Cuba's UN representative TH£ addresses U.S. role in Mideast Pages4-S

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 54/NO. 43 NOVEMBER 9, 1990 $1.50 Campaign against war drive Washington is accelerating preparations for war in Mideast

The following statement by the National against Korea and Vietnam. Committee of the Socialist W.rkers Party Every anti-apartheid event, demonstration was released by SWP National Secretary for Korean reunification, and meeting to Jack Barnes November 1. defend the Cuban revolution can address the need for such mobilizations and educate on Working people, students and other youth, why the imperialist war drive is at the center unionists on strike, and everyone resisting of world politics. the employers unremitting assault; Gls, re­ At the center of this effort is selling news­ servists, and veterans; farmers; and all oppo­ papers and pamphlets that offer the facts on nents of U.S. military intervention around the war preparations - on its roots and its the world must put at the center of their implications for working, people - to co­ political activity campaigning against the workers, students, social protest activists, to horrendous war Washington, London, Paris, workers and youth wherever they gather. and their allies are preparing in the Middle The U.S. government and its imperialist East. allies are not backing off their demands on We can have no illusions. The war prep­ the government of Iraq. They are closing the arations are now accelerating. doors to any peaceful resolution. This course All those who oppose the coming war has been put in motion with the backing of should seek to organize more actions like the the Soviet government and other Warsaw October 20 demonstrations that drew thou­ Pact regimes and many governments of cap­ sands of antiwar fighters into the streets. italist semicolonial countries in the Mideast Millions saw them on TV demanding: Bring and elsewhere in the world. thetroopshomenow! U.S. out ofthe Mideast! The Oct. 29, 1990, United Nations reso­ Let the oil monopolies fight their own wars! lution demanding Iraq pay war reparations Educational meetings, picket lines, and to Kuwait and other countries is another step other events are a crucial part of mobilizing in the drive toward war in the Arab-Persian the broadest numbers possible against the Gulf region. Like many other resolutions bipartisan march toward war - a war that passed by the Security Council since the Militant/Robert Kopec would result in massive slaughter on a scale August 2 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, it pro­ Antiwar protest on October 20 in San Francisco. Some 5,000 people demonstrated. not seen since the U.S.-organized wars vides cover for the bloody war being pre­ pared against the peoples of the Gulf region. The government ofCuba has been the only member of the UN to consistently and force­ fully raise its voice - both in the UN and Antiwar fighters need 'Militant' elsewhere- against Washington's military moves and to point to their devastating im­ BY RONI McCANN litical direction on a weekly basis. picket lines, at factories and mine portals, on plications. Cuba's representatives voted Supporters of the Militant who are on an A special sales target week began October college campuses, at antiwar meetings, and against the criminal blockade of food and eight-week drive to win thousands of new 20, the day national and international protests at workplaces. medicine to Iraq and Kuwait and the denial readers to the socialist press are putting cam­ against the U.S. war drive were held. Results Throughout the target week, supporters in of basic necessities to hundreds of thousands paigning against the coming U.S. war in the of that effort show that the best way to win a number of cities took big steps forward in of immigrants who worked in Iraq and Ku­ Mideast at the heart of the sales effort. They new readers to the Militant, Perspectiva the circulation drive and are now organizing wait prior to August 2. are using the publications to build activities, Mundial, and Lutte ouvriere, and sell copies to make their goals by November 17. From the start Cuba took a principled educate about, and encourage participation of the Marxist journals New International Supporters in Salt Lake City and Price, stand against the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi in events opposing Washington's war drive. and Nouvelle lnternationale is by placmg the Utah, kicked off their target week by fielding forces as a violation of Kuwaiti sovereignty, while keeping a spotlight on the steps being Selling subscriptions to the Militant, along U.S. drive toward war and the coming eco­ five regional teams that, together with regular taken by Washington and its allies, who are with copies of the Pathfinder pamphlet U.S. nomic depression at the heart of discussions Saturday sales, won 35 new subscribers. On Hands Off the Middle East! Cuba Speaks Out with workers and young people -on the Continued on Page 7 Continued on Page 14 at the United Nations, helps arm working people, trade unionists, students, and others with the truth about the threatened U.S. war and high stakes involved for all of hu­ Eastern strikers get warm response manity. This is because the Militant presents a BY JERRY FREIWIRTH News strikers." Some 50 Eastern strikers and forts of the bosses at the DailyNews, and the clear explanation of the facts about the war NEW YORK- On October27, motor­ supporters from other unions staged a immediate linking up between the two drive, and a broader view and analysis of the ists traveling along the expressway that "human billboard" on the 94th Street bridge strikes, was largely responsible for the highly world in which Washington is preparing for passes by La Guardia Airport here were that passes over the eight-lane expressway favorable response. war. The .Militant helps to organize and mo­ treated to the following message: "Don't Fly near the airport. Following the airport activity, about a bilize people against the war and offers po- Eastern" and "Eastern strikers support Daily Solidarity with workers at the New York dozen Eastern strikers and others piled into Daily News who had been locked out by the the union's van and other cars to fonn a bosses and forced on strike just two days caravan to the Daily News picket lines in before was a prominent feature of the action. Manhattan and Brooklyn. Curtis attorney questions cops Hundreds showed their support for the Eastern battle by honking their car horns, Over the last I 0 months, Eastern strikers and unionists at the Daily News have joined BY PRISCILLA SCHENK to the hospital. Mter he was treated, they told waving their fists, or flashing the "thumbs­ up" sign. This outpouring of solidarity was in common activities and rallies. On the first DES MOINES, Iowa-On October 29 him to walk back to the ambulance to be met by cheers from the strikers as they raised night of the Daily News strike, a contingent attorney George Eichhorn questioned six po­ returned to jail. When he complained of their fists in reply. of Eastern strikers marched with a banner to lice officers under oath in a federal civil rights nausea, the officers told him to keep walking. the picket line at the printing plant in Brook­ lawsuit filed against the city of Des Moines He became sick and threw up. Later, the unionists and friends marched lyn. Their display of solidarity received sus­ and the police by Mark Curtis. Once back in jail, Curtis was thrown naked to the Eastern tenninal for a walk through tained cheers. into a cell and kept there overnight. There the airport to make their presence known. Curtis, a unionist and political activist were no towels, bedding, or furniture in the Wearing red strike T-shirts, and chanting A similarly warm response was offered the here, was arrested March 4, 1988, and was room. "Don't fly Eastern" they passed by the nearly car caravan of Eastern strikers when they framed up on rape and burglary charges by empty ticket counter. Almost no passengers arrived at the Daily News picket lines fol­ police. Just prior to his arrest, he had been Civil rights suit tiled were to be seen, illustrating the continued lowing the airport action. Ideas and sugges­ involved in defending coworkers - 16 On May 5, 1989, Eichhorn and attorney inability of the carrier to attract customers. tions were exchanged between the unionists Mexicans and one Salvadoran - arrested William Kutmus, filed a lawsuit in federal as they discussed how to strengthen their during an immigration raid at the Swift meat­ On strike for over 600 days, the cleaners, court charging the city and the police with respective strikes. packing plant where he worked. ramp workers, mechanics, and other mem­ beating Curtis and violating his constitutional bers of the International Association of Ma­ Striking Machinists in the New York area After his arrest Curtis was taken to city rights. It asks the court to award Curtis chinists at Eastern continue to press their are planning more activities over the next jail, denied an attorney, and stripped naked. $300,000 in damages. fight for jobs and a contract. few weeks. An expanded picket line has been Police officers cursed at and beat him, calling The suit specifically names police officers Although this was not the first human scheduled for November I to protest him a "Mexican-lover, just like you love Daniel Dusenbery and Charles Wolf as par­ billboard organized by lAM Local 1018, Eastern's start-up of additional flights at the those coloreds." He suffered a fractured ticipants in the beating. Other "John Doe" many of the strikers remarked that solidarity airport in Newark. In addition, a major cheekbone, a cut under his eye requiring 15 officers, whose names were not known when from people passing by was the strongest yet. fundraising benefit sponsored by the New stitches, and bruises all over his body. the suit \\'as filed, are also named. Nearly everyone agreed the battle that re­ York Central Labor Council is planned for Following the beating, the cops took Curtis Continued on Page 11 cently opened up over the union-bUsting ef- December?. On Swedish tour, Tablada explains challenges for Cuba

BY CATHARINA TIRSEN class was being corrupted; the managers of MALMO, Sweden-Some 140 people the companies were being corrupted; minis­ turned out to hear Cuban economist Carlos ters and generals were being corrupted." Tablada at the Folkets Hus here October 24. "In this situation humanity came to our Tablada, author of Che Guevara: Economics aid," Tablada explained. "And we are grate­ and Politics in the Transition to Socialism, ful to them for this. The human solidarity that is on six-week European tour sponsored by was breaking down on the economic plan his publisher, Pathfinder Press. found a place where it could develop." The The Cuban author was welcomed to economist explained that 300,000 Cuban Malmo by Mia Emudd from the Sweden­ volunteers went to Africa to fight to defend Cuba Friendship Society. "During this time Angola against the South African apartheid of very intense anti -Cuban propaganda in the regime. Another 150,000 Cubans have mass media," she said, "we think it is very served as doctors and teachers in Third World important that Cuba's voice is heard." countries. Tablada conducted countrywide speaking This period "showed that Che and Fidel tours of Canada in 1989 and the United States [Cuban President Fidel Castro] were right," earlier this year. He recently concluded a · Tablada said. "The way we were going, the three-country tour in South America. His United States wouldn't have had to fire a Militant/Margrethe Siem presentations cover the course advocated by single shot. We would have lost our revolu­ Cuban economist and author Carlos Thblada, second from right, at October 25 Emesto Che Guevara, a leader of the Cuban tion; we would have lost socialism; and we meeting in Lund, Sweden. He is on a six-week European tour sponsored by his revolution murderedin Bolivia in 1967, and would have lost our nationality. They would publisher, Pathfinder. how Guevara's economic and political con­ have annexed us, like they have annexed cepts relate to the political challenges facing Puerto Rico." the difficulties created by the economic prob­ the Faeroe Islands, Norway, Finland, Den­ Cuba today. Tablada explains why Cuba has Tablada explained Cuba's "rectification of lems facing the country's trading partners in mark, and .Iceland. He will then return to survived in the face of 30 years of aggression errors~· that was begun in the mid-1980s and Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Britain, where he began his European tour. by the United States and why the revolution continues to this day. "During the last four "We have three goals to deal with the He is an invited speaker at a major conference is stronger today - playing a role far greater years we have given power back to the peo­ special situation we are facing. The food in London on the Third World debt in early than its size in world politics. ple," he said. "Right now we are reducing program aims to make us self-sufficient by December. the number of party functionaries by 50 per­ 1995. We are developing industries to replace In addition to Pathfinder, a number of 'Failure of socialism' cent and the state functionaries by 40 percent imports. And we·.are developing export in­ prominent individuals and academic institu­ Tablada challenges those who proclaim to 60 percent. dustries to generate hard currency," Tablada tions, as well as Cuba friendship societies in the failure ofsocialism. "When Che Guevara, "What will happen to all these people?" he said. "Because of our social programs over the countries he is visiting, are sponsoring who had been given responsibility for organ­ said. "They will feel a lot better. Most of these the last few years, we have the schools, Tablada's tour. izing the economy, visited Eastern Europe," people have a profession. They are teachers hospitals, and day-care centers we need. We After the meeting here participants pur­ he explained at the Malmo meeting. "He saw or engineers. Now they can go back to their can manage for some years to come without chased 10 copies of Tablada's book in En­ that many problems that we and other Third profession and do something useful." building more." glish and Spanish, along with several copies World countries had were solved there. But Tablada fielded questions from the audi­ Tablada's tour of Sweden will also take of the pamphlet Socialism and Man in Cuba he also came back convinced that we should ence after his presentation. Many focused on him to Lund, Stockholm, Gothenburg, UmeA, by Guevara, published in Swedish by Path-· not use the same economic model. It was the current economic situation in Cuba and and Uppsala. In addition he is traveling to finder. not in line with the way we had made the revolution or started to organize our so­ ciety. "But in the middle of the 1970s, during the biggest worldwide recession in the cap­ Unionists fight felony charges after strike italist countries since the war, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union increased their gross BYDOUGHORD Sixty supporters broke into cheers and International convention in early September national product by 4 percent," Tablada said. AND LUCILLE ROBBINS applause when the judge gave Ramsey a in Detroit. IUE President William Bywater "Some people began to ask: Why not apply FAIRMONT, West VIrginia-"I still be­ suspended sentence with probation. On Au­ introduced Thompson to the assembled del­ the same economic model? They won the lieve in unions. Poor folks, like most of the gust 1 Ramsey was convicted of assaulting egates at the convention's opening session. majority in the leadership. folks in this room, would have nothing with­ an Asplundh foreman. "The whole labor movement in our area "So we started copying. We copied the bad out unions," International Union of Elec­ Supporters in the courtroom included fam­ is on trial," Thompson explained. "The Ma­ sides, and we copied the good sides in a bad tronic Workers (IUE) member Leland ily members, fellow strikers, and unionists chinists at Eastern who are kicking the big­ way," he said. "This led to the bureaucracy Ramsey, Jr. said in his concluding remarks from several IUE and United Mine Workers gest union-buster in the country - Frank growing to 240,000 - in a country of 10 at his trial here. of America (UMWA) locals in the area. The Lorenzo - out of the airline industry are on million." Last spring Ramsey and eight other mem­ Daughters of Mother Jones and the vice-pres­ trial. The coal miners who fought Pittston to Tablada pointed out that while the Cuban bers ofiUE Local756 were hit with trumped ident of IUE Local 161, from VIrginia, also a standstill and emerged victorious with a economy continued to develop, "we stopped up felony charges stemming from a com­ attended. decent contract are on trial." building new hospitals, day-care centers, and pany-provoked confrontation in the local's Four Local756 members still face charges. Contributions for the defense case can be schools." strike against Asplundh Tree Expert Com­ They include William Ramsey, Sr., and Brad sent to IUE Local 756 Ladies Auxiliary, Rte. "Apart from this," he said, "the working pany. Thompson, both of whom traveled to the IUE 9 Box 202, Fairmont, West VIrginia 26554. The Militant Closing news date: October 31, 1990 Editor: GREG McCARTAN Circulation Director: RONI McCANN Nicaragua Bureau Director: CINDY JAQUITH MILITANT Business Manager: DOUG JENNESS Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein (Nicaragua), Seth Galinsky Weekly news and analysis on the (Nicaragua),JamesHarris, YvonneHayes,RoniMcCann,Selva struggles of working people worldwide Nebbia, Janet Post, Judy Stranahan, Peter Thierjung. News on U.S. aggression in the Middle East • Reports Published weekly except the last two weeks of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 West St., New York, on protests against U.S. war moves around the world • N.Y. 10014. Telephone: (212) 243-6392; Fax 727-0150; Socialist candidates' opposition to U.S. war • Telex, 497-4278. Nicaragua Bureau, Apartado 2222, Mana­ Discussions among wortcing people in factories, mills gua. Telephone: 24845. on U.S. military buildup and threat of war Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes of address should be addressed to The Militant Business Office, 410 West St., New York, N.Y.10014. Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y., and at addi­ 12 ISSUES FOR $10 tional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address r~------~------, changes to theMilitant,410West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. 1 0 $10 for introductory 12 weeks 0 $45 for a year Subscriptions: U.S., Latin America: for one-year subscrip­ Name ______tion send $45, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. By first-class (airmail), send $80. Canada: send Canadian $50 Address ------­ for one-year subscription to Societe d'Editions AGPP, C.P. City ------340, succ. R, Montreal, Quebec H2S 3M2. Britain, Ireland, State Zip _ _ ___ Africa: £28 for one year by check or international money order made out to Militant Distribution, 47 The Cut, London, Phone ------SE1 8LL, England. Continental Europe: £35 for one year Union/School/Organization ______by check or international money order made out to Militant Send to the Militant, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Distribution at above address. Australia, Asia, Pacific: send Australian $60 to Pathfinder Press, P.O. Box 79, Railway ------~ Square Post Office, Railway Square, Sydney 2000, Australia. To order a weekly bundle write the Militant business office above Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent the Militant's views. These are expressed in editorials.

"1"'1. U"Jitn . -u~e .•,ai -""'11 t UN camouflages U.S. war moves in Gulf

The foUowing is the second in a two-part The Allied imperialist regimes of the review of the new Pathfmder pamphlet, United States, Britain, and France had U.S. Hatuls Off thi! Mideast! Cuba Speaks emerged victorious over the Axis imperialist Out at the United Nations: Fidel Castro and governments of Germany, Japan, and Italy. Ricardo Alarcon on the lmq-Kuwait Con­ And despite the reactionary course of the flict and Washington's War Moves. The Stalinist regime in Moscow, also part of the pamphlet contains each resolution on the Allied coalition, the workers and farmers of Iraq-Kuwait crisis adopted by the United the Soviet Union - at the cost of many Nations Security Council in August and millions of lives - had turned back the on­ September, together with the statements slaught by German imperialism aimed at regarding these measures by representa­ subjugating them once again to direct capi­ tives of the government of Cuba. talist exploitation. As the Allied powers neared victory in BY STEVE CLARK April1945, the UN wassetupataconference As the pamphlet shows, the U.S. govern­ in San Francisco to give a stamp oflegitimacy ment has utilized the United Nations Security to the postwar international status quo. Prior Council to camouflage the fact that the mas­ to that gathering, U.S. President Franklin sive war mobilization against the Iraqi people Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Wmston has been engineered by Washington from the Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin outset Credence has been lent to this fakery had met in Yalta in the Soviet Union to divvy by the council's four other permanent mem­ up the world into spheres of influence. Be­ bers __..,. the governments of Britain, France, hind closed doors, the national self-determi­ nation of peoples and countries and the in­ terests of worl

November 9, 1990 The Militant 3 UN Security Council action: 'One more step toward war' Cuba's representative speaks on new UN resolution on Iraq

The following remarks were made by So far, the Canadian government has sent of this resolution." this resolution and some efforts involving Ricardo Alarc6n, Cuba's permanent repre­ three naval ships, a squadron of CF-18 fight­ One might have imagined that this very good offices and peace efforts. One might also sentative to the United Nations, during the ers, and 1,700 troops to the Gulf region. substantial increase in military forces - wonder how the council interprets its own October 29 UN Security Council delibera­ "This is not a movie; this is a situation which, it is claimed, is in keeping with the action in deciding today to adopt a resolution tions on Resolution 674 (1990). where war is possible," Clark later told an council resolution I have just cited - had that, among other things, requests the secre­ Representatives of the governments of audience at the University of Western On­ something to do with monitoring the imple­ tary-general to undertake similar efforts. Britain, China, France, the Soviet Union, and tario. "There will be thousands of casualties mentation of that resolution. One might have In our opinion, this text, in addition, seeks the United States- the five permanent ... and we should not rule out the possibility also imagined that the council's members - to give the Security Council certain tasks that members of the Security Council with veto that young Canadian soldiers will not return two months after the adoption of Resolution do not fall within its purview and at the same power- voted in favor of the resolution. to this country for celebration but will stay 665 (1990), when we are witnessing ongoing time to prevent the council from discharging Eight of the 10 nonpermanent members also there for burial." discussions on television as to how the war certain obligations that it does have. First and voted in favor. Representatives of the gov­ Alarc6n 's remarks are taken from a tran­ might begin, who would authorize it, and foremost, it should be pointed out that Chap­ ernments of Cuba and Yemen, both serving script of the simultaneous translation pro­ how the decision would be made - might ter vn of the Charter, under which the res­ two-year terms on the Security Council, did vided by the UN. The translation has been have received at least the first of the reports olution is adopted, does not give the SeCurity · not vote for the resolution. checked against the Spanish and edited by that they had sought in the resolution. The Council any authority whatsoever with re­ Since the Iraqi invasion and occupation of the Militant. entire council, legally speaking, had decided_ spect to legal issues or issues that should be Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990, the Security Council that such reports would be submitted since determined by courts of law. Neither that has adopted 10 resolutions concerning the * * * it was presumed that this body would con­ chapter nor any chapter of the Charter grants conflict. Eight of them are available, along In recent days, the members of the Security stantly monitor the implementation of the such functions to the Security Council. with Alarc6n 's speeches to the council, in a Council have been bogged down in long resolution. The Security Council, under the Charter, new pamphlet, U.S. Hands Off the Mideast! discussions on substance and form. We have No doubt, we should be grateful to the does not have court powers to make decisions published by Pathfinder (see ad on page 3). gone around in circles in an endless squabble representative of the United States for the on liability or to determine compensation or Coming after several days of stepped-up over preambles, operative parts, and their courtesy and caution he has maintained to restitution. The only reference in the Charter public statements by top officials of the gov­ various possible combinations. We have avoid diverting the attention of members of to such matters appears in Article 92, which ernments of the United States, Canada, and done much juggling with letters, numbers, the council from the important metaphysical quite clearly defines the International Court Britain threatening an invasion of Iraq, and asterisks. In the meantime, the govern­ disquisitions that took up so much of our time of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the Alarc6n called the resolution "one more step ment of the United States announced the in recent days. United Nations. The only reference in the toward war." dispatch of another 100,000 soldiers to the The outcome of those negotiations was the entire Charter to the issue of compensation or On October 25 the Bush administration region we are discussing. The leaders of the resolution the council adopted a few mo­ restitution is to be found in Article 36 of the announced it was sending an additional U.S. administration and Congress were ments ago. In this regard, my delegation Statute of the International Court of Justice. 100,000 troops to the Middle East to bolster openly discussing how to begin the military would like to make a few comments. the 240,000 already in or on their way to the attack, whether or not there would be a To begin with, it seems obvious that Ku­ Powers of Security Council region. U.S. Defense Secretary Richard declaration of war, whether authorization wait has the right to claim compensation for In this regard, I hope that we all remember Cheney said the additional forces were would be requested from the Senate or loss and damage caused as a result of the that this statute is an integral part of the needed because Iraqi forces are "dug in in a whether the Senate would merely be con­ invasion and occupation of its territory. This Charter of the United Nations. In case there very permanent looking sort of way . .. and sulted, and whether the council would in council has already formulated, and repeated, are any doubts about the competence and we think that it's necessary to make certain some manner be used for that stated purpose. its view as to who is the aggressor and who functions of the various organs created by that we've got the forces over there to deal Some J)eople may have been surprised that is the victim. There was, therefore, no need the Charter- the Charter does not confer with any contingency." the Security Council was absent from that for another council resolution to affirm the upon the council any authority to decide upon William Webster,. director of the Central external debate. They would have been sur­ inherent rights of the victim of aggression - or to even discuss the functions and powers Intelligence Agency, added that he believed prised if they recalled the terms of paragraph in this case Kuwait. of respective organs. These are powers the sanctions against Iraq were having little four of Resolution 665 (1990), which this But thatis not really the intention behind clearly conferred upon the General Assem­ effect on the country. Iraqi President Saddam council adopted two months ago: the resolution that has just been adopted. In bly, as is explicitly stated in Article 10 of the Hussein must be removed from power and "Further requests the-states concerned to my delegation's view, the purpose is to delay San Francisco Charter, which, dealing with the Iraqi military disarmed in order for the coordinate their actions in pursuit of the a settlement of the conflict in the region and the powers of the General ·Assembly, says U.S. government to achieve its goals, Web­ above paragraphs of this resolution using, as to make the mission of the secretary-general that the assembly may discuss questions "re­ ster said. appropriate, mechanisms of the Military more difficult. More than once today we have lating to the powers and functions of any In a speech to the Canadian Parliament on Staff Committee, and, after consultation with heard about the circumstances oflast Saturday organs provided for in the present Charter." October 25, Canada's Minister of External the secretary-general, to submit reports to the and reference to the prudent decision of all of In addition, one would have to ask what Affairs Joseph Clark said the Canadian gov­ Security Council and its committee estab­ us to wait a few days before taking a vote on specific powers the council is giving itself ernment was ready to join a military offensive lished under Resolution 661 (1990) to facil­ this text. One would have to wonder whether under the terms of operative paragraph two against Iraq without awaiting UN approval. itate the monitoring of the implementation there is any relationship between the vote on of Resolution 674 (1990) regarding the col­ lating of substantiated information following alleged "grave breaches by Iraq as per its paragraph one above" and the calls on states Text of UN Security Council-resolution to provide that information. What will the council do with that infor­ The following excerpt of United Na­ consular personnel, who wish to leave; of Kuwait by Iraq; mation? What powers has it taken upon it­ tions Resolution 674 (1990) is taken from 5. demands that Iraq ensure the immedi­ 9. invites states to collect relevant infor­ self? Are we turning ourselves into a court a text provided by the UN press office. ate access to food, water, and basic services mation regarding their claims, and those of of law, despite the fact that the Charter tells The Security Council, necessary to the protection and well-being their nationals and corporations, for restitu­ us that we are not the ones who have this ofKuwaiti nationals and ofnationals ofthird tion or financial compensation by Iraq with responsibility? 1. demands that the Iraqi authorities and states in Kuwait and Iraq, including the a view to such arrangements as may be There are references to international law occupying forces immediately cease and personnel of diplomatic and consular mis­ established in accordance with international in paragraphs eight and nine of Resolution desist from taking third-state nationals hos­ sions in Kuwait; law; 674 (1990)- and that is contradictory, tage, mistreating and oppressing Kuwaiti 6. reaffirms its demand that Iraq immedi­ l 0. requires that Iraq comply with the since, as we understand it, the Charter and and third-state nations, and any other ac­ ately protect the safety and well-being of the Statute of the Court are part of interna­ tions, such as those reported to the Security provisions of the present resolution and its diplomatic and consular personnel and previous resolutions, failing which the Se­ tional law. It could also be inferred from these Council and described above, that violate premises in Kuwait and in Iraq, take no paragraphs that we have some powers to the decisions of this council, the Charter of curity Council will need to take further action to hinder these diplomatic and con­ measures under the Charter; make decisions about liability and responsi­ the United Nations, the Fourth Geneva Con­ sular missions in the performance of their bility for compensation and restitution "as a 11. decides to remain actively and per­ vention, the Vienna Conventions on Diplo­ functions, including access to their nationals result of the invasion and illegal occupation matic and Consular Relations, and interna­ and the protection of their person and inter­ manently seized of the matter until Kuwait of Kuwait by Iraq." tional law; ests, and rescind its orders for the closure of has regained its independence and peace has been restored in conformity with the rele­ The "result of the invasion and illegal 2. invites states to collate substantiated diplomatic and consular missions in Kuwait occupation of Kuwait" is a concept that can vant resolutions of the Security Council; information in their possession or submitted and the withdrawal of the immunity of their have many interpretations. Does it perhaps to them on the grave breaches by Iraq as personnel; 12. reposes its trust in the Secretary-gen­ mean that Iraq is judged to bear the respon­ per paragraph one above and to make this 7. requests the secretary-general, in the eral to make· available his good offices and, sibility and that Iraq should have to shoulder information available to the Security Coun­ context of the continued exercise ofhis good as he considers appropriate, to pursue them .the cost of the military deployment by some cil; offices concerning the safety and well-being and undertake diplomatic efforts in order to powers in the Gulf region? Does it mean that 3. reaffirms its demand that Iraq imme­ of third-state nationals in Iraq and Kuwait, reach a peaceful solution to the crisis caused Iraq exclusively bears responsibility for dam­ diately fulfill its obligations to third-state to seek to achieve the objectives of para­ by the Iraqi invasion and occupation of ages - related to the crisis or to the decisions nationals in Kuwait and Iraq, including the graphs four, five, and six above and in Kuwait on the basis of Security Council adopted by the council to deal with the crisis personnel of diplomatic and consular mis­ particular the provision of food, water, and resolutions 660 ( 1990), 662 ( 1990), and 664 -that affect third states? Given the wording sions, under the Charter, the Fourth Geneva basic services to Kuwaiti nationals and to (1990), and calls upon all states, both those of the resolution, it could be interpreted this Convention, the Vienna Conventions on the diplomatic and consular missions in in the region and others, to pursue on this way. Does it mean that the Security Council Diplomatic and Consular Relations, general Kuwait and the evacuation of third-state basis their efforts to this end, in conformity will not shoulder its responsibilities under principles of international law, and the rel­ nationals; with the Charter, in order to improve the Article 50 of the Charter? evant resolutions of the council; 8. reminds Iraq that under international situation and restore peace, security, and , Might it be the reason why in the first 4. also reaffirms its demand that Iraq law it is liable for any loss, damage, or injury stability; paragraph of the preamble to this text - in permit and facilitate the immediate depar­ arising in regard to Kuwait and third states, 13. requests the secretary-general to re­ which a number of resolutions are recalled, ture from Kuwait and Iraq of those third­ and their nationals and corporations, as a port to the Security Council on the results starting with Resolution 660 (1990), all of state nationals, including diplomatic and result of the invasion and illegal occupation of his good offices and diplomatic efforts. which refer to this conflict - mention is not made of Resolution 669 ( 1990) 1, the only In addition, we believe that from a political lieve them to be legitimate -:- regarding the and moral standpoint the Security Council concern that everyone should feel about the - and in particular some of the cosponsors violations that an occupier might be commit­ of this text- is not in the best of positions ting against the Kuwaiti population: viola­ to deal with such issues as those dealt with tions of their individual rights, their human in Resolution 674 (1990). At one time in the rights, their rights to their property, their right past, ports in Nicaragua were mined and a to live in peace and tranquility in their own dirty war was launched against that country. country. It seems to us that this concern is This member state of the organization went legitimate. But it is and must be legitimate in to the highest court of the United Nations, all cases in which international law is violated our court, the International Court of Justice, and aggression is committed against peoples. and that court attributed liability and made Many thousands of Angolan children are decisions that were never respec~ by the suffering the irreparable consequences of the main proponent of this resolution. antipersonnel mines laid in that country by UN Photo For 23 years the Palestinian territories armed bands financed, organized, and Ricardo Alarc6n, Cuba's chief representative to the United Nations, discusses UN have been occupied by a foreign power. Very equipped by the United States. It is not diffi­ Security Council resolution adopted October 29. Action delays "a settlement of the soon, we hope, we shall once again be con­ cult to get the facts; if the Security Council conflict in the region" and takes "one more step toward war." sidering a report on the situation prevailing wants to collect the information, it exists and in that occupied country to see what we can is well known. The figures are shocking, just do to protect the lives of its inhabitants. I as shocking as the terrible consequences of resolution adopted so far by the council on continuing efforts to this end." wonder whether at that time someone will this war- imposed upon them from outside the issue of fulfillment of its responsibilities After such a great effort to achieve the recall the need. for us to tum ourselves into with the support and encouragement of a under Article 50 of the Charter? Is this one wording of operative paragraph 12 oftoday 's a court, or will we once again adopt the major power, a permanent member of the way of saying that we shall, in a formal resolution, one would have to wonder traditional phlegmatic attitude of the council council - will be for future generations of manner, enshrine the inertia and insensitivity whether the Security Council really wel­ when it comes to dealing with the occupation that people. of this council to the many requests for comed with satisfaction or appreciation the of Palestine. Does this mean that an occupa­ The references would be endless if we assistance submitted to the council by a large efforts of the secretary-general in this crisis. tion and its tragic consequences for the vic­ were to cite all the examples of the inconsis­ number of states, members of the United Did we really express our gratitude for these tims cease to be a violation ofthe law because tency of this council - which, due to the Nations, to help deal with the adverse impact continuing efforts that we noted barely a they have been going on for 23 years? Is the tendency to repeat certain adjectives - is upon them deriving from the implementation month ago on September 25? violation of international law permissible? Is frequently called an "august" body. This term of Resolution 661 (1990)? If that is so, we My delegation would like to say that it has inaction with respect to its tragic effects upon seems to us to be appropriate for the council believe the council is not only trying to take full confidence in the secretary-general, not the people victimized by that aggression nor­ because more than once ·we have noted a upon itself powers it does not have but is also only because of his sensitivity and awareness mal simply because the aggressor has been certain imperious air in the manner in which indirectly avoiding fulfillment of responsi­ as a distinguished diplomat, a worthy citizen able to outmaneuver the international com­ some try to use and handle this body. We bilities that it does have and with which it of the world, a man of responsibility who munity for 23 years? think the council quite rightly repudiates the should not fail to comply. had already done and, we are certain, is ready We do not yet know how many died as a aggression against Kuwait and justly de­ Operative paragraph 12 of this resolution to continue to do everything he can to ensure consequence of the U.S. invasion of Panama, mands the immediate arid unconditional refers to the secretary-general of the United that peace will prevail and to achieve imple­ or what the consequences of that aggression withdrawal of the troops occupying that Nations. It is quite striking how very different mentation of the resolutions of this council were for many citizens of that country in the country. It proclaims its support for the in­ this text is from paragraph seven. In that in a peaceful manner. past, and continue to be even in the present. dependence, sovereignty, and territorial in­ paragraph, when reference is made. to the We regret the fact that the Security Council Can we be confident that at some time this tegrity of Kuwait, and has spoken out, quite "safety and well-being of third-state nation­ has not been in a position to express more counCil will state its views on that dreadful rightly, against attempts to annex that country als in Iraq and Kuwait," the council does not clearly and less hesitantly this kind of grati­ military attack or concern itself with the and against certain unlawful acts committed hesitate to refer to "the continued exercise of tude and support. Yet we continue to place consequences, past and present, of that event by Iraq against diplomatic missions and for­ his good offices," referring to the secretary­ our trust in him, in his ability and will, for for the population of that country? eigners residing in Kuwait and Iraq. general. When it comes to this very important among other things he has to deal not only We have heard statements - and we be- However, we believe that the council can­ but limited aspect of the issue, we seem to with the great complexities of the issues we not and must not, while adhering to its just be willing to speak of the continued exercise are discussing, but also with the peculiar 2. In February 1984 the U. S. government began position with regard to those principles, act of the good offices of the secretary-general. manner jn which this body has been dealing mining Nicaraguan ports. The Nicaraguan gov­ as if we were permitted to accept the imposi­ But when it comes to examining the possi­ with these issues. ernment protested this and placed its case before tion of criteria and strategies devised solely bility of a peaceful settlement of the crisis, the International Court of Justice, the principal for the benefit of certain major powers. It when it comes to dealing with the key issue, 'One more step toward war' judicial body ofthe UN, also known as the World seems to us that to the extent that we do this, the more substantive issue, we use language Court. In May 1989 the court ruled unanimously, we move further and further away from our In our view this resolution -despite the "The [U.S.]should immediately cease and refrain that is strange, to say the least fact that it contains, albeit in a limited man­ fundamental duty, which is to preserve peace, from any action restricting, blocking or endan­ and we come closer, inadvertently and with­ First we say the council "reposes its trust ner, that positive ingredient regarding the _gering access to or from Nicaraguan ports, and, in the secretary-general." Clearly all of us efforts of the secretary-general - is by and in particular, the laying of mines." The court also out even realizing it, without anyone telling have reposed our trust in him - when we large one more step toward war. In this spe­ passed a resolution supporting the right to sover­ us and despite all the resolutions of this body, elected him, when we reelected him, and cific case, in fact, there might even be at­ eignty and political independence for Nicaragua. to a war that we should not allow, much less throughout his term ofoffice as he discharged tempts to manipulate peace efforts, as have The U.S. judge on the court voted against the foster, and which it is our duty and hard work his responsibilities. But now we don't even in fact occurred in the long period of nego­ resolution. to avoid. say he should exercise his good offices, much tiations between what were originally two less continue what he has been doing, but separate texts. It is also a step along a course, rather simply that he should make the offer. which we believe to be unacceptable, to give This seems to indicate the reluctance of the this body functions that it should not have .Canada socialists hit war drive council to support and promote efforts the and that it has no right whatsoever to take The following statement was released army since the Korean War in 1950- 53. secretary-general himself has been making, upon itself, although at a given time in history Oct. 29, 1990, by the Communist League something he was doing in fact even before Moreover, the troop deployment came at temporary majorities may make it possible candidates for mayor of Montreal, Michel the same time as another 3,000 troops were the council explicitly asked him to do so. to gather the necessary votes to reinterpret Dugre, and of V.mcouver, British Colum­ sent to crush the Mohawk struggle for land the Charter and to have this council take on bia, Nancy Wcllker. and sovereignty near Montreal. Diplomatic efforts for peace responsibilities not given to it by the Charter. What has really been going on in the past Working people across Canada should Canada is not involved in the Middle East few months, however, is an effort to get this loudly condemn and begin to organize op­ to establish democracy in Kuwait. It is there council to support very clearly and without position to Ottawa's participation in the im­ to defend Big Oil interests and to restore any hesitation the possibility of diplomatic By Malcolm X perialist drive toward a bloody and massive complete imperialist domination over the toil­ efforts, of efforts for peace that we are con­ war in the Middle East, which will cost the ers of a region that has witnessed major revo­ lives of hundreds of thousands of workers lutionary upheavals over the last half century. vinced the secretary-general can carry out. It ~Any Means is curious that we have had to confront such ecessary $13.95 and farmers there and around the world. Now is the time for action. Working people difficulties, when we think ofanother Security External Affairs Minister Joe Clark has all across Canada should mobilize against Council resolution mentioned in the first para­ Malcolm X on recently stated that Ottawa is ready to help Ottawa's war drive at work, in school, in our graph of the preamble here, Resolution 670 Afro-American History $7.95 launch a military offensive against Iraq and unions, in meetings and rallies, and in the ( 1990). In one of the preambular paragraphs Malcolm X Talks to that Canadian soldiers could begin dying in streets - as has begun to happen in the Uni­ ofResolution 670 ( 1990) it says the following: Young People $2.00 the Middle East by Christmas. This further ted States and other countries. "Welcoming the secretary-general's use of Two Speeches exposes the lie that Canada's army is for Already a coalition against the war in the his good offices to advance a peaceful solu­ by Malcolm X $2.50 making peace, not war. Each step taken by Middle East has been formed in Toronto. This tion based on the relevant Security Council Canadian imperialism over the past three example should be emulated across the coun­ resolutions and noting with appreciation his Malcolm X Speaks months has shown the opposite. try. (cloth) $16.95 As a member of the United Nations Secu­ All opponents of the impending war 1. Resolution 669 was passed by the Security Malcolm X: rity Council, Canada has supported every should demand that Canadian and other im­ Council on September 24. It recognized the in­ The Last Speeches $15.95 escalation of the imperialist military inter­ perialist troops be withdrawn and that the creasing number of requests for assistance to the vention since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. criminal blockade of Iraq be ended. We UN by member states suffering from the adverse The Canadian government has sent over should also demand that the millions that impact of the economic sanctions against Iraq Available from Pathfinder bookstores listed on imposed under Resolution 661. The resolution page 20 or by mail from Pathfinder, 410 West I ,700 soldiers to the region to help enforce Ottawa is spending for war instead be used refers these request~ to a committee of the Secu­ St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Include $1.00 for the criminal blockade of food, medicine, and for badly needed social projects - like af­ rity Council for consideration and recommenda­ postage and handling. other essential goods to Iraq. This is the ftrst fordable housing, quality health care, educa­ tions for action to the president of the council. such direct involvement of the Canadian tion, and public transportation.

November 9, 1990 The Militant 5 War drive,-economic crisis show, need for fund

BY JAMES HARRIS the broad work of the Socialist have begun talking to as many sup­ "Enclosed is a check for $100.00 Workers Party. porters of the party as possible about as payment on my party-building Since the party-building fund was the fund. One supporter has already Where We Stand fund pledge," writes a contributor to launched in August, the U.S. govern­ responded with a $1,000 donation. Area Pledged Paid % of Total the Socialist Workers Party-Build­ ment has opened a drive to wage a We think that more people will want ing Fund from Charleston, West Vir­ massive war in the Middle East. In to make such contributions." San Francisco 4,205 2,800 67 ginia. addition, the growing capitalist eco­ Schwarz said t;hat having a fund Houston 4,575 2,935 64 "Saturday, I was forced to work a nomic crisis will be combined with drive director in each area is impor­ Salt Lake City, Utah 3,250 1,810 56 double shift, after already putting in deeper employer and government as­ tant to the effort. Austin, Minn. 1,500 830 55 my 40 hours, at the chemical plant saults on the unions and the demo­ In Los Angeles the fund goal of Detroit 6,100 3,360 55 where I work. I ran across the street cratic rights and standard ofliving of $16,000 is nearly $5,000 over the Brooklyn 6,260 3,324 53 amount initially pledged. This was Twin Cities, Minn. 4,220 2,135 51 Atlanta $150,000 accomplished by reaching out to 6,295 3,140 50 friends and supporters of the move­ Philadelphia 4,405 2,105 48 SOCIALIST ment in the area. Party supporters Phoenix 1,400 650 46 are calling people throughout the Cleveland 5,280 2,435 46 WORKERS region and asking them to make Chicago 7,570 3,365 44 contributions. Discussions on the Los Angeles 11,336 5,036 44 $61,744 . fund have been organized meet­ PARTY­ coUected at New Volt( 9,386 4,036 43 ings of party supporters in both Los Omaha, Neb. 2,275 943 41 Angeles and San Diego. BUILDING Miami 1,710 700 41 Another important aid in the fund Newar!(, N.J. 6,165 2,500 41 drive will be the political meetings FUND St. Louis 7,600 2,905 38 hosted by branches of the SWPfrom Oakland, Calif. 9,500 3,590 38 mid-November to December I. Charleston, W.V. 3,770 1,400 37 These meetings will feature talks by to the grocery store on my lunch working people. These facts high­ Pittsburgh 6,690 2,385 36 break and saw a man standing on the light the need for the fund today. party leaders on the political events shaping today's world- what the Des Moines, Iowa 1,820 600 33 median in the roadway. He was hold­ To meet the goal of $150,000 by Washington, D.C. 2,470 805 33 ing a sign that said, 'Will work for December 1, supporters of the war drive in the Middle East and the march toward world depression Kansas City 2,905 755 26 food,' much like the picture in the SWP's work across the country are Birmingham, Ala. 5,175 1,160 22 November 2 issue of the Militant. stepping up the pace of contributions mean for workers and farmers, and Price, Utah 1,450 "I was struck once again by the and increasing their pledges. To date why building a socialist movement 300 21 Morgantown, W.V. 3,554 714 20 horrifying absurdity of being forced the fund drive is behind schedule. and communist parties is a necessary Baltimore 3,800 735 19 to work 16 hours a day while a We have $61,744 on hand and perspective for working people the Seattle 6,205 1,150 19 worker goes hungry because he $149,607 has been pledged. To be world over. Greensboro, N.C. can't fmd a job. I gave him a few on schedule, $100,000 should have Contributions can be sent to So­ 1,710 265 15 dollars, and I want to raise my already been sent in. cialist Workers Party-Building Boston 2,325 75 3 Fund, 406 West St., New York, N.Y. pledge by $200. At least my over­ To help boost the amount Other U.S. 2,880 1,980 69 10014. International time money can be used to fight the pledged, the New York branch of the 1,821 821 45 system that enslaves us all." SWP is discussing how it can in­ James Harris is the director of the TOTALS 149,607 61,744 41 This note came in response to an crease contributions. Bob Schwarz, Socialist Workers Party-Building SHOULD BE 150,000 92,308 62 appeal for contributions to finance New York fund director, said, "We Fund. UN camouflages U.S. war moves in· Mideast

Continued from Page 3 leader came directly from President Dwight Eisenhower. ed Nations lent its authority to one of the When the UN-sponsored troops -many largest military operations ever conducted supplied by the government of imperialist by Washington. The entire 1950-1953 Ko­ Sweden- arrived in the Congo in the sum­ rean War was fought under the UN flag. mer of 1960, they refused to take any action The Security Council authorized the U.S. against the Katangan rightist forces or their government to command the forces dis­ Belgian sponsors. Instead, they disarmed patched to Korea from some sixteen coun­ Lumumba's forces and closed down govern­ tries." ment radio stations. The UN troops then Waters explains that the Soviet govern­ stood by while Lumumba was ousted from ment and other UN members have chal­ the government by pro-U.S. forces. The new lenged the legitimacy of the 1950 Security regime turned Lumumba over to the Council resolutions, since these measures Katapgan rebels, who murdered him in early were adopted without the participation of the 1961. Soviet delegation. At the time, the Soviet Emesto Che Guevara condemned the UN government was boycotting the Security role in this counterrevolutionary operation Council to protest Washington's rejection of when he addressed the General Assembly in seating the People's Republic as China's rep­ December 1964 on behalf of the Cuban del­ resentative to the UN. egation. "How can we forget the betrayal of The introduction points out that in 1975 the hope that Patrice Lumumba placed in the the General Assembly adopted a resolution United Nations?" Guevara said. "How can calling for dissolution of the so-called UN we forget the machinations and maneuvers Command in Korea. Since only unanimous that followed in the wake of the occupation UN Security Council voting to enforce trade embargo against Iraq. Britain, France, decisions of the five permanent Security of that country by United Nations troops, China, and the Soviet Union voted for each U.S.-initiated resolution. Council members are binding in such mat­ under whose auspices the assassins of ters, however, the blue flag of the UN still this great African patriot acted with impu­ "Mobilizing world public optruon, and flies over U.S. troops stationed along the nity? ... Who can deny the sad role that the when the Soviet government had decided U.S. public opinion in particular, as a coun­ border that divides Korea today! imperialists compelled the United Nations to against participating in Security Council ses­ terweight to Washington's drive toward a war play?" sions, where it could have exercised its veto is the goal of all those concerned about the Murder of Patrice Lumumba A decade later, when the South African privilege had it chosen to do so. The current future of humanity," Mary-Alice Waters ex­ The greater clarity shed by recent events army, egged on by Washington, launched an war moves in the Middle East, on the other plains in the introduction to the pamphlet. on how the UN Security Council functions invasion of Angola on the eve of that coun­ hand, are taking place with the unanimous "Towards this end, Cuba is once again using to promote imperialist interests is important, try's scheduled independence from Portugal, votes of all five permanent members of the the United Nations as a tribune from which since revolutionists have paid a heavy price Angolan freedom fighters did not repeat Security Council. to speak out and chart a course of action in in blood for failing to understand and act on Lumumba 's error. Instead, in November The Korea and Iraq examples alone reveal defense of the interests of working people this reality. 1975, the Angolan government appealed for how the structure of the United Nations - around the world." In 1960, for example, UN forces were assistance from Cuba, which responded by from its origins -block the Security Coun­ complicit in the assassination of Patrice sending thousands of volunteers to help tum cil from ever acting against the interests of Lumumba, prime minister of the African back the imperialist assault. This initial vic­ U.S. foreign policy. With its veto privilege * * * country of the Congo (now Zaire), who tory over South Africa's invading army was (and that of its British and French allies), Opponents of a U.S. war against Iraq will had led that country's independence strug­ followed over the next 12 years by repeated Washington can and does block any UN find the pamphlet a valuable source of infor­ gle against Belgium. Faced with a seces­ South African invasions of Angolan territory; measure that advances the interests of work­ mation and political arguments, both for sionist movement organized by the former this conflict culminated in 1988 with the final ers and farmers anywhere in the world. And themselves and for others they are seeking Belgian rulers, Lumumba appealed to the defeat of South African forces by the Cuban when the Stalinist regimes of the Soviet to convince_ Its cover and internal layout, UN to send a peacekeeping force to help volunteers, the Angolan army, and Namibian Union and China fall in step behind imperi­ designed by Toni Gorton, help make it at­ defend the newly established independent independence fighters. That victory opened alist ends, the Security Council can be used tractive and accessible. The editors have pro­ government. the way to Namibia's conquest of freedom aggressively to promote those counterrevo­ vided a useful chronology; notes to explain Washington voted for this request for UN from South African colonial domination the lutionary policies. unfamiliar names, documents, and events; troops in the Security Council, as did the four following year. For two years, however, a unique situation and a map. other permanent members. At the very same exists in the Security Council: between Jan­ The pamphlet can be purchased at Path­ time, according to a 1975 U.S. Senate report, 'Big Five' agreement on Iraq uary 1990 and the end of 1991, Cuba has a finder bookstores around the United States the CIA was plotting Lumumba's assassina­ Washington's war mobilization against seat in that body. As shown by the new and in other countries, and will be on hand tion as "an urgent and prime objective," in Iraq is the largest military operation to take pamphlet, U.S. Hands Offthe Mideast! Cuba in plentiful supply at the antiwar teach-ins, the words of then-CIA director Allen Dulles. place under UN Security Council endorse­ Speaks Out at the United Nations, the Cuban demonstrations, and other protest actions The Senate report accepted as a "reasonable ment since the Korean War. The U.S.-initi­ government is putting this time and oppor­ that will continue to mount as Washington inference" that the order to kill the Congolese ated aggression in Korea occurred at a time tunity to good use. presses forward with its aggression.

November 9, 1990 ~ .:. ·.: .• .: ' .i .( 1 z~drr,(~ .. · :;.. -~ Antiwar fighters snap up 'Militant' Continued from front page Some who have come back told me morale October 27, a sales team from Utah headed is low, the equipment breaks down all the time for Sheridan, Wyoming, where coal miners because of sandstorms, and many want to have waged a fight for several years against come back." Two Gls and the spouse of the ·bosses at Decker Coal Co. At a Mine another subscribed to the Militant. Workers' union hall, a union member sub­ Supporters in Phoenix won 23 new readers scribed to the Militant and one bought a copy during the target week - more than double of the U.S. Hands Off the Middle East! pam­ what they had ·won in the previous four weeks phlet. of the drive. At an October 20 protest in Afterward, on their way to a college cam­ Tucson, four participants signed up to get the pus in Boise, Idaho, the supporters stopped Militant. in Missoula, Montana, to check out the uni­ In Miami supporters set a target-week goal versity there. A big sign on the student gov­ of 45 and won 44 new readers by fielding ernment offices announced, "No blood for teams everyday. On November 2, Rev. Jean­ oil! Speak-out today!" Some 300 students Bertrand Aristide, a well-known figure in the packed a hall and engaged in an animated opposition movement in Haiti and candidate discussion about the U.S. war drive. for president of that country, will begin a tour Militant/Margrethe Siem Speaking from the floor of the meeting, of several U.S. cities in Miami. A stadium High school students reading the Militant in Malmo, Sweden. Militant supporter Greg Rosenberg drew a there that seats 30,000 has been reserved and round of applause when he stated, "The U.S. Militant supporters have put in a bigger-than­ government is preparing a massive war usual order for Lutte ouvriere. against Iraq that we have no interest in." He explained that Cuba was the only govern­ 'New International' sales Subscription Drive ment in the world that opposed the war and Supporters in Baltimore made big strides urged everyone to get a pamphlet that tells forward in sales of New International and the truth about Washington's war drive. Nouvelle lnternationale. By making an effort· SCOREBOARD In a few hours, 15 students bought copies to introduce everyone to the magazines and Perspectlva Lutte of U.S. Hands Off the Middle East! Cuba explaining their contents, they reported, DRIVE GOALS Total Militant Mundis/ New lnt'l ouvrlere Speaks Out at the United Nations and nine many workers, political activists, and stu­ subscribed to the Militant. dents will decide to read·one or several. So Areas Goal Total % Sold Goal Sold Goal Sold Goal Sold Goal Sold Sold The sales team members decided to stay far, two coworkers, four farm workers, and over for another antiwar rally called for the six political activists are among those who U,.D STATES following day where ll more subscriptions have purchased the journals. Austin, Minn. 90 56 62% 60 42 18 8 10 6 2 0 were sold, 3 copies ofNew International, and Militant supporters can build on the mo­ Baltimore 125 71 57% 90 43 12 6 20 19 3 3 Seattle 190 104 55% 115 72 48 18 25 12 2 2 17 pamphlets. mentum gained during the target week to San Francisco 175 95 54% 110 61 35 22 25 11 5 1 Militant supporters, who leafleted for an strive to make the goals in the international Price, Utah 80 43 54% 55 34 13 7 10 2 2 0 upcoming meeting with touring Cuban econ­ sales drive. For the next 20 days, 247 new omist Carlos Tablada outside a student book­ readers a day are needed to put the subscrip­ Oakland, Calif. 190 98 5~~ 125 64 35 19 25 14 5 1 store in Lund, Sweden, signed up two new tion campaign over the top. Miami 200 97 4~~ 110 75 30 10 40 2 20 10 Salt Lake City 185 89 . 48% 130 66 23 10 30 11 2 2 readers of the paper. The students also bought To help with this effort, many supporters Birmingham, Ala. 170 71 4~/o 138 62 10 4 20 5 2 0 copies of the U.S. Hands Offthe Middle East! have volunteered to hit the road on sales Greensboro, NC 115 48 4~/o 85 32 13 7 15 9 2 0 pamphlet. "Carlos Tablada speaks about the teams being organized to the coalfields of future of humanity," one Militant supporter Western Canada, as well as areas of Louisi­ Omaha, Neb. 120 50 4~~ 85 35 18 10 15 5 2 0 Los Angeles 400 164 41% 200 106 115 46 80 11 5 1 told the students, "and that future is threat­ ana, southern New Jersey and Delaware, and Detroit 180 71 3~/o 140 61 10 1 25 6 5 3 ened by this war. Cuba has fought against Florida. A team on the road in the coalfields Charleston, WV 135 52 39o/o 95 44 13 . 1 25 5 2 2 the military buildup." of southern Indiana and Illinois has won 20 Phoenix 95 35 37% 55 26 28 8 10 1 2 0 One way supporters in Newark, New Jer­ new subscribers so far, including seven on sey, campaigned against the U.S. war drive area campuses and six at mine portals. Twin Cities, Minn. 225 82 36% 175 65 17 9 30 7 3 1 Morgantown, WV 155 56 36% 115 53 8 0 30 3 2 0 was by selling the socialist press at a housing By striving to win thousands ofne w readers St. Louis 205 73 36% 162 69 10 1 30 3 3 0 complex near the Fort Dix army base in to the socialist press over the next 20 days, Newark, NJ 340 112 33% 180 59 60 16 70 32 30 5 southern New Jersey. "I'm totally opposed to supporters can deepen the campaign against Pittsburgh 130 40 31°~ 105 39 5 1 18 0 2 0 the troops being there," said one GI who the U.S. war drive and get out the truth to a bought a copy of the paper. "What they show broad layer of working people around the Kansas City 125 38 3~~ 88 31 10 4 25 3 2 0 world. Cleveland 160 48 3~/o 115 33 18 5 25 10 2 0 on TV about the guys being happy is not true. Brooklyn 345 103 3~/o 190 44 70 22 60 27 25 10 Atlanta 198 58 29% 135 35 20 7 40 15 3 1 Philadelphia 185 52 28% 115 30 38 13 30 9 2 0 Socialist leaders to speak on Washington, DC 150 35 23% 100 26 20 7 23 0 7 2 New York 520 121 23% 275 54 120 39 95 26 30 2 Chicago 280 62 2~~ 185 41 45 15 45 2 5 4 Boston 235 52 2~~ 140 43 45 8 35 0 15 . 1 war drive, Korea unification Des Moines, Iowa 180 38 21% 135 22 25 16 18 0 2 0 BY JAMES HARRIS Building Furid that are being organized by Houston 145 22 15% 98 12 25 2 20 8 2 0 Over the next several weeks the National branches of the SWP across the United Cincinnati 17 8 47% 12 5 2 2 3 1 0 Secretary of the Socialist Workers Party Jack States. Jayko will be speaking in Oakland on Ft. Madison, Iowa 5 2 40% 4 2 0 0 0 Las Vegas, Nev. 5 0 0% 5 0 0 0 0 Barnes and National Committee member November 17 and Seattle on December l. Louisville, Ky. 7 1 14% 7 0 0 0 Margaret Jayko will be speaking in several Barnes will speak in New York on November cities in North America on the struggle for lO and Washington, D.C., on November ll. New Haven, 20 14 70% 14 11 4 3 2 0 0 Korean reunification. The two were the SWP Conn.* leadership delegation to the celebrations Portland, Ore. 11 5 45% 10 4 1 0 0 Other U.S. 0 0 0 0 0 marking the 45th anniversary of the founding U.S. TOTAL 6,093 2,166 36% 3,958 1 ,502 965 348 974 265 196 51 of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the AUS'J'RAUA 50 104 208% 30 87 12 2 6 15 2 0 governing party of the Democratic People's Washington's BRITAIN Republic of Korea (North Korea). London 174 67 39% 113 38 15 2 42 27 4 0 Barnes and Jayko were in North Korea for Cardiff 58 18 31% 40 11 2 1 15 6 0 nearly two weeks. They were able to tour the Accelerating Sheffield 100 27 27% 70 20 9 0 20 6 1 country and meet with leaders of the WPK. Manchester 62 14 23% 45 12 1 2 15 0 0 The trip enabled them to gain first-hand WarDrl•e Other Britain 15 8 1 6 0 BRITAIN TOTAL 394 141 36% 268 89 27 6 92 45 7 1 knowledge of the massive devastation caused • The massive military by the 1950- 53 U.S. war against Korea, the CANADA buildup ~ainst Iraq enormous efforts of the Korean people to Vancouver* 120 72 60% 80 44 15 .11 20 15 5 2 • Eyewitness report on the rebuild their country in its aftermath, the Toronto 155 88 57% 100 58 25 17 25 12 5 1 fi~t for reunification of Korea Montreal 21o 117 56% 75 63 35 17 35 10 65 27 continued subjugation of the southern part of • Capitalism's slide toward CANADA TOTAL 485 277 57% 255 165 75 45 80 37 75 30 the country by the U.S. military occupation, worldwide depression FMROE IS. 10 3 30% 10 3 0 0 0 and the consequences of the imperialist-im­ • What are the staJzes for FIIAIICE 40 14 35% 10 2 5 1 5 1 20 10 posed division of the country. They also wor~ people? IC.LAIID 43 17 ~/o 35 15 2 5 1 1 0 learned first-hand of the powerful desire of N.WZIIALAND the Korean people, both north and south, for Christchurch 60 69 115% 51 59 2 1 6 9 0 national sovereignty and unity. Hear Jacll Barnes Auckland 11 0 71 65% 91 58 10 3 8 10 0 In their presentations and discussion fol­ Wellington 70 37 53% 61 36 2 1 6 0 0 National Secre~. OtherN.Z. 10 3 3~/o 9 3 1 0 0 0 lowing the talks, Barnes and Jayko will place Wor~rs N. Z. TOTAL 250 180 7~/o 212 156 15 5 20 19 3 0 the fight for the reunification of Korea in the Socialist Party PU•Rro RICO 15 9 ~/o 2 0 12 9 .1 0 0 framework of the U.S. government's prepa­ New Yorlr: Sat., Nov. 10. 7:30p.m. SW.KN 80 44 55% 43 19 25 22 10 3 2 0 rations for a massive war in the Mideast and P.S. II, 320 20 St. (between 8th and lnt'l teams 50 0 ~/o 10 0 34 0 5 0 1 0 the accompanying march of capitalism to­ 9th Aves.). Donation: $3. Sponsor: Other lnt'l 0 1 0 0 ward a worldwide depression. They will ex­ Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (212) TOTAL 7,586 2,956 39% 4,833 2,038 1,172 440 1,274 386 3IJ7 92 plain why the world's workers and farmers 675-6740. DRIVE GOALS 7,800 5,000 1,225 1,250 325 should support the struggle by the Korean Wasblntton, D.C.: Nov. I I, 7:00 TO BE ON SCHEDULE 4,875 63% 3,125 766 781 203 people for reunification of their country. p.m. 523 8th St. SE. Tel: (202) * Raised goal during drive The events are part of a series of fund-rais­ 547-7557. ing meetings for the Socialist Workers Party-

.1 • . ~ ~ :, November 9, 1990 The Militant Machinists strike against Eastern What has been won and the challenges ahead for the lat

The following article will be featured in places some of these fighters have effectively Attendants (UFA) and the Air Line Pilots actions to defend the union's very existence. an upcoming pamphlet by Pathfinder joined in efforts to strengthen the lAM or Association (ALPA) at Continental joined This was illustrated in a fact sheet put out Press on the Machinists strike at Eastern other unions they now find themselves mem­ the lAM's picket line. But by then Lorenzo by the lAM. It explains, "Before Lorenzo's Airlines and the stakes for labor in the bers of. was successfully running a nonunion opera­ takeover of Eastern Airlines, the employees battle. The striking Machinists' success in block­ tion. The unions at Continental had been had demonstrated their total commitment to ing Lorenzo's plans to run a nonunion airline broken. Eastern by pioneering wage reduction agree­ BYJUDYSTRANAHAN paralleled the continued deterioration at East­ The success of this union-busting drive ments to help their company. They invested (First of a series) em. On their strike buttons, banners, and was used as a club by other airline owners nearly $1 billion in wage reductions durinb At 12:01 a.m. on March 4, 1989, a historic picket signs, they raised the slogan: "No against workers throughout the industry. At the decade 1976 to 1986. Eastern employees labor battle opened up in North America. At contract, No peace!" every major unionized airline, including agreed to pay cuts in order to finance the that moment 8,500 members of the Intema­ United, Pan Am, and Trans World Airlines purchase of modem aircraft and to help East­ tiomil Association of Machinists (lAM) - Continental union-busting a 'model' (TWA), concessions were demanded by the em acquire expensive computer reservations ramp service workers, cleaners, stock clerks, Many in the labor movement today point employers and agreed to by a majority of the equipment. In exchange for the pay reduc­ and mechanics -struck Eastern Airlines, a to the busting of the Professional Air Traffic work force. tions, the employees were promised a secure subsidiary of the third-largest airline com­ Controllers Organization (PATCO) in 1981 Two days after Lorenzo took Continental future in Eastern Airlines and also received pany in the world, Texas Air Corp. by the Ronald Reagan administration as the into bankruptcy, Frank Borman, president of a major ownership stake in their company. Since that time, the rank-and-file fighters opening shot in a broad offensive against the Eastern at the time, threatened to do the same Since the international recession in 197 4- of the Machinists union at Eastern have stood unions in the United States. to Eastern unless the workers accepted large 75, millions of workers in North America up with dignity and stubborn persistence, and During the PATCO fight the government pay cuts and other takebacks. The unions at have first-hand experience of concession used union power to wage their fight. They directly intervened by firing the strikers, who Eastern had already granted concessions to contracts, speed-up on the job, plant closings, have received solidarity from unions around were government employees. In subsequent Borman the previous several years. company bankruptcies, the spread of unsafe the world and have extended their solidarity fights, however, the government basically By the end of 1983, the Machinists and working conditions, and other aspects of the to others. stood aside and let the employers go after the flight attendants at Eastern had agreed to an employers'·offensive. The strikers beat back, outlasted, and unions directly. 18 percent pay cut for one year; the pilots, 22 Faced with a declining profit rate, iL forced out Eastern's boss Frank Lorenzo, More so than the defeat of PATCO, the percent. As an incentive to accept the creased international competition, and the who was determined to add this airline to his breaking of the unions at Continental by that givebacks, union members received new beginnings of a long-term economic ·crisis, "union-free" Texas Air empire. In so doing, airline's management prepared the way and the employing class could no longer afford these fighters defeated the point man in the became the model for the employers' assault the latitude it had enjoyed since the 1940s to employers' 10-year offensive against labor. on the unions. Lorenzo's union-busting grant gradual concessions to workers. The The Eastern strikers then took on and made In a hostile takeover in 1982, Frank superrich U.S. ruling families began a sys­ light work of Martin Shugrue, the trustee Lorenzo acquired Continental Airlines and was used as a club against tematic drive to make working people pay appointed in April 1990 by the U.S. bank­ made it a subsidiary of his Texas Air Corp. for this crisis by squeezing higher profit ruptcy court. Shugrue attempted to breathe In 1983 Continental's management de­ workers at other airlines. from their labor. new life into Eastern after the court removed manded from its unions a 40 percent wage The goal of the billionaire owners of the Lorenzo. The strikers showed that another cut, work rule changes -which would have stock the company issued - stock that is now banks and corporations is to weaken, and Continental Airlines, where Lorenzo broke led to ·the elimination of 600 jobs - and worthless. As part of the deal, union officials where possible destroy, the most important the unions in 1983, was not in the offing. other concessions. Faced with these union­ were given seats on the board of directors. A mass organizations of working people - the Through the battle waged by the Eastern busting demands, 2,000 members of the lAM year later the company resisted the scheduled industrial unions. strikers, new light was shed on the gov­ at Continental went out on strike on August restoration of the 18 percent cut In the years following the 1974-75 reces­ ernment's role in the offensive against labor. 13 of that year. Flight attendants- among the lowest­ sion, the bosses launched selective assault" Far from being neutral, the government has Lorenzo moved quickly against the walk­ paid workers at the airline - were hit espe­ on particular unions. For example, a take back in fact helped the bosses behind the scenes, out, firing strikers and bringing in scabs. His cially hard by the concessions, which in­ contract was imposed by the Chrysler Corp,. ,and at times more openly. success in dividing the workers at Continen­ cluded a multitiered wage system. As part of on members of the United Auto Workers in · The victories and accomplishments of the tal was registered by the fact that the pilots the new wage'st:ruttute·tttose·fiaSed tn Latin 1979. Coal operatorS attempted such aprobe rank-and-file Machinists in the Eastern strike and flight attendants crossed the lAM's America and the Caribbean were ~t the bot­ against the United Mine Workers of America, have reinforced the important victory.scored picket line and continued to work. tom. but the miners answered back with a hard­ by the United Mine Workers of America Then, on Sept. 24, 1983, Continental filed Through his success in forcing the unions fought 110-day strike in 1977-78. (UMWA) against the Pittston Coal Group, for bankruptcy, citing "excessive labor out on strike at Continental, revoking con­ which in early 1990 forced this company to costs." Abrogating its contracts with the tracts, moving in scabs to permanently replace All-out rout during 1980s come to a settlement with the union. The unions, Continental laid off every one of its the strikers, and getting a nonunion operation The retreat of the unions under the initial miners at Pittston set back the effort by the 12,000 employees. The airline then rehired going, Lorenzo emerged as a point man for blows of this offensive turned into an all-out bosses to break the UMWA's resistance and 4,200 workers at half their previous pay. the employing class -he was looked to by rout in the wake of the 1981-82 economic generalize an earlier defeat suffered by min­ Prior to these moves, Continental's work other employers as an example ·of how they recession. In industry after industry and ers at the A. T. Massey Coal Co. force had already granted, or had offered to could break unions in their own workplaces. union after union, massive concessions were Coupled with the victory by the miners at grant, big concessions. The pilots' associa­ Lorenzo sought to further his perspective granted to the employers. Pittston, the victories at Eastern make union­ tion had agreed to $100 million in conces­ of building a nonunion airline empire by The defeat of the unions at Continental busting everywhere a more difficult propo­ sions; the flight attendants' union offered up purchasing Eastern Airlines in 1986. came at the beginning of a period in whic sition for the employers. Through the Eastern $90 million over a two-year period. Once~ Eastern's workers designate this as the be­ the union officialdom gave in to the bosses' Airlines fight, a battle-tested rank and file cuts went into effect, pilots' maximum pay ginning of a "reign of terror," consisting of demands. Workers saw no perspective for has emerged and spread throughout other dropped from $77,000 a year to $42,000. stepped-up harassment and victimization of successful resistance and began running parts of the airline industry and in other Flight attendants, who were making $27,000 workers, firings, forced overtime, and speed­ away from the fight. Top union officials, workplaces in many U.S. cities and parts of a year, were offered $16,000. up. Thousands of union members were either along with the companies, promoted the idea Canada and Puerto Rico. At their new work- On Oct. 1, 1983, the Union of Flight laid off or ftred outright in this period. that concessions were needed to save "our" Lorenzo aimed to destroy the unions at company and to make goods produced in Eastern just as he had done successfully at "our" state or country more competitive. Continental. Union members went along with and often For Eastern strikers, union coal Many Eastern strikers today explain how voted for cuts in wages, multitiered wage the 1983 defeat at Continental weighed on scales, subcontracting of union work, and miners, and other fighters on the them as they entered into the fight with temporary-worker schemes that qualitatively Lorenzo. Moreover, after the walkout at East­ deepened the divisions within the work force em began, Lorenzo was able to use Conti­ and among union members. front lines of today's labor battles, nental as a weapon against the strike - While affected by the thrashing the labor through "wet-leasing" planes (leasing the movement was taking, the UMWA was t:W­ the 'Teamster' series is a must.... plane and the crew) from Continental to only major industrial union that refused to Workers fighting to mobilize labor solidar­ Eastern and having nonunion Continental buckle under to the offensive and give such ity and defend their unions against employer mechanics and other workers service Eastern sweeping concessions. Earlier struggles by flights. the ranks of the Mine Workers to democratize attacks will find a lot in common with the men ·their union in order to more effectively ex­ and women who built the Teamsters union in Decade-long employer offensive ercise union power were decisive in their Minnesota in the 1930s. Their story is told in Over the last decade or so, employers in ability to hold off the coal bosses with strikes the four-volume Teamster series by Farrell industries where competition has become in 1977-78 and 1981. The mine owners Dobbs, a central leader of the organizing especially sharp have pressed for massive job backed off when the contracts expired i.. drives and a leader of the Socialist Workers reductions, deep cuts in medical care and 1984 and did not demand big takebacks. Party until his death in 1983. pensions, work rule changes resulting in de­ But the A.T. Massey Coal Co., one of the The Teamster strikes won a tremendous teriorating job safety conditions, and three largest coal operators in the United States, victory for the labor movement, inspired and four rounds of concessions. In many refused to sign the 1984 agreement between workers around the country, and helped pave cases the employers' demands have posed the Bituminous Coal Operators Association the way for the formation of the CIO. The the question of whether to fight or face the (BCOA) and the UMWA. The BCOA is the possibility of having the union pushed out of umbrella association that many coal opera- series includes Teamster Rebellion, Team­ the workplace all together. tors belong to. · ster Power, Teamster Politics, and Team­ The top officials of the unions have shown ster Bureaucracy. they are willing to take concessions de­ Coal strike at Massey manded by the employers and sell them to the Massey had developed a reputation in coal Teamster Rebellion, $14.95; Teamster Power and Teamster Politics, $16.95 each; Teamster unions' members. But faced with the prospect communities throughout Appalachia as a Bureaucracy, $17.95. Available at Pathfinder Bookstores listed on page 12 or by mail from of a drastic short- and long-term decline in · union-busting operation. The company had Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. (Please include $1 for shipping and handling.) union membership figures, officials in some successfully opened up nonunion mines in unions have sanctioned strikes and backed both West Virginia and Kentucky in the early

8 The· Militant November 9, 1990 tirlines ,r movement 980s. Massey's refusal to sign the union ontract and its decision to impose a substan­ iard agreement forced union members work­ lg at the company's mines in southern West lirginia and eastern Kentucky to go out on trike. Many miners recognized that if Massey . ~re successful in its efforts against the JMWA, this would embolden other coal perators to challenge the union. The miners at Massey put up a tough fight nd mobilized support throughout the union 1 an attempt to counter the company's hiring f scabs and the operation of its nonunion oal mines. But as the strike continued the bilizations waned. Efforts by the UMWA fficialdom to win the fight through court uits and filing unfair labor practices with the lational Labor Relations Board failed. In the nd the union lost the battle, and Massey was ble to keep some of the miners from getting 1eir jobs back after the strike was over. Nevertheless, when the coal bosses recog­ •Led in 1984 that the miners would fight any Eastern strikers march in New York Labor Day parade in 1989. Strike has received both national and international solidarity. oroad attempt to attack their hard-won gains, lis was the first indication of the growing esistance among working people to the in­ under the threat of plant closings or bank­ new category of employees. A cut in medical At the Miami International Airport, work­ essant takeback demands of the employers. .ruptcy. Growing layers of workers in the benefits was also sought. Hoping to split the ers were told at 10:30 a.m. that they had five Vorkers began to see through the employers' Unit~ States were becoming more willing lAM membership, the company urged the minutes to gather their belongings and vacate •romises that concessions would lead to job to resist the employers' offensive, and some mecha,nics to negotiate a separate contract. the property. Police canine units were ecurity and future wage increases; in fact unionists began to put up a fight. While Responding to these demands the lAM brought in to enforce the order. .y led only to more concessions and a courageous, most of these battles were un­ officials called for a federal mediator to help Union shop stewards arrived and the Ma­ veaker union. At this point a series of fights able to tum back concession contracts or the negotiate the dispute. But in the negotiations, chinists marched together over -to the union egan to break out. hiring of scabs as permanent "replacement Eastern continued to demand $150 million hall. When another contingent of workers workers." in concessions from the Machinists union. from the maintenance shops joined the In the latter half of 1985 members of the At Eastern, after ten years of pay cuts, However, after years of having already march, chants of"We will win, we will win!" Inited Food and Commercial Workers union reduction of work crews, layoffs, and firings, given millions ofdollars in concessions, lAM went out. UFCW) began to fight back against the the workers were ready to fight. They saw members at Eastern said "Enough!" In Sep­ When midnight rolled around the picket rutal conditions being imposed on them by this as their only chance to survive the cor­ tember 1988 the Machinists voted over­ lines went up, and the strike was on. 1be · ·- bosses in the meat-packing industry. porate terror that threatened not only their whelmingly - 7,596 to 90 - to reject the union set up picket lines at U.S. airports ·nese struggles included the strike of pack­ livelihood but their physical safety, and the company's concession-contract demands. where Eastern has operations, including its lghouse workers against the Geo. A. Hormel safety of passengers as well. In February 1989 a government-imposed biggest base at the Miami International Air­ ' Co. in Austin, Minn. in 1985-86. This . 30-day cooling-off period ~ent into effect. port. Machinists working for Eastern in Can­ ·attle;' thobgh 'defeated~ had an· ·impact .oif Eastern. demands c-Oncessions After being ·d~adlocked in negotiations for ada· and PuertO· Rico began· to staff picket nionists across North America and inspired In December 1987, the lAM's contract 16 months, the National Mediation Board lines as well. The strike instantly drew world­ wave of strikes in a number of packing­ with Eastern expired. For many months lead­ called on President George Bush to use the wide media attention. ouses in late 1986 and early 1987. ing up to the date of expiration, the company fede!"al government to intervene. This pro­ Leading up to the strike, the Air Une Pilots In 1987 in Watsonville, California, can­ made demands for huge concessions, includ­ posal was supported by the lAM officials and Association had continued negotiations with .._,y workers scored an important victory and ing massive pay cuts for all the Machinists the AFL-CIO's top leadership, but was op­ Lorenzo. It was not clear until the strike 'on union recognition as the result of a strike. members. posed by Lorenzo. Eastern's boss felt confi­ deadline whether the pilots and the flight dent that his Texas Air Corp. was in good attendants - the latter belonging to Local enough·shape to defeat the lAM in a strike 553 of the Transport Workers Union (fWU) following his earlier victory against the union - would continue to work or would honor at Continental. the picket lines. As the deadline hit, both In fact, Eastern had long been preparing unions announced they would honor the for a strike. The company had amassed a Machinists' picket lines, and 3,400 members $400 million war chest to finance its drive of ALPA and 5,900 members of the TWU against the unions. And it diverted millions joined the strike. Eastern's operations imme­ of dollars to Continental for its services in diately came to a virtual halt. the event of a strike. Prior to the strike, the airline company Eastern's management thought it was well averaged 1 ,040 flights a day, carrying about prepared for a strike and made a vow to keep 100,000 passengers. In the first three days of flying. It hired private security outfits to the strike, only 218 planes took to the air, an guard company equipment and property and average of 72 a day. to intimidate the workers. It hired hundreds Eastern workers had served notice to of workers to act as scabs to replace lAM Lorenzo. They had had enough of the "reign members and was prepared to order non­ of terror" and had decided to stand their union workers, along with members of man­ ground and take Eastern on. With· nothing agement, to perform the lAM members' jobs. left to lose, the strikers decided to fight. Some 200 management personnel were lined "Eastern management refused to negotiate up to be pilots. Eastern had expected as many seriously," explained a leaflet distributed on as 600 ALPA pilots to cross the picket line, the picket lines by lAM Local1 018 members which would have made it possible to get the at New York's La Guardia Airport. The com­ planes into the air. pany continued to the end to "demand the Others did not want the government to step unlimited right to farm out our work, pay in either. Editorials in the Wall Street Journal cuts as high as 56 percent in some categories, and the New York Times, reflecting a wide­ massive work rule changes, the hiring of Militant/Rich Stuart spread opinion held in ruling circles, called part-time workers, cuts in pension benefits, and more." The strikers said that "acceptance ~chinists visiting Pittston miners' picket shack in Virginia on President Bush to "stay out of the way." More importantly, many Eastern workers of this contract would mean the breaking of opposed the president stepping in or any our union." "'d paper workers in several regions of the For instance, the wages of ramp service further extension of the cooling-off period. Strike support rallies took place as the Jnited States waged a hard-fought though workers, whose top pay was $15.60 an hour, After having had their backs to the wall for walkout began. In Atlanta, one of Eastern's msuccessful16-month strike in 1987- 88. would have been pushed back to $8 within years, most of them felt they had nothing left largest hubs, 1,500 strikers and supporters Coal operators in the western United two years. Newly hired ramp workers would to lose. Many were beginning to come to the held an event. A new strike headquarters - )tates demanded major concessions from have been paid $5 an hour, reaching a top conclusion that a fight would be necessary several large tents near Eastern's mainte­ mion miners in 1986- 87. UMWAmembers scale of $5.75 after two years. New mechan­ to atleast hold the line and to defend them­ nance base - was erected. esisted with a series of strikes, and in most ics would have begun work at a rate of $10 selves from further attacks. The stage was At Kennedy Airport in New York, 900 :ases the miners were able to hold their an hour, and the top pay after three years being set for a showdown. members of the lAM at TWA packed three , Jund. In addition to previous miners' bat­ would have reached $12.10. Aircraft service union meetings to discuss how they could les, the resistance in the western coalfields workers and stock clerks faced similar cuts The strike begins • back the strike; they then helped set up a >layed a part in the coal bosses' decision not in pay. On the morning of March 3 - just hours large picket line at the airport. Unionists o take the miners on when the national Eastern demanded that union members before the deadline that would end the cool­ joined picket lines in Los Angeles, Detroit, tgreement expired in 1988. work across established job classifications. ing-off period - Eastern's management Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and else­ These battles marked an important shift in The company also wanted the right to lay off locked out all lAM members, saying it feared where. he ability of the employers to simply demand employees at will, then rehire them as part­ "sabotage" of company property and equip­ "lllis is not just a strike," explained John md get concessions from workers, often time workers as part of a plan to establish a ment. Continued on next page

November 9, 1990 The Militant 9 Machinists strike against Eastern Airlines

Continued from previous page Philadelphia strikers began organizing an Walker, who had been a ramp. refueler with airport rally when they heard that Lorenzo 2I years at Eastern, "it's for the whole labor planned to begin flights from that city July movement." 2, I989. "Everybody is watching this strike," With Eastern shut down and the strikers one Machinist said, "even people not affili­ explaining the stakes in their fight to push ated with this union or any union. When you back Lorenzo's union busting, support wear your button they ask you how it's poured in. During the first week of the walk­ going." out massive rallies were organized, showing At New York's La Guardia Airport strikers the support the Machinists would be able to began to organize speaking engagements at gamer throughout the course of the fight. area unions, explaining the stakes in their In Chicago, where. about 80 Machinists fight and encouraging financial donations were on strike, a mile-and-a-half picket line and participation in daily picket lines. of 2,000 unionists marched through the ter­ A fighting slogan, demonstrating the minals of O'Hare Airport March 11. Four strikers' determination to block the union­ thousand workers from many unions joined busting drive, became "One day longer than the Atlanta strikers; several hundred picketed Lorenzo!" Washington, D.C.'s National Airport; and 3,000 workers from throughout New En­ Miners strike against Pittston gland packed the auditorium of the Boston By far the most significant reinforcement teachers' union to show their support. for the Eastern strike came in April 1989 The 24 Eastern strikers in Oeveland were when I ,700 members of the United Mine joined by nearly 2,000 unionists at an airport Workers of America who had been working rally, and the 25 Eastern workers on strike in under an expired contract for almost 14 Kansas City organized an event of 600. months, went out on strike against the Miami, the strike center, is the home of Pittston Coal Group. 3,900 of the 8,500 Eastern workers on strike. UMWA members working at Pittston's coal mines in VIrginia and West VIrginia had Nearly 7,000 strike supporters attended a Militant/Nancy Brown rally sponsored by ALPA March 7 hooked Strikers bring their solidarity to Wlshington, D.C., abortion rights march in April also come to the conclusion that a fight was up by video with seven other such events, 1989. necessary. Pittston demanded the right to and 3,000 turned out for an event outside the carry out unlimited overtime work, including lAM union hall the next day. on Sundays, eliminate 600 jobs, and cut Even some of Eastern's noncontract work­ Eastern's planes; selling the carrier's New to work while others remained on the picket health and safety benefits. ers in Miami sided with the strike by refusing York-Boston-Washington, D.C. shuttle to lines, thus weakening the overall fight. Pittston's union-busting goal was clear and to cross the picket lines. Members of the Donald Trump for $365 million; and by the Some strikers pointed out that anything the.miners were determined to avoid a rep­ Machinists local in Miami looked for ways sale of profitable routes- including East­ sold should be treated as struck work, and etition of the defeat at Massey a few years to reach out to these workers. Noncontract em's Latin American routes, which American that the picket lines should remain up. How­ earlier. Their resolve to fight was grounded workers were putting in ten-hour days, six Airlines bought- and part of its Philadel­ ever, union officials took down the picket in a widening kilowledge of the stakes in­ days a week before the strike began. Then phia operations. He still hoped to defeat the lines at the shuttle in Washington, D.C., Bos­ volved for the entire union in the fight. early in the strike, Eastern began putting the strike and accomplish his goal of a nonunion ton, and New York, and on June 7 a number For the next I1 months the ranks of these noncontract workers on 50-hour weeks, but airline - even if it meant a smaller one. of strikers went to work at Trump Air. Ini­ two strikes joined together to strengthen each at 40 hours' pay, and topped it off by cancel­ The job of the bankruptcy court is a narrow tially, they went back without a contract, but other's battles and use union power to push ing vacations for the rest of the year. one, more restricted than most courts in the eventually a six-month contract that con­ back their respective bosses. The ranks of the Machinists union began United States. Rulings made by the bank­ tained some concessions was agreed to. Both strikes received support from the ruptcy judge are simply aimed to protect the labor movement, including the official back­ to mobilize to wage an effective fight against Something new in labor movement Lorenzo. They started exercising some union social capital - in this case the planes, ing of the AFL-CIO. The fights they were power to defend themselves from the anti­ equipment, computer systems, terminals, and By the time the first weeks of the strike union drive. Moreover, the first week of the hangars of Eastern - in the interests of a had passed, it was clear that something new strike demonstrated the extent to which tens company's owners and creditors. had happened in the labor movement. From early on, the of thousands of unionists and others were Throughout the course of the strike the For the first time in the I980s, a sustained inspired by the strike and saw the fight as bankruptcy judge has protected the prudent nationwide strike was under way, and it had rank-and-file fighters put their own. business decisions of the corporation, as long not been either blunted or defeated by the their stamp on the battle. On picket lines, at rallies, speaking to as they did not threaten the interests of the bosses. union meetings, and in the media the strikers creditors. As the ranks of the lAM at Eastern con­ focused in on their enemy -Frank Lorenzo, The challenge of the rank-and-file fighters tinued to keep their picket lines up and as waging inspired other airline workers, coal Eastern's chief executive. Buttons and T­ was to see that the outcome of the strike Eastern's financial losses began to mount, miners, and millions of working people who shirts with a slash through Lorenzo's name rested on moving forward and keeping their many began to get some experience and take have been suffering a decade-long antiunion became the symbol of the strike. eyes .focused on the picket lines and strike initiatives to strengthen the organization and offensive by the bosses. Through keeping up the picket lines and activities. mobilization of the rank-and-file fighters. Miners joined the Machinists' picket lines centering their frre on Lorenzo, the strikers While initially many strikers were drawn Striker Zena McFadden, a member of in front of airport entrances at Eastern. And kept on the course needed to mobilize their into following every aspect of the proceed­ lAM Local 702 in Miami, wrote in the June striking Machinists visited "Camp Solidar­ ranks and the broadest number of supporters ings of the bankruptcy court, this soon dissi­ 9, I989, Militant "The strike headquarters is ity"- a strike center that UMWA !Jlembers possible. pated. As rulings came down that went open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At any set up in southwest VIrginia, where unionists against the interests of the unions, strikers one time there will be from 25 to I 00 people and others from around the country and Lorenzo tiles for bankruptcy quickly began to learn that the courts were in the union hall." Taking measures to meet throughout the world came to show their On March 9, 1989, five days into the strike, not neutral. The Machinists pressed forward, their needs-during the walkout, strikers set solidarity with the Pittston strike. Lorenzo took Eastern into Chapter II bank­ keeping the strike firm and continuing to win up a food bank, a center to dispatch pickets, ruptcy protection. Once Eastern filed for . broader solidarity. and a table where strike T-shirts, buttons, Eastern, Pittston strike solidarity bankruptcy the media shifted its focus from hats, and publicity material could be checked In late May 1989, Eastern and Pittston the rallies and picket lines of the strikers to Labor officials seek 'white knight' in and out. A thousand bags of groceries were strikers began a joint 12-day tour in the the proceedings of the bankruptcy court. Early in the strike, the Machinists were hit distributed each week. eastern coalfield communities of VIrginia, The carrier's owners were hoping to get with another challenge - the attempt by the "No one tells us what to do," an Eastern West VIrginia, and eastern Kentucky. One the strikers and working people in general to lAM, TWU, and ALPA leaderships to seek flight attendant said. "We just see what needs month later striking Machinists participated tum their attention toward the deliberations out a "white knight" to buy the strike-bound to be done and do it. We're on strike, and in the national gathering of the Coal Employ­ of the court and away from the strike. They airline. The officials said the most important we're an army, an army of labor, and that's ment Project, an organization formed in the sought to convince workers that decisions goal of the strike was to keep the "Eastern how things get done." late 1970s to help women get and keep jobs family" together-just without Lorenzo. in the coal-mining industry. Negotiations took place with several big­ 'Strike is about union's existence' As the fight at Pittston became known Eastern management business figures, including investor Peter In Los Angeles a Solidarity Rally for East­ throughout the ranks of the miners' union, Ueberroth, and later Chicago commodities em Strikers was held June I7, I989. The and Pittston refused to give in, some 44,000 thought it was well speculator Joseph Ritchie. In negotiations strikers campaigned among ul).ionists in the miners struck throughout the eastern coal­ with Ueberroth, union officials agreed to area to build participation in the event. "This fields in support of their embattled union prepared for a strike. $210 million in concessions. Ritchie de­ strike is about the very existence of the brothers and sisters. This began in June I989 manded $400 million in cuts - an average union," the rally leaflet said. "Lorenzo wants and extended over a six-week period. The about the strike would be made elsewhere of a $7,200 pay cut for each worker! to bust it like he did at Continental. Today, action gave a giant boost to the Pittston than on the picket lines, and that they could Initially, many of the strikers supported the fight is at Eastern; tomorrow, it could be miners and helped show the resolve of the not affect those decisions. bringing in these so-called white knights and at any company organized by the lAM -or mine workers to defend their union. Top officials of the lAM, TWU, and ALPA adopted a wait-and-see approach to negotia­ any union. Now is the time for all of us to When the miners took over and occupied added to this diversion by claiming that the tions with them. But as more of the plans for join the fight!" Pittston's Moss No. 3 coal preparation plant bankruptcy court was where the decisions concessions were revealed, some strikers Washington, D.C., strikers organized two in VIrginia on Sept. 17, 1989, Eastern strikers, would be made on the future of the airline. began to oppose the idea that the unions food banks, assisted by the United Food and other unionists, and supporters joined in a Instead of deepening the mobilization and should spend their energy on finding a suit­ Commercial Workers and the Teamsters. solidarity demonstration of several thousand organization of the Eastern strikers and other able buyer for Eastern. Some started to con­ Hughie Kelly, an lAM member with 2I years outside the plant. airline workers, the officials put forward the clude that a new owner would not necessarily at Eastern pitched in to keep the food bank Over the course of the Eastern strike, much view that the judge could be pressured to mean a better situation. In the end, negotia­ going. ''This keeps me busy through the support has also been won from around the make decisions favorable to the strike, such tions with Ueberroth and Ritchie collapsed entire week," he said. Explaining he was new world. One outstanding expression of this as replacing Lorenzo. and most strikers decided the best thing to to putting together such an operation, Kelly solidarity came from the Bermuda Industrial Lorenzo hoped that by getting protection do was to continue the fight. said, "I helped organize a union picnic five Union. This union campaigned to prevent in the bankruptcy court he could restart the The first sale of a major part of Eastern years ago, but that's it." Eastern from restarting flights in and out of grounded airline. Hit hard by ferocious come during the strike was investor Donald "Its like a 15-round prize fight," another Bermuda. The June 16, 1989, Militant re­ petition in the airline industry, Eastern had Trump's purchase of the Northeast shuttle. D.C. striker said. "We've taken some blows, ported in the "Support Eastern Strikers" col­ already lost millions of dollars in previous Strikers then began to discuss how to fight but so has Lorenzo. It's surprising- over umn that the efforts of the Bermuda unions years. In the first of several reorganization to keep the union at what is now Trump Air. the last few weeks, our members have had been successful, and had become an plans, Lorenzo said he would reduce the size This was an important question because it stepped up their picketing, and our support inspiration to the striking Machinists. of the airline by selling off 40 percent of posed the problem of some strikers returning is increasing." (To be continued) ' '· >If I 10 The Militant November 9, 1990 Messages back committee's' constitutional rights

Mark Curtis is a unionist and Moines, Iowa 50311; telephone threat to constitutional liberties, Tonuis Villanueva I would like to express my grave political activist from Des (515) 246-1695. If you have news particularly the rights to free asso­ President, United Farm Workers distress at the possibility that the Moines, Iowa, who was framed or reports on activities in support ciation and privacy, and threatened of Washington State Mark Curtis Defense Committee's by police on rape and burglary of Mark Curtis from your city or to cripple the committee's func­ Pat Stell books and records may be opened charges. He was convicted in country, please send them to the tioning. President, Seattle chapter, Coali­ for scrutiny. September 1988 and is now serv­ Militant. After a public campaign and tion of Labor Union Women Like others, I firmly believe in ing a 25-year sentence in the John legal steps to counter this assault Kim Ramsey voluntary political organizations' Bennett state prison in Fort Mad­ This week's column features ex­ on democratic rights, the commit­ President, International Union of constitutional right to privacy, es­ ison, Iowa. cerpts of messages recently sent to tee won a protective order from the Electronic Workers Local 1002, pecially regarding information on Despite harassment by au- the Mark Curtis Defense Commit- court, limiting the scope of the in­ Seattle lists of supporters and contributors. trusion and safeguarding the rights Norma Kelsey This right to privacy is the heart of of the committee and its supporters. President, Office and Profes­ free speech and association. The judge has yet to rule on sional Employees International I trust that the judicial system in whether the committee is finan­ Local 8, Seattle Mark Curtis' case will recognize cially liable in the lawsuit. and uphold this vital part of our DEFEND nation's heritage. ~ I protest the attack on the free­ * * * dom of association and the right to Barry Wilson MARK CURTIS! l , We wish to register our strong privacy of the Mark Curtis Defense Chairman, Auckland Council for objections to any attempt, by Committee. By ordering testimony Civil Liberties, New Zealand po­ tee. They express support for the means of a harassment lawsuit, to on the fmancial resources of the thorities, he continues to be This latest attempt to confiscate constitutional rights of the commit­ obtain confidential records and defense committee in order to as­ litically active in prison and re­ funds subscribed for Mark's de­ fuses to be isolated from the tee and its supporters. seize the funds of the Mark Curtis sess damages, the district court in fense comes as no surprise. It is par world beyond the prison walls. Defense Committee. Iowa is attacking the right of sup­ The group came under attack for the course and evokes nothing porters of Curtis to band together The Mark Curtis Defense in a lawsuit against Curtis by the This suit not only attempts to but a feeling of contempt and dis­ and to organize to speak out for Committee, based in Des Moines, parents of the woman he was deprive Curtis of an organized de­ gust for those behind it. accused of assaulting in 1988. justice for Mark Curtis. is leading an international cam­ fense, it threatens the constitutional Momentum in the fight to free The lawsuit, still pending, is paign to fight for justice for Curtis rights of all to privacy and freedom If this attack is successful, it can Mark must and will be maintained aimed at getting a massive finan­ and to defend his rights in prison. of association. If the names of all be more easily extended to other until, like Nelson Mandela, once More than 8,000 unionists, de­ cial judgment against Curtis and who have donated time and/or defense committees, to civil rights again he walks tall and free. fenders of democratic rights, po­ his wife, Kate Kaku. money to the committee are made organizations, and to trade unions Jock Barnes litical activists, prominent offi­ The Iowa district court judge public, these individuals may be who are defending their members. Veteran trade unionist, Auck­ cials, and others - from the presiding in the case ruled that the subjected to intimidation by those It is an attack on the most basic and land, New Zealand Philippines to Sweden, from committee's financial records and who oppose civil liberties. broadest rights in the Constitution South Africa to Canada - have contributors should be disclosed to As unionists who support dem­ - the rights to associate freely, to I fully support the struggle for endorsed the committee's efforts. determine if funds raised by the ocratic rights, we are gravely con­ speak out, and to seek a correction justice for Mark Curtis and oppose For more information about group could be used to pay a court cerned and urge the right to privacy to injustices. the demand that the books and the case or how you can help, judgment against Curtis. and the financial autonomy of the Ray Rogers records be opened for scrutiny. write to the Mark Curtis Defense This intrusion into the commit­ Mark Curtis Defense Committee Director, Corporate Campaign, Dennis Brutus Committee, Box 1048, Des tee's affairs represented a serious be upheld. Inc. South African poet Lawyer questions Des Moines cops in Curtis suit

Continued from front page Curtis, Studer said. After the civil rights action· was initiated, White said that he never met Curtis, talked Des Moines city attorneys refused to produce to him, or went to the jail that night. the vast majority of police department files Studer reported that White said he had a on the beating, claiming numerous "privi­ long, varied career with the Des Moines leges." Police department, including teaching at the Eichhorn .and Kutmus requested that the police academy. When Eichhorn asked what city attorneys set a date so they could ques­ he had taught, he answered, "Physical re­ tion all the other officers who they believed straint, self defense, and how to write out a were present in the city jail at the time of the police report." beating. For months city officials delayed. Eichhorn asked him whether he knew any­ Finally, Eichhorn subpoenaed the officers thing about the .arrest of the ·17 Latino work­ and set October 29 to take their sworn testi­ ers at Swift. White said that it was "common mony. The proceedings took place at City knowledge" that there were "illegals" at Hall, and Mark Curtis Defense Committee Swift. "White testified that as an undercover coordinator John Studer accompanied Curtis' narcotics officer, 'it is my business to buy attorney. City Attorney Bruce Bergman rep­ drugs, and I buy a lot from people who work resented the police. down there and they're illegal'," Studer told Eichhorn questioned Sgt. Robert Ervin, the meeting. Inspector Ralph Roth, Detective Carolyn Finally, Eichhorn questioned Robinson, Taylor, Patrolman James Oleson, Sgt. Ronald who was in charge of the shift at the time of White, and Commander Kayne Robinson. Curtis' arrest. The officer is a longtime right­ Curtis following his release from police custody on March 5, 1988. Studer reported on the legal developments wing political activist. He is on the board of at the defense committee's weekly meeting directors of the National Rifle Association, October 30. Ervin, who testified that he was was co-chair of the Jack Kemp presidential in charge of the jail the evening Curtis was campaign in Iowa, has testified before Con­ Several dozen supporters of parole brought in, admitted that he had participated gress in favor of the use of deadly hollow­ in "restraining" the political activist. He said, nose bullets, and has been accused of being for Curtis plan to attend hearing however, that he could not remember who connected with the right-wing terrorist gave the orders to "restrain" Curtis or group, the Minutemen, a charge which he BY CHRIS REMPLE by Des Moines police at the United Mexican whether the cops were sent to accompany denies. DES MOINES, Iowa- Some 69 sup­ American Community Center, wrote: "I beg him to the hospital after the beating. Robinson said he was not at the jail when porters of parole for Mark Curtis have asked· you, please grant Mark his parole. He de­ Curtis was booked and beaten. He did not Iowa prison authorities to be able to attend serves his freedom." Cops remember little remember where he was at the time. a state Board of Parole hearing in Fort Mad­ William Schenck, an Eastern Airlines Robinson admitted that the police depart­ Studer said that the other officers testified ison on November 20. The board is scheduled strike activist from North Carolina and a ment here maintains an intelligence unit, but they had little to do with the events that night, to discuss whether to release the Des Moines retired Grand Lodge representative for the and remembered even less. claimed he knew little about its activities. unionist and political activist. Machinists union, plans to attend the hear­ "Inspector Roth testified that he helped Studer reported that the officer testified that Curtis is incarcerated at the state prison in ing. "I urge you to grant Mark Curtis' he had never heard or participated in any hold Curtis down and it was not until later Fort Madison. He was framed up by Des request for parole since the record shows discussions about Curtis, either before or that they noticed Curtis was injured," Studer Moines police on rape and burglary charges that he would return to society as a pro­ after March 4, 1988. said. Roth characterized the fracture and fa­ and began serving a 25-year jail term in ductive citizen and family member," cial cut as a "little laceration in the left "All in all, the officers either said they September 1988. Schenck wrote to the board. weren't there or attempted to back up Wolf's eyebrow area." Those planning to attend the hearing in­ Letters have also come from Rev. G.W. and Dusenbery's story that Curtis attacked Taylor and Oleson testified they were part­ cludeChrisSpottedEagle,aNativeAmerican Blakesley of Carlisle, Iowa; the Wear Valley them and his injuries were the natural result ners and were at the jail that night, Studer filmmaker from Minneapolis; Dow Voss, an District Trades Union Council in Auckland, of their efforts to defend themselves," Studer reported. Taylor told Eichhorn that she went organizer for the building trades unions in New Zealand; Ruth Morris, coordinator ofthe reported. to the closed room where Curtis was being Coralville, Iowa; Kim Ramsey, president of Black Creek Community Coalition Against "We will press this suit," Studer con­ held and found him on his face with his hands the International Union of Electronics Work­ Drugs in Downsview, Ontario; Scott Urban, cluded, "to prove that the beating of Curtis behind his back. At Dusenbery's request, she ers Local 1002 in Seattle; Harold Dun­ Co-executive of the University of Colorado was a brutal violation of his rights, to make slapped handcuffs on Curtis' wrists, she said, kelberger, an Iowa farm activist; and Strife Student Union; Jaime Vasquez, city council­ the cops responsible by paying damages, and and immediately left the room. She said she Chiloane, a South Mrican student at Iowa man from Jersey City, New Jersey; and Wil­ to defend everyone's space for political ac­ never heard anything about the beating again. State University. liam Torres, chairman of United Transporta­ tivity - free from cop violence." Oleson testified that he was not around Many supporters, including those planning tion Union Local620 in Cicero, Dlinois. when any of these events took place and to attend the hearing, have written letters John Studer, coordinator of the Curtis de­ could not remember where he was, Studer asking that Curtis be released. The Mark fense committee, urged supporters to con­ said. This publication is available Curtis Defense Committee is collecting the tinue collecting letters backing parole for in microform from University Sgt. White testified he was not at the jail Microfilms International. letters and will organize a delegation to de­ Curtis. They should be addressed to the Iowa but was in charge of a number of squad cars CaU loU-free 800-521-J044. Or mr~il inqu1ry to: \W\3.,. liver them to the parole board on November State Board of Parole and mailed to the Mark that night. This included the one driven by University Mi<:rofilms lnte rnational. 300 North 15. A press conference is also planned. Zeeh Road. AIID Arbor. Ml 48106. Curtis Defense Committee, Box 1048, Des the· two officers that arrested and framed Patricia Rinc6n, a victim ofa recent assault Moines, Iowa 50311 .

November 9, 1990 The Militant 11 0(1V 1 -''· ' i :> dm~voVf tmL .. . : I' ,,, .~ 01 - - CA~LENDAR: ______,.....--SWEDEN ALABAMA GEORGIA ILLINOIS Hear: Birmingham Atlanta Chicago Defend British Miners•. Speaker: John Haw­ Report from El Salvador. Slideshow. Speak­ Massacre in Jerusalem. Israel's Role in the Carlos Tablada, kins, Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. Sen­ ers: Roger Friedman, Atlanta Committee on Arab World. Speakers: Dick Reilly, Midwest Cuban author and economist ate, member United Mine Workers of America Latin America; representative, Socialist Work­ coordinator Palestine Solidarity Committee; Local2368. Sat., Nov. 3, 7:30p.m. 111 21st St. ers Party. Sat., Nov. 10,7:30 p.m. 132 Cone St. Reja-E Busailah, professor, University of Indi­ Gothenburg S. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor NW, 2nd floor. Donation: $2.50. Sponsor: Mili­ ana, Kokomo; Don Davis, Socialist Workers Tues., Nov. 6, 2 p.m. History of Ideas Forum. Tel: (205) 323-3079. tant Labor Forum. Tel: (404) 577-4065. Party. Sat., Nov. 10, 7 p.m. 545 W Roosevelt Department. University of Gothenburg. Rd. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Tues., Nov. 6, 7 p.m. Folkets Hus. Spon­ Forum. Tel: (312) 829-6815,829-7018. sors: Sweden-Cuba Friendship Society, Pathfinder. IOWA Stockholm Socialist campaign meetings Weds., Nov. 7, 6 p.m. Latin American Des Moines Institute, University of Stockholm. Rising Labor Militancy: How Workers Are Sat.; Nov. 10, 3 p.m. SIDA:s U-forum, CALIFORNIA Olesen, Socialist Workers candidate for gov­ Fighting the Employers Attacks Today. ernor; Pat Leamon, Socialist Workers candi­ Birger Jarlsgatan. Sponsors: Sweden­ Los Angeles Speakers: Caroll Nearmyer, vice-president, Cuba Friendship Society, Pathfinder. date for Congress; representative, Students ·Iowa American Agriculture Movement, Inc.; Recession and the Budget Crisis: What It for Choice. Sun., Nov. 4, 5 p.m. Translation Umea Means for Working People. Speaker: Geoff representative, executive board, United Auto to Spanish. 140 S 40th St. Sponsor: Militant Workers Local 270. Sat., Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 8, 1 p.m. Samhiillsvetar-. Mirelowitz, director, Socialist Workers Cali­ Labor Forum. Tel: (402) 553-0245. huset, University of UmeA. Sponsors: so­ fornia Campaign. Sat., Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. 2105 Forest Ave. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Mili­ tant Labor Forum. Tel: (515) 246-8249. ciology, political science, and education 2546 W Pico Blvd. Donation: $3. Sponsor: departments. Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (213) 380-9460. NEW JERSEY Thurs., Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Cafe Nyfiket. San Francisco Newark MINNESOTA Sponsors: Sweden-Cuba Friendship Soci­ U.S._Hands OtT the Middle East! Speaker: The U.S. War Drive in the Middle East ety, Pathfinder. Joel Britton, Socialist Workers candidate for and the Deepening Economic Crisis at Austin The AIDS Crisis. Speaker: Representative, Uppsala governor. Sat., Nov. 3. Reception; 7 p.m.; Home. Speakers: Don Mackie, Socialist Mon., Nov. S, 6 p.m. Humanistcentrum, Socialist Workers Party, Sun., Nov. 11, 7 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. 3284 23rd St (near Mis­ Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate; Room K320, University of Uppsala. sion). Sponsor: Socialist Workers Campaign Natasha Terlexis, SWP candidate for U.S. 407112 N Main St. Donation: $2.50. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (507) 433-3461 . Sponsors: Department of Sociology, Latin '90. Tel: (415) 282-6255,420-1165. Congress, 8th C.D.; Paul Eidsvik, Socialist American Seminar. - Campaign chairperson; Eric Huffman, SWP For more information: Pathfinder Books, IOWA candidate for U.S. Congress, 6th C.D. Sat., Vikingagatan 10 (T-bana St Eriksplan). Nov. 3. Reception, 7 p.m.; program, 8 p.m. NORTH CAROLINA Tel: (08) 31 69 33. Des Moines 141 Halsey St, 2nd floor. Donation: $3. Greensboro Meet the socialist candidates. Tues., Nov. 6, Sponsor: Socialist Workers Campaign. Tel: Malcolm X: His Ideas and Their Meaning for 7 p.m. 2105 Forest Ave. Tel: (515) 246-8249. (201) 643-3341. . World Politics Today. Speaker: Rashaad Ali, Socialist Workers candidate for governor of MARYLAND Maryland. Sat., Nov. 10,7 p.m. 2219 E Market Baltimore NEW YORK Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. S. African youth Socialist Campaign Rally: Why Working Manhattan Tel: (919) 272-5996. People Need Their Own Foreign and Do­ Socialist Workers Campaign Rally: Con­ mestic Policy.,Speaker: Rashaad Ali, Social­ fronting the War in the Mideast and the leader begins ist Workers candidate for governor. Sun., Recession at Home. Speakers: Craig Gan­ WEST VIRGINIA Nov. 4, 4 p.m. 2913 Greenmount Ave. Dona­ non, Socialist Workers candidate for gover­ Charleston tour in Atlanta tion: $3. Sponsor: Socialist Workers 1990 nor; Susan Anmuth, Socialist Workers candi­ The Fight for Women's Rights Today. Panel Campaign Committee. Tel: (301) 235-0013. date for lieutenant governor. Sat., Nov. 3, discussion. Speakers: Linda Joyce, Socialist Continued from Page 16 7:30p.m. 191 7th Ave. Donation: $3. Spon­ Workers Party, member International Associa­ spoke before the Sunday congregations of MICHIGAN sor: New York Socialist Workers Campaign. tion of Machinists Local 298. Sat., Nov. 10, 200 at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Rev. Joseph Tel: (212) 675-6740. 7 p.m.116 McFarland St. Donation: $3. Spon­ Lowery introduced Lekgoro to his congre­ Detroit sor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (304) 345-3040. Socialist Workers. Campaign Weekend: gation and encouraged members of his Stop the Rulers' Wars. Abroad and at NORTH CAROLINA • church to continue their moral, fmancial, and Home. Rally - Speaker: Ernie Mailhot, Greensboro spiritual support to Sayco and all young Eastern strike coordinator at New York's La Hear the Socialist Candidates. Sat., Nov. 3, fighters in South Africa today. Guardia Airport, co-chair New York Socialist 7 p.m. 2219 E Market. Donation: $2. Spon­ BRITAIN A fund-raiser was also organized at the Workers Campaign Committee. Sat., Nov. 3 , sor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (919) 272- London home of Joe Beasley, a longtime human c7'~$01~W®dward Ave. Do~$5. 5996. U.S. Miners' Union Celebrates Strike Vic­ rights activist here. Classes.:...._ "The Eastern strike and the U.S. tory. Speaker: Paul Galloway, member Na­ The following day, Lekgoro spoke before political situation;" speaker, Ernie Mailhot; tional Union of Mineworkers, recently returned 100 students at Georgia State University and Sun., Nov. 4, 10 a.m. "U.S. hands off Mid­ WASHINGTON from United Mine Workers of America confer­ east. How Cuba's principled position can ence in the U.S. Fri., Nov. 9, 7:30p.m. 47 The to an assembly of students at Frederick Seattle Douglass High School. He met with-AFL­ help guide the new antiwar movement;" The U.S. War Drive and the Coming Social Cut, SE l. Donation: £1. Sponsor: Militant Fo­ speaker, Cleve Andrew Pulley, Vietnam era rums. Tel: 71-401-2409. CIO President Richard Ray and addressed Crisis. Speaker: Robbie Scherr, Socialist 150 students at Morehouse College at the antiwar GI and Socialist Workers candidate Workers candidate for U.S. Congress, 7th Sheffield for Congress; Sun., Nov. 4, 12 noon. 50191f2 C.D. Sat., Nov. 3. Reception, 7 p.m.; pro­ A Discussion on Malcolm X. Fri., Nov. 9, 7 p.m. Atlanta University Center. Woodward Ave. Donation: $2 each class. gram, 7:30p.m. 1405 E Madison. Donation: 2A Waverley House, 10 Joiner St. Donation: £1. Many of the questions raised at the events Sponsor: Michigan 1990 Socialist Workers $3. Sponsor: Socialist Workers 1990 Cam­ Sponsor: Militant Forums. Tel: 0742-729469. centered on recent violence in South Africa Campaign Committee. Tel: (313) 831-1177. paign. Tel: (206) 323-1755. and why the ANC is trying to negotiate with CANADA the criminal South African regime. MINNESOTA • Vancouver A high school student asked Lekgoro, Austin Defend the National Union of Mineworkers. "How did you allow such a small minority Election Night Open House. Meet the So­ CANADA Speaker: Cheryl Pruitt, Communist League. of white people to take over your country to cialist candidates. Tues., Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 10, 7:30p.m. 1053 Kingsway, Suite begin with?" Lekgoro replied, "Well they 407 V2 N Main St. Sponsor: Socialist Workers Montreal 102. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor had gunpowder, which at the time was the Campaign. Tel: (507) 433-3461. Communist League Election Campaign Forum. Tel: (604) 872-8343. most advanced weapon in military com­ Meeting. Speakers: candidates of the Com­ munist League, Socialist Workers Party in bat, and they have effectively manipu­ NEBRASKA U.S. Sat., Nov. 3.-Benefit supper, 6 p.m. Do­ NEW ZEALAND lated us by the various cultural and tribal Omaha nation: $5-10. Sponsor: Communist League Wellington differences we used to have. I can assure you, The Coming Recession and the Struggles Campaign. For more information call (514) Israeli Repression, Palestinian Revolt. Speaker we are rapidly reaching the final hour when Ahead for Working People. Speakers: Lee 273-2503. Don Carson, Wellington Palestine Committee. we will rid ourselves of this historical Sat., Nov. 10, 7 p.m. 23 Majoribanks St., beast." But, Lekgoro added, "we need your Courtenay Pl. Tel: (4) 844-205. support." -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP Where to find Pathfinder books and distribu­ KENTUCKY: Louisville: P.O. Box 4103. PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 9 E. code: M4 4AA. Tel: 061-839 1766. tors of the Militant, Perspectiva Mundial, New Zip: 40204-4103. Chelten Ave. Zip: 19144. Tel: (215) 848-5044. Sheffield: 2A Waverley House, 10 Joiner St., International, Nouvelle Internatwnale, and MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2913 Green­ Pittsburgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: Sheffield S3 8GW. Tel: 0742-729469. Lutte ouvriere. mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. (412) 362-6767. MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 605 Massa­ TEXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Zip: CANADA UNITED STATES chusetts Ave. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. 77004. Tel: (713) 522-8054. Montreal: 6566, boul. St-Laurent. Postal ALABAMA: Birmingham: Ill 21 st St. MICHIGAN: Detroit: 50191;2 Woodward UTAH: Price: 253 E. Main St. Mailing ad­ code: H2S 3C6. Tel: (514) 273-2503. South. Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079, 328- Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 831-1177. dress: P.O. Box 758. Zip: 84501. Tel: (801) Toronto: 410 Adelaide St. W., Suite 400. 3314. MINNESOTA: Austin: 4071;2 N. Main. Zip: 637-6294. Salt Lake City: 147 E 900 South. Postal code: MSV ISS. Tel: (416) 861-1399. ARIZONA: Phoenix: 1809 W. Indian 55912. Tel: (507) 433-3461. Twin Cities: 508 Zip: 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Vancouver: 1053 Kingsway, Suite 102. School Rd. Zip: 85015. Tel: (602) 279-5850. N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: (612) WASHINGTON, D.C.: 523 8th. St. SE. Zip: Postal code: VSV 3C7. Tel: (604) 872-8343. CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico 644-6325. 20003. Tel: (202)547-7557. Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Oak­ MISSOURI: Kansas City: 5534 Troost Ave. . WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madison. ICELAND land: 3702 Telegraph Ave. Zip 94609. Tel: Zip: 64110. Tel: (816) 444-7880. St. Louis: Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Reykjavik: Klapparstfg 26. Mailing address: (415) 420-1165. San Francisco: 3284 23rd St. 4907 Martin Luther King Dr. Zip: 631 13. Tel: WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: 116 Mc­ P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. (314) 361-0250. Farland St. Zip: 25301. Tel: (304) 345-3040. NEW ZEALAND CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing ad­ NEBRASKA: Omaha: 140 S. 40th St. Zip: Morgantown: 221 Pleasant St. Zip: 26505. Tel: Auckland: l57a Symonds St. Postal Ad­ dress: P.O. Box 16751, Baybrook Station, West 68131. Tel: (402) 553-0245. (304) 296-0055; dress: P.O. Box 3025. Tel: (9) 793-075. Haven. Zip: 06516. NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Zip: AUSTRALIA Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (upstairs). FLORIDA: Miami: 137 NE 54th St. Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills, Sydney Postal address: P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 656- 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Tallahassee: P.O. NEW YORK: Brooklyn: 464 Bergen St. NSW 2010. Tel: 02-281-3297. 055. Box 20715. Zip: 32316. Tel: (904) 877-9338. Zip: 11 217. Tel: (718)398-6983. New York: 191 Wellington: 23 Majoribanks St., Courtenay GEORGIA: Atlanta: 132 Cone St. NW, 2nd 7th Ave. Zip: 10011. Tel: (212) 727-8421. BRITAIN Pl. Postal address: P.O. Box 9092. Tel: (4) 844- Cardiff: 9 Moira Terrace, Adamsdown. Floor. Zip: 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2219 205. ILLINOIS: Chicago: 545 W. Roosevelt Rd. E Market. Zip 27401. Tel: (919) 272-5996. Postal code: CF2 1EJ. Tel: 0222-484677. Zip: 60607. Tel: (312) 829-6815,829-7018. OHIO: Cleveland: 2521 Market Ave. Zip: London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SEt 8LL. SWEDEN IOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. . Zip: 44113. Tel: (216) 861-6150. Columbus: P.O. Tel: 71-401 2293. Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10. Postal code: 50311. Tel: (515) 246-8249. Box 02097. Zip: 43202. Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Postal S-11 3 42. Tel: (08) 31 69 33.

12 The Militant November 9, 1990 Vote for Socialist Workers candidates! SWP fields 175 candidates in 23 states and the District of Columbia The Socialist Workers Party is fielding 17 5 Maurice Williams - Secretary of State candidates in 23 states and the District of Martha Pettit -Attorney General Columbia. Their names and the offices for Jay Rothermel - Treasurer which they are running are listed below. ArdeUa Blanford - Auditor The SWP candidates are in the forefront PENNSYLVANIA of today's working-class struggles. They in­ Francisco Picado- U.S. Congress, 1st clude union fighters at Eastern Airlines, coal C. D. Steven Fromm- U.S. Congress, 2nd miners who are members of the United Mine C. D. Workers of America, and young people - Joanne Kuniansky- U.S. Congress, 4th all active in the fight against the U.S. war C. D. drive in the Mideast. Leaders of the Young Josefina Otero-U.S. Congress, 7th C.D. Socialist Alliance, students, and unionists in Holly Harkness-U.S. Congress, 14th the gannent, textile, oil and chemical, elec­ C.D. trical, meat-packing, and otlier industries are Tracy Castro- U.S. Congress, 18th C.D. also part of the slates. They have also been Kathy Mickells-Governor campaigning in defense of the Cuban revo­ Michael Pennock - Lt. Governor lution and in support of the struggle against TEXAS apartheid in South Africa. Brad Downs- U.S. Senate WiUie Mae Reid- U.S. Congress, 18th Because of undemocratic election laws de­ C. D.* signed to keep working-class parties off the Katy Karlin -Governor ballot, most of the SWP candidates will not Mary Selvas- Lt. Governor appear on the ballot. Votes can be registered Steve \\arren - Attorney General* by writing in their names. In some cases states Allyson Marceau - Commissioner of allow "official" or "qualified" write-in status Agriculture* for candidates who pay certain fees or fulfill UTAH petitioning requirements; these are indicated Ellie Garcia- U.S. Congress, 2nd by an asterisk (*). In a few cases, SWP can­ C.D.** didates have been able to meet the petitioning Thny Dutrow- U.S. Congress, 3rd requirements and fees for ballot status; these C.D.** are indicated· by double asterisks (* *). Michael Ziouras - State Senate, I st Dist. Militant/Margrethe Siem Militant/Sara Lohman Mike Fitzsimmons-State Senate, 26th Reactionary laws often prevent young Craig Gannon (left) is the SWPcandidate for governor of New York. Margaret Pucci, Dist. people or immigrants from participating in a member of the International Association of Machinists on strike at Eastern Airlines, Mike Galati - State Representative, 24th the elections. In Iowa and New York, there is the SWP candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. Dist. are stand-ins for SWP candidates who do not Barbara Greenway - State Representa­ meet the age requirements for ballot status. tive, 25th Dist. Mac Warren-Governor Mark Emanation -Governor Margaret Pucci -Lt. Govenor Mary Smith - State Representative, 70th Robert Robertson - Lt. Governor Dist. * * * Lucille Robbins- Secretary of State David Ferguson - Secretary of the Com­ monwealth Dave Salner - Salt Lake County Corn­ ALABAMA Eric Matheis-Attorney General missioner John Hawkins- U.S. Senate Pat Barker-Treasurer Margo Storsteen -Attorney General David Alvarez- U.S. Congress, 6th Martin Koppel - Comptroller Neil CaUendar -Treasurer and Receiver­ WASHINGTON C.D.** . . EsteUe DeBates - Univ. of Dlinois Board General Matt Herreshoff- U.S. Congress, 4th Sue Skinner - Governor of Trustees MICIDGAN C.D. Elizabeth Kealy -Lt. Governor . John \btava - Univ. of Illinois Board of John Powers- U.S. Senate Raymond Parsons-Secretary of State Trustees Sam Farley-U.S. Congress, 1st C.D. Betsy Farley -Attorney General Max Monclair- Univ. of Dlinois Board Cleve Andrew Pulley- U.S. Congress, Alyson Kennedy- Commissioner of Ag- of Trustees 13th C.D.** riculture · IOWA Mark Friedman-U.S. Congress, 16th ARIZONA Thd Leonard - U.S. Senate C. D. Betsy McDonald - U.S. Congress, 1st Hector Marroquin - U.S. Congress, 4th Kathie Fitzgerald -Governor C.D.* ·· - .~.. p. ,...... , ,.., ..... "·. John Sarge -Lt. Governor Karen Ray -Governor · · · -' ·. Nan Bailey-Governor** Joanne Murphy - Secretary of State ·· · Harvey McArthur- Secretary of State Jason Redrup - Lt. Governor (Sandra Juliette Montauk -Attorney General Danny Booher - State Senate, 23rd Nelson, stand-in) Lea Sherman - State Board of Educa- Dist.* Sara Lohman - Secretary of State tion CALIFORNIA Shellia Kennedy - Attorney General MINNESOTA Mark Weddleton-U.S. Congress, 5th Linda Marcus -Treasurer Evan Roberts - U.S. Senate C.D. Priscilla Schenk - Agriculture Secretary Dean Peoples-U.S. Congress, 1st C.D. Eva Braiman - U.S. Congress, 8th C.D. Jon Bixby - Auditor Wendy Lyons - Governor** · Jeff Hamill - U.S. Congress, 9th C.D. MARYLAND Craig Hoots - Lt. Governor** Lisa Ahlberg- U.S. Congress, 25th C.D. Marty Michaels- U.S. Congress, 5th Gale Shangold - Secretary of State Joel Britton - Governor* C.D. Caroline Fowlkes-Attorney General Diana Cantu - Lt. Governor* Henry Za~rron - State Treasurer Pedro V8zquez - Secretary of State* Joey Rothenberg - State Auditor 'llunar Rosenfeld - Attorney General MISSOURI Eli Green - Insurance Commissioner* David Rosenfeld - U.S. Congress, 1st Nell Wbeeler-Martenis - Controller* C. D. Juan ViUagomez - Treasurer Deborah Lazar - U.S. Congress, 2nd CONNECTICUT C.D Militant/Steve Halpern Carl \\einberg-Governor James Garrison- U.S. Congress, 3rd Francisco Picado, Young Socialist Alli­ Peter Krala -Lt. Governor C. D. ance National Committee member, is Will Wilkin - Secretary of State NEBRASKA running for Congress in Pennsylvania. FLORIDA Joe Swanson - U.S. Senate Thabo Ntweng - U.S. Congress, 18th Pat Leamon - U.S. Congress, 2nd C.D. C.D. Lee Oleson - Governor Robbie Scherr - U.S. Congress, 7th Jackie Floyd - Governor Scott Dombeck - Lt. Governor C.D.** . Pete Seidman -Lt. Governor Joan Paltrineri - Secretary of State Ken Kawakubo - State Senate, 37th Dist. Brett Merkey -Commissioner of Agri­ Brian Gibbs - Attorney General Sybil Perkins - State Senate, 43rd Dist. culture Hilda Cuzco - Treasurer Elizabeth Bourse - State Representative, GEORGIA George Chalmers - Auditor 43rd Dist. Dorothy Kolis - U.S. Senate NEW JERSEY Eric Simpson - State Representative, Robert Braxton - U.S. Congress, 4th Don Mackie - U.S. Senate** 43rd Dist. C.D. Eric Huffman - U.S. Congress, 6th C.D. Stuart Crome - Seattle City Council** Adjua Adams - U.S. Congress, 5th C.D. Ellen Kerr - U.S. Congress, 7th C.D. WASHINGTON, D.C. Miesa Patterson- U.S. Congress, 6th Natasha Terlexis- U.S. Congress, 8th Sam Manuel-U.S. Senate**(a) C.D. C. D. Emily Fitzsimmons - U.S. Senate(a) Maceo Dixon - Governor Georges Mehrabian - U.S. Congress, Dan Furman - U.S. Congress(a ) Elizabeth Ziers -Lt. Governor lOth C.D.** Ike Nahem - Mayor** Miguel zarate - Secretary of State Militant/Eric Simpson Jane Harris - U.S. Congress, 14th Susan Winsten -D.C. Delegate Chris Kemple - Attorney General Maceo Dixon is a member of the Interna­ C.D.** special election called by D.C. City Daryl Drobnic - Insurance Commis­ tional Association of Machinists and NEW YORK Council sioner SWP candidate for governor of Georgia. WEST VIRGINIA Virginia O'Riley - Commissioner of Ag­ Cathy Sedwick - U.S. Congress, 11th C.D. Dick McBride - U.S. Senate riculture Jean Fitzmaurice - U.S. Congress, 1st 'fYrome Hollins - State School Superin­ Glova Scott - U.S. Congress, 7th C.D. Selva Nebbia - U.S. Congress, 15th C.D. Craig Gannon - Governor** C. D. tendent Rashaad Ali - Governor Clare Fraenzl - U.S. Congress, 2nd C.D. Derrick Adams - Labor Commissioner Edwin Fruit - Lt. Governor Susan Anmuth - Lt. Governor** Derek Bracey - Attorney General (James Cecilia Moriarity - U.S. Congress, 3rd Jeff Jones - Public Service Commis­ Maurice Peret - Attorney General C. D. sioner Rachele Fruit- Comptroller Harris, stand-in) Aaron Ruby - Comptroller** Mary Nell Bockman - U.S. Congress, GeorgeWiUiams - DeKalb County MASSACHUSETTS 4th C.D. Commissioner (at large) Andrea Morell - U.S. Senate NORTH CAROLINA Clay Dennison - Attorney General ILLINOIS Russell Davis - U.S. Congress, 6th C.D. Rich Stuart- U.S. Senate* Maggie McCraw - State Treasurer Mary Zins - U.S. Senate Elizabeth Soares - U.S. Congress, 7th Naomi Craine - U.S. Congress, 6th C.D. Meg Hall - State Senate, 8th Dist. Don Davis - U.S. Congress, 1st C.D. C.D. Walter Blades - State Senate, 32nd Dist. Doug Hord - State Senate, 14th Dist. Dana Burroughs - U.S. Congress, 8th Donald Gurewitz - U.S. Congress, 8th OHIO David Anshen - House of Delegates, C.D. C.D. Scott Ware-U.S. Congress, 21st C.D. 23rd Dist. Ellen Haywood - U.S. Congress, 21st Christopher Hedges - U.S. Congress, David Marshall - Governor Sandra Dillon - House of Delegates, C.D. 9th C.D. Margaret Husk - Lt. Governor 32nd Dist.

November 9, 1990 The Militant 13 0~~~ ·'; · ~ :1 dm~ ·io!1 ....(' . -EMERGENCY STATEMENT ON WAR DRIVE - Where the Socialist Work~rs Campaign against war drive Party caine froiD BY DOUG JENNESS Continued from front page Even before a shot has- been fired, body bags with the November 7 is the 73rd anniversary of the 1917 Russian moving to take advantage of the Baghdad regime's inde­ remains of young U.S. soldiers who have died as the military fensible actions. revolution. (It is often referred to as the October Revolution gears up in the Gulf are being shipped back to cities across because the revolutionary government headed by the Bol­ Washington and its allies are advancing imperialist inter­ the country. In Iraq and Kuwait, as well as Jordan and ests in the region, systematically blocking all attempts at a sheviks came to power in October 25, according to the elsewhere throughout the region, tens of thousands are antiquated calendar used by the tsarist regime.) peaceful resolution of the crisis, and marching steadily suffering the hardships resulting from the inhumane em­ This event merits celebration by working people around toward war. bargo imposed on trade with Iraq. The single biggest immediate blow that could be dealt the world, because it was the first time that workers and The military confrontation Washington is getting ready peasants established their own government. In the course the imperialist war plans would be for the Iraqi regime to for will also bring economic devastation to millions in the announce and initiate the complete withdrawal of its forces of doing this, they overthrew the monarchy, eradicated Mideast and to the rest of humanity as well. This is especially landlordism, and carried out a radical land reform. The new from Kuwait. true for those who have been hardest hit by the increase in The facts about the imperialist military buildup reveal government- based on elected councils of workers, peas­ the price of oil in the Third World, countries already ants, and soldiers - moved, in its first year, to expropriate the seriousness of the drive by Washington and its allies devastated by the burden of billions of dollars in debt. toward war. the entire class of capitalist profiteers. The war in the Mideast "will not only cost many lives • Currently some 240,000 U.S. troops are deployed in The secret deals that had been made between the Russian on the battlefield there," said Cuban President Fidel Castro the Gulf region- four-and-a-half heavy armored U.S. government and its imperialist allies on how the spoils of in a september 28 speech, but "would also be a catastrophe army divisions plus 45,000 marines. Some 100,000 more war were to be divided were exposed to the entire world. for the world economy." troops are on the way, including another heavy armored division. Since the buildup began immediately following "Just as some countries will be swimming in money," Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the shipment of troops and Castro said, "others will be swimming in misery, sacrifice, LEARNING ABOUT weapons of war to the region has not slowed down for one and suffering of every type. For every life lost on the minute. The air and sea lift of U.S. troops has been described battlefields of the Arab-Persian Gulf, a thousand persons by Pentagon officials as the speediest for an operation of will die of hunger in the Third World. Such a fate would SOCIALISM its size in the history of warfare. be unavoidable." The right of self-determination of nations oppressed by the These troops are not part oflightly equipped mobile units, The war drive is taking place as the world capitalist tsarist empire was honored by the revolutionary government. like those at the center of the U.S. invasions of Grenada economy is heading toward a depression. Unlike the war, and Panama. In fact, the Pentagon soon plans to pull out the coming depression is not primarily a matter of policy · Internationally, the October Revolution inspired an entire the Rapid Deployment Force of the 82nd Airborne Division by the U.S. rulers. It has its roots in the never-suppressed generation of revolutionary fighters to try to build political and replace it with a heavier armored division, including capitalist business cycle, intensified by declining profit parties in their countries like the Bolshevik party. They joined troops currently stationed in Europe as part of NATO forces. rates, stiffening international capitalist competition, the in helping to set up the Communist International in 1919. • One thousand top-of-the-line tanks and two aircraft mounting debt of the Third World countries, the growing In the United States, revolutionary workers, militant carrier groups are stationed in the area. The U.S. navy flotilla banking crisis, and the collapse of the real estate boom. class-struggle fighters, and young rebels formed the Com­ includes 55 surface warships and six to eight nuclear-pow­ As this economic crisis deepens, the ruling families will munist Party in September 1919. They came from the ered submarines. seek to squeeze working people in the United States and revolutionary-syndicalist Industrial Workers of the World, • Some 500 war planes are flying the skies over the around the world even more, driving down workers' stan­ the left wing of the Socialist Party, and significant labor Saudi desert. dard of living, cutting back on social benefits, and trying struggles. They recognized the need to break with many of • In addition to Washington's forces, nearly 200,000 to gut the union movement- deepening misery and social their previous views of politics and organization and began troops have been sent to the area from 11 countries. This is differentiation in the working class. to chart a new course by forming the Communist Party. The not only the largest deployment of U.S. forces since the Finding the capitalist economic system slowly but surely new organization attracted the best revolutionary comba­ Vietnam War, but the largest deployment of French military marching toward disaster, the rulers must move to rebuild tants of the time. It actively participated in and helped lead forces since the brutal colonial war against the Algerians their world as they have done in the past - through war many labor battles, including attempts to organize workers from 1954-62 and the largest British deployment since the and the devastation of the lives of millions worldwide. into industrial unions. colonial assault on the Argentine Malvinas Islands in 1982. Far from not wanting a war, the ruling rich have repeat­ These early communists launched a newspaper that • The British government forces include 15,000 troops, edly sought out war as the solution to their economic, social, served as an organizer for the party and its campaigns, and one armored brigade, and 58 planes. There are 13,000troops and political crises. Such a war would bolster the economy, they engaged in a wide-range of activities to attract and win from France, with 75 planes and an aircraft carrier. temporarily boosting profits and production, regardless of new members, including election campaigns and public • Saudi Arabia has 65,000 troops and 180 planes, two the devastating effects on the toilers. meetings. They stood up against fierce government witch­ armored brigades, and has amassed other war materiel, The war drive is truly a bipartisan effort. From Jesse hunting and large-scale deportations of f9reign-born rnem- including advanced weapons. The deployment by the Syrian Jackson to Jesse Helms, no official of either the Democratic . bers and conducted defense efforts on behalf of framed-up government includes 19,000 troops on Saudi soil, plus or Republican parties is speaking out unconditionally unionists and political activists. 50,000 troops along its border with Iraq. against Washington's presence in the Mideast. The only But by the mid-1920s the Communist Party in the United Other countries that have sent military troops include debate in Congress is whether or when to demand that Bush States was coming under harmful pressure from Moscow. Argentina, Bangladesh, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Pakistan, allow it to vote in favor of sending troops into Iraq-which Both the Soviet government and the Communist Party of Italy, Morocco, and Turkey. Additional countries have sup­ they will do by a large majority once the fighting has been the Soviet Union were becoming deeply bureaucratized. A plied ships and planes, among them Italy, Canada, Australia, kicked off. conservative layer of careerists and self-seekers began to Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, the Soviet Union, Den­ But working people, young people facing the prospects reverse the revolutionary course advanced by the Bolshe­ mark, Greece, Norway, Portugal, and Poland. of fighting, and others are speaking out in the thousands. viks_ and the early congresses of the Communist Interna­ During this mammoth imperialist-orchestrated mobiliza­ Protests have recently been held in some two dozen cities tional under V.I. Lenin's leadership. tion of some half-million troops, Washington has put tre­ across the United States. In Israel, France, Sweden, Britain, Under the misleadership of Joseph Stalin, the Communist mendous pressure on the governments of Germany and Argentina, Spain, Japan, Syria, Iran, and Canada opponents International was also corrupted. Instead of a movement of Japan to send forces into the region, even at the price of of the war buildup have also held demonstrations. communist organizations seeking to collectively hammer provoking a sharp parliamentary debate and widespread Facing a young post-Vietnam generation they hoped was out international perspectives and gain a broader interna­ opposition in Japan. Both governments are considering free of the "Vietnam syndrome," the U.S. rulers are instead tionalist outlook, the Communist International and its parties doing so, and a historic debate on the overseas use of finding deep opposition to another prolonged war, even became hand raisers for Moscow's increasingly reactionary Japanese armed forces has already exploded in the streets before it begins. A broad layer of veterans who remember policies. of that country. the horrors of war from Korea, as well as Vietnam, are A majority of the leadership in the Communist Party of On the other hand Iraq, a country of 16 million people, already speaking out, joining the young men and women the United States became flunkies for the Soviet bureau­ has 430,000 troops amassed near the Kuwaiti border with today in uniform who say they will not die for Big Oil. cracy. However, a small minority, including some of the more than 3,500 tanks and a modern air force. Demonstrations on October 20 built on the political party's founding leaders, continued to fight for the commu­ Two well-equipped armies totaling 1 million troops are conquests of what was learned in blood during the U.S. nist perspective they had decided to devote their lives to now facing each other in the Middle East. wars in Korea and Vietnam. Each future protest will draw when they joined the party. While placing an embargo against Iraq, and then cynically even more broadly on the opposition to a new Vietnam. This placed the communists in irreconcilable opposition taking advantage of all food and other shortages at embassies In addition, although the employers and their government to the emerging Stalinist officialdom of the party, and they in Kuwait to loudly beat the drums for an assault, Wash­ have dealt the working class and the unions blows over the were expelled in 1928. They continued fighting along the ington is taking the time it needs to build up the kind of course of the last 15 years, they have been unable to break same course and started publishing the Militant to help military force that can sustain an invasion of Iraq. Regardless the resistance of the labor movement, demoralize working organize the effort to win as many Communist Party mem­ of how long it will take to gather the necessary forces, no people, or shove them out of the middle of politics in the bers and supporters as possible to their banner. The Com­ one should have any illusion that this buildup is meant for United States. Combined with continued defensive fights munist League of America (CLA) was established and anything other than a real war. by unionists, this fact signals the forces that can be brought joined with communist fighters in other countries. The U.S. rulers seized on Iraq's invasion of neighboring to bear against a deepening and bloody war. As big working-class struggles developed in the 1930s, Kuwait to begin their war preparations. But their goal is to Mobilizations and other events are a crucial part of the communists in the United States actively participated reassert their military and political domination in that part drawing the broadest layers of working people, including in them. In Minneapolis, they played a decisive leadership of the world and their economic interests over more than Gls, into actively fighting the war. Such efforts are the best role in winning a series of Teamster strikes that led to a 50 percent of the world's oil reserves that lie under its soil, road toward involving unionists and official union bodies significant expansion of union power in the region and won and to shift the relationship of forces in the Mideast against in protest activities. They are indispensable to hastening many new working-class fighters and leaders to the com­ the Palestinian fighters and all toilers to the benefit of growing labor opposition to the war drive. munist movement. imperialist oppression and capitalist exploitation. From U.S. President George Bush to Britain's Prime An invaluable tool now available to build the kind of These conquests helped open up possibilities of merging Minister-Margaret Thatcher, top officials of the imperialist movement that will be necessary to stop Washington in its with other revolutionary forces. In one step, the CLA merged world have made it clear they seek above all to Unleash a tracks is the recently published Pathfmder pamphlet titled with the American Workers Party to establish the Workers gigantic and bloody conflict in the region that will result in U.S. Hands Off the Mideast! Cuba Speaks Out at the United Party in 1934. the deaths of hundreds of thousands of men, women, and Nations. In 1936 the communists entered the Socialist Party where children from Iraq and Kuwait, as well as among the more A campaign to distribute the pamphlet together with the left wing forces in the SP were open to communist ideas. than half-million immigrant workers still stranded in the Militant as widely as possible is already under way. We ask After winning many adherents, including a majority of the region. you to join this effort to win others to the movement against SP's youth organization, the communists were expelled. In Thousands of young men and women in the uniforms of the war drive. the opening days of 1938, they established the Socialist the U.S. military and its allies will die, while tens of Bring the troops home now! Workers Party, the next phase in the organizational evolution thousands will be crippled for life, defending Big Oil and End the criminal blockade of food and medicine to Iraq of the communist party in the United States. the imperialist economic, political, and military interests in and Kuwait! Today, the SWP is actively carrying on the same fight the region. Foreign troops out of the Mideast! that the pioneer communists began more than 70 years ago. 14 The Militant November 9, 1990 -.THE GREAT SOCIETY--~------~------Chance of a lifetime - An ad New York's Love Canal and neigh- Taking care of business -In begun. Half of the reported 120,000 Progress, sort of-According in Britain's Nursing Times advises boring waste sites iri 1942. In 1945, 1970, nearly three decades after the who were interned, however,l!-Te al- to the census folk, women now own nurses and midwives of job open- a confidential company memo lethal dumping began, Washington ready dead. an impressive 30 percent of all U.S. ings in Saudi Arabia, "Superb ben- called it a "quagmire." In 1953, the declared a state of emergency at businesses. But the receipts of that But not to worry -Housing efits ... excellent tax-free salaries poison-drenched waste site was do- Love Canal. In 1980, the state of 30 percent are a fast 13.9 percent of starts dropped for the eighth month .. . and much, much more in an nated to the community to build a New York filed a damage suit the total. school on. A proviso in the deed against the owners and the suit is, in a row, the longest slide since they barred any future damage suits. assertedly, now coming to trial. began keeping records in 1959. A They also relate to Mexican his- Meanwhile, state officials declared bank specialist said that given "the tory- New York 's posh Plaza part of the area "safe" and the first invasion of Kuwait, higher interest Hotel joined in an October salute to Whad'ya want for nothing- new home buyers are moving in this rates, falling consumer confidence, 30 centuries of Mexican culture. A recent news account described month. we expect the housing industry will They brought up several Mexican Harry the Love Canal school site: "The continue to decline for the next two chefs to do their specialties for Sun- school was built, houses crowded The caring system - After de- or three quarters;" day brunch while accompanied by Ring around and, periodically over the cades of stonewalling, Congress "classical Spanish guitarists." years, chemical residue bubbled to voted in 1988 to issue formal apolo- Productivity increase? - Ac- the surface . .. . Full drums of gies and a fast $20,000 a piece to cording to the feds, in 1978 there exciting multinational environ- chemicals sometimes popped up surviving Japanese-Americans who were 3,693 U.S. jails, but by 1988 Then you'll have to mow the ment." through the ground. . . . School- were incarcerated in U.S. concentra- the number had dropped five per- lawn - If you find satellite dishes Capitalism at its purest - 11le children would sometimes be tion camps during World War II. cent. Meanwhile, from 1983 to 1988 an eyesore, check out Under Cover, Hooker Chemical Company began burned playing with ... hot balls Now a four-year process of doling the jail population increased by 51 a dish disguised as a patio table and dumping poisonous chemicals into of chemical residue." out the apologies and checks has percent. uinbrella. $3,000 to $5,000. -LETTERS Farmers and war Recently I went with Socialist Workers Party candidates Craig Honts and Henry Zamarron to St. James, Minnesota, to campaign. We noticed a line of trucks at a grain elevator and decided to stop and talk to the group of farmers waiting to sell their soybeans. We raised our ideas and solicited theirs. We had a number of very interesting discus­ sions and, since then, have visited other grain elevators in the Austin area. We found that many farmers, like many workers, are deeply skeptical of the U.S. war drive in the Mideast. Several said the higher oil prices will have a big impact on them. This year's crops are pretty good and prices are such that farmers view this as one of the better years they've had in a while. But, as one explained, there really hasn't been any "recov­ ery" -just a "good" year or two. Beans are coming in now and 'If you think this Is fun, gentlemen, you're going to LOVE the heating oil season!" com will come in later, so we plan to continue visiting the lines at grain elevators. As one farmer said, "I No U.S. farmer will receive eco­ The profits going to the oil corpo­ Solidarity in southwestern VIrginia some protesters in the testicles with have to laugh - you have a captive nomic justice if they believe in starv­ rations, bankers, and investors spell during the Pittston strike. Many flashlights. audience." ing another nation into submission. chaos. So it is about time to make a more thanked him for the support The students will be sentenced BK. U.S. farmers and workers must change in our free enterprise system the British miners gave to the December 11. Daniel Kiss, one of Austin, Minnesota begin to understand the economic, and in politics and economics. UMWA during that strike. the leaders of the protest, was con­ political, and moral battle they are Samuel Shyman Miners listened carefully as Gal­ victed of the most serious charge - Food as weapon engaged in and that they can no Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania loway explained the recent attacks assaulting a police officer - and While I don't condone the actions longer afford to look the other way by the British government, the Na­ faces a maximum of one year in jail. of Saddam Hussein, I deplore the at U.S. adventurism abroad. Abortion rights tional Coal Board, and the media in He appealed for support for the four interventionist policies of the Let's all pay a parity price for oil, On October 13,4,000 women and , his country in the aftermath of the activists. world's superpowers, especially my a parity price for food. Let's all agree men rallied across Canada to protest 1984- 85 British miners strike. Gal­ ·Messages of support and dona­ own country. that workers and farmers must be against a proposed abortion law that loway explained that when the gov­ tions can be sent to Student Defense The capitulation of the United paid a fair wage and a fair price for would once again make having or ernment ordered the union's assets Committee, MPO 0145, Oberlin Nations Security Council to the their time spent. Let's not forget that performing an abortion a crime. Ac­ seized, NUM President Arthur College, Oberlin, Ohio 44074. United States doesn't surprise me, the rich thrive on war and conflict tions were held in Montreal, Ottawa, Scargill and General Secretary Peter Maurice Williams since many who sit on the council and that some powerful and rich Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. Heathfield took measures to prevent Cleveland, Ohio are victims of Western superpower people view humans as expendable, At the Vancouver action, greet­ the government from getting any economics and some are deep in human cannon fodder. ings were read from Nancy Walker, money intended for striking miners. Christopher Davis debt to Western banks. Larry Ginter the Communist League candidate Many UMWA members noted On October 10 Christopher Davis, The hypocrisy. in the so-called Secretary, American Agriculture for mayor. She is an airport worker parallels with discussions they had a former member of the Socialist peace body called the UN was well Movement of Iowa, Inc. and member of the International As­ about protecting funds during the Workers Party, died in Newport put by Cuban Ambassador Ricardo Rhodes, Iowa sociation of Machinists. Pittston strike when judges levied News, Vuginia.He was3l yearsold. Alarcon. "This fight is part of a rising strug­ outrageous fines against the union. I first met Chris when he arrived I am outraged at the very thought Invading again gle around the world for democratic More than 45 miners, including in Newport News. Previously he had of any nation or body of nations international union officers and been active for several years in the Here we go again, going the rights - of women, of the people of imposing food sanctions or using other officials, signed a message of Philadelphia branch of the SWP. He wrong direction by invading the South Africa, and of Native peoples food as a weapon. support to Scargill and Heathfield, began working at a small garment ArabM iddle East countries because in Canada," she said. "It is also key As a farmer and a Catholic, I and 40 bought copies of Response factory and threw himself into polit­ of oil and our fear of communism to the fight of working people to consider food a sacred gift from to the Lightman Inquiry, a pamphlet ical work. He became a leader of the or socialism, which is called a fail­ strengthen and unify our unions as God. For the United States and other that answers the slanders against the Young Socialist Alliance chapter. ure because it was never put into the economic crisis deepens." superpowers to try and starve Iraq NUM and its leaders. Chris was also a participant in and practice in any country. Walker 's greeting were well re­ into submission both politically and MaryZins builder of the National Black Inde­ We haven't learned very much ceived. economically is as sick and diabol­ St. Louis, Missouri pendent Political Party in the Tide­ ical as the systematic starvation of from history because our educa­ Colleen Lewis Vancouver, British Columbia water area. retarded children by doctors in Nazi tional institutions failed to teach Although he left the SWP and what politics and economics mean. Campus protest Germany. At this moment I see little British miners became inactive in politics, Chris difference between the condition of This business of one country invad­ Four former Oberlin College stu­ remained convinced of the necessity Iraq and of those poor souls who ing another country has been going One of the participants in the dents were convicted recently of of a government run by working suffered in the Warsaw ghetto. It's on for centuries because of the lack United Mine Workers of America charges stemming from their partic­ people as a giant step leading to the the same principle. of education and communication. convention in Miami Beach, Flor­ ipation in an April demonstration liberation of humanity. I am disturbed that most U.S. The rich nations have always dom­ ida, in mid-September attracted the protesting discrimination against He was a fighter and a friend. farm organizations - including inated the poor nations, and the rich interest of coal miners from the Black students. Craig McKissic two that I belong to, the American have always exploited the poor. United States and Canada in atten­ The students had organized a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Agriculture Movement and the Have we forgotten our country dance. Paul Galloway, 31 years old, rally of about 200 to condemn high Farmers Union - are supporting invaded Puerto Rico, Cuba, Korea, is an underground miner from the tuition rates that limit minority re­ The letters column is an open the food embargo. They are pan­ Vietnam, Chile, Cambodia, and Nottinghamshire coalfield and a cruitment and retention, an admin­ forum for all viewpoints on sub­ dering to the same economic Nicaragua? Our free enterprise sys­ member of the National Union of istration attack on gay organiza­ jects of general interest to our forces that were and are driving tem is in bad shape; unemployment, Mineworkers in Britain. He at­ tions, and poor access to facilities readers. Please keep your letters thousands of U.S. family farmers violence, corruption, and crime are tended the first five days of the for disabled students. brief. Where necessary they will from the land, as well as millions on the increase. Now we are invad­ UMWA convention. According to witnesses at the trial be abridged. Please indicate ify ou of farmers in the Third World and ing the Middle East. This is very Several miners remembered Gal­ of the students, police stormed the prefer that your initials be used underdeveloped nations. dangerous to world peace. loway from a visit he made to Camp rally, using choke holds and striking rather than your full name.

November 9, 1990 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT 'Daily News' workers on strike Newspaper locks out 2,200 workers in union-busting drive

BY ANNA SCHELL line, citing a life-time job-guarantee package AND MAREA HIMELGRIN negotiated with the company. NEW YORK- Some 2,200 workers As soon as the strike began, the big-busi­ have responded to a lockout by the New York ness media focused on alleged incidents of Daily News here by declaring themselves on violence by strikers as they attempted to stop strike. Nine unions at the newspaper set up scabs from entering or leaving the plants. picket lines October 25 in an attempt to stop More than two hundred riot-equipped city the company's union-busting drive. cops are guarding Daily News buildings. During an early morning shift that day, a Thus far, some 50 strikers have been arrested foreman ordered union member Gary on the picket line. · Kalinich to stand up while monitoring a "They're using cops for their own benefit," conveyor belt carrying newspapers to the said Malcolm Stokes, a union driver. loading bay. Suffering from an on-the-job Unionists from the area have come to the injury, Kalinich had a doctor's note that said picket line to show their solidarity for the he should not work standing up. After pro­ struggle. A driver with 20 years at the paper testing the foreman's order, Kalinich was said, "I really felt great Thursday night. We've suspended for insubordination. been holding it inside for so long and now A business agent for the driver's union we're finally out on strike. I feel relieved." stepped in to represent Kalinich. Both were One of the few women drivers explained, then escorted out of the plant by uniformed "I would say that I'm out here to prevent a guards. repeat of slavery and sharecropping. If they "Before you knew it," explained Kalinich, don't whip you with a whip, they whip you "the street started to fill up with 30 or 40 financially." guys wanting to know what was going on." Members of the International Association Less than an hour after the incident began, or' Machinists on strike against Eastern Air­ a bus pulled up tO the Daily News loaded with Militant/Marc Lichtman lines have had a consistent presence on the scabs ready to replace those who had walked Members of New York Mailers Union Local6 on picket line at Daily News in Brooklyn picket lines. "When we go out on outreach out in protest of the company's moves. activities we're going to mention their Although the union insisted a strike had not strike," said Eastern striker Harry Redash. been called and urged that the dispute be for work. Workers shouted out, "Remember street meeting in front of a popular bar. A Several issues of the paper have been submitted to arbitration, the company rejected Michael- its all of us or none of us!" shout went up when Newspaper Printing produced with the scab workforce, but many the offer and dismissed some 200 workers. Half an hour later, Alvino emerged to Pressmen's Union President, Jack Kennedy, newsstands are so far refusing to carry the "We told them that because they had ex­ report to the crowd gathered outside that declared that his union was also on strike. daily. The company continues to refuse to ercised their legal right to strike, we had despite the union's offers to negotiate, the By Friday night the picket lines swelled negotiate with the unions. exercised our legal right to hire permanent company insisted the drivers were fired. with members of nine of the 10 unions, "For anyone who wants to come back to replacement workers," company spokesper­ The union president concluded the only including production workers and reporters, work there are positions that are still avail­ son Lisa Robinson said. course open to them was to go on strike, and photographers, and some members of the able," company spokesperson Robinson told a huge cheer went up, along with chants of business and circulation departments. the press three days into the lockout. "They Years of union concessions "Union! union!" Typesetters, members of the International can come back to their jobs if they haven't The 71-year-old daily, with a circulation Pressmen rushed down the block for a Typographical Union, are crossing the picket been permanently replaced." of 1.2 million copies a day prior to the strike, was the third most widely read newspaper in the United States, after the Wall Street Jour­ nal and USA Today. Steel strikers in Canada stand firm Pleading poverty and promising to invest in new machinery, the paper's management BY ROBERT SIMMS ada (Stelco). The 10,000 Stelco workers in much," Mowbray explained. convinced the unions to give tens of millions AND PAULA FRAMPTON Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta have also been In Sudbury, Ontario, INCO nickel miners, of dollars in concessions in 1982 and again SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario- Some out since August I. members of USWA Local 6500, decided to in 1987. The company, however, never 6,000 striking steelworkers at Algoma Steel contribute $25,000 to the Algoma strikers bought the new equipment and opened con­ are now into the longest·strike in their local Algoma strikers were inspired by the growing unity between the two strikes and and $30,000 to the· strikers at Stelco. They tract talks this year by demanding millions union's history. October 20 marked the 81st the solidarity' their fight has received from will be sending an additional $5,000 a month more in concessions and sweeping control day of their strike, surpassing the 80-day the 8,000 production workers at the Dofasco to the strikers in the two battles. over hours and working conditions. Union strike in 1946 that consolidated United Steel­ steel mills in Hamilton. Dofasco is the parent contracts expired in March and no new pact workers of America (USWA) Local 2251, Financial donations to these strikes and to company of Algoma. The Dofasco workers, was signed. which organizes the workers at the Algoma two other USWA locals on strike at the Placer who are not organized in a union, contributed Over the past months, the Daily News has steel mill here. Dome Mines in Timmins and Uniroyal more than $34,000 to the strike in two plant­ spent $24 million in preparation for a strike. The workers have been on strike since Chemical in Elmira, Ontario, can be sent to gate collections. "And they told us that if The company hired King and Ballow, a legal August 1, along with office and tube mill USWA District 6, Special Strike Assistance we're still on strike by Christmas to come outfit that specializes in busting newspaper workers here and in two other USWA locals Fund, 600 The East Mall, Suite 401, back and they would contribute twice as unions, and set up a plant in North Bergen, in Wawa, 125 miles to the north. Etobicoke, Ontario M9B 4B1, Canada. New Jersey, that could be used as a make­ "I always knew that sooner or later, we shift newsroom and production facility. would have to take a long strike," Ed Kinnis Strike breakers have been trained and explained in an interview on the picket line. housed at the Ramada Inn in North Bergen ''The way the company has been asking for S. African youth leader gets since April. Workers at the plant in Brooklyn concessions, I knew that one day it would were forced to train scabs to do their jobs. come to this." Owned by the Chicago-based Tribune Another striker nodded in agreement. warm reception in Atlanta Company, the Daily News has also brought "You're never prepared" for a long strike, he in strike-breaking personnel from other Tri­ said. "But we're not going back for nothing." BY MIGUEL ZARATE At the King Center a reception for the bune Company newspapers in order to con­ The company is demanding the right to ATLANTA - Mpho Lekgoro, a leader of anti-apartheid leader was attended by some tinue getting the paper out since the lockout contract out work and is refusing to peg pen­ the South Mrican Youth Congress (Sayco), 100 people. Rev. Fred Taylor of the SCLC began. Unions at the Chicago Tribune were sion benefits to increases in the cost of living. was warmly received here at meetings, re­ pledged the collective commitment of all broken following a bitter battle in the mid- The membership rejected the company's ceptions, and special events during the first present to continue to deepen the solidarity 1980s. latest concession demands in a massive turn­ stop of a nationwide tour. Lekgoro and Brian with the struggle in South Africa. Other Officials of the 10 unions at the paper, out for an October 15 union meeting. On Thami Hlongwa will visit 12 U.S. cities to speakers included Dexter Porter of Morris grouped into the Allied Printing Trades October 19, production and maintenance explain the continued struggle against apart­ Brown College; Kupenda Auset of the Afri­ Council, convinced union members to con­ workers organized by USWA Local 3933 at heid. Sayco is the largest anti-apartheid youth can Sisterhood organization at..Spelman Col­ tinue workirig after the contract expired. A Algoma's iron ore mine in Wawa voted 137- organization in South Africa today. lege; Joe Keenan, of the Irish Northern Aid publicity campaign was launched to pressure 34 to also reject company demands for con­ Lekgoro was welcomed to Atlanta at human rights organization; SCLC Youth the company featuring billboards, bumper cessions. The vote bolstered the strong mood Hartsfield International Airport October 27, leader Brenda Davenport; and Carla Kausey, stickers, and signs on buses reading: "The of resistance to the company's efforts to by a spirited group of students from Georgia a representative of the Young Socialist Alli­ Daily News is bad for its workers. Don't buy weaken the union. State and Metro College, and Southern Chris­ ance. the Daily News." New solidarity is also reinforcing the strike. tian Leadership Conference Youth. Members Lekgoro emphasized throughout his visit Darlene Mowbray, a strike activist who had of the United Auto Workers and United Food that the international community, "especially Unions declare strike worked in the mill for the past 12 years, visited and Commercial Workers unions, as well as our friends here in America, must keep the The evening after the lock-out began, Mi­ each gate, giving pickets impromptu reports civil rights activists also attended. Following pressure on the South Mrican government chael Alvino, president of the Newspaper and on a visit that she and 28 other strikers made the airport welcome, Lekgoro had lunch at with all of the weapons at our disposal, Mail Deliverers Union of New York and to Hamilton, Ontario. They had traveled to the Martin Luther King Jr., Center, and then especially the powerful tool of sanctions." Vicinity, and officials of the other unions led Hamilton to lend their support to steelworkers spoke with SCLC Youth at their Atlanta head­ This message was well received when he drivers through a police checkpoint to report on strike against the Steel Company of Can- quarters. Continued on Page 12 16 The Militant NQvember 9, 1990