World Federation of Trade Unions meets in Athens, Greece

The following is from Fight Back! News:

Athens, Greece – Under banners reading, “Class Unity and Struggles; Internationalism and Solidarity,” 800 trade union leaders from around the world came together here, April 7, for the start of the 16th Congress of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).

October 2nd: All Out for Jobs, Education, Peace and Equality!

The following statement is from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ):

October 2nd, 2010, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) is calling on all affiliates and supporters to rally for Jobs, Education, Peace and Equality, on October 2nd in Washington D.C. Initiated by the NAACP and labor unions, along with hundreds of progressive organizations, this rally promises to be powerful. The NFEJ is an endorser and is calling upon our members and affiliates to promote and mobilize our unions, community groups, poor people’s organizations, and student groups. We want to build our own movement that brings real change to the society we live in.

25th anniversary of historic Hormel strike commemorated in Austin, Minnesota

The following article by Mick Kelly is from Fight Back! News:

Ray Rogers speaking at P-9 strike commemoration. (Fight Back! News/Mick Kelly)

Austin, MN – About 200 veterans of the famous Hormel strike – members of Local P-9, along with their families and supporters – gathered here at the American Legion Hall to commemorate strike’s 25th anniversary. Among those in attendance were P-9 President Jim Guyette, Vice-president Lynn Huston, Pete Winkles and Ray Rogers. The event was sponsored by the United Support Group.

Participants in the strike spoke about the necessity of it and of their pride in participating in this historic battle of labor. Many, who paid dearly for their efforts, said if given the opportunity, they would do it again.

What’s an ‘independent’ union? Imperialist strategy vs. worker militancy in China

The following article by  Deirdre Griswold is from Workers World:

Can it be just a coincidence?

After a wave of strikes at foreign-opened firms in China — strikes that were supported by the government and gained significant wage increases for the workers — the business media in the United States and other imperialist countries are complaining that China is taking an economic turn harmful to their interests.

Another week, another 300,000 unemployed lose their federal unemployment benefits while senators take a break

The following article by Masao Suzuki is from Fight Back! News:

San José, CA – On July 8, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that almost 350,000 unemployed were dropped from federal unemployment insurance rolls. This is the second week in a row that the number of Americans collecting Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) has dropped by more than 300,000. Funding for these programs has run out, and Republicans in the Senate have blocked a vote to provide moneys for federal unemployment insurance benefits. As a result, jobless workers are getting cut off of their federal unemployment insurance benefits by the hundreds of thousands each week.

How the Communist Party of China Safeguards Workers’ Interests During Crisis

The following is the contribution of the Marxist Institute – Academy of Social Sciences People’s Republic of China, Prepared by Enfu Cheng and Shuoying Chen, researchers at Marxism Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, P.R. China, to the nineteenth International Communist Seminar on “The consequences of the economic crisis and the intervention of communist parties,” Brussels, 14-16 May 2010.

Since the global financial crisis broke out, the Communist Party of China has let government and trade unions play their full role in safeguarding workers’ interests with regard to employment and social security, etc.

Republican filibuster cuts off Federal Extended Unemployment Insurance

The following article by Masao Suzuki is from Fight Back! News:

Senate Republican filibuster cuts off Federal Extended Unemployment Insurance, Democrats refuse to use reconciliation process

San José, CA – On June 24, Republican Senators, along with Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson blocked a vote on extending Federal Unemployment Insurance benefits. After the 57-41 vote to end debate (60 votes are needed in the Senate to stop arguing and start voting), Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid of Nevada pronounced the measure dead.

Unemployed face a perfect storm

The following article by Masao Suzuki is from Fight Back! News:

Almost a million lose benefits while layoffs continue and businesses refuse to hire the unemployed

San José, CA – On June 18, a Republican filibuster, aided by pro-war independent Joe Lieberman and Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson, blocked an extension of federal unemployment benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that more than 900,000 laid-off workers will have had their unemployment benefit checks cut off as of June 19.

Fight Back! at the U.S. Social Forum

The following is from Fight Back! News:

Detroit, MI – Supporters and friends of Fight Back! are building towards the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit on June 22-26. There will be thousands of activists, students and organizers for social change. Many are hoping to learn about building the people’s fight back during the current economic crisis. Students will be discussing how to oppose cutbacks to education while the White House spends billions on wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Latin America solidarity leaders from across the country will speak about stopping seven new U.S. bases in Colombia and the spread of U.S. militarism.

On Friday, June 25 the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the L.A. Labor Community Strategy Center are doing a workshop to discuss strategy for revolution in the U.S. It promises to spark lively discussion, based on mutual respect for each other’s organizing experiences. Come along and look for Fight Back! at the Freedom Road Socialist Organization table and other locations. Below is a list of workshops about some of the peoples’ struggles and movements covered by Fight Back!

Continue the Struggle Against Effects of the Economic Crisis

The following is a resolution from the 6th Congress of Freedom Road Socialist Organization:

We face the biggest economic crisis to hit working people since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Millions are out of work and collecting unemployment benefits, people are out looking for jobs, worrying about the day when the politicians stop the checks, and poor people are hitting the welfare time limit with no hope for finding jobs. People across the country are losing their homes after being misled and cheated by lenders and big banks. Outrageously, the U.S. government bailed out the very same banks, while hard working people are tossed out on the streets with their belongings. This is wrong, wrong, wrong.