Unions rally in fight for gov’t-funded pensions

All workers need pensions at union-scale pay
Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018
United Mine Workers rally, Lexington, Kentucky, June 2016, protests cuts to pensions, health care.

Car caravans and busloads of active and retired union members from across the Midwest and beyond are gathering in their thousands at the Ohio state Capitol in Columbus July 12. They’re demanding that the government fund the pensions for hundreds…


Workers’ struggles are key, not who’s on the Court

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

When Anthony Kennedy announced he was retiring from the U.S. Supreme Court, the liberal press and middle-class left let out a howl — President Donald Trump is going to remake the court so deeply reactionary that our social rights will…


Pittsburgh protests continue in fight to convict cop who shot Antwon Rose

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

Protests against the killing of 17-year-old African-American high school student Antwon Rose by East Pittsburgh cop Michael Rosfeld have continued since he was shot in the back June 19. Rosfeld was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, which could result…


Hundreds celebrate life of ILWU fighter Byron Jacobs

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

LONGVIEW, Wash. — Some 500 people gathered at the Cowlitz County Event Center here July 6 to celebrate the life of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 21 member Byron Jacobs. Jacobs was killed June 28 when a line on…


Twin Cities rally: ‘File charges against killer cop’

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS — Some 60 people turned out in front of the 4th Police Precinct July 1 together with Melinda Blevins, speaking, in demanding charges be filed against the two Minneapolis cops who shot her cousin, Thurman Blevins Jr., and that…


Illinois Teamsters end strike at American Bottling, make gains

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

NORTHLAKE, Ill. — “We won a victory. The new contract is good for us,” Mike Gnagni, one of some 140 truck drivers who just ended their 40-day strike against American Bottling Company, told the Militant. American Bottling is a subsidiary…


Vermont nurses call strike for wages, staffing

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center are holding a two-day work stoppage July 12-13 to demand a 24 percent wage increase, fuller staffing to assure patients’ health and safety and a $15 minimum wage for…


UK health workers beat back attack by hospital bosses

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018
Contingent of striking hospital workers from Wigan, England, march in London June 30 on 70th anniversary of National Health Service. Their strike beat back bosses moves to privatize their NHS jobs and open attack on wages, working conditions and against health care.

WIGAN, England — “We’re so proud, everyone’s walking around work with massive smiles, because we’ve won,” hospital porter Stuart Horrigan told the Militant after members of the Unite and UNISON unions gained an important victory here. In face of escalating…



Strikers chase scabs from Ontario salt mine

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018
Striking salt miners in Goderich, Ontario, members of Unifor Local 16-0, put up barricades beginning July 4, forcing bosses to remove scab replacement workers from the mine.

Chanting “solidarity” and “don’t come back,” striking Compass Minerals salt miners in Goderich, Ontario, lined the entrance to the mine July 6 as about 30 scabs filed out of the mine with their faces covered. The replacement workers had been…