrade employment for those targeted by longstanding discrimination, the contract had established a quota that one-half of the…