THE ·Socialists fight for right to protect priva~y of campaign contributors Pages9-12 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL~ 54/NO. 29 JULY 27, 1990 $1.25

Mzl.nl e~s at Eastern in deep trouble, ra yzn • Britain admits company trustee stand up for their union BY JONATHAN SILBERMAN DURHAM, England-Thousands ofmin­ ers and their families and supporters rallied at the 106th Durham miners' gala July 14. They warmly applauded speeches from Na­ tional Union of Mineworkers President Ar­ thur Scargill, NUM North-East Area General Secretary Davey Hopper, Labour Member of Parliament Dennis Skinner, and the general secretary of the National Union of Public Employees, Rodney Bickerstaffe. Speakers at the annual event are decided by ballot vote of the NUM members in the area. Also on the platform were Bill Morris, deputy general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, 15 Labour MPs, and a number ofother prominent labor movement 011 figures. Their presence was particularly im­ portant in light of recent attacks on the NUM and its leaders, which have escalated over STRIKE the past two weeks. Newspaper headlines have demanded a police inquiry into the union and have smeared NUM leaders Arthur Scargill and Peter Heathfield. A string of articles and television and radio news reports have sought to discredit the International Miners' Or­ Militant/Judy Stranahan Militant/Roni McCann ganisation, of which the NUM is a leading Martin Shugrue, Eastern's court-appointed trustee, at July 13 news conference. And strikers and supporters at La Guardia Airport affiliate. in New York the next day. A union-commissioned inquiry under law­ yer Gavin Lighbnan had refuted the original BY JUDY STRANAHAN Shugrue, who was appointed trustee by reach $500 million. set of allegations: that Scargill and Heathfield NEW YORK -"I've taken a realistic the bankruptcy court on April 18 to protect At the same time, trying to maintain an had used money from Libya and the Soviet look at Eastern's revenue projections and the $1 billion invesbnent of Eastern's unse­ upbeat posture, Shugrue explained he also Union for their own personal gain. The media obviously 1990 will produce a substantial cured creditors, had just come from a meeting told the creditors that Eastern could turn then changed tack, arguing that money do­ loss to the company," said Martin Shugrue, of the creditors' committee. There he report­ a profit in 1991, although he gave no nated from miners in the Soviet Union to the trustee for Eastern Airlines at a July 13 news edly projected a 1990 loss below the carrier's specific information on how that would NUM had been diverted to the IMO for conference held at the Holiday Inn Crowne 1989 deficit of $852.3 million. Airline indus­ happen. Continued on Page 17 · Plaza. try analysts estimate the 1990 loss could Shugrue leaned heavily on "facts" that show the situation for Eastern is improving. "The fact of the matter is we complete 99 percent of our flights every day. The fact of Mohawks hold back Quebec cop attack the matter is that we are the number one carrier in this country in on time performance BY BEVERLY BERNARDO reserve, blocking it from the outside world. hole golf course onto Native land that con­ last montli . .. The fact is our customer sat­ AND ROSEMARY RAY Natives at Kanesatake set up their barri­ tains a burial ground sacred to the Mohawk isfaction is way up." Asked if the news OKA, Quebec - Early on July 11 a squad cades in the pine forest adjacent to the Oka people. Mohawk efforts to assert their claim conference was really a commercial, Shu­ of about 100 heavily armed Sfirete du Quebec golf course after the city council refused to to the disputed area date back to 1717. The grue replied, ''Of course this is a commercial. (Quebec Provincial Police) officers moved back off of plans to expand the present nine- Continued on Page 17 Continued on Page 6 in to tear down barricades erected in March by Mohawk Indians. The police launched a · barrage of bullets, tear gas, and concussion grenades at the Mohawks ~hind the barri­ Socialist petitioning for ballot spot gets good start cades at the Kanesatake settlement near Oka, a village of 1,500 people about 30 miles BY RONI McCANN the paperwork involved with the petitioning northwest of Montreal. NEW YORK-The first day of a three­ effort, arid preparing for evening forums that The Mohawks, armed to defend their land week drive to collect 30,000 signatures to featured SWP candidate for U.S. Congress and their rights, fought back, forcing the cops put socialist candidates on the ballot here was Selva Nebbia and SWP member and union to retreat. Police officer Marcel Lemay was a success with campaign supporters gather­ garment worker Anna Schell speaking on caught in the crossfire and killed. The cops ing 5,307 names- 1,307 over their goal for ''The fight for human rights in the 1990s." the day. were also forced to abandon some half dozen Young socialists police cars and one bulldozer, which the Eighty-eight petitioners fanned out in Mohawks used to set up two new barricades Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Is­ Also mobilized for the campaign effort on Route 344. Police then erected their own land July 14 to collect signatures needed to were members of the Young Socialist Alli­ barricades several hundred yards from each ance, including several who were petitioning of the new Mohawk barricades. for the first time. Rena Sitrin, a student at 7,599 signatures collected so far Bard College in upstate New York, and Matt Since then they have been reinforced by in petitioning drive over 1,000 heavily armed provincial police for Ainsworth, from State University of New and several hundred Royal Canadian New York socialist candidates York at Purchase, are both in the city for the Mounted Police. On July 17 the Canadian summer helping with the petitioning effort. army confirmed that it is preparing to in­ win ballot status for Socialist Workers Party "It's a great way to intiate political discus­ ervene to break through Mohawk barricades. candidate for governor Craig Gannon. The sions with people," said Sitrin. She and Ains­ When Mohawks on the Kahnawake re­ SWP ticket for the state elections also in­ worth explained that YSA members were serve on Montreal's south shore learned of cludes Susan Anmuth for lieutenant gover­ calling friends to join the campaign and both the police invasion of Kanesatake, they im­ nor, Aaron Ruby for comptroller, and Derek felt they could win new members to the mediately moved to set up a blockade closing Bracey for attorney general. Selva Nebbia revolutionary youth organization through the down the Mercier bridge. This key traffic and Cathy Sedwick are SWP candidates for campaign effort. artery leading to the island on which the city U.S. Congress in the 15th and 11th districts. Luis, who met the YSA during the Nelson of Montreal is located still remained closed Supporters from New Jersey and Pennsyl­ Mandela tour, petitioned for the first time as ofJuly 17. vania came in for the day's activities, which and gathered 75 signatures. "For me it was In response, a Quebec Provincial Police included staffing the campaign headquarters good to talk to workers. Many want a change Campaign volunteer signs up a New force of 500 has surrounded the Kahnawake in Brooklyn and Manhattan. helping out on Continued on Page S \brker during big Saturday effort. Havana carnival is theme of visiting Cuban artist

BY SELVA NEBBIA He has specialized in photographing the car­ the fusing of the Catholic religion of the NEW YORK­ nival, and his photographs will be the basis Spanish slave owners and the beliefs brought During the month of of the book. by the slaves from Africa. July, the Lobby Show­ "The carnival is the largest people's cele­ "Before the revolution of 1959," Delgado case Gallery at La bration that takes place in the city," Delgado noted, "Blacks held their carnival on Satur­ Guardia Community pointed out. It goes on for about 10 days and day night, and the whites, the bourgeoisie, College in Queens is occurs around the time of the July 26 cele­ held theirs on Sunday afternoon." featuring the works of bration. July 26 commemorates the date in Today there is only one carnival, said Cuban photographer 1953 of the attack on the Moncada Garrison Delgado, "Though about 80 percent of those Hector Delgado Pe­ by rebel forces led by Fidel Castro. This who attend are Black." rez. action opened the Cuban revolutionary strug­ Carnival is celebrated throughout the is­ Delgado, 40, cur­ gle that won victory in 1959. land, explained Delgado. "But the Havana rently works as a Carnival is a cultural expression of Cuba's carnival is unique in that unlike the others, photo journalist for African roots, explained Delgado. "It has its it is basically a show that people come to the National Union of origins way back when Blacks were brought watch, unlike, for example, the carnival in Writers and Artists of to Cuba as slaves by the Spanish colonizers. Santiago that involves more participation Cuba (UNEAC), in The different ethnic groups among the slaves, from the general public." Havana. He has been such as the Yorubas, the Carabalf, the Harara, The Havana carnival consists of floats and UNEAC's official would perform their own dances and music comparsas from the different neighborhoods, photographer since once a year when the masters gave them time as well as from different organizations, and 1982. A cultural orga­ off." dancing along the city's ocean-front highway nization, UNEAC The dominant culture was that of the for the public. Judges choose the best among draws together Cu­ Yorubas, explained the Cuban photographer. them. The comparsa is made up of a band ba's most prestigious "The Yoruba culture was strongest because, and a group of dancers that accompanies it. graphic and perfor­ on the one hand, they had been part of an ''There are many traditional themes per­ mance artists, as well empire in Africa but also because they were formed by the comparsas," explained Del­ as writers. brought to Cuba in greater numbers than the gado. ''The Comparsa del Alacnin, for ex­ The Cuban photog­ others." ample, depicts a sugar plantation slave owner rapher is in New Yorlc Delgado described the strong influence of whipping his slaves." "Tocando Rumba" by Cuban photographer Hector Delgado to worlc on a book on the Yoruba culture in modem day Santeria. Over the past couple of decades, the Cuban Perez, whose work is on display in New York. the Havana carnival. Practiced today in Cuba, Santeria represents government through the Ministry of Culture and other institutions has been trying to save many of the Cuban folk traditions that were being lost. "There are many research projects Cuban diplomat speaks in Vancouver being promoted today to rescue our African heritage," Delgado pointed out. ''Through BY JOAN CAMPANA he explained, Cuba is a powerful example said. "We will not allow a single violation of my worlc I try to capture those traditions expressed in the carnival," he said, "espe- VANCOUVER, British Columbia- One for all countries of the Third World. our sovereignty. We will never have bosses of the largest public meetings in years in "It is this example the U.S. government again. Our women will never again be slaves. cially those that relate to Santeria." ' solidarity with the Cuban revolution was held seeks to end." We know how to defend the most just cause "I think it's very important to recapture here June 22. But it is not the fighting people who are that no people have struggled for more than our Afro-Cuban traditions because it's in Standing under a banner that read "Defend weak, he continued, but rather the U.S. gov­ the Cubans- the cause of socialism." Cuba I believe, more than in any other Latin Cuba's sovereignty," the consul general of ernment, despite all its force. "They are the Greetings were also brought to the American or Caribbean country, that the folk Cuba in Toronto, Rolando Rivero, was greet­ defeated ones." meeting by Roberto Avilez of the Fara­ traditions of the Black Africans are more ed with a standing ovation by the 180 partic­ It was a theme Rivero developed in several bundo Martf National Liberation Front of evident." ipants. of his talks given during his visit to Vancou­ El Salvador Support Group, Scotty Neish Delgado's worlc has been shown in Cuba An action committee sponsored by the ver. The U.S. empire was defeated in Korea, of the United Fishermen and Allied Work­ and internationally, where his photos have Vancouver Canadian-Cuban Friendship As­ Vietnam, and in Cuba in 1961, he said. Its ers Union, and Vancouver Alderperson appeared in newspapers and journals in Ven­ sociation (CCFA) organized the meeting. puppet contra army was defeated on the Harry Rankin. ezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, The program was opened by George Lai­ battlefield by the people of Nicaragua. They Written greetings were read from the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Tomm, representing the African National could only invade Grenada because the rev­ Cuban ambassador to Canada and from the Poland. They have also been shown in gal­ Congress of South Africa. He emphasized olution there was already overturned, Vancouver and District Labour Council. In­ leries in Mexico and Canada, and have been the respect the ANC and Deputy President "handed to them on a silver platter." troduced from the platform were representa­ used in posters and record jackets. Nelson Mandela have for Cuba and its role "The American army, with all its high tives of the Hospital Employees Union, Com­ On July 28 at 5:00p.m. the Friends of the in promoting the freedom struggle in south­ technology, is a defeated, frustrated army. munist League, Revolutionary National Pathfinder Mural will host a reception for em Africa. They are the defeated ones, because they are Unity of Guatemala Support Group, and the Delgado at the Pathfinder Bookstore, 191 7th Outlining the gains made in Cuba since maintaining the apartheid regime in South Vancouver Chilean community. Avenue (at 21st Street) in Manhattan. 1959, Rivero asked why the revolution Africa." The meeting was chaired by Peggy Chun, Hours at the Lobby Showcase Gallery are should elicit such hatred from some quarters. Cuba is "having to play a historic role," chairperson of the Vancouver CCFA. While from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekdays and "All it has done is give people pride, material he explained, not only in the battle to defend in Vancouver, Rivero addressed four other from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. on Saturday. The well-being, the right to determine their own Latin American sovereignty, but also in the gatherings, including two at Simon Fraser address is 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long destiny, the right to decide on solutions to defense of socialism. University. He was also welcomed at City Island City (Queens). For more information the problems of their country." And in this, You can count on the Cuban people, he Hall by Alderperson Libby Davies. call (718) 482-5709. The Militant You can't afftlnl to miss one ••• get the Closing news date: July 18, 1990 Editor: DOUG JENNESS Circulation Director: RONI McCANN Nicaragua Bureau Director: CINDY JAQUITH Business Manager: JIM WHITE MILITANT Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein (Nicaragua), Seth Galinsky (Nicaragua), James Harris, Yvonne Hayes, Arthur Hughes, Weekly news and analysis on·the Roni McCann, Greg McCartan, SelvaNebbia, Judy Stranahan, struggles of working people worldwide Peter Thieljung. Published weekly except the last two weeks of December by News on Eastern Airlines strike • Reports on socialist the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 West St., New York, election campaigns • Struggle of workers and farmers N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Office, (212) 243-6392; in Nicaragua • News on Eastern Europe Fax 727-0150; Telex, 497-4278; Business Office, (212) 929- · 3486. Nicaragua Bureau, Apartado 2222, Managua. Tele­ phone 24845. SUBSCRIPTION RUNNING OUT? Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes RENEW TODAY of address should be addressed to The Militant Business Office, 410 West St., New York, N.Y.l0014. Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y., and at addi­ tional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes 12 ISSUES FOR $12 to the Militant, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Sub­ r~------~------, scriptions: U.S., Latin America: for one-year subscription 1 0 $7 for introductory 12 weeks 0 $37 for a year · send $37, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. By first­ :I Name ______class (airmail), send $70. Canada: send Canadian $50 for one-year subscription to Societe d'Editions AGPP, C.P. 340, 1 Address ______~------succ. R, Montreal, Quebec H2S 3M2. Britain, Ireland, Af­ : City------­ rica: £28 for one year by check or international money order made out to Militant Distribution, 47 The Cut, London, SEl : State Zip ___,.------8LL, England. 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2 The Militant July 27, 1990 Agreement ends strike in Nicaragua Strike marks round in gov 't bid to push back revolution's gains

BY SETH GALINSKY nancing for state-owned en­ MANAGUA, Nicaragua- The two­ terprises, "job stability," and week strike that ended here July 12 marked abolition of the two presiden­ another round in the attempts of the capitalist tial decrees on land reform. government to push back gains won by the The government, however, country's workers and peasants. refused to negotiate. In re­ The agreement ending the strike was ne­ sponse the FNT called for a gotiated by Daniel Ortega and other leaders strike. of the Sandinista National Liberation Front The walkouts began mainly (FSLN) with representatives of Nicaraguan in state-owned industry. The President Violeta Chamorro. Later it was rat­ govenunent continued to re­ ified by officials of the unions that had struck. fuse to negotiate. The FNT The settlement grants a 43 percent wage then organized thousands of increase for state employees. It also includes workers to shut down govern­ an agreement to temporarily freeze the return ment ministries, banks, the ofstate farms to private ownership, except for state-owned telephone com­ 15 that will be rented to capitalist growers, a pany, the airport, and ground step toward their permanent return to private transportation in Managua. hands. Walkouts also occurred in Militant/Seth Galinsky The agreement on the 15 state farms rep­ other cities. A June 29 demonstration by farm workers in LeOn, Nicaragua, protesting government move to turn resents the first victory of the government in Workers at the govern­ state farms over to capitalists. Banner reads: "~'II die before we give back land to the Somocistas." organizing the return of land confiscated in ment-owned television station the early years of the revolution that came to locked the administration out power in 1979 back to its old owners. It was briefly and broadcast news stories in support enemies of the strike: dozens of unemployed out for blood, they remained isolated and less, however, than that demanded by some of the strike. youth, merchants, former contras, and hard­ unable to win significant support from any capitalist farmers and businessmen, who On July 8, with negotiations frozen, the core opponents of the 1979 revolution­ section of the population. urged Chamorro to proceed more rapidly to FSLN and the FNT decided to demonstrate some armed with pistols and gasoline bombs. privatize state farms and criticized the pres­ their strength by calling on supporters to The armed bands attacked several strike Chamorro negotiates ident for not using force to break up picket organize barricades across the streets at centers, in some cases firing on workers. The That evening at a press conference Cham­ lines and reopen struck enterprises. scores of locations in Managua, paralyzing strikers defended their picket lines and bar­ orro made clear her intention to negotiate Such a course was rejected by the Cham­ vehicle traffic for a day. ricades. Four workers were killed and dozens with the FNT. She was flanked on one side orro-Ortega bloc that dominates the coalition Many workers sympathized with the de­ injured during clashes. by army head Hurnberto Ortega and police government. This bloc was strengthened in mands of the walkout. The strike activists chief Rene Vivas, both long-time leaders of the course of the strike. themselves were primarily supporters of the Government threatens strikers the FSLN. On her other side were presiden­ Since Chamorro took office in April, the FSLN. On the evening of July 9, President Cham­ tial minister Antonio Lacayo and Carlos Hur­ government has lifted price controls and orro threatened to use the police and the army tado, the minister in charge of the police, taken other measures that hit working people Peasants' response to strike to evict the strikers from the buildings they both Chamorro supporters. Vice-president especially hard. Some of these were initiated Little effort was made to reach out to the occupied. Godoy was not present. in the last years of the previous FSLN-Ied countryside for support to the strike, despite Few attempts, however, were made by Army chief Ortega read a statement at the government. the fact that opposition to the land decrees police in Managua to evict or arrest strikers. conference reaffirming "the army's loyalty The government-set prices of basic ser­ was one of the FNT's demands. On July 10 bulldozers driven by police and to the constitution of the republic and to the vices -electricity, phone, water, and mail Militant reporters traveling in the northern soldiers did remove the barricades from the president." · - were sharply increased in June. This, mountains of Nicaragua encountered anti­ main thoroughfares. There was no resistance, On July 12 the govenunent and the FNT combined with abrupt devaluations of Nica­ strike sentiment on the part ofsome peasants, however. announced agreement ending the strike. raguan currency, has fueled inflation. Textile, whose main information about the work stop­ Vice-president Godoy announced at a July In exchange for the immediate renting of garment, and metal-fabricating factories suf­ pages came from anti-Sandinista radio sta­ 10 press conference the formation of a "com­ some state farms to private owners the pact fered massive layoffs beginning in May. tions. These falsely reported that strikers mission to save the nation." The group called includes a temporary freeze on further returns. for the government to take more decisive The government has faced resistance from were carrying out violent assaults on other The accord calls for the 43 percent wage action against the strike and to "confront the workers, students, and peasants to its belt­ citizens, and that the goal of the strike was increase to state employees, which will only activities of the FSLN," widely interpreted tightening measures and has postponed some to overthrow the elected government headed partly compensate for inflation. It calls for as a call to back rightist bands. Chamorro as a result. by Chamorro. severance pay to state workers fired after later condemned the formation of the com­ When students and teachers protested the The actual demands of the strikers - April 26, strengthening "job stability," and mission, as did the FSLN. elimination of their free bus tokens in early along with the frequent explanations by FNT the formation ofjoint govemment-FNT com­ The pro-Chamorro daily La Prensa in a July, the government backed down and re­ and FSLN leaders that their goal was not to missions to discuss a minimum-wage law July 10 article asserted that pro-FSLN radio stored the subsidy. topple the government - received little and fmancing for industry. President Chamorro has also faced op­ mention. stations -by supporting the strike -and Radio Corporaci6n, which issued calls to At a meeting to discuss the results of the position by farm workers and peasants to Many peasants working on cooperatives strike, FNT leader Lucio Jimenez said that two decrees issued in late May. One per­ "finish off the Sandinistas," were planting or collective farms established under the the most important victory is, "the govern­ mits the rental of state farms to their pre­ previous FSLN-Ied government identified "the seeds for a civil war." The situation was not one of civil war, ment has recognized that we are the repre­ vious capitalist owners. The second sets with the strike. sentatives of the workers." up a commission to authorize the return But to some poor peasants the walkouts however. The FSLN emphasized its goal was Daniel Ortega at a July 12 press confer­ of confiscated land, factories, houses, and seemed aimed at them, such as when striking not to overthrow Chamorro, but to back the ence said an important lesson of the strike other properties. farm workers barricaded the only road lead­ demands of the FNT. One striker, staffing a "is that the government realizes it must come ing into San Juan del Rio Coco without barricade outside a factory, stated, "This isn't to an understanding with 'Sandinismo' and Coalition government divided discussing the measure first with neighboring an insurrection. We just want the govenunent with the revolution to contribute to the sta­ The government is divided over how fast peasants, who have to travel to San Juan to negotiate with the FNT." bility of the country." and how far to go in implementing these regularly to bring produce to the market, On July 11 workers and community activ­ measures. It has been testing the waters to purchase manufactured goods, and receive ists showed their discipline by heeding the The settlement should not be seen as a victory for either side, Ortega said, "It's a see what it can accomplish and how much medical attention. FNT's call to take down the barricades. resistance it will face. . Residents of rural towns were also sharply While some of Godoy's followers were victory for Nicaragua." FSLN representatives in the government divided, with supporters of the FSLN back­ have criticized some of the measures enacted ing the strike but others often confused by r------NEW YORK & UTAH------. by Chamorro, complaining that the decisions reports on radio stations that a "civil war" have been made without participation by the had broken out in Managua. In the town of Meetings to celebrate the life of FSLN or the 'unions it leads. La Trinidad, for example, a widely circulated A central objective of the strike from the rumor was that strikers from the nearby city FSLN leadership's standpoint was to pressure of Esteli' were going to march on the town Reba Hansen, 1909 - 90 the Chamorro forces to give the FSLN greater and seize the local hospital. and her contributions to the working-class say in government policy and to demonstrate the consequences if this was not done. Violent clashes in Managua and revolutionary movement· Another wing of the government, led by To test the willingness of workers to join Vice-president Vigilio Godoy, has been pres­ strike-breaking actions, the CPT organized a SALT LAKE CITY suring Chamorro to dismiss the many FSLN July 6 march opposing the work stoppage. supporters in the state apparatus and state­ Only 500 people participated, including anti­ Friday, July 2 7, 7:30p.m. owned ·enterprises and to move faster in FSLN political activists, market vendors, Speakers: Jack Barnes, Mary-Alice Waters, Paul Mailhot returning state-owned farms and businesses housewives, and some workers from facto­ Pathfinder Bookstore, 147 East 900 South to private hands. ries on strike. For more infonnation call (801) 355-ll24. The Godoy forces are backed by the Su­ "This strike has nothing to do with wages," preme Council of Private Enterprise, charged Nieve Diaz, a sewing-machine op­ NEW YORK CITY (COSEP), an organization of capitalist land­ erator at the Kakitex factory. "It's a political owners and some businessmen, and the Per­ strike. When will the FSLN realize they lost Sunday, July 2 9, 4:00 p.m. manent Congress of Workers (CPT), made the elections and let Doii.a Violeta carry out Speakers: Jack Barnes, Mary-Alice Waters, up of four union federations. her program?" The CPT, along with right-wing radio sta­ Joyce Meissenheimer, Ethel Lohman, Michael Baumann FNT strikes to win negotiations tion Radio Corporaci6n, attempted to orga­ 191 Seventh Ave. (at 21st Street) Manhattan In the middle of June the National Feder­ nize groups of vigilantes to attack strike For more infonnation call (212) 675-6740. ation of Workers (FNT), a coalitionofFSLN­ supporters. Messages can he sent to the Socialist Workers Party National Office, Ied unions, raised 13 demands, including the Several blocks around the Radio Corpo­ 406 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. need for a minimum wage, government fi- raci6n offices served as a staging ground for

July 27, 1990 The Militant 3 Seattle activist lauds international defense effort Mark Curtis is a unionist and to the Mark Curtis Defense Com- "The drive to silence the voice of Tyrone Briggs Association; Eliza­ The charge of rape against Curtis political activist from Des Moines, mittee, Box 1048, Des Moines, , dissent at the beginning of the Cold beth Boors of the Young Socialist caused Bobby Castillo of the Bay Iowa, who was framed by police Iowa 50311; telephone (515) 246- War, which later culminated in the Alliance; and Greg Castilla of the Area Leonard Peltier Alliance to be on rape and burglary charges. He 1695. If you have news or reports McCarthy witch-hunt," she ex­ Filipino Association for Community wary ofdefending the Iowa unionist. plained, "began with the attack on Education. After being imprisoned for 14 years, the foreign-born." Wolf was charged he explained, "I don't like rapists with being a Conununist "some 13 OAKLAND, California- A and neither do other prisoners." years after I was no longer a member panel of fighters for justice here July But after discussing the case with of the party, and during a time when 14 raised their voices to demand other Native Americans who had DEFEND membership was not a deportable justice for Mark Curtis. firsthand knowledge of government offense." "Mark Curtis was an anti-racist frame-ups and after reading the MARK CURTIS! Nevertheless, the threat of depor­ fighter and that's why he was framed pamphlet The Frame-Up of Mark tation hung over her head. "For up," said Franck Pottier, an activist Curtis: A Packinghouse Worker's was convicted in September 1988 on activities in support of Mark some 25 years my case trudged from in the Free South Africa Labor Com­ Fight for Justice, Castillo said he one court to another, during which mittee and a member of the Iron­ and is now serving a 25-year sen­ Curtis from your city or country, knew "serious human rights viola­ time we lost every battle. But about workers union. He noted the bosses' tence in the John Bennett state please send them to the MililllnL tions had been meted out to Mark 1974 we fmally won the war," she prison in Fort Madison, Iowa. use of racism to divide workers and Curtis. Without a doubt, he is inno­ said, and noted the support she had added, "If you fight, you'll make cent," he concluded. Despite harassment by author­ SEATTLE - Hazel Wolf, a received from the Canadian trade enemies." Curtis' frame-up and unfair trial ities, he continues to be politically longtime environmentalist and Cen­ union movement and the media cov­ ''The Congress of South African "tells a lot about the courts in this active in prison and refuses to be tral ·America solidarity activist, erage ber case got in Britain, France, Trade Unions, which is leading the country," said Niki Maguire, a de­ isolated from the world beyond spoke to a July 15 rally in support Italy, and Scandinavia. anti-apartheid struggle through the prison walls. fender of Joe Doherty, an Irish po­ of Mark Curtis here. She lauded In all there were some 400 depor­ mass democratic action," he said, "is litical prisoner held without charges Kate Kaku's recent international The Mark Curtis Defense Com­ tation cases during the McCarthy providing an example of antiracist by the U.S. government in a New mittee, based in Des Moines, is tour and effort to bring Curtis' case period and only two or three were struggle that all unions should em­ York jail for more than seven years. leading an international cam­ before the United Nations Human ever deported, she said. "And I think ulate." Other speakers included Jeff paign to rlgllt for justice for Curtis Rights Commission. Kaku is a it safe to say that international sup­ Jeff Blankfort of the Committee Bettencourt, a Machinist on strike and to defend his rights in prison. leader of the Mlllk Curtis Defense port for all the victims of the witch­ to Release Hani Beydoun, a Pales­ against Eastern Airlines; John More than 8,000 unionists, de­ Committee and is Curtis' wife. hunt had much to do with bringing tinian labor organizer incarcerated in Campbell, a Greyhound striker; and fenders of democratic rights, po­ Wolf was a victim of government that shameful period to an end." Israel, urged unions to defend vic­ Margaret Jayko, author of The litical activists, prominent repression. "I was arrested in 1949 Several others joined Wolf on the tims of frame-ups like Curtis. After Frame-Up ofMark Curtis pamphlet ofrlcials, and others-from the along with some 14 other foreign­ platform at the meeting, including the Israeli army arrested Beydoun and member of the International Philippines to Sweden, from born brothers and sisters in the state Pat Stell, president of the Seattle and before they beat him, they took Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. South Africa to Canada- have of Washington, charged with our Coalition of Labor Union Women; a "Stop Lorenzo" button from him. endorsed the committee's efforts. past and present alleged member­ Nate Ford, business representative He had been given the button at a Steve Berenfrom Seattle and George For more information about ship in the Communist Party," she of the Metalworkers Union; Jo Machinists picket line at the Eastern Johnson from Oakland, California, the case or how you can help, write told the meeting. Linda Stephens of the Justice for Airline terminal in San Francisco. contributed to this week's column. British coal washery workers fight bosses' wage cuts

BY PAUL DAVlES ment that the Miners' Support Group, active the NUM during their strike." that were won in the last strike there in 1974. AND FRANK ALEXANDER during the 1984-85 NUM strike, was being With the recent closing of the Blaenant Donations and messages ofsupport for the CARDIFF, Wales - Striking union coal revived to mobilize for the T &GWU strikers. mine just down the road from the washery, T &GWU strikers can be sent to Onllwyn preparation plant workers and their support­ One veteran organizer for the support group the whole community is determined to turn Washery Support Fund, Onllwyn Miners' ers staged a blockade at. the Onllwyn Coal explained, "Now we have the opportunity to back the union-busting of Ryan and safe­ Welfare Social Club, Onllwyn, near Seven Washery in South Wales on July 2 in response repay the tremend~us support you showed guard the wages and conditions at Onllwyn Sisters, Neath, Wales, U.K. to the company's attempts to impose cuts in wages and working conditions. The 166 workers, members of the Transport and Gen­ eral Workers Union (T&GWU), struck the Miami Haitians assert rights after cop attack operation May 23. The washery has been contracted out to BY JACKIE FLOYD from the Southern Christian Leadership Con­ The police received unqualified support Ryan International. MIAMI -Chanting "Mandela says, ference, National Association for the Ad­ from Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez and the Last month Ryan announced that all of the 'Keep the pressure on,"' and "Stop police vancement of Colored People, People United Miami City Commission. strikers would be fired after which 108 would brutality," 200 Haitians and their supporters for Justice, Haitian Refugee Center, and Organizers plan ongoing pickets outside be hand-picked by management for rehire asserted their right to demonstrate July 7 by Black Lawyers Association. the store. July 2. The workers rehired would make less picketing the Biscayne Shopping Plaza. per hour but do more jobs to make up for the The protest was called in response to a 58 workers permanently laid off. The com­ police attack two days earlier at the same pany also announced there would be no se­ location on a crowd protesting an assault on Cuba is a just and humane society, niority rights and that union negotiating a Haitian customer. rights would be severely curtailed. Later, the Cuban store owner Luis Reyes and his son New Zealand farmer says after tour company dropped the wage cut to avoid beat Abner Alezi June 29 after Alezi, who is making redundancy payments to those who Haitian, complained about merchandise he BY RONI McCANN for a period of time where they can enrich refused to return to work. had purchased at the store. Reyes then called Denis Hiestand, a dairy farmer and activist their experience. On July 2 not one worker crossed the police, who arrested Alezi and three Haitian from New Zealand, recently headed a tour Most of all Hiestand talked about how picket line and only two managers got past passersby who had come to his aid. of six family farmers to Cuba. Raimondo much he was able to learn about Cuba by the blockade. All trucks that tried to enter That same evening, Haitian activists and Rodriguez, a staff writer for the Granrna seeing the country and the gains of the rev" were turned away. members of the Haitian group Veye-Yo, gath­ Weekly Review, newspaper of the Cuban olution first hand. Women from the surrounding commu­ ered in front of the store to denounce the . Communist Party, interviewed Hiestand in "In New Zealand the only true information nity were at the forefront of the picketing attack and to demand that charges instead be an article that appeared June 17. comes to us from the New Zealand-Cuba effort. "One of the lads said if they really filed against Reyes. The following day more The farmers, Denis and Denise Hiestand, Friendship Association and the Southern wantedto come through, there was nothing than 1, 000 protesters picketed the store de­ Jack and Alison Donald, Nic Sykes, and Cross Brigade, whose members come here we could do to stop them," said the wife manding justice and that the store be shut Robert Wallace, were invited by the Cuban every year," said Hiestand. of one washery worker. "Not on your life, down. Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and "Apart from these two organizations, we we told him. They'll have to drive over The police were mobilized 100 strong to were the first delegation of New Zealand find it hard to get genuine information about our bodies first." defend the store. The mostly youthful crowd farmers to ever visit Cuba. your country that's not channeled, controlled, Gashes on the line have continued since stood their ground from 11 :00 a.m. to 9:00 "I think you have a unique opportunity, and supervised by the United States," he said. the blockade. Ryan has attempted to use p.m. Among their many chants were "Racists after working for 30 years, to make progress scabs from a nearby washery it also runs. So must go!" "Some Cubans may hate me, but and accomplish what no one has accom­ picketing has been extended to that site. Mandela loves me," and "Fidel, Fidel, come plished so far," said Hiestand after touring The police maintained that this constituted to us. We need your help!" Police asked Reyes the island learning about agriculture in Cuba. illegal "secondary picketing," but persistence to close his store for a while to allow for "Every Cuban must be proud of this f~ct." paid off. After several confrontations with tensions to cool off. On July 5 he reopened. In New Zealand Hiestand owns a 300-acre the cops, the strikers have established the Crowds of Haitian protesters again assem­ dairy farm with 400 cows, reported Granma. right to picket there. bled. At 5:15p.m., as less than 50 demonstra­ Farmers in New Zealand, as in other capitalist ''The strike is 100 percent solid," said Alan tors remained singing and dancing in front of countries, are burdened with debts, many Croswell, vice-chairman of the T&GWU the store, 150 riot cops equipped with shields having lost their land in recent years as the Branch at Onllwyn. 'They won't starve us charged the group with clubs swinging. economic crisis has deepened. back to work. Every open-cast [strip mine] Protesters, shoppers, and onlookers alike Hiestand, who is interested in making links site in South Wales is donating to us and the were beaten and arrested. One man had four with· farmers worldwide, has visited Aus­ National Union of Mineworkers, who we of his teeth knocked out; another's arm was tralia, Britain, Mexico, Singapore, and the supported throughout their 1984-85 strike, broken. Twelve of the 63 arrested were hos­ United States, reported Rodriguez. The June are doing the same for us now." The washery pitalized. visit was Hiestand's first to Cuba. workers strike is seen as an important line of Thirty-four of those arrested were taken Cuba is one of the most just and htimane resistance to government-owned British to Krome Detention Center by the Immigra: societies on earth, Hiestand told the Granrna Coal's drive for profits before privatization tion and Naturalization Service, where sev­ reporter. of the open-cast sector of the coal industry eral remain and face deportation. Hiestand praised the current state of Cuban takes place. The next day a broadly sponsored news agriculture, especially the introduction of The day before the blockade 200 strikers conference protested the police assault and new knowledge about genetics into cattle and supporters held a union meeting and pledged that the peaceful protests at the shop­ breeding. Although no agreement has been affrrmed their determination to hold out. A ping center would continue. Speakers at the set, Hiestand proposed CUban farmers be Militant/Janet Post highlight of the meeting was an announce- news conference included representatives hosted by working farmers in New Zealand Denis Hiestand

4 The Militant July 27' 1990 Petitioning effort for socialist ballot spot in New York is off to good start Continued from front page ing people on the streets of New York. and are interested in something different." he "There's more openness to our ideas," said said. one petitioner. ''The Mandela tour had a big The Saturday petitioning effort was the effect on people, especially youth, and many first full day of campaigning by the Socialist are more interested in politics," said another. candidates since they announced their ticket at a July 12 press conference. Excerpts from Long Island team the news conference were broadcast by One petitioning team joined Robert, a Hai­ WBAI radio that night following an inter­ tian-born member of the International Union view with gubernatorial candidate Gannon of Electronic Workers, in his neighborhood on Behind the News, a weekly program on in Westbury, Long Island. At a local A&P Militant/Arthur Hughes the same station. grocery store, he called pet>ple he knew over Craig Gannon, Socialist \\brkers Party candidate for governor of New York, speaking to the campaign table where they signed in Manhattan at a July 7 forum on election perspectives. Eastern strike petitions. The team collected 95 signatures Gannon began his campaign by joining altogether. Machinists on strike at Eastern Airlines at At the campaign headquarters afterward ported. that in Brooklyn supporters got an 17, and 18th. This includes 38 strikers and their La Guardia Airport picket line. "That's Robert explained that "petitioning is a good average of 70 people to sign petitions on the supporters from Domsey Trading Co., a gar­ great, good luck to you," one striker re­ way we can talk to more people about so­ frrst day and that an average of 50 people in ment shop in Brooklyn, who signed at a July sponded when Gannon introduced himself. cialism and the truth about Cuba." He got New York signed. On the first day of peti­ 17 rally. There, some 700 people, including Eastern striker and SWP candidate Anmuth different reactions to the idea of having so­ tioning during the statewide -elections in Eastern strikers and keynote speaker Jesse helped tell other cofighters about the socialist cialist candidates on the ballot. he explained. 1988, she said, campaign supporters aver- Jackson, gathered outside the factory in sup­ campaign, including two flight attendants on "Many just want to learn more." . aged 35 names each. port of the fight for a union. the line. They had a lengthy discussion with Many petitioners reported increased re­ Along with collecting thousands of signa­ The day before, at the "500 Days" cele­ Gannon about his platform and some of the ceptivity to the ideas of the socialist cam­ tures, petitioners in New York sold 10 sub­ bration on the Eastern strike picket line at La challenges they see facing working people paign - solidarity with the Eastern strike; scriptions to the Militant and Perspectiva Guardia -Airport, 11 strikers and strike sup­ today. Twelve strikers and strike supporters support for the freedom struggle in South Mundial, 105 copies of the Militant and $540 porters signed petitions. And a handful of signed petitions to help place Gannon and Africa; the right ofCuba to exist without U.S. of Pathfmder literature. signatures were collected at morning plant his running mates on the ballot. aggression; and the importance of the battles The successful weekend of campaigning gate sales to rail workers at Metto North and Throughout the day, supporters of the cam­ by workers and farmers in Eastern Europe. got the ballot drive off to a strong start. to airport workers. paign reported a similar response from work- State campaign director Vivian Sahner re- Petitioners gathered 2,292 signatures July 16, On July 16 full-time volunteers began fanning out on all-day teams. Brooklyn teams take to the streets ...

BY STEVE WARSHELL to Bush on TV. It reminded me of a giant concession contract proposal, stopped by. BROOKLYN, New York- Early on standing next to a worm." Later, Anmuth and other campaign support­ July 14 some 40 supporters of the New York The people around the table nodded in ers went to a nearby tavern to meet other Socialist Workers state ticket gathered at the agreement as Dario signed his name to the union members; After discussions with the Brooklyn campaign headquarters near the nominating petition and bought a copy of the candidate and her backers, the socialists busy intersection of Bergen Street and Militant. He was one of2,500 people to sign passed a petition board around the table. Aatbush Avenue. They were about to take petitions in Brooklyn that day. Brooklyn campaign supporters plan daily the message of the socialist candidates to the That evening, campaign supporters partic­ events organized at the headquarters: classes city's most populous borough and to sign up ipated in a Militant Labor Forum where they for young people each Thursday night; reg­ hundreds of names on petitions to place the heard a presentation by campaign spokesper­ ular teams to nearby neighborhoods to dis­ candidates' names on the ballot. son and garment worker, Anna Schell. cuss politics; petitioning teams on Throughout the week, Brooklyn support­ Following the meeting, two members of Wednesday nights and Saturdays; and doing ers had worked hard to make the necessary the printers' union at the New York Daily the paper work necessary to prepare the pe­ preparations: petition boards, pens, tables, News, where workers are resisting a severe titions for filing. signs, boxes of Pathfinder books, and copies of the Militant, Perspectiva Mundial, Lutte ouvriere had all been made ready. "We'll be taking this campaign to working people in Brooklyn who are interested in • • . and Newark pitches in candidates who can explain what's going on in the world and who present clear proposals BY NATASHA TERLEXIS Congress in the 14th district, to reach out for defending. workers' interests," said peti­ NEWARK, New Jersey- The Socialist to young people interested in the socialist tioning director Marea Himelgrin. Workers Party campaign here is urging its campaign. At 10:30 a.m. the petitioners left the head­ supporters to participate in the effort to put Socialist campaign supporters are also quarters, which wa8 kept open by a crew of the party on the ballot in New York State. publicizing a Newark showing of the video Militant/Arthur Hughes four supporters. A steady stream of people "The fighting spirit of the Eastern Airlines The Frame-Up ofMark Curtis by Hollywood Selva Nebbia, Socialist \\brkers candi­ stopped by the campaign center to talk, buy strike, the struggle in South Africa, workers director Nick Castle on July 28. Curtis is a date for US. Congress in the New York's literature, and sign petitions. By the end of stepping out in Eastern Europe: pitching in unionist and political activist from Iowa im­ 15th C.D., urging supporters at July 7 the day some 20 signatures had been gathered and discussing these events in working-class prisoned on frame-up charges of rape and meeting to subscribe to the Militant from walk-in traffic at the headquarters. communities all over New York will enrich .burglary. newspaper. Teams returning to the campaign office our campaign," said Don Mackie, SWP can­ later in the day reported an enthusiastic re­ didate for U.S. Senate from New Jersey. sponse. One team visited the picket line at the Mackie is a garment worker and member of Domsey plant where members of the Inter­ the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Alabama socialist candidates join national Ladies' Garment Workers' Union Union. have been waging a strike since January. "We also plan to maintain a visible cam­ protests against Thomas ·execution Susan Anmuth; Socialist Workers candi­ paign presence in New Jersey during the date for lieutenant governor, accompanied ballot drive in New York," he said. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama- The So­ 18 years from 1965 to 1983 no executions gubernatorial candidate Craig Gannon to the On the opening day of the effort, 18 New cialist Workers Party candidates in Alabama took place in the state due to repeated U.S. Machinists picket line in front of the Eastern Jersey campaign supporters traveled across - Susan Skinner for governor, John Haw­ Supreme Court rulings that the state's death Airlines entrance at La Guardia Airport. An­ the Hudson River to participate. The same kins for U.S. Senate, and David Alvarez for penalty law was unconstitutional. Since 1983 muth is one of the striking Machinists and evening the SWP candidate for Congress in U.S. Congress -joined with hundreds of eight people, including Thomas, have been has played a prominent part in the strike since New Jersey's lOth district, Georges Mehrab­ opponents of the death penalty throughout executed-three in 1989 alone. it began more than 16 months ago. ian, joined a panel discussion at the Newark Alabama in denouncing the execution of ''The government and courts today are Another team of three gathered 350 sig­ Militant Labor Forum titled "Stop Govern­ Wallace Norrell Thomas July 13 in the state's pushing hard for broader, more rapid use of natures in less than three hours outside a ment Censorship of the Arts." Some 30 peo­ electric chair. the death penalty," the socialist candidates major subway stop at Aatbush and Fulton ple attended the event to _discuss recent In a July 12 statement the socialist candi­ stated. "Both Democrats and Republicans Street. attacks on democratic rights. dates declared, ''The pending execution of agree on extending the death penalty to seven Petitioners reported that the impact of the The New Jersey campaign headquarters, Thomas is an outrage and should be halted. new 'crimes' bringing the total of federal recent visit by Nelson Mandela could still be located at the Pathfinder Bookstore, will be The death penalty itself, used by the U.S. capital offenses to 30." seen. "l came out to Bedford-Stuyvesant to open on Fridays during the lunch and dinner rulers as a barbaric weapon of terror against Of the 161 victims of Alabama's death see the Mandelas," said Dario, a 20-year-old hours, and all day Saturdays during the three workers and fanners- especially the most penalty since 1927, 130 have been Black, 31 Cuban-American, standing near a campaign weeks of the New York ballot drive. oppressed - should be abolished." have been white. None has been a member table in the Williamsburg section of Brook­ The Newark Young Socialist Alliance is Thomas' execution brings to 161 the num­ of the wealthy capitalist class that rules Al­ lyn. "I'll never forget him. I'll also never organizing an evening discussion on July ber of people put to death by Alabama's abama and every other state in the United forget seeing Nelson Mandela standing next 23 with Jane Harris, SWP candidate for s<>

July 27' 1990 The Militant 5 August actions set; Atlanta pilots join picket Some 8,500 International Asso­ against Eastern Airlines were joined • Joining the Greyhound and East­ being able to maintaip a solid strike ciation ofMachinists (lAM) mem­ on the picket line by about 30 pilots Vowing to "keep the pressure on," em strikers on the picket line, which for 14 months and stay one day bers struck Eastern Airlines at the Hartsfield International Air­ strikers from Eastern Airlines and numbered about 75, were members longer than Frank Lorenzo. We send March 4, 1989, in an effort to port in Atlanta. Greyhound joined forces in Phila­ of the American Federation of State, you our warmest greetings and sup­ block the company's drive to Dressed in uniform shirts with delphia July 7 for an expanded County and Municipal Employees; port in your struggle." break the union and impose mas­ shoulder stripes, the pilots handed picket line and rally in front of Hotel Employees and Restaurant sive concessions on workers. out several hundred informational Greyhound's downtown bus termi­ Employees; United Auto Workers; • As ofthe Mililant's closing news fliers as they warned passengers nal. and the Philadelphia Federation of ''Solidarity Day for the Eastern The slogan, borrowed from the Teachers. Airlines Strikers" is being organized recent U.S. tour of African National for August 4 at Eastern Airlines De­ SUPPORT Congress leader Nelson Mandela, • partures, Central Terminal, at La took on special meaning when God­ The July 17 lAM District 100 Guardia Airport in New Yorlc. Spon­ EASTERN frey Sithole, representing the ANC, bulletin includes a report from the sored by lAM Local Lodge 1018, was introduced to the crowd · July issue of the IMF News, the the action begins at 12:00 p.m. and "Wherever there is injustice," ex­ International Metalworlcers Federa­ includes an expanded picket line and STRIKERS! plained Sithole, "whether in South tion newspaper, that the union fed­ human billboard. Africa or here, that's where you will eration has called on its 13 million date, ~dnesday, July 18, the about the dangers of flying Eastern. find the ANC. Keep the pressure on members around the world to boy­ • strike was in its S02nd day. Federal mediators overseeing apartheid; keep the pressure on cott Eastern and Continental air­ In Los Angeles, Machinists on The Eastern workers' f"aght bas contract negotiations between the Greyhound and Eastern! No con­ lines. Continental is owned by Frank strike at Eastern are urging partici­ won broad support from working Air Line Pilots Association and tract, no peace!" Lorenzo who was ousted from East­ pation in their July 21 picketing people in the United States, Puerto Eastern had declared the talks at an Immediately following Sithole's em management in April. from 8:00am. to 10:00 am. at East­ Rico and the Caribbean, Canada, impasse and called a cooling-off pe­ speech, a bystander stepped for­ em Terminal 6 at the airport. This Bermuda, Sweden, New Zealand, riod, which expires August 8. This ward, shook his hand, then went into • will be followed by a rally at ll :00 France, and elsewhere in the made for lively discussions on the the terminal to refund his Grey­ A regional conference of dele­ am. with the Greyhound strikers at world. Readers - especially picket line. Some pilots thought this hound ticket. Introduced to the gates from the New Zealand Food the bus terminal. Eastern strikers -are encour­ will mean they will end up striking crowd afterward, the young man de­ and Textile Union in Auckland, New aged to send news of strike soli­ and be back on the picket line. Oth­ clared, "I'm with you all the way!" Zealand, in May discussed the im­ Stephen Bride from Philadelphia; darity activities to this column. ers expressed hope that a buyout of Later in the rally, a second pas­ portance of the Eastern strike and Miesa Patterson from Atlanta; Eastern by Northwest Airlines senger turned in her ticket for a sent greetings to the lAM, declaring, and James Robb from Auckland On July 9 Machinists on strike would go through. refund. "We salute your determination in contributed to this column. Trustee Shugrue admits airline is in deep trouble

Continued from front page surveyed gave Eastern Ds or Fs for its service "faulty maintenance." The FAA regularly declared talks at an impasse and called a Everything I do is a commercial." to business travelers. Only 2 percent gave fmes airlines for such violations, but it is cooling-off period, which expires August 8. Some 8,500 International Association of the airline an A. Seventy percent picked extremely rare for criminal charges to be Recognizing that the airline's situation Machinists· (lAM) members struck Eastern Eastern as the airline that business travelers filed. continues to worsen, Eastern strikers have Airlines March 4, 1989, in an effort to block in their company most often refuse to fly. It has been reported that the charges are begun to redouble their fight for a contract the company's drive to break the union and Only l percent said the carrier was the top expected to include wire fraud, obstruction and have organized a round of activities impose massive concessions on workers. choice in their companies. of justice, and making false statements and throughout the country. A $95 million payment to the company's will include indictments of more than seven With the strike clearly in the background, Most recently, 30 Machinists and strike pension fund is due September 15 in order current and former Eastern employees and most of the questions at the news conference supporters at La Guardia Airport marked to prevent the termination of the fund. When management personnel, including vice-pres­ focused on the serious problems posed at their 500th day on strike by celebrating out asked how Eastern hoped to make such a idents of the company. Eastern. on the picket line, complete with cake and payment, Shugrue responded, "We are in "I met with the U.S. attorney a couple of balloons. In addition, they plan to hold a Financial losses continue discussions with the government agency that weeks ago," Shugrue said, "and discussed noontime expanded picket and human bill­ has stewardship over those plans as to who, his investigation of Eastern's maintenance Shugrue admitted the airline continues to board on August 4 at the central terminal at how, when and in what form that payment practices at the Kennedy repair station." lose up to $1 million a day and that while La Guardia the passenger load factor had reached 61.5 is made." There was wide speculation in the press that In Washington, D.C., strikers have begun percent in June, the May figure of 54 percent Shugrue hoped to soften the blow to the building a walk-through set for August 5 at was ''terrible." Safety probes against Eastern airline such indictments and the accompany­ 2:00 p.m. at National Airport. In an obvious reference to the strike, With charges of criminal violations for ing publicity could have in further deterring Shugrue pointed to "adverse publicity" the altering maintenance and safety record hang­ passengers from flying Eastern. This would Strikers and their supporters have organ­ · airline had reeeived. This is the reason, he ing over Eastern management, this too be­ come right on top of three recent safety ized airport activities in Florida, Pittsburgh, said, "when I arrived here on April 18 we came a topic at the conference. mishaps -two in June and one this month. Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and San Fran­ cisco. had no advanced bookings to speak of." A federal grand jury conducted a tO­ Buy out talks with Northwest One third of the way into its "100 days" month investigation into charges that Eastern Eastern strikers are also gearing up to Much attention was given to the expressed advertising campaign, Eastern management mechanics at New York's Kennedy and La participate in activities around Labor Day on interest Northwest Airlines has in purchasing reported that the ad campaign and low fares Guardia airports and at Hartsfield Interna­ September 3. Eastern. "I have met with Checchi and "Y-not" first-class .program the airline tional Airport in Atlanta were ordered to Mr. of Northwest we are setting up offers were a "success" and would be a disregard safety guidelines and falsify log­ and follow-up meetings in the coming prelude to a campaign the carrier would books to show that proper checks had been weeks to see if there is an opportunity launch this fall. made. for Northwest and Eastern to do some­ But a USA Today survey of 190 corporate Eastern closed its maintenance base at thing together," said Shugrue. travel managers released July 3 gives a dif­ Kennedy last year after the Federal Aviation Northwest, based in Minneapolis, ferent picture. Fifty-nine percent of those Administration fmed the airline $839,000 for was bought last year for $3.65 billion by an investor group led by Alfred Checchi. Picket to passengers: 'We need contract' Northwest is attracted to Eastern's hub in Atlanta, which has 47 gates. A BYJUDYSTRANAHAN lated a recent experience. ''There was one purchase of Eastern would increase WASHINGTON, D.C.-"When I come day when some people from Costa Rica flew Northwest's route system and give the to the picket line," explained Carlos Cevallos, in here from Miami," he said. "They saw me airline a stronger presence in the South­ "I always come with the hope of telling the and asked what the strike was about and how east where it is the weakest. Northwest passengers what's going on with our union long it had been going on. I explained to them is the nation's fourth-largest airline, and and that there needs to be a solution. We need what had happened and that we don't have Eastern is ranked ninth. a contract." Cevallos was an airplane cleaner a contract. In answering the question of what at Eastern Airlines and is among 71 Machin­ ''These people were from the teachers' kind of deal he hoped to get for Eastern,. ists on strike here. union ~ Costa Rica," Cevallos continued, Shugrue explained, "We are interested A member of International Association of "and they told me they were very upset in reviewing a proposal that would Machinists Lodge 796, Cevallos was walking because they didn't know. They said they acquire all ofthe assets ofthe company, his shift on the picket line with Howard dido't want to fly on a nonunion airline where including the people that work there" Beatty, Everett Brown, and Garrie Taylor at a strike was going on, and would do every­ - including the scabs Eastern hired. Washington National Airport when I stopped thing possible to not fly back on Eastern. But Shugrue also admitted Checchi by July 16. "When this sort of thing happens you feel had met with the Machiliists union. We had a lively discussion on a range of your being here has accomplished some­ James Conley, a spokesman for the subjects, but most of all we talked about the thing," the striker said. "I am very satisfied lAM explained recently, ''There are strike and what has been happening at Eastern. to come here and do the picketing because I exploratory talks going on with All four voiced cautious optimism regard­ know I'm putting out the message about the Checchi and other individuals." The ing the recent news reports that Northwest strike. With the picket line we are telling lAM represents 20,000 workers at Airlines is interested in purchasing Eastern. people why we are out here. They need to Northwest and 8,500 at Eastern. Several raised that this might mean a con­ know. When asked if Eastern was planning tract with at least some strikers getting their "I never feel discouraged," he explained. to settle with the lAM, Shugrue said, jobs back, and with apossibility that Eastern's "I still have the confidence that something ''The unions are very frustrated as am scabs could end up without jobs. good is going to come out of this strike." I that we do not have a settlement." But Both Taylor and Brown said they were Eastern strikers are building a walk­ he offered no indication that he planned amazed Eastern was still operating given that through at the main terminal of Washington to pursue an agreement with the union. the carrier continues to lose at least $1 million National Airport to be held Sunday, August Shugrue has also refused to carry out a day. 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. They said serious negotiations with the Air Line Militant/Lynn Allen When I asked what importance they placed they're getting a good response from among Pilots Association, and federal media­ Miami striker pickets meeting for travel agents on maintaining the picket line, Cevallos re- unions in the area tors overseeing the negotiations have sponsored by Eastern in May.

6 The Militant July 27,1990 United Airlines buyout plan put together by Machinists union falls short on funds

BYPATIIDYAMA United's debt some 600 percent and add $400 from management, one from the non-union­ "comparable carriers." According to the con­ NEW YORK -The United Airlines million to $500 million to the company's ized employees, and eight "independent" di-' tract, workers will have to accept any wage buyout plan put together by the International interest payments. llris does not count the rectors, who will constitute the majority of or benefit cuts with no recourse to a strike. Association of Machinists, the Association amount necessary to pay off the principal on the board. Schroeder says these concessions are nec­ of Hight Attendants, and the Air Line Pilots the loan. essary to pay off the buyout debts as quickly Association, is far from being in the bag. Not UAL profits have never exceeded $350 Control will rest with banks as possible so the workers can reap the ben­ one of the banks from which these employee million even in the most profitable years, so Although the initial " independent" di­ efits "as the company grows and prospers." organizations are seeking financing has made the deal is risky even with the concessions. rectors will be selected by the lAM, AFA, A key obstacle to the United deal is that a contractual commitment. Even if the fi­ It is unlikely that the air carrier will be able and ALPA, they must be people who are no contract, ESOP, or labor official can insure nancing by the five banks that lAM, AFA, to make its loan payments if fuel costs in­ "acceptable to the banks" financing the the labor peace necessary to make it work. and ALPA officials say are likely to partici­ crease or a recession cuts back passenger ESOP, as union officials have stated. These In the May vote 30 percent of the lAM pate in the deal comes through, the total of load; Already, due to an increase in fuel will be lawyers, businessmen, and other members nationally rejected the buyout, with their combined contribution is only expected prices, all airlines have posted losses for the "prominent members of the community" some stations like the San Francisco main­ to be about $2.5 billion. This is far short of first quarter of 1990, including $36.4 million who will hardly be inclined to represent temmce base of 12,000 workers rejecting the the $4.38 billion necessary for the buyout. for United. the interests of workers at United. The real deal hy even higher margins. Bankers and The banks are also demanding that the Schroeder and other lAM officials also control over the company will rest in the prospective financiers are taking this factor Machinists and the other employee organi­ argue that the ESOP "will give you total hands of the banks. into account as they consider the viability of zations obtain at least $300 million of their control over your future" through employee Two major concessions are in the sum­ the plan. financing from nonbanking sources. These ownership. Supposedly no major decisions mary of the contract: a five-year contract, Discussion on the proposed buyout is tak­ obstacles could mean that the lAM, AFA, can be made without workers' consent. This instead of the usual three, with a six-year ing place among workers at United, hundreds and ALPA will have to seek an extension of is not, however, a case of one worker, one no-strike clause and a wage freeze for A -scale of whom are Eastern strikers that have been the August 9 financing deadline that they vote. - top wage - workers over the life of the hired by United. To these discussions they have agreed to with the company's directors. Even interpreted narrowly, the employees contract after a first-year cut of 3.7 percent. are able to bring the experiences of their fight Employee buyouts have usually been a will not control the company. The Board of At the end of three years a "neutral pro­ against Eastern Airlines. last-ditch effort to save tottering or already Directors will make the basic decisions and fessional" will decide whether wages need bankrupt companies. United (UAL), how­ the three employees organizations have only to be decreased or increased based oil such Pani liyama, a cleaner for United Airlines ever, is a profitable company. The airline is three representatives out of 15 on the board. factors as United's financial performance, at JFK International Airport in New York, is also said to be unusual because promoters of The other 12 include three representatives ability to pay its ESOP debt, and wages at a member of JAM Local I 322. the deal claim it will involve 100 percent employee ownership rather than partial em­ ployee ownership. Representatives of the 26,000 nonunion 700 rally in support of Domsey strike workers, such as ticket agents and reservation clerks, have recently approved the deal. They have agreed to reduce their wages and ben­ BY MAREA HIMELGRIN labor movement in Senegal. ''The struggle Jesse Jackson was introduced, but some of the workers of Domsey," said Diop, "is efits by $50.5 million a year for a 14.26 . BROOKLYN, New York- Some 700 stayed to heckle. "You fought Papa Doc in the same as the struggle of the Senegalese Haiti," Jackson said to the biggest applause. percent share of the company. unionists and community supporters ral­ On May 10 members of the lAM, which lied outside Domsey Trading Corp. July working class, which has won so many vic­ "You're fighting Papa Domsey in New represents almost 26,000 ground service 17 to back up strikers who are demanding tories. The solidarity of our members must York." not be words alone." Domsey exports its workers at UAL, voted to accept a new recognition for their union, the Interna­ With the crowd pointing their fingers at five-year contract that will buy out the sec­ tional Ladies' Garment Workers' Union goods to Senegal and Nigeria, two West the company's owners standing in a second­ ond-largest U.S. airline through an employee (ILGWU). African countries. story window above the rally platform, Jack­ stock ownership plan (ESOP). The contract The workers, mostly Haitian, went on ''This is the frrst time we've all come out son led the unionists in chanting, "We won't like this," said a member of Local 99 who give up! We won't surrender!" Earlier Jack­ includes the lAM's share of $2 billion in strike in January to protest the firings of concessions required from employees as prounion workers. The firings came after a works at the giant K-Mart warehouse in son met with government representatives North Bergen, New Jersey. "I've never seen from Senegal and Nigeria and urged them "sweat equity" to finance the deal. majority of Domsey's employees filed ape­ tition with the labor board requesting a union anything like it before." not to buy Domsey goods. Promise of 'job security' representation election. The company organized a very loud and A party on the picket line followed the TheAFA,representing 12,700UALwork­ Domsey recycles and exports used cloth­ provocative counterdemonstration of about rally. Eastern strike supporters talked to par­ ers, and ALPA, with 6,300 members, had ing, much of it bought from charities like the 100 on its property. Led by Peter Salrn, the ticipants about supporting their August 4 owner's son, the scabs yelled "Union no!" action at La Guardia International Airport. already ratified the proposal. At United, Salvation Army, to semicolonial countries at and beat on a corrugated metal fence, drown­ "Of course, we'll be there," Jean Bonny, a workers were told in a letter by Louis Schroe­ a big profit, while paying its workers close der, district president and general chairman to the minimum wage and imposing intoler­ ing out some of the union speakers. They Domsey strike leader said. "Eastern, Dom­ were answered by chants from rally partici• sey, we're in the same fight." of the lAM at United, that the buyout will· able working conditions. pants of "What do we want? Union! When give job security by "stabilizing the company Twelve buses pulled up to the picket line Supporters of workers in South Korea and removing the threat of raiders or indi­ for the rally bringing ILGWU members from do we want it? Now!" victimized by the union-busting tactics of the viduals who would decapitalize the company Local 99, the New York and New Jersey A majority of the counterdemonstrators U.S.-based PICO Products, Inc., distributed and strip it of its assets" in order to make a warehouse workers, and knitwear workers went back into the Domsey warehouse when a statement supporting the Domsey strikers. quick profit. from Local 155. Eastern Airlines and Grey­ The ESOP will place United in a poorer hound strikers came with banners, and Hai­ financial position. In order to finance the tian community groups participated. Subscribe to 'Perspectiva Mundial' buyout, the UAL employees will have to Jay Mazur, president of the ILGWU, read borrow $4.38 billion. This loan will increase a telegram from Madia Diop, a leader of the Keep the sanctions on apartheid!

Campaign under way to win readers As a reader of the Militant you are familiar with our weekly to renew 'Militant' subscriptions coverage of the struggles of working people around the BY RONI McCANN increase their long-term readership. world. Mandela dice ante millones: "I'm sick of hearing that communism has In the first few days of the campaign I 0 If you can read or are studying 'failed' in Eastern Europe. Are they attempt­ people sent in their renewals. The week be­ iMantengan las sanciones! Spanish, there is a complemen­ ·-· I ing to combine the capitalist system with a fore 25 had come in. This included a union tary monthly magazine for you: DISCURSOS socialist one? Is this even possible, let alone miner, an auto worker, and a Machinist who Perspectiva Mundial. PM is a Mandela habla recommendable? Don't they know what we signed up to keep getting the Militant and a empresarios ' sudafricanos have in the U.S. is a symptomatic failure of two farm workers who renewed their sub­ Spanish-language socialist mag­ a socio-political economic rulership by an scriptions to Perspectiva Mundial. azine that carries many of the En Luanda, . elogia el papel 1 oppressive minority? No cure for AIDS with­ Supporters in Atlanta, Georgia, got started same articles you read in the 1d e COO.., Angola out a cure for homophobia, poverty, the on the campaign July 14 and were able to set Militant. ' homeless, and drug epidemic, etc. And with up three visits for the week. In its July-August issue, PM censorship and Supreme Court attacks on In Birmingham, Alabama, Militant sup­ r -. r \ I H 1'- t '- IIH l'- offers two speeches by Nelson hu I dill I Ill I I "' 1' 1 I I '\ • ! I fl1 1 Ol \\ Pk (Uti I rights, where in the world is the democracy!" porters took a goal of winning 25 long-term 1 '- lin\ h i \ readers. They want to discuss the paper with Mandela: one given on his May I I ll I 11 1•1 1 • \ du 1 lu r • '•h ,[, lw, I 1, 11 I t-h t 'l This note from Philadelphia, written in the strikers at Greyhound, several of whom sub­ visit to Angola, and the other to space reserved for comments on a renewal scribe to the Militant, and coworkers in the South African businessmen on letter, was one of six we received from read­ steel, rail, and mine unions and urge them to the urgency of abolishing apart-:­ Subscriptions: ers who resubscribed to the Militant in the resubscribe. One-third of those who signed heid. Introductory offer: $4 for four past several days. The Militant carries news up for the paper during the recent circulation The issue includes an inter­ months; $12 for one year. and a clear analysis of the big events unfold­ drive were members of unions. ing in the world today - from the picket view with Ernie Mailhot, co­ 0 Begin iny sub with current issue. "We found last week's article. from sup­ Name ______lines at Eastern Airlines to South Africa to porters in Canada on their experiences in ordinator at New York's La Poland ~ as working people engage in organizing a renewal effort very helpful," Guardia Airport of the Machin­ struggle. And more and more readers of the said one Militant supporter in Birmingham. ists strike against Eastern Air­ Address------paper appreciate this. lines. He discusses the She explained how they want to discuss the City / State/Zip------'--­ On July 14, 2,019 readers whose subscrip­ Alabama Socialist Workers election cam­ achievements and the new op­ tions are about to expire received letters paign and the defense of Mark Curtis ·with portunities to advance the 16- Clip and mail to PM, 410 West St., New urging them to renew. Supporters of the paper readers of the paper when they talk to them month-old strike to victory. York, NY 10014. began a three-week international campaign about extending their subscriptions. "Our to call and visit subscribers to the Militant, plan is to team up and make calls to subscrib­ Perspectiva Mundial, and Lutte ouvriere and ers twice a week," she said.

July 27, 1990 The Militant 7 Latin America youth meet in Mexico Delegates from 34 groups debate economic and political policies for region

BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS tween the U.S. and Mexico," said Adrian ican and Caribbean countries and increased destroyed by the invasion, jobs, and the re­ AND ROLLANDE GIRARD Gallardo, giving tacit approval to Bush's cooperation to combat the problem of the hiring of unjustly fired workers. MEXICO CITY -More than 60 dele­ proposals. Gallardo, who is the regional co­ foreign debt. "This came at a time of a devastating gates representing 34 youth organizations ordinator of the youth section of COPPPAL, "The Bush plan will only open our economic crisis in Panama," said R6mulo from 17 countries in Latin America and the was one of the delegates of the Revolutionary countries up to more exploitation," added Castro, another member of the delegation Caribbean gathered here June 28-July 1 to from Panama. The march was called by the discuss "the challenges of the 21st century Patriotic Front, a newly formed organization facing Latin American and Caribbean that incorporates all the parties opposed to youth." the U.S. intervention. The meeting was cosponsored by the The Panamanian delegation, which in­ youth section of the Permanent Conference cluded youth representatives of the Revolu­ of Latin American Political Parties tionary Democratic Party and the Public (COPPPAL), the World F~eration of Dem­ Workers Federation, organized an evening ocratic Youth, Continental Organization of in solidarity with Panama during the confer­ Latin American Students, and the Interna­ ence. The event, attended by most delegates, tional Union of Students. included a video showing of the massive Most delegates represented social-demo­ bombing of working-class neighborhoods in cratic youth organizations. A few were affil­ Panama City by the U.S. invaders last De­ iated with Communist Parties in Latin cember. America. Delegations included organiza­ tions affiliated with the governing parties in Withdrawal of U.S. forces Argentina, Belize, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Demanding the "total and immediate and Uruguay. withdrawal of U.S. forces" from Panama, the Representatives of the Socialist Youth of final resolution included a call for a "soli­ Spain and the Young Socialist Alliance of darity action with Panama on Dec. 20, 1990," the United States also participated as dele­ the first anniversary of the U.S. invasion. gates. Dozens of observers, mostly students The resolution also supported the struggle from Mexico, attended the gathering. for independence of Puerto Rico and de­ The main themes discussed included ed­ nounced human rights violations in Guate­ Panama, December 1989. The US. invasion and continued occupation of Panama were ucation, drug addiction, democracy, and mala and El Salvador. discussed at the conference. "economic and political integration of Latin Referring to Washington's attempts toil­ American and Caribbean youth." The dele­ legally broadcast television programs to gates also debated solutions to the mounting Youth Front, affiliated with the Institutional Ronald Rosario of the Puerto Rican So­ Cuba using TV Marti, the fmal resolution problems of unemployment, illiteracy, hun- Revolutionary Party (PRI), the governing cialist Party youth. denounced "the imposition of a TV channel . ger, and homelessness facing youth in the party ofMexico. "The imperialists have no solutions to the that violates international telecommunica­ region. The Mexican government has recently debt crisis," said Argiris Malapanis of the tions agreements along with the sovereignty, begun selling state-owned companies to im­ Young Socialist Alliance from the United integrity, and self-determination" of the Debate on Bush plan perialist monopolies in an effort ~o maintain States. "Their proposals, like the recent one Cuban people. It also condemned the main­ payments on its foreign debt. by Bush, center on how best to keep interest tenance of the U.S. military base at Guan­ A sharp debate took place over the June flowing in, while minimizing risks of de­ tanamo in Cuba, and the recent U.S. military 27 proposals of U.S. President George Bush Revolutionary Youth Front members, faults that could destabilize the international maneuvers around the island. for the creation of a free-trade zone in the along with delegates of the Peronist Youth banking system." He pointed to Cuban Pres- hemisphere that would ease tariffs and other from Argentina, Democratic Action of Ven­ . ident Fidel Castro's call on Latin American trade barriers between the United States and ezuela, and others, pointed to last year's governments to cancel the Third World for­ Latin American countries. upheaval in Eastern Europe and the friendlier New York July 26 eign debt as a proposal that deserves support. Bush proposed forgiving some of the $12 relations between the U.S. and the Soviet The final conference resolution con­ billion Latin American governments owe governments as reasons to adopt a more events will celebrate Washington. Altogether, Latin American conciliatory stance towards Washington. demned the recent Bush plan, pointing out that its intention is "to absorb our precarious Cuban revolution countries owe $422 billion to foreign gov­ economies, taking our nonrenewable re­ ernments and bankers. Cuban responds sources in exchange for greater political and BY JON HILLSON The president also called for· increasing Responding to this view, Humberto economic intervention." NEW YORK - Public meetings here the pool of funds available to Latin American Ramirez of the Union of Young Communists later this month will protest Washington's Faced with opposition to including in the governments to help pay the interest on their of Cuba said, "We have only received in­ provocative acts against Cuba and express final resolution a call for cancellation of the debts to commercial banks, He suggested creased hunger, military intervention, and solidarity with the Cuban revolution. The foreign debt, the Cuban delegates proposed that the funds come from the Inter• American debt from the U.S. government. We can occasion will be the 37th anniversary of the a call for an international youth forum that Development Bank. expect nothing better from it." He called for July 26, 1953, attack on the Moncada mili­ would further discuss the question of the debt "We need stronger bilateral relations be- more trade agreements among Latin Amer- tary barracks that marked the beginning of and national sovereignty, among other is­ the Cuban revolution. sues. This was included in the resolution, "We are inviting the entire progressive which could only be adopted by consensus. Youth join int'l Curtis appeal community, the Latino community, all of U.S. intervention Cuba's friends, political activists, religious people, everyone, to reaffmn their defense MEXICO CITY - "The Mark Curtis Chile, and El Salvador." During the session on "social integration of Cuba, now more than ever," Luis Miranda and drug addiction" the discussion heated up case affects us very much because of the It also included a clause stating: "We de­ explained in an interview. number of immigrant workers from Mexico nounce the violations of human rights in the as Jairo Carillo of the New Independent Miranda is the president of Casa de las in the United States," said Antonio Garcia, United States as in the cases of Leonard Liberalism of Colombia and Abdiel Suira of Americas, a prominent pro-Cuba organiza­ a delegate from Mexico in the international Peltier, Johnny Imani Harris, Mark Curtis, the People's Revolutionary Youth of Panama tion in New York City. Casa is sponsoring a conference sponsored by the youth section Puerto Rican independence activists, and oth­ denounced U.S. military intervention carried "political-cultural event" and dance at the of COPPPAL here. ers." out under the pretext of combating drug Martin Luther King Labor Center, the head­ trafficking. "Before they used communism Mark Curtis is a unionist and political Twenty-five of those who endorsed the quarters of Local 1199 Hospital and Health activist from Des Moines, Iowa, who is serv­ to intervene; now they use the pretext ofdrug Care Employees union, 310 West 43rd Street, Cuitis case also signed the international ing a 25-year sentence on a frame-up rape trafficking," added Douglas Mazariezos of starting at 7:00 p.m. on July 2 1. youth appeal demanding justice for Curtis. and burglary conviction. the Association of University Students from The evening will also be an act of solidar­ The appeal, issued by the Mark Curtis De­ He was arrested after attending a meeting Guatemala. fense Committee; is directed towards youth ity with Casa, whose meeting hall, long a with coworkers from the Swift meat-packing The fmal resolution said, "The just fight center for activities defending the Cuban organizations and activists. It is being circu­ plant where he worked in Des Moines. The against drug trafficking has been utilized by revolution and other anti-imperialist strug­ lated around the world by members of the meeting was organized to protest the arrest the U.S. administration to cover an interven­ gles, has been kept closed by New York City Young Socialist Alliance and other youth tionist and aggressive policy" as in the cases by the Immigration and Naturalization Ser­ activists. officials since Aprill5 when it was cited for vice of 17 immigrant workers at Swift. Six­ of the "military invasion ofPanama, the naval having an out-of-date occupancy permit. teen of the workers were from Mexico and The signers included Monica Gutierrez of blockade of Colombia, the economic block­ Subsequently, buildings department rep­ one was Salvadoran. the Puerto Rican Independence Party youth; ade that Nicaragua suffered, and the illegal resentatives charged the organization with a Thirty participants at the COPPPAL con­ Juan Hernandez Morales, executive director extraditions in Mexico, among others." variety of code violations, prompting nearly ference, including 24 delegates, signed up as of the youth section of COPPPAL; Carlos The U.S. invasion and continued occupa­ three months of extensive renovation. Casa endorsers of the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ Contreras Nunez, general secretary of the tion of Panama was a big topic of discussion has yet to receive permission to reopen. mittee. Revolutionary Youth Front in Sinaloa State, at the conference. Objections from delegates The July 2 1 celebration - which will fea­ "We are very interested in this case be­ Mexico; Jose Oscar Valdes Ramirez of the of the Youth Front of the PRI to calling the ture speeches, a cultural presentation, and cause the United States says that it defends National Coordinating Committee of Mexi­ Guillermo Endara government in Panama a live music - is also a protest against "the democracy, that's why it invaded Panama," can Students; Lautaro Sandino of the San­ "puppet government" were met by outrage government and gusano [right-wing Cuban] said Joaquin Vazquez, from Panama's Rev­ dinista Youth (JS-19); Sonia Vivas of the from the Panamanian and other delegations. eiements who try to silence those who defend olutionary Democratic Party youth, in sum­ Nationalist Democratic Union Youth of El "Ago vernment sworn in on aU.S. military Cuba," Miranda said. ming up his support for Curtis. "This case Salvador; Rodrigo Herrera Bravo of the Per­ base and protected by the U.S. Army is noth­ On July 26 the U.S. Hands Off Cuba shows they are against human rights, they onist Youth from Argentina; Jorge Morales ing more than a puppet government," said Coalition, a cosponsor of the earlier event, are not for democracy. We should let the from the Federation of Panamanian Students; Eliecer Araus of the Liberal Party Youth of will host an outdoor rally in Harlem. The world know about this." Eliecer Araus, general secretary of the Liberal Panama. Araus also represented the General celebration begins at 5:00 p.m. in Marcus Repeated human rights violations against Party Youth of Panama; Fausto Liz, president Coordinating Committee of Youth in Pan­ Garvey Park, 124th Street at Fifth Avenue. youth and other working people were also ofthe Dominican Revolutionary Party Youth; ama, recently set up to coordinate actions of On July 28 the Brooklyn and New York described by delegates from Guatemala, El Leonard Duvivier, a delegate from the Na­ youth groups opposed to the U.S. occupation. Militant Labor Forums will be sponsoring Salvador, and Haiti. tional Congress of Democratic Movements The committee took part in organizing a meetings to discuss the impact, role, and The final resolution adopted by the dele­ (Konakom) of Haiti; and Martin Guillermo 25,000-strong march in Panama City on June challenges facing the Cuban revolution in the gates at the COPPPALconference demanded from the International Secretariat of the So­ 20, reported Araus. Demonstrators de­ world today. The events begin at 7:30 p.m. the. release of all political prisoners and the cialist Youth of Spain. manded the withdrawal of U.S. troops from and will be held at 191 7th Avenue, Manhat­ return of "the disappeared in Guatemala, - A.M and R.G. Panama, the rebuilding of neighborhoods tan, and at 646 Bergen Street, Brooklyn.

8 The Militant July 27, 1990 International Socialist

~e~ie~------su_P_P_~me__n_t_ro_t_he_Mm_._iUm __t ____ J_~~y--1~-- Socialists fight for right to protect privacy of campaign · contributors Letter to gov't agency cites history of cop, employer harassment of party, supporters Historic lawsuit filed in 1973 revealed decades of disruption of Socialist \\brkers Party and Young Socialist AUiance by FBI and other government agencies. Above are samples of heavily censored documents turned over to court by cops showing how SWP candidates and election campaign supporters were targeted.

Last year the Federal Election Commission took away to Socialist Workers National Campaign Committee, 406 "as minor parties usually represent definite and publicized the Socialist Workers Party's exemption from disclosing the West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. viewpoints, there may be less need to inform the voters of names of financial contributors to its election campaigns. The request to the FEC is reprinted in full below. The the interests that specific candidates represent." The SWP has been running candidates for elective office footnotes are from the original document and only citations The court, while refusing to endorse a blanket exemption since 1938. Socialist Workers campaign committees have of legal documents and exhibits have been deleted. Brack­ for all minor parties, held that particular minor parties might never divulged the names of contributors since disclosure eted material is by the Militant. present circumstances similar "to those before the Court in of these names became law in 1971. In 1974 the SWPfiled NMCP v. Alabama, ( 1958) and Bates v. Little Rock, ( 1960), a lawsuit challenging the disclosure pro_vision. A court-or­ * * * where the threat to the exercise of First Amendment rights dered consent decree permitting the exemption on disclosure Dear Sirs: is so serious and the state interest so insubstantial that the of contributors·· names was won in 1979. It was extended This is a request for an advisory opinion concerning the Act's requirements cannot be constitutionally applied," pro­ in 1985 and recipients of funds from SWP campaign com­ application of certain sections of the Federal Election Cam­ viding as an example of such a case the allegations set forth mittees were added to the disclosure exemption. The FEC paign Act of 1971, as amended, ("FECA" or "the Act") to in Doe v. Martin, (1975) (three judgf court), involving a in its decision last year took away this exemption also. the Socialist Workers Party National Campaign Committee branch of the Socialist Workers Party. The court described On July 2 attorney Edward Copeland filed with the FEC and committees supporting candidates ofthe Socialist Work­ the required showing as follows: a request on behalf of the SWP for an advisory opinion, ers Party (the "SWP"). Minor parties must be allowed sufficient flexibility in the proof asking that the right to withhold the names be restored. The SWP seeks an advisory opinion acknowledging that of injury to assure a fair consideration of their claim. The evidence Seeking an advisory opinion, which would require a majority committees supporting candidates of the Socialist Workers offered need show only a reasonable probability that the com­ vote by commission members, is the first step needed to Party continue to be entitled to the same exemptions and pelled disclosure of a party's contributors' names will subject regain the exemption. The FEC has two months to respond. other provisions of the order, judgment and decree entered them to threats, harassment, or reprisals from either Government Copeland's letter, printed below, refers to the jailing of in 1985 Socialist Workers 1974 National Campaign Com­ officials or private parties. The proof may include, for example, mittee v. Federal Election Commission. specific evidence of part or present harassment of members due SWP members under the Smith Act during World War II. to their associational ties, or of harassment directed against the In 1941, 18 members of the party were tried and convicted The failure to provide these protections would result in organization itself. A pattern of threats or specific manifestations under the Smith Act, a thought-control law adopted in 1940 an unconstitutional application under the First Amendment or public hostility may be sufficient. (Emphasis added.) that made it a crime to conspire to advocate the violent of the reporting and disclosure provisions of FECA, requir­ overthrow of the government of the United States. The 18 ing, inter alia [among other things], public disclosure of the The Buckley test was applied to the disclosure provisions SWP members were jailed in 1944 and served up to 16 names and residential addresses, occupations, and business of a state campaign reporting statute in 1982 in a case months in federal prison. addresses of contributors, political committees or candi­ involving the Socialist Workers Party. Brown v. Socialist The charges against the 18 stemmed from their involve­ dates, lenders, guarantors, endorsers, persons providing Workers '74 Campaign Committee (Ohio), (1982). In ment in the fight to organize the Teamsters Union in the rebates, refunds or other offsets to operating expenditures, Brown, the court found that · Midwest and their political opposition to World War II, a persons providing any dividend, interest, or other receipt (t)he District Court properly concluded that the evidence of conflict between competing imperialist powers. and persons to whom expenditures have been made. private and Government hostility to the SWP and its members A historic suit against the FBI and other government Continued on next page agencies, filed by the SWP and Young Socialist Alliance in Legal Framework 1973, exposed decades of illegal spying and disruption In Buckley v. Valeo, (1976), the Supreme Court recog­ l. The Martin case cited with approval by the Supreme Court aimed at the party and YSA and their members and sup­ nized that the requirements of the Federal Election Cam­ concerned the constitutionality of portions of the 1974 District of porters. In 1986 a federal court judge ruled that the paign Act as applied to minor parties and independent Columbia Campaign Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Act, government's disruption campaign was unconstitutional, candidates may be unconstitutional because of the danger requiring, inter alia, every political committee to keep records showing the name, address and place of business of contributors awarding damages to the SWP. A year later he extended of significant infringement on First Amendment rights. of $10 or more, the designation of a depository bank through that ruling to bar the government from using the information The court recognized that "the governmental interest in which the political committee will conduct all of its financial it had gathered illegally. disclosure is diminished when the contribution in question business, and the filing of publicly available reports listing the Messages calling for restoration of the exemption should is made to a minor party with little chance of winning an name, address and place of business of each contributor of $50 be sent to Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. election." As the court pointed out, the situation of minor or mOre as well as civil penalties for noncompliance. 20463. Contributtions earmarked for this fight can be sent parties is further unlike those of the major parties because In Doe, the plaintiffs asserted that the name, address and places

July 27, 1990 The Militant 9 International Socialist Revievv. ______J_u._y __•s_w __ 2

a candidate in every presidential race since 1948, and numerous other federal, state, county and municipal offices. No SWP candidate has ever been elected to public offiCP. in a partisan election and the votes recorded for the candi­ dates of the SWP remain quite small. In the three most recent presidential elections, the SWP candidates received 15,604 votes in 16 states in 1988, 24,681 votes in 24 states in 1984, and 40,105 votes in 29 states in 1980.4 The SWP has asserted its Frrst Amendment right against disclosure since the FECA was enacted and no SWP campaign com­ mittee has ever disclosed contributors' names or disclosed recipients' names since 1985. In addition to participation in election activities such as petitioning, literature distribution, speaking engagements and the like, SWP candidates have been faced with formi­ dable barriers to their appearing on ballots such as loyalty oaths and overly burdensome requirements. These barriers have resulted in substantial litigation over the years. 5 2. The Harassment and Hostility Directed At the SWP and Its Members . In view of the history of the United States over the past five decades, it is beyond dispute that the FECA cannot be ,,constitutionally ______applied to require the disclosure of__ the FEC should recognize that under. the First Amendment, SWP cannot be compelled to disclose names ••.

contributors to the campaigns of candidates of the Socialist Socialist \\brkers Party has fielded candidates since its founding in 1938. Ticket in 1946 elections in New York included Workers Party, or recipients of disbursements, particularly'' (left to right) Joseph Hansen for US. Senate, Farren Dobbs for governor, and Milt Richardson for lieutenant governor. in view of the decisions of the Supreme Court in Brown v. Socialist Workers Party '74 Campaign Committee (Ohio I (1982) and Buckley v. Valeo, (1976). Continued from previous page munist Party members to civil and criminal liability, the This history makes apparent that there is a reasonable establishes a reasonable probability that disclosing the names of minimal government interest in obtaining the information probability that disclosing the names of contributors and contributors and recipients will subject them to threats, harassment could not justify the restraint upon the Frrst Amendment recipients will subject them to threats, harassment or repri­ and reprisals. There were numerous instances of recent harassment rights of the committee and its supporters. Indeed, the court sal. It is that history which we now briefly summarize, of the SWP both in Ohio and in other States. There was also admonished the FEC that in light of this factual record, it mindful of the Supreme Court's conclusion after reviewing considerable evidence of past Government harassment. Appel­ had proceeded with an "appalling disregard for the needs part of this history in 1982 that this "hostility toward the lants challenge the relevance of this evidence of Government of the free and open political process safeguarded by the SWP is ingrained and likely to continue." harassment in light of recent efforts to curb official misconduct. First Amendment." Notwithstanding these efforts, the evidence suggests that hostility For decades the SWP and its· supporters have bee.. Subsequent to the decisions in Buckley, Brown v. Socialist toward the SWP is ingrained and likely to continue. selected out for investigation and harassment by the gov­ Workers Party '74 Campaign Committee (Ohio) and Hall­ ernment, subjected to repeated violations of their civil and The evidence leading to this controlling holding included Tyner, there have been no reported decisions raising the constitutional rights, their landlords and employers inter­ the following: constitutionality of forced disclosures under FECA. In ·1979 viewed repeatedly, their homes and offices burglarized by • threatening telephone calls and hate mail; and again in 1985, the Federal Election Commission entered government employees, their political plans, events and • the burning of SWP literature; into voluntary consent decrees which acknowledged that relations affirmatively disrupted by government employees, • the destruction of SWP members' property; ,, ______their telephones and offices tapped and bugged, their files • police harassment of a party candidate; stolen and their ranks infiltrated by government informer. • the firing of shots at an SWP office; No SWP campaign committee This governmental and private animus was intended to, and • job firings of SWP members; did, interfere with individuals' lives and employment and • a past history of government harassment including has ever disclosed contributors' continues in the form of harassment and violence directed massive surveillance, and the conduct of a counterintelli­ names or recipients' names ••. at the SWP, its candidates and supporters. gence program against the SWP by the FBI; ______,, Beginning in 1941, the Federal Bureau of Investigation • the extensive use of infonners for the FBI against the began a generalized investigation of the SWP which was to SWP; last for at least the next 35 years. Socialist Workers Party • the maintenance of massive files by the government the SWP was exempt under the First Amendment from disclosure under FECA. See Stipulation of Settlement, filed v. Anorney General, (1986).6 The investigation began i· on the SWP. Jan. 3, 1979, and Stipulation of Settlement, filed July 24, roughly the same time period that 18 members of the SWP Prior to the Brown decision, the United States Court of were prosecuted and convicted for conspiring to advocate Appeals for the Second Circuit held that a campaign com­ 1985, in Socialist Workers 1974 National Campaign Com­ mittee v. Federal Election Commission.2 the violent overthrow of the government under the Smith mittee of the Communist Party could not be required to Act. Dunne v. United States, (1943), cert. denied, 320 U.S. In a series of decisions beginning in 1974 and continuing comply with the disclosure and record-keeping provisions 790 (1943). through last year concerning state law disclosure require- of FECA under the First Amendment In Federal Election In the course of its investigation, the FBI amassed over Commission v. Hall-Tyner Election Campaign Comminee, . ments, the SWP has been exempted from reporting require­ ments in Aorida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Wash­ 8 million documents. Between the years 1960 and 1976, (1982), cert. denied, (1983), the court considered the appli­ the FBI employed approximately 1,300 informers, of whoP" ington, the District of Columbia, and Illinois. See, e.g., 1980 cation of FECA to the campaign committee for the presi­ approximately 300 became or were members of the SW}; Illinois Socialist Workers Campaign v. State ofIllinois Board dential and vice-presidential candidates of the Communist paying over $1.6 million to the informers alone. 'The in­ ofElection, (1982); Wisconsin Socialist Workers 1976 Cam­ Party. In holding that this campaign committee could not formers routinely and regularly reported upon the lawful be compelled, consistent with the Frrst Amendment, to paign Comminee v. McCann; Doe v. Martin, (1975); In Re Manual No. AE 77,005 (California Fair Political Practices comply with the FECA's disclosure and record-keeping 4. In the 1988 senatorial elections, SWP candidates received provision, the court stated: Commission, March 1977); Socialist Workers 1974 Wash­ 11,239 votes in New York, 5,192 votes in New Jersey, 4,821 votes ington State Campaign v. Washington Public Disclosure in Michigan, 3,105 votes in Minnesota, 3,026 votes in Wisconsin (W)e note that Buckley did not impose unduly strict or bur­ Commission, (April, 1977); In the Maner of Minnesota and 1,233 votes in Utah. densome requirements on the minority group seeking constitu­ Socialist Workers 1974 Campaign Comminee Request for 5. These cases .include: [West Vtrginia] Socialist Worke. tional exemption. A minority party striving to avoid FECA's Exemption, (Minn. State Ethics Comm., October, 1974).3 disclosure provisions does not carry a burden of demonstrating Party v. Hechler, (1989), cert. denied, (1990); Munro v. Socialist that harassment will certainly follow compelled disclosure of Last year, the United States District Court for the Southern Workers Party, [Washington] (1986) (upholding requirement that contributors names. Indeed, when Frrst Amendment rights are at District of Florida held that election laws requiring disclo­ minor-party candidate receive at least I percent of all votes cast stake and the spectre of significant chill exists, courts have never sure of contributions or recipients were unconstitutional as in primary before candidate's name placed on general election required such a heavy burden to be carried because '"First applied to individuals associated with, or seeking to asso­ ballot); Illinois State Board ofElections v. Socialist Workers Party, Amendment freedoms need breathing space to survive."' Keyish­ ciate with, the SWP and a campaign committee supporting (1979) (challenge to petitioning requirements); Jenness v. Fortson, [Georgia] ( 1971) (challenge to petitioning requirements); Socialist ian v. Board ofRegents, (1967), quoting NAACP v. Button(1963). an SWP candidate. The evidence there showed that "com­ Workers Party v. Hardy, [Louisiana] (1979) (challenge to loyalty Breathing space is especially important in a historical context of pliance with the challenged provisions would subject the harassment based on political belief. oath for candidate); Socialist Workers Party v. March Fong E, plaintiffs to threats, harassment and reprisals from private 1California] (1978), cert. denied (1979) (challenge to ballot re­ The court then found that based upon "the treatment persons. This evidence completely satisfies the Supreme quirements); Socialist Workers Party v. Hill, [Texas] (1973) (chal­ historically accorded persons identified with the Communist Court's test. ..." McArthur v. Smith, (1989). lenge to loyalty oath); Socialist Workers Party v. Davoren [Mas­ Party" and a survey of statutes purporting to subject Com- sachusetts] (1974 )(challenge to petitioning requirements); Baird Factual Background v. Davoren. [Massachusetts] ( 1972) (challenge to ballot require­ ments); Jennes v. Miller, [Aorida] (1972) (challenge to filing of employment of those supporting the SWP "will be noted by I. Facts with Respect to the SWP fee); Socialist Workers Party ofIllinois v. Ogilvie, [lllinois] (1972) the FBI and others and that inquiries or other detrimental social The SWP has consistently nominated and run candidates (challenge to age requirements); Socialist Workers Party v. Welch, pressures will ensue affecting employment and privacy." The [Texas] (1971) (challenge to property requirements and registr. court had before it affidavits showing that party members had for elective office since it was founded in 1938 and has had tion fee for candidates); Socialist Workers Party v. Rockefeller, been harassed by government agencies and private employers and [New York] (1970) (challenge to petitioning requirements); So­ the findings of the Minnesota Ethics Commission exempting the 2. Various materials reflecting incidents of harassment and cialist Workers Party v. Hare, [Michigan] (1969) (challenge to Minnesota Socialist Workers 1974 Campaign Committee from violence were submitted to the FEC in connection with that case. petitioning requirements); Jenness v. Little, [Georgia] (1969), the disclosure requirements of the Minnesota Ethics in Govern­ 3. One court refused to grant the SWP an exemption. Oregon appeal dismissed, (1970) (challenge to filing); Socialist Workers ment Act of 1974. Socialist Workers 1974 Campaign Committee v. Paulus, (1977). Party v. Secretary of State, [Michigan] (1982).

10 The Militant July 27,1990 July ISR/3

political activities, discussions, and debates of the SWP as SWP was a basis for inclusion on these lists. Aside from the government or private individuals. well as reported the names, addresses, descriptions and the designation itself and the potential for detention of the Lest there be any question that this general and specific '\laces of employment of members and their families. The individual, the fact of listing led to interviews of the hostility which has been part of national policy for decades mformers reported, again on a regular basis, a host of individuals' landlords and employers which, at least until has continued, we briefly address some of the manifestations personal information including information on marital or 1971, were conducted every 45 days. of this hostility in just the last few years. cohabitational status, marital strife, health, travel plans and Beginning in 1948, the SWP was included on the attorney As recently as 1987, in opposing a prohibition on the use personal habits.? general's list of organizations designated pursuant to Exec­ of information obtained illegally by the FBI, the federal The SWP was also the subject of the counterintelligence utive Order 9835 establishing the Employee Loyalty Pro­ government asserted an interest in and need to know and programs implemented by the FBI over a period of at least gram for certain employees of the executive branch of the record the names of members and individuals associated 25 years. The avowed purpose of the program was to disrupt government 10 Under the program, an employmentappli­ with the SWP. See Socialist Workers Party v. Anorney "the SWP on a national, as well as local level." Socialist cation by a member of a listed organization was subjected General ( 1987). The government asserted its needs because, .Vorkers Party v. Attorney General. to a full field investigation by the FBI, questioned concern- in its words, "it was -and is -reasonable for the FBI and Under the Cointelpro Program directed specifically at the · other agencies of the Government to believe that the SWP SWP,8 at least 46 specific disruption operations were con­ ,,~------­ and its members have a revolutionary ideology whose goal ducted by the FBI. The disruption included, among other History makes it apparent is the violent ·overthrow of our democratic processes and activities,9 attempts to embarrass SWP candidates, cause form of government" the arrest of candidates, foment racial strife within the SWP it is probable that disclosing In the government's view, this "revolutionary ideolo­ and between the SWP and other groups, and cause strife names will result in threats, gy ... poses a threat to the fundamental interest of self­ between SWP supporters and others in a variety of political preservation," and the information on members was still Jovements and coalitions. ______harassment, or reprisal ••• ,, essential to the government's loyalty-security program. For a period of approximately 20 years the FBI conducted Representatives of various government agencies ex­ warrantless electronic surveillance of the SWP, the conven­ pressed their intent to use such information, and their tions and National Committee meetings of the SWP, the ing his or her loyalty and this fact was used to determine fundamental antagonism toward the SWP, in clear terms. lx>me telephones of a number of leaders, the office of one whether to hire the individual. II For example, the Office of Personnel Management argued leader and the hotel rooms of other leaders. In total, elec­ Even after the attorney general's list was terminated in that such "information [is] important because these mgani­ tronic surveillance was conducted for 32,000 days. The 1974, the FBI continued to report an individual's member­ zations in the.past were opposed to our form of Government electronic eavesdropping resulted in the collection of all ship in the SWP. In later years, the FBI is prepared to describe and the national interest" Declaration of Gary B. Daniel. 'lanner of information on political matters as well as a host the SWP as follows: The Department of State asserted its need for access to of information on more personal matters. The SWP is a revolutionary, Trotskyist-communist organiza­ these files because of a need for information about, in its In the same time period, the FBI conducted at least 204 tion which has as its purpose the overthrow of the U.S. Govern­ representative's words, "interaction with a group advancing black bag jobs, i.e., burglaries of the offices of the SWP. ment and the institution of a dictatorship of the working class and a hostile ideology" for security clearances, and "information These burglaries were, of course, not the only means by the eventual achievement of a communist society. about any hostile organization wtrlch has consistently posed which the government obtained documents; the informers The FBI ceased investigating the YSNSWP in September a threat to free governments.... " Declaration of Roger H. regularly provided documents to the FBI and indeed them­ 1976, pursuant to the Attorney General's Guidelinesfor Domestic Robinson. selves stole documents which were then given to the FBI. Security Investigations. Therefore, receipt of an allegation that an The Immigration and Naturalization Service claimed a From 1940 until at least 1976, the FBI maintained lists individual is a member of the YSNSWP would no longer warrant an FBI investigation.l2 need to know the identities of SWP supporters in order to of the names, addresses, and employers of SWP members enforce laws. making an individual who advocates world - variously identified on the Custodial Detention List, the It is, of course, against this extensive background of communism or the establishment of totalitarian dictatorship Security Index and the Administrative Index -which tar­ government harassment that any application of FECA deportable from this country, excludable from this country geted individuals for detention in the event of a "national must be gauged. Standing alone this background pro­ or ineligible for naturalization. Declaration of Edwin W. emergency." vides an overwhelming basis for nondisclosure under Dornell.l3 See also Declaration of Thomas J. O'Brien The purpose of these lists was to identify those individuals FECA. Indeed, as· noted earlier, the history of political explaining need for access to FBI files on the SWP because ''considered by the FBI to be ... potentially dangerous to life in this country over the last five decades makes clear they "may serve to corroborate or establish an affiliation the public safety and the internal security of the United that persons associated with the SWP are reasonably with" an organization "characterized by Executive Order ...rates." From at least 1946 until 1976, membership in the probable to be the subject of harassment or threats from l 0450" for the purposes of investigations of members of the armed services, civilian employees and employees in industry by the.Defense Investigative Service. In ordering that illegally obtained information in the files amassed by the FBI not be made public or used in any way, 14 the court specifically includedin its order a presump­ tion that the identities of "members" of the SWP were presumed to be protected from disclosure precisely because such information was not made public by the SWP and the individuals and precisely because such information was a primary goal of the extensive use of informers outlined previously. These assertions of need and pronouncements of intended uses, make clear that, at least in the government's view, membership in and association with the SWP still provide a basis for harassment on the job, investigation and other deleterious impacts. IS Indeed, where the government char­ acterizes the SWP as a "hostile organization which has consistently posed a threat to free governments," the rea­ sonable probability of negative consequences from disclo­ sure is readily apparent An equally open indicator of the reasonable probability of harassment is reflected in an article published in the Militant/Holbrook Mahn Midlands Business Journal of April21-27, 1989. The article Meat-packerBobLangemeier(above)was promotes a security fmn 's services in connection with labor rmgered by priwte cops for participation disputes and urges the companies to "screen" their employ­ in union rallies and Iowa Militant Labor ees. The services offered include access to an "extensive Forum. He was part of mid-1980s data base and information index on violent domestic orga­ ragbtback in packinghouses in Midwest. At nizations and communist and Marxist groups ... " includ­ left, 1987 march for strikers at Patrick ing both names and photographs. Militant/Jesse Smith Cudahy slaughterhouse in W'ISCOmin. The security fmn identified as an example of the problems Continued on next page

6. The facts concerning the government's generalized inves­ Political Freedom (3rd edition, 1988). 13. There are numerous statutes in addition to these immigra­ tigation of the Socialist Workers Party are drawn from this decision 10. E,O. 9835 provided that in determining loyalty to the tion provisions which place supporters of the SWP in danger of unless otherwise noted. In 1976, over the objections of the FBI, government, one of the factors to be considered was an legal sanctions or harassment if their associations were made the Attorney General ostensibly terminated the gerieralized do­ individual's membership in an organization designated by the public. In addition to the Smith Act, there is a host of other mestic security investigation of the SWP. In doing so, he specif­ attorney general "as totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, legislation which potentially expose individuals to civil and ically left open the possibility of reopening the investigation in or as having adopted a policy of advocating or approving the criminal sanctions. See discussion in FEC v. Hall-Tyner Election the future, instructing that information concerning an asserted link commission of acts of force or violence to deny others their rights Campaign Committee, and statutes surveyed in Appendix to Brief between the SWP and a foreign-based political group "should be under the Constitution of the United States, or as seeking to alter of Defendants-Appellee flied in that case. 1refully watched" and that the emergence of "new facts on the form of government of the United States by unconstitutional 14. The order provided that the information could not be used circumstances" may "justify investigation" and "a reconsideration means." except pursuant to a court order or in response to a Freedom of would be in order." Executive Order 9835 was subsequently amended by Execu­ Information Act. Of course, FOIA itself provides privacy protec­ 7. Annexed as Exhibit A hereto is the Report of the Special tive Order 10241 and superceded by Executive Order 10450 so tion. Mas.ter in the litigation against the attorney general, the Honorable as to include all government civilian employees. The attorney 15. The potential negative impacts of even a minor association Charles D. Breitel. This report was prepared at the direction of general continued to maintain his list including the SWP with the SWP continue as is illustrated in Clark v. Library of the district court on the basis of a review of 18 infonner files throughout these changes. Congress, (1984). There, a relatively low level employee of the which served as a representative summary of the total of 1,300 11. There have been a number of instances in which the fact Library of Congress was subjected to a full investigation by the informer files amassed between 1960 and 1976. of the individual's association with the SWP affected his or her FBI and apparently refused promotions to numerous low level 8. The SWP was also targeted for disruption under the auspices employment. positions based on the individual having attended several meetings of the Cointel pro Programs directed against the Communist Party 12. In 1986, after 13 years of litigation, the SWP received a of the Young Socialist Alliance (a group supportive of the SWP) and the "New Left." damages award for the violations of its rights against the United and his name appearing on a mailing list of that group. Moreover, 9. An overview of the disruption activities is set forth in States for the acts of the FBI ~ burglarizing its premises, con­ as the district court indicated in Socialist Workers Party v. Attorney Socialist Workers Party v. Attorney General. A more detailed ducting affrrmative disruption operations against it, and employ­ General, there may be situations in which the fact of association description of many of the disruption activities can be found in ing informers to report on the SWP, its members, meetings and with the SWP would be the subject of inquiry in a loyalty-security Nelson Blackstock, COINTELPRO: The FBI's Secret War on activities. investigation in connection with employment.

July 27, 19_90 The Militant 11 International Socialist Revie~~------Ju~•Y___ Is __ w4

' Continued from previous page officers to remove a campaign literature table in 1988 in the finn addresses the "local union involved in the strike Charleston, West Virginia. with the police telling the can­ against Honnel (which) was absolutely infiltrated by the didate, "I don't like what you have on your table and I order Socialist Workers Party, which is largely Marxist/Leninist," you to take it down." A week later, the candidate returned and claimed that in another case purportedly. involving arid was again ordered to remove the table under threat of "sabotage of products," they checked their index and found arrest. several names of people "involved ... with the Socialist A number of individuals have been arrested for distrib­ Workers Party." uting such literature and convicted for connected offenses.I9 An employee of the same company testified at a hearing In February 1989 a contribution form was returned tothe over the firing of a meat-packer by Geo. A. Hormel & Co. SWP in an official Minneapolis Police Department envelope in Fremont, Nebraska. The individual [Bob Langemeier] with "Bullshit" stamped on the form. And in 1987 the was ftred. for among other reasons, speaking at a meeting University of Houston revoked the YSA's campus organi­ in Des Moines, Iowa, sponsored by the Militant, a socialist zation status after a literature table was opened on the newsweekly, on the labor battle against Hormel in Austin, campus. Minnesota. The employee admitted that he had videotaped a rally in support of the union. At-the same hearing, another In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1987, armeKarl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and other The Teamster Series leaders of the Communist International, Fidel Castro, Emesto Che Guevara and Malcolm X. by Farrell Dobbs One newspaper denounced the mural as a "celebration Socialism on Trial Fight to build the union in of totalitarianism" and questioned whether ... it's appro­ by James P. Cannon the Midwest and how the priate to inflict such a mural on the sensibilities of ordinary Record of trial of 18 leaders government and labor bu­ New Yorkers" under the headline "Offthe wall- and that's of SWP charged under the reaucracy collaborated to where it belongs." New York Post, Nov. 19, 1989. Another wrest power from union suggested that the words "R.I.P." and "never again" be added Smith Act to the mural in the course of an editorial denouncing it. The $14.95, 184 pp. ranks Daily News, Nov. 19, 1989. Teamster Rebellion Shortly after the telephone calls, the mural on the building Workers' Rights versus $14.95, 192 pp. was defaced with paint thrown in bottles bearing swasti­ the Secret Police Teamster Power kas.J7 by Larry Seigle $16.95, 255 pp. In Miami, Aorida, over the past I 0 years, there have been $2.50, 48 pp. Teamster Politics a series of fire bombings, threats and harassment of indi- $16.95, 256 pp. 16. In March 1989, the plate glass windows of the SWPoffice Teamster Bureaucracy in Omaha, Nebraska were broken by bricks thrown through the $17.95, 304 pp. windows. Similar incidents have occurred over the years. See, e.g., Exhibit MM (brick thrown through window of campaign office).' Available from: Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014 • 47 The Cut, London, SE1 SLL England • 19 Terry St., Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia • 6566, boul. St-Laurent, Montreal, 17. There have been a number of other incidents of violence and attempted intimidation over the years. See, e.g., Exhibit NN Quebec, H2S 3C6, Canada • Klapparstig 26, 2nd floor, 121 Reykjavik, Iceland • 157a Symonds (shot fired into campaign headquarters), Exhibit W (crowd chang­ Street, Auckland. New Zealand • Vikingagatan 10, S-113 42, Stockholm, Sweden. Add $1 per book ing "Kill Communists" and "Communists out of San Jose" outside for postage and handling. SWP offices forcing evacuation of offices).

12 The Militant July 27, 1990 AIDS spread in the U.S. a shift that spells disaster for the poor

BY PETER THIERJUNG mostly in the Black and The pattern and spread of AIDS is shifting Latino communities. in the United States. Some signs are heart­ The rampant spread of AIDS among intravenous ening, but most portend a disaster for grow­ Impact Visuals/Ansen Hom drug users coincided with a ing numbers in the most impoverished and AIDS is now the leading factor in the growing gap in life expectancy between Blacks and whites. It is sharp rise since 1987 in the oppressed sections of society. the top killer of Black women between 15 and 44. Drug treatments such as AZf, which delay incidence of syphilis and a or inhibit the onset of full-blown AIDS once form of gonorrhea resistant a person is infected with the AIDS virus, have to penicillin and with a deterioration in med­ and are false. It is only transmitted under increase from a similar survey a year earlier. been available since 1987: they have contrib­ ical care in the poorest communities. Re­ specific conditions and by specific practices, In New Jersey, which has the highest rate uted to a sharp decline, up to 36 percent fewer ported cases of syphilis in the United States and solely by blood or semen. Some examples of AIDS after New York, nearly one of 10 than expected, in the number of reported are at a 40-year high. This rise of venereal of the way the AIDS virus is transmitted are: AIDS patients contracted the syndrome cases of AIDS among gay men, a study disease has hit Blacks, Latinos, and immi­ • Using hypodermic needles contami­ through vaginal intercourse, twice the rate in published in The Journal of AIDS reported. grants from semicolonial countries hardest. nated with AIDS-infected blood to inject the rest of the United States. The number of Among infected gay men in New York, .It also intersected with the proliferation of intravenous drugs. cases of penicillin-resistant gonorrhea in San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the decline crack in the later 1980s. Crack is a highly • Engaging in anal intercourse with in­ New Jersey rose to 2,787last year from 717 has been even greater- as much as 72 per­ addictive form of cocaine. It is smoked, not fected partners. Repeated penetration of the in 1987. The number of syphilis patients cent fewer reported cases than projected for injected intravenously. And because the drug anus often causes tears in the rectal lining, jumped to 1,507 in 1989 from 748 in 1987. the last six months of 1988. is relatively cheap, it is an easy lure to youth. which has many blood vessels near the sur­ Newark, New Jersey's largest city and largely The rate of infection with the AIDS virus The rise of crack use has spurred pros­ face. The chance of semen-to-blood or blood­ Black, ranks fifth in the country in the total over the last five years also dropped five-fold titution among some of these users - for to-blood transmission of the AIDS virus number of AIDS cases. among gay men. The dramatic decline re­ money to buy the drug or in exchange for during anal intercourse is thus very high. The impact of AIDS on the Black com­ flects changes in sexual behavior, particu- the drug itself. The prostitution has in tum • Transmitting AIDS during vaginal in­ munity is reflected in AIDS being the leading helped feed the increase of venereal dis­ tercourse is much more difficult. The walls factor in the growing gap in life expectancy ease, and crack houses, where the drug is of the vagina are thick and the skin is not between Blacks and whites. . Drugs like AZT have sold and used, have served to amplify this normally broken during sexual intercourse. In New York 1988 figures show more trend. AIDS has, therefore, not spread indiscrimi­ Blacks, 1,098 males and 330 females, died contributed to a sharp The convergence of these factors appears nately among heterosexuals or women. The from AIDS than any other category of the decline in AIDS cases. to be giving rise to a fourth wave in the spread exception is when sores on the genitals syndrome's fatalities. AIDS is now the lead­ of AIDS as the 1990s open. While only about caused by venereal disease are involved. ing killer of Black women between 15 and 5 percent of all full-fledged AIDS cases in Venereal diseases, such as syphilis, gon­ 44 years old in New York and New Jersey. larly the widespread abandonment of anal the country have been attributed to vaginal orrhea, ·herpes, and chlamydia, cause open This represents a change from earlier stages intercourse with multiple partners, which has intercourse, AIDS is now spreading more of the epidemic when white gay males ac­ been a leading cause of infection in this quickly this way than any other. counted for most AIDS deaths in New York. section of the population. The Federal Centers for Disease Control AIDS has not spread The New York State Health Department's Intensive educational programs organized reports that from 1988 to 1989, cases of AIDS indiscriminately as 1988 figures showed that the rate ofinfection by peer groups and organizations have been contracted through vaginal intercourse with the AIDS virus was higher among centrally responsible for this change, partic­ jumped 36 percent nationally. Exposure predicted by many people. Blacks and Latinos than any other section of ularly among white middle-class gay men in through vaginal intercourse, which ac­ the population. urban centers. counted for 13 percent offemale AIDS cases lesions in the genital area and increase the Black women giving birth and their infants Struggles in some cities by gay rights in 1983, accounted for 30 percent of cases chance of getting infected with the AIDS were 13 times more likely to have the AIDS activists to confront commercial sex estab­ diagnosed in women last year. virus because they provide a route for an virus than white women giving birth. The lishments - primarily bathhouses where Recent research in New York city clinics infected partner's blood or semen directly ratios were one of every 57 Black mothers, anonymous high-risk sex practices were ram­ show a change in female-to-male transmis­ into the other's bloodstream. compared with one of every 781 white moth­ pant among a layer of gay men in the '70s sion, uncommon earlier in the spread of Researchers of the National Institute of ers. and early '80s-also helped shift the tide. AIDS. In couples in which one partner was Allergy and Infectious Diseases studied Statistics prepared by the California State The progress in altering the spread of an IV drug user and the other was not, the 4,863 patients in two clinics in Baltimore that Health Department in 1989 showed that AIDS among gay men, however, may be in transmission of AIDS is about equal from treat sexually transmitted diseases. Among AIDS is spreading more swiftly among jeopardy. For example, in Chicago the infec­ men to women and women to men, with 10 heterosexuals who denied using intravenous Blacks in that state than any other part of the tion growth rate of 1 percent in 1988 doubled to 13 percent becoming infected. drugs, those who had syphilis were seven to population. in 1989 to 2 percent. Nationally an infection In some parts of the United States this tum nine times more likely to have AIDS than Among Blacks anft Latinos that have died rate of 1 to 2 percent affects an estimated is beginning to resemble the pattern of AIDS other patients at the clinics. from AIDS in New York, Puerto Rican mi­ 50,000 to 200,000 gay men annually. transmission in Central and East Africa. The For clinic patients under 25 years old, grants have the greatest male AIDS mortality Relapses to unsafe sex practices and the common features include a high rate of un­ researchers found 72 percent of the women rate - 362 per 100,000, compared to 267 failure of AIDS education programs to reach treated venereal diseases, a more even spread infected with the AIDS virus in 1988 and 46 for Blacks, or 217 for other Latinos. Puerto gay men who are Black and Latino and gay of the syndrome -hitting men and women percent of the men denied engaging in any Rico, the U.S. colony in the Caribbean, has men in their teens and early 20s are blamed in equal numbers, poverty which breeds poor activity other than heterosexual sex that a rate of new AIDS cases three times the for the rise. health, and the lack of adequate medical care. would put them at risk for AIDS·, a sharp national average of the United States. More than 136,000 cases of AIDS have This shift is not the indiscriminate spread been recorded in the United States since 1981 of AIDS to the population at large predicted and 83,000 have died. Gay men, who com­ by many people a few years ago. Its param­ prise the majority of AIDS fatalities, account eters are limited by the way the AIDS virus Acquired immune deficiency syndrome for more than 60 percent of those cases. is spread and by social conditions in the Among intravenous drug users, a group better-off sections of society. AIDS, the acquired immune deficien­ tion with HN and the progressive weak­ that is predominantly made up ofpoor Blacks The AIDS virus has proven to be fragile cy syndrome, is a series of health prob­ ening of the immune system to the point and Latinos who do not have access to the and dies quickly outside the body. lems, not a disease. It is primarily caused of AIDS, can be up to 12 years. life-saving drugs, AIDS is on the rise. In Unlike influenza or tuberculosis, it is not by the human immunodeficiency virus, It seems likely that a number of"co-fac­ 1988, 9,709 cases were reported; 10,108 spread by coughs and sneezes; unlike malaria or HIV, that attacks a person's immune tors" - other infections, use of drugs, cases were reported in 1989, a 4 percent or plague, it is not carried by insects; unlike system and damages their ability to fight malnutrition -have an impact on the pro­ increase. Tens of thousands of IV drug users cholera, it is not carried in contaminated food disease. gression of mv infection to full-blown have the AIDS virus. or water; unlike smallpox, it can not be Without a functioning immune system, AIDS. As a result, a growing number of This surge has potentially devastating im­ passed by casual skin contact; and unlike the person becomes vulnerable to a legion AIDS scientists and doctors consider that plications. AIDS is now growing most rap­ venereal diseases, it does not thrive in bodily of viral infections, parasites, fungi, and HN infection requires treatment to inhibit idly among heterosexual sex partners of N fluids other than blood and semen, or enter cancers, including ones that would rarely or delay the onset of AIDS. drug users and there are signs that it is moving the body through mucous membranes. There cause illnesses in a person with a healthy Every person who is infected with HN into layers of the population that overlap is no substantial evidence that AIDS can be immune system. Eventually the onslaught can infect other people even if they them­ socially with these groups. passed through vaginal secretions, saliva, kills a person. selves appear to be healthy. And short of In the United States, AIDS spread in three tears, or mucous. A 1988 report by the U.S. National finding a way to kill the virus, they will waves over the last decade. The syndrome It can only be transmitted through an in­ Academy of Sciences states that, over remain infectious for the rest of their lives. first appeared in large numbers at the begin­ fected person's blood or semen making direct time, a growing portion of people infected There is no cure for AIDS, and there is ning of the decade among a layer of gay men. contact with the bloodstream of a person not with IDV go on to develop AIDS in the no vaccine. By the middle of the decade AIDS struck infected. absence of effective therapies to slow or According to the World Health Organi­ hemophiliacs, who contracted the disease Statements that AIDS is passed through halt the progression of the infection. The zation, 700,000 people worldwide have through contaminated blood products. It later "sexual intercourse" or "sexual contact" or incubation period, the time between infec- AIDS and 5 million are infected with IDV. spread widely among intravenous drug users, "exchange of bodily fluids" are misleading

July 27, 1990 The Militant 13 Imperialism has suffered a defeat in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union

The following is the first in a series of ing from the upheavals in Eastern and Central was forced to back down and demobilize the far less formidable than just a few months articles based on a report adopted by the Europe over the past year. An example of bulk of its armed forces. ago. Imperialist interests can now no longer ·June session of the 35th National Conven­ their concern was reflected in the following When the U.S. rulers attempted a hot war be easily hidden behind those of the bureau­ tion of the Socialist \\brkers Party. It has exchange at a joint news conference in Feb­ in Korea in 1950-53 in order to restore cracy. been edited to take into account events ruary by President Bush and West German capitalism in the Democratic People's Re­ The Stalinist regimes in Eastern Europe since the convention that illustrate some Chancellor Helmut Kohl. public ofKoreaand strike a blow at the Soviet and the Soviet Union do not govern in the of the main political themes of the report. Reporter: "Who is the enemy these days? Union and China, they failed. They were interests of the worldng masses and are in­ Would one purpose of ... keeping NATO fought to a stalemate in Korea. In fact, the capable of doing so. Nor are they neutral BY JAMES HARRIS intact and keeping U.S. troops within NATO war ·led to the deepening of the Chinese governing bodies that stand above class in­ World capitalism has suffered a historic in Germany· be to ... keep the Germans revolution. terests. The regimes and the parties they defeat in Eastern Europe and the Soviet down?" In 1949 the USSR successfully tested its utilize reflect the class interests of the petty­ Union. Despite decades of bureaucratic mis­ Bush: "The enemy is unpredictability, the first nuclear bomb, which made the use of bourgeois castes that stand above the workers rule the nationalized property relations in enemy is instability.... Who out here was nuclear weapons by Washington a far more and farmers and oppress them. They are an these countries, where capitalist political rule smart enough to predict for fact certain the dangerous proposition. This took another key obstacle to any movement toward socialism. and economic domination were overturned, changes that have taken place any time in the element away from the U.S. imperialists in The caste is a massive, petty-bourgeois have survived. This conquest by worldng last year? ... The Soviet Union is engaged their plan to establish the "American cen­ social layer numbering in the tens of millions people has proven to be stronger than the in dramatic change, but nobody can predict tury," as they claimed during World War ll in the countries where capitalist rule was counterrevolutionary Stalinist regimes. The for fact certain what will come. And so what that they were about to do. Nuclear blackmail overturned. They are not workers nor are they blows being struck by the toiling masses of we have to do is use our good offices and could now no longer be as effective. capitalists. Their social base comes from their Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union against our alignment with NATO to help with sta­ Also during and after the war, the rise of parasitic relationship to state property.·Their Communist Party domination in these coun­ bility." national liberation movements led to the dominant social position allows them to rake tries and for more elbow room to politically Kohl answered in the same vein: "We must break from colonial domination and estab­ off and consume a huge portion of the na­ discuss and organize are advances that help do everything possible in order to avoid lishment of independent countries by mil­ tional income- wealth produced by work­ workers and farmers everywhere. destabilization in Europe, in particular in lions formerly ruled from Washington, ers and farmers. Exposing the governing regimes in East­ Eastern Europe. I will do whatever I can to Tokyo, or the European capitals. They separate themselves more and more em Europe and the Soviet Union as obstacles respond to that aim. As a matter of fact, I do The "American century" never came into from the basic conditions of the working to political freedom and classes. They have better food, medical care, economic development methods of birth control, and education; sum­ helps clear the way for m~r houses, and privileged access to recre­ working people in these ation, entertainment, and travel. countries to break out of the The conditions of life of the caste make it cocoon of political isolation a transmission belt for ideas, values, and they were driven into. It practices that are antisocialist and reaction­ means they are in a stronger ary. They have the least reason or inclination position to defend their to extend the revolution or fight to establish rights, class interests, and socialism. And they are the-frrst to reflect the past economic and social pressures from imperialism and to seek com­ conquests. They are on a promise with it. better footing to link their The values held by the caste are bourgeois struggles with those of values: fear and loathing of the working workers and farmers around masses, class elitism, racism, national chau­ the world. vinism, and anti-Semitism; reactionary views Contrary to public opin­ on women and the family; and fear of unfet­ ion fostered by the capitalist tered scientific experimentation and debate. ruling classes, world impe­ They are bureaucratic in relation to the arts rialism is not getting a sec­ · and artistic creation. They are anti-interna­ ond wind as a result of the tionalist. blows being struck against Stalinism. The opposite is In the name of communism the case. The greatest blow This layer has tied the hands of the work­ is being dealt to imperial­ ing classes, stole from 'it, lied to it, depoliti­ ism. cized it, dissipated its energies and sealed it The truth, however, does off from its allies around the world. And one not stop the ruling classes of their worst crimes is that they have done from proclaiming them­ all this in the name of communism. selves the victors in the Cold In many ways the toilers in the Soviet War. They claim that com­ "Get us home," demanded 20,000 Gis in Manila, the Philippines, January 1946. W:tshington was Union and Eastern Europe had been frozen munism is dead and that the blocked from conducting a hot war in the immediate aftermath of \\brld W.r D by the refusal of US. out of history for decades. They had been ''free market" has won out. Gls to stay in the Far East or Europe. frozen out of contact and interaction with the All that remains is for cap­ makers ofhistory -the workers and farmers italism to pick up the spoils. of the world. The alleged victors, however, do not seem not only agree with the president on this but being. The imperialists emerged from the war They have not even experienced the im­ to be willing or able to pick up their prizes also with General Secretary Gorbachev." with too many restrictions on their use of migration from the Third World that working or even to be capable of explaining exactly The imperialist rulers view what is hap­ military power to establish their objectives. people in the imperialist countries have. Ex­ what it is they have won. This is because they pening as dangerous and unpredictable. But Neither Washington nor its drastically weak­ cept for the Soviet Union - where there is have not won anything. they are helpless to stop these developments ened European allies could use military force some labor exchange between the European 1be capitalist ruling classes the world or to channel them into a more favorable to restore capitalism to Eastern Europe, the and Asian republics - workers in Eastern over, in fact, have less influe~ and control direction for themselves. They have little Soviet Union, and the other countries where and Central Europe have largely not had the over the course of international events than leverage and no ideas about where to begin. it had been abolished. chance to work side by side with workers at any time since the end of World Wai ll. Moreover, the continued weakening of They were reduced during the Cold War from other parts of the world. Summit meetings between Washington and U.S. capitalism's economic power relative to to attempting to contain any extension of the They are not allowed to travel freely, even Moscow have less weight in world politics Germany and Japan, as inter"imperialist ri­ revolutionary overturn of imperialist domi­ in their own countries, much less abroad. than ever before. Washington is less able than valry intensifies, means the imperialists con­ nation and capitalist property relations. Their Their access to information has been tightly ever to speak, negotiate, and act as the un­ front events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet strategic effort·was to apply pressure to the restricted, and the method of the big lie has disputed leader of a world imperialist alli­ Union with sharper conflicts among them­ bureaucratic castes in the Soviet Union and dominated the press, education; and all as­ ance, and Moscow is no longer able to speak selves. This could be seen at the recent NATO Eastern Europe. pects of public life. for the Warsaw Pact, or even for growing summit meeting held in London and the With the bureaucratic castes in power, the While the bureaucracy -for reasons of parts of the "Union" of Soviet Socialist Re­ economic summit held in Houston. capitalist rulers could be assured of two its own state interests - has had relations publics. things. Frrst, these castes did not fight to with governments and revolutionary move­ . The June summit meeting between U.S. What was the Cold War? extend the revolutionary overturn of imperi­ ments and organizations, the workers them­ President George Bush and Soviet President To understand the predicament that the alist domination and capitalist rule interna­ selves have been walled off from contact and Mikhail Gorbachev was an example of this. capitalists now find themselves in, it is nec­ tionally. They sought stability and peaceful active solidarity with fighters for national Gorbachev was in the United States negoti­ essary to recognize that they are not the coexistence with imperialism. liberation and social justice around the world. ating with Bush while the Russian republic victors in the Cold War. They are the losers Second, the castes continued to police the What they know about these struggles is was discussing secession from the USSR. and have been losing for some time. working class and keep it isolated from the often seen through the prism of their relations This is hardly a position of bargaining The initiation of the Cold War itself was struggles of workers and peasants around the with the hated bureaucratic regimes. This strength for Gorbachev. not an advance for the imperialists. It was world, with all the depoliticizing and demor­ served only to undermine internationalism in The U.S. press even asked Bush about the forced upon them by the relationship of alizing consequences that flow from that. The the working class. incongruity of carrying on negotiations with forces that emerged from World War ll. The imperialists hoped that this would weaken As they engage in struggles, the workers a man who was so weak at home. This Cold War was imposed on imperialism .be­ the workers' states enough that they could be and farmers of Eastern and Central Europe prompted Bush to counter with the statement cause it could not carry out its goal of restor­ overthrown by military attack at another and the Soviet Union will learn about world that Gorbachev looked quite "strong" to him. ing capitalism through a hot war to the coun­ time. politics and the experiences of working peo­ What else could Bush say? Any other stance tries where it had been overturned. But this is not what happened. The CP­ ple in other countries and from other times. would expose the increasing irrelevance of They were blocked from conducting a hot dominated regimes are now discredited; the The big-business media, capitalist offi­ these meetings, which are professed to be of war in the immediate aftermath of World War people have thrown off some of them and cials, and "opinion makers" present a picture such crucial importance in the worldngs of ll by the refusal of U.S. Gls to stay in the severely weakened the control of others. that Eastern and Central Europe and the world politics. Far East or Europe to be used as cannon These castes can no longer guarantee stability Soviet Union are about to become capitalist. The imperialist ruling classes, and Wash­ fodder against the Chinese revolution or to the way they used to. The barriers that stood They strive mightily to create the impression ington above all, are worried about the grow­ take back Eastern Europe. The Gls organized in the way of workers and farmers entering that capitalism is just around the comer. They ing economic and political instability result- "Bring Us Home" protests and Washington politics and acting in their own interest are report every new policy announced by the

14 The Militant July 27, 1990 various regimes as the beginning of capitalist Workers in the Eastern European coun­ restoration. And they interpret every justifi­ tries, however, do not accept unemployment able expression by working people of dissat­ as natural, as part of life. isfaction and hatred toward the way they These workers have come to think that have been forced to live and work for decades they have a right to a historically defmed as a desire for capitalism. Bourgeois econo­ minimum social wage -low cost health mists at universities and "think tanks" in the care, free tuition, low rents, subsidized food United States and other imperialist countries prices and inexpensive public transportation are shooting off plans to Eastern Europe and - as a legitimate part of their wages. Their the USSR with schemes for restoring capi­ attif:U~ is unlike that of workers in any talism, mging the regimes to get on with it capttaltst country - even in the "welfare The idea that capitalism is on its way to states" of capitalist Europe. being reestablished in Eastern Europe is also This is not because the social wage has promoted by prominent spokespeople for the been so great in the bureaucratically misman­ bureaucracy itself and by the new govern­ aged economies of the workers' states. We ments that have replaced the previous CP­ have become more aware of the sorry state dominated regimes. They increasingly seek of health care, housing, and education in to solve the accelerating economic and social Sanitation workers on strike in East Germany on June 26, 1990. The currency union these countries. They are not models to be crises by relying on capitalist methods and does not ~tie ho~ workers from East Germany will respond to price rises, unemploy­ held up to our coworkers as examples of daily proclaim the virtue of the "free marlcet." ment, cuts m social benefits, and homelessness. socialism by any means. ~ of the~ forces predicting rapid capi­ But workers in these countries do believe taltst restorabon, however, reckon without restoration of capitalism they would have to "We must find another transition to the mar­ these social guarantees to be social rights. the working class in these countries. figure out how to make the shift and at the ket economy that does not lead to a deterio­ And they will fight to block further erosion The workers in the Eastern and Central same time be assured that they will become ration in the standard of living." and dismantling of them. European countries will fight - and are al­ the capitalists. They are not altruistic. They But that is not possible. Increased reliance Peace, not war, needed for progress ready fighting - the inevitable social and demand to know what is in it for them. At on capitalist mechanisms will inevitably in­ economic consequences of moves toward least under the existing system, they hope to volve a major assault on the living conditions Workers in Eastern and Central Europe greater use of capitalist methods. They will continue feeding at the trough of state prop­ and social wage of the workers and farmers. and the Soviet Union also believe that peace, ~ght the devastating results on their daily erty and living off the backs of the workers. Much play has been made in the big-busi­ not W4lf, is a prerequisite for economic and lives -layoffs, removal .of price controls social progress. This, too, is different from How do the millions of bureaucrats go ness media about the alleged procapitalist and subsidies on basic necessities, rent hikes, workers in capitalist countries, who do not about choosing who among them will get the state of mind of the workers in Eastern Eu­ further gutting of the guaranteed social wage, like war and are its heaviest victims, but who factories, the mines, the land, the banks? Who rope. Their desire for change, for better living speed-up, and the corrupt selling-off ofhunks do believe -on the basis of the World War gets the relatively more efficient and profit­ standards, and for an end to the corruption of state property for a song. II- arid Vietnam-fueled economic booms­ able enterprises? Who gets the lemons? - and privileges of the bureaucrats are all glibly Working farmers are. already signaling that military spending and wars somehow and there are lots of lemons. Much of the equated to a desire for capitalism. Workers' they will resist capitalist-oriented policies help the economy. industrial capacity of the workers' states is desire for political freedom - to get the that threaten their livelihood and menace These social and political attitudes and old-fashioned and inefficient. bureaucracy's spies and cops off their backs them with being driven off the land. expectations are part of the mass conscious­ The members of the caste are not capital­ - is called a desire for capitalism. The con­ ness of working people in the workers' states. ists. They do not already own capital. They sumerism and commodity fetishism pro­ Moves can't bring back capitalism They stand as a roadblock to.implementing do not have the wherewithal, by and large, moted_ for decades by the Stalinist regimes The moves that the various new govern­ steps toward capitalism, whether thi$ is how to buy the industries themselves and to invest - which are a real barrier to communist men~ in Eastern and Central Europe are workers explain it or not. · the necessary capital to run them. consciousness -are equated in the capital­ making today cannot bring back capitalism, Workers in these countries will fmd as they If capitalism were restored in these coun­ ist media with conscious and active support not the modem capitalism that has existed for capitalism by workers. fight that more than trade union conscious­ since the industrial revolution. tries, the names of the biggest capitalists in The understanding that these workers have De~ and organization is needed to ensure any Simply expanding the circulation of com­ Eastern Europe would rapidly become lasbng and stable defense of their gains. As of co~unism is based upon their experi­ modities on the marlcet is not capitalism. Nor Rockefeller, Krupp, and those of other rul­ ences wtth the bureaucracy which cloaked ~tern ~urope _becomes increasingly drawn is opening a McDonald's in Moscow. Setting ing-class families from North America and its anticommunist activities under the name mto relabons wtth the world capitalist econ­ up a room with a few computers in it and Western Europe. Moreover, restoration of communism. Every attack on the workers • omy, these workers will be confronted with calling it a stock exchange - as they have ~ould not come through massive capital standard of living and political freedom was imperi~ism and its demands. The key for done in Hungary- is not a step toward a mvestment by these wealthy families: fi­ justified in the name of communism. At­ them, like workers in capitalist countries, will modem stock exchange. Nor is selling private nance capital has more secure investment tempts to fight against their oppressive con­ be_ the need to form a revolutionary leader­ shares to state-owned companies to every­ pro_spect:>. even in today's world They put ship and become part of the international therr capttal where they anticipate the highest ditions were called anticommunist. body in Poland going to restore capitalism. struggle of working people. and most stable profit rates. But despite these lies the working class is Despite all the talk, the overwhelming The apparatuses of the petty-bomgeois not and will not become the social base for bulk of industrial capacity is still state prop­ bureaucrats that falsely called themselves Risky investment a movement to restore capitalism in these erty throughout Eastern and Central Europe Communist Parties are crumbling. The work­ and the S9viet Union. No major industrial The imperialists are not about to risk enor­ co~~e~. They ~ interested in improving ers will confront the need to build real com­ therr bvmg condibons and working condi­ sector has yet been privatized anywhere­ mous amounts of money in a situation as munist parties composed of the most disci­ unstable as the current situation in Eastern tions. They want things to get better for nor have very many individual factories or pli~~d, combative, self-sacrificing, and themselves and their families and they are enterprises. Europe and the USSR -no matter what pobttcally conscious fighters from their willing to sacrifice and fight for this. Modem industrial capitalism exists when promises Gorbachev, Lech Walesa, or Vaclav ranks. the major means of production, linked with Havel make. Poland, for example, has al­ Workers are not fighting to introduce ready experienced strikes and other labor widespread unemployment, a fundamental ~ing capital, are owned and run by cap­ r---from Pathfinder·-----. ttaltsts who - through their cutthroat com­ actions, as well as farmers' protests, against reality under capitalism. Just the opposite. petition - establish an average rate of in­ even initial steps by the new government to Workers are not fighting to be paid even dustrial profit and the price levels on most lift price controls and lay off tens of thou­ less than they are now, another consequence The Re•olutlon commodities. sands of workers. And these have happened for a majority of workers if capitalism were Betrayed This does. not exist ·in any of the workers' while some 90 percent of the industry in reimposed. They are not fighting to lower states, and reestablishing it is not on the Poland remains state-owned. the social wage; they want to expand it. By Leon Trotsky immediate horizon. There will be no peaceful To restore capitalism. the imperialists have The advocates of the "free marlcet" and How a parasitic caste arose evolution to capitalism. Reimposing it will to take on and defeat the worlcing classes. capitalist methods tell the workers to have in the Soviet Union in the 1920s take a bloody counterrevolution to defeat the But the capitalist rulers are in a weakened faith and to grit their teeth, that things will and '30s • How communist working class. position to do this - more so than at any get worse before they will get better. That leadership was overturned • time since the end of World War II. They are ~e social relations in Eastern Europe has tJet:n proven to be true already. Things The bureaucracys reactionary ~o~bnue to be based on nationalized property not in a position to militarily invade any of are getbng worse. And we are now beginning domestic and forei~n policies. m mdustry, wholesale trade, and banking; the countries of Eastern or Central Europe to see the first forms of working-class resis­ $18;95 state monopoly of foreign trade; and a and restore capitalist property relations. tance. planned economy. Overturning these social Workers in the imperialist countries would As a result of decades of Stalinism how­ relations takes more than rewriting laws or go into the streets in the millions against any ever, these workers enter into Politi~al life setting up a currency union. The currency effort by the capitalists to launch a war today without socialist consciousness. This Class, Party, union that has just gone into effect in Ger­ against any of the workers' states today. weakens the effectiveness of their struggles many, for example, does not settle how work­ The working class is the only reliable to defend their gains. But even at their current and State In the e~ fro~ East Germany will respond to sharp source of defense of the workers' states, as level of political understanding, struggles by pnce nses, unemployment, cuts in social wei~ as being the only source of their regen­ workers generally limited to trade union con­ Eastern European benefits, and homelessness. All that will be erabon and progress toward socialism. The sciousness - that is, fighting around wages Re•olutlon determined in struggle. bureaucrats and the new regimes throughout and worlcing conditions - are still a big ob­ Eastern and Central Europe fear the worlcing stacle to the implementation of capitalism. An Education for Socialists Bureaucrats and capitalist restoration class. They fear that a workers' rebellion As a result of the conquests won with the bulletin that records hi\J~hts The bureaucrats throughout the enor­ against the devastating consequences of their overturn of capitalist property relations, of a 1946-1951 discussion in the mous apparatus of the state and national­ policies could sweep them aside, and they workers in these countries do not accept U.S. SocialistWorliers Party an­ ized economy are themselves a source of are right. some things that are taken for granted as alyzi~ the social transforma­ resistance to capitalist restoration. This is In the Soviet Union, for example, Boris norms under capitalism. tions in Eastern Europe. $7.00 no~ because they do not wish to be capi­ Yeltsin- the newly elected president of the In the workers' states, for example, there tahsts. They have capitalist aspirations Russian Soviet republic - has been one of are no business cycles that regularly throw Available from Pathfinder booll­ and values. But that is not enough. They the most vocal proponents of the need for millions out of work every few years and stores listed on pa~ 16, or from confront big difficulties that block them more rapid transition to a "free market." depress wages. Under capitalism, we have Pathfinder, 410 West St., New Yorll, from going in this direction and that have Faced with mass popular outrage in May and grown to expect these cycles and their often N.~ 10014. Please include $1 posta~ prevented them from doing so in the past. June against announced price increases on devastating results almost in the same way and handli~ for each booll. For the bureaucrats to preside over the bread and other goods, however, Yeltsin said, we accept the changing of the seasons.

July 27, 1990 The Militant IS -CALENDAR YOUNG SOCIALIST AWANCE CLASS SERIES ALABAMA Celebrate Nelson Mandala's u.s. visit Birmingham .Chapters of the Young Socialist Allicmce are sponsoring the following presentations: . 31 Years of the Cuban Revolution: What Is "'W1th CUba Have a Dependable Mcmdela. the Future for Socialism? Speaker: Sue Skin­ Class 1: WJxrt Is AparfbeJd? Class 2: We Friend.-Nelson Class ner, SWP candidate for governor, member 3: Young People F1gbt Aga1nst A.pQrtheld. Class 4: 2be F1ght Aga1nst Aparthe1d cmd Racism In the Untted United Transportation Union. Sat., July 28, 7:30 States. They will be held at the Pathfinder bookstores in these cities. p.m. 1306 1st Ave. N. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (205) 323-3079. ATLANTA CIDCAGO LOS ANGEI.£S 132 Cone St. Tel: (404) 577-4065. 545 W. Roosevelt Rd. 2546 W. Pico Blvd. ARIZONA Class 3. Wed., July 25, 7:30p.m. T~l: (312) 829-6815. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Phoenix Class 4. Mon., July 23, 6 p.m. Class 2. Sat., July 21,4 p.m. Class 4. Sat., July 21, 3 p.m. The Reunification of Germany. Speaker: Ar­ cmd Wed., Aug. 1, 7:30p.m. Class 4. Sat .. July 28, 4 p.m. nold Weissberg, Socialist Workers Party, mem­ ST. PAUL, Minn. ber Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama DETROIT 508 N Snelling. Sat., July 28, 7 p.m. Translation to Spanish. 1306 1st. Ave. N. . 5019~ Woodward. Tel: (612) 644-6325 . 1809 W Indian School Rd. Donation: $3. Spon­ Tel: (205) 323-3079. Tel: (313) 831-1177. Class 1. Sat.. July 21, 1 p.m. sor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (602) 279-5850. Class 2. Sat .. July 21. 5 p.m. Class 2. Sat., July 21, 2 p.m. Class 2. Sat., July 28, 1 p.m. Class 4. Sat., July 28, 5 p.m. Class 4. Sat., July 28, 2 p.m. Class 4. Sat., Aug. 4, 1 p.m. COLORADO Denver Celebrate the Cuban Revolution. Picnic, music, videotape. Sat., July 28, 3 p.m. La Elma Nimtz, professor of political science at Univer­ NORTH CAROLINA "Hands Off Cuba" Coalition. Tel: (202) 234- Park, 12th and Mariposa. For more information sity of Minnesota. Fri., July 27, 7 p.m. Cow1es 2000. call 936-4452. Auditorium, Hubert Humphrey Institute, Uni­ Greensboro Africa Called, Cuba Answered. Speakers: versity of Minnesota West Bank. Sponsors: Musa Kamara, political activist from Sierra FLORIDA U.S.-Cuba Friendship Committee, Africana Leone; Jane Roland, Socialist Workers Party, WEST VIRGINIA Student Cultural Center, La Raza. Tel: (612) Miami member United Transportation Union. Sat., July 625-0045. Charleston Reunification of Germany. Speaker: Peter 28,7 p.m. 2219 E Market. Donation: $2. Spon­ The Struggle for Political Rights in Eastern Seidman, Socialist Workers Party, member In­ sor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (919) 272-5996. Europe: What It Means for Working People. ternational Association of Machinists Local MISSOURI Kansas City Speaker: Maggie McCraw, Socialist Workers Lodge 1126. Translation to Spanish. Sat., July OHIO Party candidate for state treasurer, member Oil, 21, 7:30p.m. 2137 NE 54th St. Donation: $2. Defend Mark Curtis. Speakers: Bill Claus, host ofKKFI's "Hartland Labor Forum"; Robin Cole, Cleveland Chemical and Atomic Workers union Local 3- Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (305) 756- 89. Sat., July 28, 7 p.m. 116 McFarland St. 1020. Women's Auxiliary, Amalgamated Transit Hands Off' Cuba: End the Blockade! Speak­ Union Local1313 on strike against Greyhound; ers: Stanley Tolliver, president of Cleveland Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. GEORGIA Linda Azure, Leonard Peltier Defense Commit­ Board of Education; Kathleen Fagan M.D.; Tel: (304) 345-3040. tee, sister of Leonard Peltier; Maurice Copeland, Francisco Molina, director of Spanish-Ameri­ Morgantown Atlanta social activist and poet. Sun., July 22,7 p.m. SEIU can Committee; Harold Mitchell, president Working People's Stake in Defending the En­ Housing Is a Right. Speakers: Anthony Union Hall, 4526 Paseo. Donation: $2. Sponsor: American Federation of State, County. and Mu­ vironment. A panel discussion with Rich Knighton, homeless activist; Daryl Drobnic, So­ Kansas City Supporters of the Mark Curtis De­ nicipal Employees Local 100; Muhammad Petras, Citizens for a Clean Environment; John cialist Workers Party, member United Food and fense Committee. Tel: (816) 444-7880. Ahmad, participant in recent Havana sympo­ DiBiase, president Greene CAPS and United Commercial Workers Local442. Sat., July 21, sium "Malcolm X Speaks in the 1990s." Video Mine Workers of America Local 631 0; repre­ 7:30p.m. 132 Cone St. NW, 2nd floor. Dona­ NEBRASKA from recent trip of 25 African-Americans to sentative of MOVE; Joe Kleidon, Socialist tion: $2.50. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Cuba. Thurs., July 26, 7:30 p.m. Cleveland Workers Party. Sat., July 21, 7:30 p.m. 221 Tel: (404) 577-4065. Omaha U.S. Hands Off Cuba! Speaker: Joel Gajardo, State University, University Center, Room UC Pleasant St. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant past secretary for Latin American affairs of U.S. 364. Sponsors: Cleveland State Committee on Labor Forum. Tel: (304) 296-0055. MASSACHUSETTS Council of Churches, professor at University of Central America, Cleveland Hands · Off Cuba Boston Nebraska, Lincoln. Greetings from Hafeni Coalition. For more information call (216) 249- The Labor Movement is at the Center of U.S. Hatutale, South West Africa People's Organisa­ 7329. • Politics: The Meaning of the Eastern Strike. ti!Jn. Sat., July 28, 6:3~9 p.m. Chicano Aware­ Speakers: representative International Associa­ ness Center, 4821 S. 24 St. Sponsor: Omaha PENNSYLVANIA BRITAIN tion of Machinists Local 1726 on strike against Central America Response Team. Co-sponsors: Philadelphia Cardiff Eastern Airlines; Dave Ferguson, Socialist Social Concerns Committee, First Unitarian The Government vs. the Arts. Panel discus­ After the Bll#le. Video of Cuban and South Workers Party, member Amalgamated Clothing Church; Region Two, Nebraskans for Peace; sion. Sat., July 21, 7:30p.m. 9 E Chelten Ave. African veterans talking about the battle of and Textile Workers Union Local 1. Sun., July Second Nebraska District, Rainbow Coalition; Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Forum. Tel: Cuito Cuanavale, Angola. Sat., July 21,7 p.m. 9 22, 7:30p.m. 605 Massachusetts Ave. Dona­ Eastern Nebraska Socialist Party; Socialist (215) 848-5044. Moira Terrace, Adamsdown. Donation: £1. tion: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: Workers Party; Omaha Witness for Peace; Sponsor: Militant Forum. Tel: 0222-484677. (617) 247-6772. Youth for Peace. TEXAS I..,ondon .. , . .· . , . . , Houston Justice for Mark Curtis. Speaker: Denny MICHIGAN NEW YORK Viva Cuba Libre! 31 Years of Building So­ Fitzpatrick, recently returned from UN Helsinki Detroit Brooklyn cialism. Sat., July 28, 7:30 p.m. Translation to Conference. Fri., July 27,7:30 p.m. 47 The Cut, German Reunification and the Democratic Cuba:Leading the Fight for Socialism in the Spanish. 4806 Almeda. Donation: $2. Sponsor: SE 1. Donation: £1. Sponsor: Militant Forums. Upsurge in Eastern Europe: What They World Today. Sat., July 28, 7:30 p.m. 464 Militant Labor Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mund­ Tel: 71-928-7947. Mean for Working People. Speaker: Lea Sher­ Bergen. Donation: $3; Sponsor: Militant Labor ial. For more information call (713) 522-8054. man, Socialist Workers Party, member United Manchester Forum. Tel: (718) 398-6983. Africa Called, Cuba Answered. Video show­ Food and Commercial Workers Union Local UTAH 26. Sat., July 21, 7:30p.m. 50191,.-1 Woodward Manhattan ing of After the Battle. Wed., July 25, 7:30p.m. Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Donation: £1. Sponsor: Ave. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Puerto Rico: Plebiscite or Referendum, Salt Lake City Forum. Tel: (313) 831-1177. Which Way Forward? Education and working Africa Called, Cuba Answered: Celebrate Militant Forums. Tel: 061-839 1766. meeting. Sat., July 21, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Hunter the Cuban Revolution. Video showing of Sheffield MINNESOTA College, Center for Puerto Rican Studies, 68 St. Cuba and Angola. Sat., July 21,7:30 p.m. 147 E Celebrate the Cuban Revolution: 37 Years and Lexington Ave., Rm. 411 W. Sponsor: 900 S. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor from Moncada. Speaker: Wendy Knight, re­ Austin ComiteS de Afirmaci6n Puertorriqueiia, others. Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mundial. Tel: (801) cently returned from Cuba. Fri., July 27, 7:30 The Crisis Facing Working Farmers. Speak­ For more information call (212) 4 77-8252. 355-1124. p.m. 2A Waverley House, 10 Joiner St. Dona­ ers: Kathie Fitzgerald, activist in labor and farm Reception for Hector Delgado Perez. Official tion: £1. Sponsor: Militant Forums. Tel: 0742- struggles, member International Association of photographer for the Union of Cuban Writers WASHINGTON, D.C. 729469. Machinists Local 141; Craig Honts, Socialist and Artists. Sat., July 28, 6-7:30 p.m. Pathfinder In the Spirit of Moncada. Protest at the White Workers Party candidate for lieutenant governor Bookstore., 191 7th Ave. Sponsor: Friends of House against U.S. policy toward Cuba, Fri., of Minnesota. Sat., July 21, 7:30p.m. 4071,.2 N the Pathfinder Mural. Tel: (212) 675-6740. July 27, 5 p.m: Evening celebration with Clin­ NEW ZEALAND Main St. Donation: $2.50. Sponsor: Militant Cuba: Leading the Fight for Socialism in the ton Adlum, first secretary, Cuban Interests Sec­ Christchurch Labor Forum. Tel: (507) 433-3461. World Today. Sat., July 28, 8:00p.m. Transla­ tion; representative, African National Congress; Cuba Today. Report from participants in recent St. Paul tion to Spanish and French. 191 7th Ave. Dona­ South African Women's Choir. Food and farmers' tour to Cuba. Sat., July 28, 7:30p.m. Cuba Today. Slideshow and eyewitness ac­ tion: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: music, 6:30 p.m.; program, 8 p.m. Casa del Engineers Union Hall, 292 Cashel St. For more counts. Celebrate July 26. Speaker: August (212) 675-6740. Pueblo, 1459 Columbia Rd, NW. Sponsors: DC information call (3) 663-974. -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP------Where to find Pathfinder books and dis­ MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2913 Green­ Pittsburgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: Sheffield: 2A Waverley House,10JoinerSt., tributors of the Mililllnt, Perspectiva Mundial, mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. (412) 362-6767. Sheffield S3 8GW. Tel: 0742-729469. New, lnte17UIIional, NouveUe llitemalionale, MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 605 Massa­ TEXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Zip: and Lutte ouvriere. chusetts Ave. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772; 77004. Tel: (713) 522-8054. CANADA MICHIGAN: Detroit: 50191,.-1 Woodward Montreal: 6566, boul. St-Laurent. 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16 The Militant July 27, 1990 -THEGREAT: SOCIETY------...... --.--~-....._____._ __

The culture .market- David _, the lowest score in a 10-country Meals on wheels- In the Los of the nation's nursing homes offer­ gorbachocolate. Chase, a Connecticut wheeler­ poll. The other nine have national Angeles area, check out Critter Ca­ ing skilled care failed to meet stan­ Pretty seedy-.,.... In D.C., Baskin­ dealer, says he won the rights to wire health plans. Pollsters said cut­ terers. They deliver pet food, toys, dards for clean food in surprise and treats. Their specialty, biscuits inspections ... and nearly a quarter Robbins could test marl<.et "bush­ backs .in employer coverage and berry." loss of coverage on leaving a job with quality ingredients. They're so did not administer drugs properly, good, pet owners reportedly say they according to the government's latest were the big U.S. worries. In the eat them too. consumer guide." Big-Apple green- Enterpris­ other countries, they found, this ing New York shops are offering a concern was "almost nonexistent." variety of items to help hou~eholders Zip-zen - Posh hair stylists re­ Be well-"WASHINGTON­ sort their refuse for recycling. Like, Harry port that clients are doing business Congressional investigators have a roll of nylon twine, in a dispenser, Government morality - In a while getting their hair cut. Like, at found that more than half of the new $39.98. Or, a double-chamber Ring mass experiment, Britons are being the Vidal Sassoon salon in Chicago, drugs approved for marketing in this kitchen garbage can, $169. asked to swim in polluted water to a writer turns out copy on her laptop country have some severe or fatal see ifthey get sick. But it was decided computer and whips it off to her Poland for cable and this is important side effects not found in testing, or Empty the piggy box~ "because we want our culture to be it would be unethical to ask them to publisher on the salon's fax ma­ not reported until years after the They're on display at New York's exported to Poland." dip in water with dangerously high chine. She's doing a book on the 10 me'dications have been widely MuSeum of Modem Art- a set of sewage levels. Thus popular Black­ years she spent in Asia studying used."- News item. Panasonic speakers shaped to sug­ Any suggestions? - Per ca­ pool beach is off limits for the test. meditation. gest a tuba. A museum curator says pita, the U.S. people spend the Meanwhile, ethically enough, there March of perestroika- Avail­ they represent "a significant depar­ most on health care, but only 10 are no warning signs there for the ·The caring system- "WASH­ able so far only in Moscow, Bas­ ture from the concept of the speaker percent are satisfied with the result public. INGTON (AP)- More than a third kin-Robbins' newest flavor is as a box." $2,000 a pair. Mohawks hold back attack by Quebec police

Continued from front page have called on the Canadian army to physi­ have a right to block the bridge. If I have to from Oka. Two protest actions are planned land claim by the Kanesatake Mohawks is cally remove the Mohawk barricades. travel out of my way to get to work to support for Montreal on July 17 and July 18. And a one of 468 outstanding Native land claims Millie Greaves, a Black worker living in the Natives, I will." group of 50 residents of Laval, just north of in Canada. Chateauguay, came out to the bridge to sup­ Several demonstrations of up to 300 in Montreal, are discussing sending a car cav­ The conflict escalated on June 30 when port the Mohawks. She explained, "These Montreal and one of 300 in Toronto have alcade to Oka to demonstrate their support Oka Mayor Jean Oullette succeeded in get­ racists are a radical minority. The Natives called for the withdrawal of Quebec police of the Mohawks at Kanesatake. ting a court injunction ordering that the bar­ ricades be tom down. The Mohawks refused, and on July 10 the mayor called on the Quebec police to enforce the injunction. The Miners rally to defend union in Britain next morning the police invaded the Mohawk territory. Continued from front page maze that foiled attempts by the court-ap­ power stations to the greenhouse effect could "political purposes." pointed receiver to get his hands on the be reduced by 50 percent at the same time Expansion plan for exclusive golf club This charge was settled when president of union's money.· as increasing their efficiency by 80 percent. The proposed expansion of the golf course the Soviet miners trade union, Vladimir The NUM president was greeted with Scargill reported the decision of the NUM is opposed by the majority Of Oka area res­ Lunyov, reported that no money had been chants of"Arthur Scargill, Arthur Scargill­ conference to demand an increase of £50 idents- Mohawk and non-Mohawk alike. sent to the NUM. Interviewed on Indepen­ we'll support you ever more" as he defended ($90) per week. "Miners who work in the Residents resent the city's turning over the dent Television July 11, Lunyov reported that the decisions of the NUM national confer­ bowels of the earth are worth £15,000 per land to the exclusive golf club. It costs donations were given in the form of food ence that had just concluded its business. year on a salary basis," he said. This won't $10,000 to join this club in which the mayor parcels, holidays for miners' children, and Scargill condemned the renewed program be achieved by passing resolutions or by has a vested interest. Last summer when a courses for trade union activists. No cash was of mine closures that began immediately fol­ eloquent speeches. "We need to win the march was organized to protest the golf transferred, he said. lowing British Coal's announcement of a fur­ hearts and minds of our members by a cam­ course expansion, "Quebecois marched to­ Now, new allegations have emerged. ther run-down of pits. This involves a cut of paign. If British Coal refuses to talk to us, to gether with us," said Watahine, a Mohawk Charges have been made that three docu­ 7,500 jobs over the next three years. Already concede our legitimate demands, then the resident of Oka. ments submitted to the Lightman inquiry are the closure of Agecroft colliery in Lancashire responsibility for any industrial action lies ThroughoutthedayonJuly 11 police began forgeries. This week, a meeting of an NUM and Brodsworthe in South Yorkshire have with the Tory government and British Coal, tightening their grip on Oka. By early morn­ subcommittee with Lightrnan will consider been announced, along with 200 job losses at and we shouldn't shirk away from that in ing hours the next day, up to 2,000 Quebec further action in relation to his report. Hatfield Main, also in South Yorkshire. · 1990," he said to applause. provincial police had turned the village of And new avenues for continuing the anti­ North-East Area General Secretary Hop­ Oka into an armed camp. Blockades were set NUM campaign have been found with the 'Phase out nuclear industry' per reported that on the average basic pay up to prevent non-Oka residents from enter­ decision of a Dublin court to give Roger The NUM president criticized the energy amounted to just 54 percent of a miner's take ing. And cops refused to let Mohawk residents Windsor, former chief executive of the NUM, policy of governments over the last 30 years, home. Since 1985, he said, overtime put in of Oka return, explicitly informing them it permission to sue Scargill for libel. Windsor which has resulted in increased reliance on by surface workers had·doubled, and it has was because they were Natives. fronted the initial media allegations that nuclear power. "It's now been estimated that trebled for face workers. Police shut off water to Kanesatake and Scargill and Heathfield had their fmgers in about 200,000 people will be killed as a result In the same period, productivity bonuses Oka for several hours July 12. They continue the till. of Chemobyl," he said. "It's unnecessary, it's have assumed a larger proportion of total to cut off badly needed food and medical Joi_ning the public chorus against the NUM dangerous, it passes on genetically, and yet wages, 30 percent on the average. The na­ supplies to the Mohawks behind the barri­ have been Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey there are still some nuclear nuts in the Tory tional incentive scheme has been broken cades at Kanesatake. Police search the cars Howe, who said while standing in for Mar­ cabinet who want to see the nuclear industry down pit by pit, dividing miner from miner. of those entering or leaving Oka at gunpoint. garet Thatcher during the prime minister's expand. We want to see the nuclear industry Since the end of the 1984-85 strike, there At least a dozen journalists have been question time, that he hoped the union would phased out and an energy industry based have been no negotiations between the NUM detained and questioned; several have had be investigated by the "appropriate a author­ primarily on coal, but also on alternative and British Coal over wages. British Coal their film and tapes destroyed; and one was · ities." sources of energy such as wind, wave, tide, has insisted on recognizing the antistrike arrested. Robert Mellish, a former Labour chief and solar power- all of them environmen­ breakaway organization called the Union of Cop harassment of Natives in the area has whip and now a member of the House of tally acceptable." Democratic Mineworkers in its Notting­ substantially increased. A Mohawk truck Lords, said he had "nothing but contempt" Scargill denounced those who used envi­ hamshire base, and derecognizing the NUM driver told of how Natives were being taken for Scargill. Three Labour MPs - Kevin ronmental arguments to justify the run-down there, as a condition for conciliation. The to the police station in nearby St. Eustache Barron, an ex-officio member of the NUM of the coal industry. With modem technology, conference decided by 44 votes to 21 to reject and beaten in the garage. executive; Kim Howells, a former research he explained, the contribution of coal-fired the board's conditions. Police repression, however, has not suc­ officer for the NUM's South Wales Area; and ceeded in intimidating the Mohawks behind David Blunkett, the party's spokesperson on their barricades nor the residents of Oka - the environment - also denounced Scargill -10AND25 YEARSAGO-­ both Mohawk and non-Mohawk. Diane, a and Heathfield. Trades Union Congress Gen­ young Mohawk, pointed at the heavily armed eral Secretary Norman Willis sent the media TH£ police barricade and then up the hill to the the text of a letter he'd sent to Scargill over MILITANT THE Mohawk barricade. "I think this is going to alleged money the NUM had received from provoke more Native struggles across the Libya during the miners' strike of 1984-85. July 25, 1980 MILITANT country," she said. Speakers at the Durham rally denounced Documents of the Justice Department and Published in the Interests of the Working People Natives across Canada have organized sol­ the witch-hunt. Skinner condemned those FBI made public July 2 disclose a systematic July 26, 1965 Price !Oc idarity actions, including the setting up of within the labour movement who had joined attempt by federal authorities to withhold several road blockades and a demonstration with the media attacks. "I've even heard talk information about illegal FBI burglaries The Deacons of Defense and Justice in of 450 in Ottawa. And in Oka on July 13 that some people in the labor movement want against the Socialist Workers Party. Bogalusa, Louisiana, a Negro self-defense about 40 residents held a candlelight march the police to inquire into our affairs. Which The new documents are a February 19 organization, are facing increaSing harass­ to show their support for Mohawks on the police? The ones who arrested the Guildford report from FBI Director William Webster ment, arrests, and moves by state police to hill. Both Mohawks and French- and En­ Four? The ones who put the Birmingham Six to Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti, and disarm them while the civil rights workers glish-speaking non-Natives participated. in jail? Or is it the police who kicked hell a June 25 Justice Department document en­ they have sworn to protect continue to suffer A poll by the Montreal daily La Presse out of miners and their families during the titled 'The Nondisclosure of FBI Bag Jobs physical attacks from whites under the very showed that 53 percent of Montreal residents strike - here in Durham, at Orgreave, and in the Socialist Workers Party Civil Litiga­ noses of local and state cops. support the Mohawks' demands and 87 per­ in every coalfield in Britain?" tion." On July 19 Joe Gatlin, 26, a Bogalusa cent favor a negotiated settlement as opposed Arthur Scargill explained that he "apolo­ They describe how Justice Department Negro resident, was booked by police on to more force being used against the Mo­ gized to no one" for his real "crime" - and FBI officials lied to government agen­ charges of "attempted murder." Police, who hawks. protecting the union's funds from being se­ cies, a federal court, and congressional com­ claim he is a member of the Deacons, say he Mobs of up to 3,000 have gathered each questrated by the courts during the 1984-85 mittees in an effort to cover up for the FBI fired shots at a carload of white nightriders. night at the Mercier bridge, threatening to strike. The union's national officials devised burglars. There were no injuries. It is not illegal in attack the Mohawk barricades, burning effi­ an intricate maze of 17 bank accounts inside FBI files that had been obtained by the Louisiana to carry guns in autos, and Klans­ gies of Mohawk warriors, and attacking sev­ and outside Britain. This even confounded SWP in the course of the party's suit against men in the area do so as a matter of course. eral Blacks and Natives. Some in the crowd the accounting firm Cork Gully that was government harassment clearly showed that· Gov. John McKeithen has announced that wave Quebec flags and chant, "Quebec aux working for Lightman and with whom the "bag jobs" against the SWP had been carried state troopers will disarm Negroes in cars Quebecois" (Quebec for Quebecois). They NUM leaders have cooperated. It was this out repeatedly between 1960 and 1966. and confiscate their guns.

July 27, 1990 The Militant 17 -·, EDITORIALS...... ------~---- Fight for .shorter working day and Cancel Latin.America's debt! voluntary labor President George Bush's recent announcement of a "new percent of which is owed to commercial banks in the United economic partnership" between the United States and States, Europe, and Asia. The rest is owed to foreign gov­ BY DOUG JENNESS countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, promising to ernments and multinational lending agencies. In a letter in our last issue, reader Bronson Rozier bring prosperity to the Western Hemisphere based on This huge debt has a stranglehold on any chance of real suggested that the article, "Cuba: A new way of organizing "trade, not aid," is neither new nor will it bring prosperity. economic growth in countries in Asia, Mrica, and Latin labor'' (June 8 Militant), could lead to "a misunderstand­ Bush outlined in vague terms a plan to reduce $7 billion America. Between 1980 and 1988, for example, Latin ing." Many readers he wrote, "May be unfamiliar with the of the $12 billion in loans to Latin American governments American "debtors" sent $572.2 billion to creditors in legacy of poverty that imperialism left Cuban working made by Washington. He also offered $100 million toward North America alone. They still owe twice as much as people. The necessity of Cubans volunteering for such an the creation of a $300 million investment fund for the originally borrowed. extreme schedule as 14-hour days, six days a week might region. The fund could only be used by countries that relax Bush's proposal for more loans would only help tighten not be apparent. controls on investment and economic regulations and put the noose, not loosen it. Nor does it offer any concrete "Many workers," Rozier continued, "might have the state businesses up for sale. solutions to alter the fact that Latin American countries reaction, 'If this is what socialism is all about, then capital­ Bush added that "free trade" agreements with countries have to pay constantly higher prices for goods imported ism will do just fine, thank you."' that "demonstrate a commitment to economic reform, in­ from the advanced industrialized countries while their ex­ The danger, he warned, is that workers might think the cluding trade and investment liberalization," would also be ports fetch lower prices on the world market. long work days of volunteer workers in Cuba, which he considered. Any plan that does not have as its starting point the says are a "necessary evil," are the "goal and destiny of The Bush proposal is not a departure from the economic cancellation of all of the foreign debt, far from bringing policies implemented in the past- such as the Caribbean prosperity to the region, will only exacerbate the devasta­ Basin Initiative, the Baker plan, and the Brady plan -that ting economic and social crisis facing tens of millions of LEARNING have done little or nothing to alleviate the devastating social people in these countries. and economic crisis in the region. In fact, they have contrib­ Working people in the United States and around the ABOUT SOCIALISM uted to the crisis, world should condemn Washington's policies in Latin If implemented, the plan would reduce only a tiny frac­ America and demand: Cancel the foreign debt of all Third socialism, when in fact the goal of socialism is to shorten tion of the $422 billion foreign debt of Latin America- 60 World countries now! the working day to allow the individual to develop his or her potential in other ways as well as through their work." It may be true that our article, which dealt with some aspects of voluntary labor in Cuba, might have been un­ clear, but unfortunately Rozier's explanation has not helped TB rears its ugly head again set things right. In fact, there are some serious problems in his presentation. It is not true that "the goal of socialism" is to shorten the working day, nor is it true to imply that Tuberculosis (TB), a ·disease that is both curable and being infected. Even after infection, healthy people are voluntary labor is only necessary for the transition to so­ preventable, is a re-emerging threat to public health in the generally able to resist the germs, which then lay dormant cialism in countries with a semicolonial legacy. United States, This is directly related to the shift in the producing no symptoms unless the immune system breaks Under capitalism chronic unemployment and periodic spread of AIDS to the poorest and most oppressed layers of down. · recessions throw millions out of work. New technology and the population. TB has virtually been eradicated in better-off sections of machinery eliminate jobs for many, while speeding up While cases of TB steadily declined in the 1960s and the population where higher living and health standards work for others. Tens of millions are unemployed or are '70s, the spread of the disease abruptly began to rise in the have substantially reduced the risk of infection. This ex­ only partially employed; yet a great many other workers mid-1980s. The number of new cases in the United States plains the low rate of TB cases among middle-class gay are forced to work overtime. rose 5 percent in 1989 over the previous year, to 23,495, men who are infected with the AIDS virus. Moreover, each hour longer workers labor, the greater is about 9,000 more cases than projected by the U.S. Centers It costs only about $70 for a full six-month treatment of the wealth appropriated by the employers for their own for Disease Control at the beginning of the 1980s. drugs to cure lB. Testing for'TB infection is also inexpen­ personal conswnption or privately determined investments: The number of new cases last year increased 10 percent sive and simple. Decisions about how the vast wealth created by social labor in New York City to 2,545, and 35 percent in Newark, New will be distributed and used are made according to what Government budget cutbacks over the l~t decade have Jersey, to 207. The largest increases in TB cases have been severely impaired or eliminated programs to combat TB, will best increase the profit rates of a few exploiters, not among Black and Latino youth in the inner cities. not to mention cuts in other public health programs, hous­ the social interests of the great majority. People infected with the AIDS virus are unusually sus­ ing, and aid to the poor. The struggle for a shorter workweek, which would ceptible to TB and account for 20 to 30 percent of the spread the available work to more workers with no reduc­ country's TB cases. Anchored in this layer of the popula­ These reductions, combined with the effects of the tion in pay, is aimed at protecting workers from the ravages tion, TB then spreads to others who are not infected with the employers' offensive against the unions over the last de­ of the capitalist system as its crises deepen. Along with AIDS virus, but suffer from weak immune systems caused cade, have steadily deteriorated the overall living condi­ similar demands- such as cost-of-living increases in by malnutrition, poor health care and disease prevention, tions of working people. The poor, especially Blacks and wages, benefits, and pensions - the call for the reduced substandard·housing or homelessness, abuse of drugs and Latinos, have been hardest hit and are the most vulnerable workweek also serves to unite and mobilize working people alcohol, and a higher rate of other infections and illnesses. to breakdowns in the public health system. in a struggle that can help prepare the way for challenging Public health officials estimate that healthy individuals As capitalism enters greater crisis, this situation will capitalist rule. would have to be exposed to someone with active TB eight worsen. This is the prospect the richest advanced capitalist However, in a society where capitalist political rule has hours a day for six weeks to develop a 50 percent chance of country in the world offers its working people. been overturned and private ownership of basic industry is replaced with state ownership, a totally new situation emerges. For the first time, the opportunity exists to organize production arid distribution according to conscious decision Ballot rights and political space and planning. This means that working people can deter­ mine how much· of the social product, produced by our labor, should be used for social needs - medical care, Supporters of Socialist Workers Party election cam­ their organizations. education, transportation, parks, and so on - and how paigns are undertaking important efforts to get the party's Defending these conquests - and pushing forward much should be reinvested in economic development. candidates on the ballot in a nwnber of states and Washing­ where possible to conquer new rights and freedoms - is an At the same time, the concept of work is different. ton, D.C. The SWP is running slates for state and federal essential part of advancing the struggle of working people. Instead of producing gigantic profits for the ruling rich, in offices in the November elections. The employers and their government are constantly prob­ addition to our own subsistence, every increase in labor Because of undemocratic and restrictive laws, getting a ing, seeking to make the activity of working-class parties, productivity and the total social product is at the service of working-class party's candidates on the ballot requires sub­ the unions, organizations fighting for Black and women's society. stantial hwnan and fmancial resources: collecting thou­ rights, and groups opposed to U.S. wars and intervention V.I. Lenin, the central leader of the October 1917 Rus­ sands of signatures on petitions, paying filing fees, and around the world appear to be on the fringe, outside of the sian revolution, explained in a 1919 article promoting following every jot and tittle of the complex procedures. rule of law, or just plain illegal. voluntary labor, "Communism begins when the rank-and­ The most extensive effort under way is in New York. By petitioning and mobilizing support for the right to be file workers begin to display a self-sacrificing concern that Supporters have fanned out across the state to gather 30,000 on the ballot, the SWP and its supporters deal a blow to is undaunted by arduous toil, for increasing the productivity signatures to place the party's candidates for governor and undemocratic election laws, assert the party's legal right to of labor, for husbanding every pood ofg rain, coal, iron, and other statewide offices on the ballot. exist and function in politics, and raise the party's legiti­ other products, which do not accrue to the workers person­ In Alabama, Iowa, New Jersey, Utah, Michigan, Minne­ macy in the eyes of working people. ally or to their 'close' kith and kin, but to their 'distant' kith sota, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere petitioning is also The same is true of the battle to get the federal govern­ and kin, i.e. to society as a whole, to tens and hundreds of under way or has been completed. In states such as North ment to restore the right of the party to withhold the names millions of people united first in one socialist state, and then Carolina and California, where onerous requirements pre­ of contributors to its election campaigns. · in a Union of Soviet Republics." clude getting the SWP ticket on the ballot, campaigners are The Federal Election Commission has taken away the The greater is workers' social and political conscious­ collecting signatures so candidates have official write-in party's exemption from the 1971law that made disclosures ness, the more they will recognize that the goal of commu­ status. of these names mandatory. Campaign committee reports to nists is to help raise the living standards and welfare of During these petitioning drives supporters reach out to the FEC are public record. As such, they are an easy source humanity. Working people in North America, capitalist thousands of working people, youth, and other democratic­ of hit lists for the government, private spy agencies, and Europe, and Japan, where economic development and liv­ minded individuals in unions, at schools, and on the streets other antilabor outfits. ing standards are relatively higher than the rest of the world, with the proposals of the socialist campaign. The move by the FEC is an attack on democratic rights. will face a special obligation. When capitalist rule is over­ At the heart of this is the fight for democratic rights, to It flies in the face of recent court rulings, such as the turned in these countries, politically inspired workers by the break down the discriminatory laws, and for the legality decision last year by the U.S. District Court in Florida. The millions will volunteer to work extra hours without addi­ and political legitimacy of workers' organizations. court noted that U.S. Supreme Court decisions "clearly tional fmancial compensation in order to help overcome the The capitalist rulers of the United States and their two stated that the First Amendment prohibits compelled disclo­ huge economic gap that exists in the world. parties - Democrats and Republicans- continually at­ sure of contributors' or recipients' names if the revelation Rozier seems to imply that voluntary labor in Cuba is in tempt to restrict the political elbowroom of working-class would subject them to harassment from either government reality forced because of Cuba's history of oppression. But organizations, including the SWP. Throughout the years or private parties." working 14-hour days and six-day weeks is not "extreme" working people have waged important battles to establish Both the fight for ballot status and the fight to regain the for workers who are no longer compelled by physical the legal right to organize unions and other political organi­ disclosure exemption need the support of working people, necessity to sell themselves as commodities, as they are zations, and for political space in which to function. These youth, and other democratic-minded people everywhere. under capitalism, and consciously see their work as the full efforts have pushed back the government's ability to spy on, Victories in these efforts will be gains for the ability of all to realization of themselves and fulfillment of their social haraSs, intimidate, and blackball activists and to break up openly function and engage in political activity. duties.

18 The Militant July 27, 1990 GE's layoffs, plant relocations aim to bust union

BY RICHARD GAETA its plant in Cicero, Illinois, where 1,200 workers made too. Mexican workers are not responsible for layoffs - GffiBSBORO, New Jersey- In April, General Electric, refrigerators. It is making them instead in Decatur, Alabama, multinational corporations are. the third-largest U.S. military contractor, announced it where it pays nonunion workers $4 an hour less than workers Moreover, because wages are far lower in Mexico than would lay off 4,200 workers in its aerospace division by earned at the Illinois plant. in the United States, U.S.-based firms will continue to flock 1992. Last year GE Aerospace eliminated 4,775 jobs, al­ The company's announcement has angered many work­ to Mexico. We should demand that Mexican workers get though it reported profits of $640 million. ers. A common question asked is, "Why are they going to union wages. We have no interest in lowering GE's costs There are six GE plants here in the Delaware Valley. Of lay us off when they have been hiring for the past six since we do not benefit from cost-saving schemes-only these, three of the four union-organized plants will be months?" While GE has been decimating its Camden plant the owners do. hardest hit by the layoffs. The Moorestown and Gibbsboro for several years, it has been hiring new workers at its Finally, the idea that we are building a secret weapon to Moorestown and Gibbsboro facilities. Many new workers help defend our interests is false. The Aegis was used to were told they would have secure jobs. The company says shoot down a commercial Iranian Airbus. ForGE's owners it needs new hires to get its orders out on time. What it does "defense" of the United States is defense of GE and other UNION TALK not say is that it's cheaper to hire workers at 75 percent of giant corporations, not defense of working people. Besides, top rate and then, when the company has dispensed its GE makes Aegis for profit, so it sells it to governments plants, represented by the International Union of Electronic orders, dispense with the workers too. making the highest bids, many of which are especially Workers Local 106, are scheduled to lose 1,070 jobs. The At the Jersey plants we build the Aegis radar system for repressive. plant in Camden, New Jersey, organized by IUE Locall03, the U.S. Navy. In a bid to keep the navy from awarding a is slated to lose 800 jobs. Making the new plant in Gloucester County a union plant portion of the contract to Westinghouse, IUE officials and will be our fight. GE wants to pick and choose which former The company's owners say they need layoffs to compete the Engineers Association spent $250,000 lobbying Con­ workers it will rehire at the new plant. But we should be on a global basis and because of a shrinking Pentagon gress. offered those jobs. Why should we pay for GE's restruc­ budget. Yet, GE is planning on opening two new plants, one Although Westinghouse will not get the Aegis contract, turing? . in Conklin, New York, and the other in Gloucester County, GE is planning to subcontract our work to nonunion plants New Jersey. Each plant will employ 500 workers. But, GE While some of us are being laid off in Camden, others in the United States and Mexico. In a form letter sent to of us are working overtime at the other plants. Instead of spokesman Jim Tierney said, "many of the jobs were not various politicians, our union leadership argues against interchangeable with jobs in Camden and Moorestown." overtime we should work 30 hours for 40 hours pay and subcontracting union work because the work may be done make the company put our brothers and sisters from Cam­ Jack Frohbieter, vice-president of GE's Government by "inexperienced" workers, making it questionable den back to work and spread evenly the available work. Electronic Systems Division, said, "It was determined that whether it will lower GE's costs. Finally, the letter argues One coworker summed up the attitude of many workers the needs of the business could best be served by construct­ that U.S. "defense" work should be built by U.S. workers. when he said, "Let's go down to the new plant with pickets ing a stand-alone facility that wasn't closely aligned with I disagree with this line of argumentation, which weakens from locals 103 and 106 when they begin construction and any nearby existing plant. This factor was important because the main point: GE is trying to bust our union, and only let the public know that we are going to fight to keep GE the aim is to establish a plant structure much different from through solidarity with other fighters, including Mexican union. an existing GE plant environment." workers, can we defeat the company's plans. By "much different," GE management means nonunion. Mexican workers are as capable as we are of learning Richard Gaeta is a member of IUE Local106 and works GE's union-busting plans are not new. In March GE closed how to solder and assemble. Mexicans·have rights to jobs at GE's Gibbsboro, New Jersey, plant -LETTERS------Child abuse by the authorities. were distributed by three teams, The evening of May 25 small each with one person. wearing the I would like to take exception to demonstrations were held in several poster mounted on heavy paper your July 13 editorial "An Abuse of cities. In Pamplona 200 people around their neck. Others held up the Bill of Rights." I think there are stoned a police car and a young man the brochures and yelled into the several misleading statements in it. was wounded when the cops fired enormous crowd to let people know Child abuse is more than just a into the crowd. they could get a copy of the posters crime; it is a social phenomenon that Spanish Minister of Justice En­ in perfect condition. The 60,000 includes overt abuse, rape, and mur­ rique Mugica said, "The govern­ people that carne to hear Mandela der as well as psychological and ment is not responsible for his death. kept us very busy-overwhelmed emotional abuse that is covert. It is Those responsible are the organiza­ usually. this phenomenon that is the source tion and its cothinkers who take their The posters are now being sold of the "popular revulsion and indig­ views into the prisons." He said by several bookstores in San Fran­ nation" that you cite; it is not created there would be no change of gov­ cisco and Oakland, including the by the press and courts as you assert. ernment policy. two Pathfinder bookstores, Modern Also it is not "the character· of the Mike Eaude Times, The Poster Mat, Prince crime" that justifies using closed­ Barcelona, Spain Neville's Reggae Runnins, Dil!IVian circuit television in court trials, but Bookshop, Tolodumare African the necessity to protect children Center, Galleria de Ia Raza. the Ar­ from the abusive tricks of lawyers Makes me feel red abic Book Center, and Bay Bridge schooled in "trial by combat" meth­ Bookstore. Pardon my bad etiquette in writ­ tion." The Cubans have successfully tion and the resisters may lose their ods of confrontation and intimida­ ing in red ink, but the color does Ruth Cheney tion to defend their clients. jammed its transmissions from jobs or be ostracized by the commu­ Oakland, California reflect how I feel: red. My cousin is Miami. nity. Twisting the truth and lying are getting the wrong views concerning "It is vital," read a message from l..angfur, who emigrated to Israel not natural to children; they are the a few issues and events in the strug­ "tools of the trade" of cops, judges, miners' union Peter Heathfield, that from this country in 1977. was a Murdered? gle. So I would like to have this the labor movement "expresses firm conscientious objector during the prosecution and defense attorneys, paper reach him at my expense. It's been nearly a year now since the press and the exploiting class solidarity with the Cuban people Vietnam War. His support for the a fellow prisoner here at the Loui­ Being that I am a prisoner, I am and the Cuban revolution. Their Israeli occupation of the West Bank they serve. Children must be pro­ enclosing $4 for a subscription for siana State Penitentiary was mur­ tected if the truth is going to come achievements haye inspired the rest and Gaza evaporated with the be­ dered by several prison guards. The him in Union City, New Jersey. of the world." ginning of the Palestinian uprising out in a criminal trial, which is the He's Cuban and doesn't under­ authorities claim it was suicide. Celia Pugh - the intifada - in December point of confronting your accusers, stand what Cuba stands for, much Although the state has long since London, England 1987. "The. intifada was a grand after all. less Fidel [Castro]. its political leader ended its perfunctory probe of the In conclusion, I would like to assertion of humanity by people matter, the family and friends of and a real friend to the cause - the who had nothing to lose," he said. point out that the women's move­ right cause and the Black cause. Johnny Augustine continue to work ment and other groups, profession­ Philippines "I saw them as human beings be­ to demand that the body be exhumed A prisoner cause they stood up." als, and individuals have taken up Elmira, New York Now that Uncle Sam has been to determine whether it was as this issue; bookstores are full of forced to flee the Philippines with Yesh Gvul supports the demand maimed as the funeral home em­ many good books on this phenom­ his tail between his legs (the evac­ for a sovereign Palestinian state and balmer stated it was. enon, and I hope that you will take TV Marti uation of the ·Peace Corps to Ha­ calls on the Israeli government to "lt'sunusual,"theembalmersaid. a longer look at this issue. waii), can you print a full front-page negotiate with the Palestine Libera­ "When you hang yourself, you The U.S. embassy in London re­ tion Organization. Kenneth Knudsen, Sr. fused to meet with a delegation of story on how the United States stole break your neck. But his back was Marla Puziss broken, too." San Francisco, California trade union·and political leaders to the Philippines, is responsible for Atlanta, Georgia protest Washington's aggression subjecting the Filipino people to un­ With your assistance in reporting against Cuba, so the Britain Cuba conscionable injustice, and. has used on this case, we might be able to Hunger strike Resource Centre is presenting the the CIA to murder anyone coura­ focus the needed national publicity Pathfinder Mural on the matter. Jose Manuel Sevillano, aged 30, U.S. officials with a statement de­ geous enough to stand up to Amer­ A prisoner died while on a hunger strike in manding that TV Marti be aban­ ican imperyalism and brutality? 'That's beautiful!" "A wonderful Madrid May 25. He was one of 60 doned, the economic blockade of A reader · depiction of Mandela!" These are Angola, Louisiana members of GRAPO (Anti-Fascist Cuba be lifted, and Washington nor­ Minneapolis, Minnesota the type of comments we heard all Resistance Groups- Frrst of Octo­ malize relations between the two day at the Oakland Coliseum on The Militant special prisoner ber) who started a hunger strike in countries. June 30 -the day Nelson Mandela fund makes it possible to send Spanish jails on Nov. 30, 1989. Forty Labour Party members of Israeli resisters came here - as we hawked the reduced-rate subscriptions to Sevillano died of starvation de­ Parliament, six members of the Eu­ On May 30, along with 150 oth­ poster of Mandela's portrait on the prisoners who can't pay for them. spite being fed intravenously. Four­ ropean Parliament, the general sec­ ers, I heard Steven Langfur speak at Pathfmder Mural. 1b help this important cause, send teen others are said to be in danger retaries of several of the larg~st Emory University in Atlanta. Lang­ More than 60 people bought the your contribution to Militant of death. Thirty-eight remain on unions here, the Campaign for Press fur was representing Yesh Gvul, an poster and another 50 bought post­ Prisooer Subscription Fund, 410 strike. On occasion they have been and Broadcasting Freedom, and organization of Israeli soldiers who cards of the Mandela portrait, which \\est St., New York, N.Y. 10014. tied down to prevent them from Bishop Trevor Huddleston-leader refuse to serve in the army occupy­ was painted by Dumile Feni, him­ removing the intravenous drips. of the Anti-Apartheid movement­ ing the West Bank and Gaza Strip. self a member of the African Na­ . The letters column is an open The strikers demand the right to · are among the 2,000 signers of the The name in Hebrew means "there tional Congress. A total of$560 was forum for all viewpoints on sub­ be kept together in two prisons - protest. is a limit." raised to support the six-story New jects of general ·interest to our one for women and one for men. A June meeting of the House of Currently Ill Yesh Gvul mem­ York mural. Hundreds of brochures readers. Please keep your letters They have been dispersed in ones Commons heard from Roberto de bers are jailed in Israel for refusing describing the mural were handed brief. Where necessary they will and twos since 1988. Together they Armas, representing the Cuban em­ to obey orders. l..angfur himself was -out, and many people were im­ be abridged. Please indicate ifyou feel they would be better able to bassy, who called TV Marti the recently released from prison. Often pressed by the project. prefer that your initials be used maintain their morale against abuses "world's first ever invisible TV sta- the jail terms are of indefinite dura- The posters and other materials rather than your full name.

July 27, 1990 The Militant 19 THE MILITANT 17 die in Arco Chemical plant blast Oil and chemical unionists respond to industry's declining safety

BY KA TY KARLIN HOUSTON - An explosion at a waste­ water treabnent facility at an Arco Chemical plant in Channelview, outside of Houston, killed 17 workers on July 5. It was the seventh serious accident in Houston's oil and chemical industry within 30 days, and the country's deadliest industrial accident since an Oct. 23, 1989, Phillips chemical plant explosion left 23 dead. The Phillips plant, in Pasadena, Texas, lies just across the Houston Ship Channel from Arco Chemical. The Arco facility (Arco Chemical is a subsidiary of Atlantic Richfield) is a non­ union plant that employs 250 workers. A tank containing plant wastewater, including flam­ mable hydrocarbons, ignited as a nearby compressor was being started up. Witnesses heard screaming and saw workers climbing over the fence in an attempt to escape. Houses in the community rattled, shattering windows. The blast was felt 10 miles away and an orange glow hung over the plant. One Arco worker, upon being assured that the company would provide counseling in the aftermath of the tragedy, said, "I don't Arco Chemical facility following devastating July 5 explosion need counseling. I need a job that won't kill me. They won't see me in that place again." The Arco incident occurred at the same Phillips and Fish Engineering, a contract unsafe assignment. "You basically do just Five of the workers killed were employed time a discussion is taking place within the company, with 747 safety violations contrib­ what you are told_," one worker in the video by Arco Chemical, 11 by Austin Industries, OCAW about safety. Two weeks before the uting to the October 1989 explosion, the said. "And the supervisor will tell you, 'If Inc., a labor contracting company, and one explosion, more than 300 Houston-area Occupational Safety and Health Administra­ you don't like it, we've got a dozen more out was a truck driver for Waste Processor In­ OCAW members, along with community tion fined Phillips $5.6 million, or about 2 there that will take the job."' dustries, Inc. and environmental activists, viewed the pre­ percent of the corporation's 1989 profits. Katy Karlin is a member ofthe Oil, Chemical According to the Houston Post, Lori miere screening of Out of Control! at the In the video the OCAW puts forward a and Atomic Workers Local 4-227 and an Davis, the wife of one of the contract workers OCAW Local4-367 union hall. seven-point proposal for increased plant operator at Lyondell Petrochemical, a sub­ who was killed, received a phone call from A video narrated by consumer activist safety. Among them is the demand that "con­ sidiary of Atlantic Richfield. her husband shortly before the blast. He had . Ralph Nader, Out of Control! was produced tract workers be subjected to the same stan­ worked 17 hours that day but was being by the OCAW in the wake of the Phillips dards as regular employees." forced to stay until he and other workers had disaster. It places the blame for the rise in Union video presents started the compressor. He told her he didn't accidents on the oil companies' greed for Protecting rights of contract workers think the compressor was safe for startup, profits. The case for protecting the rights of con­ 7-point program to Davis said, but, "They wouldn't know until In the early 1980s, when prices for crude tract workers marks a shift in the discussion they cranked it up." fell dramatically, big oil went through a "fi­ within the OCAW. Earlier the union lead­ enforce industry safety "I told all I knew to the other victims' nancial restructuring" in order to increase ership's solution centered on getting the con­ families, although I think Arco wanted to profits. This meant cutting back on labor tract workers out of the plants. About 40,000 Out ofControl! can be purchased from the hush me up," Davis said. "All the company costs and on maintenance. Half the refmeries workers hired by contracting companies Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union, did was give us some food and tell us a bunch in the country were closed, and although work in oil refmeries throughout the country. P.O. Box 2812, Denver, Colo. 80201. The of bull about their not having any control today production is back up, these plants Contract workers are inadequately trained union is planning to show the video widely over it." · have never been reopened. in chemical safety, and their injuries are not to union locals, community, and civic orga­ nizations. In Hooston members of the Phillips The day after the explosion a group of The result is refmeries with streamlined included in the companies' accident reports. work forces and aging equipment operating Often they are very young or immigrant victims' families plan to give presentations community environmental organizations with the video. · at unprecedented levels of production. · workers and they are routinely assigned the held a news conference at the Arco gate The OCAW's seven-point program pre­ "It's like the wild, wild West when you dirtiest and most dangerous jobs. They make condemning the company for negligence. sented in the video is: Anthony Mazzocchi, secretary-treasurer of enter those gates anymore," one oil worker up to $6 an hour less than fulltime company "• We demand that companies make pub­ the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers said in the video. employees, often with no benefits. lic all hazard and risk assessments prepared Union, spoke, noting the alarming increase The fines against the oil and chemical Unlike union workers, contract workers by the industry and its insurers. companies have been light. After charging do not have the option of turning down an in recent disasters in the industry. . ·•• We demand that workers be empow­ ered to inspect ... monitor ... verify ... and, if necessary, halt the operation of any process that presents an imminent threat to Dairy strikers seek union, pay raise life and health. "• We demand that all workers have BY MATI HERRESHOFF aid. "We had been hearing about this union told how the supervisor and one of the fore­ the right to refuse unsafe work without threat of intimidation or retaliation by em­ ZILLAH, Washington -"A contract is for a long, long time," said Carlos. men would physically threaten workers. ployers. our goal," said Carlos, one of 40 milkers on The UFWWS responded by organizing a "They always push us to hurry," said strike at the Cow Palace/Springer One dairy series of meetings where the workers formu­ Pedro. He and others explained how this "• We demand that acts of corporate con­ cealment; reckless endangerment, or at­ farm here. lated their demands and planned their strat­ leads to injuries when workers are trampled tempts to silence whistleblowers be treated "They the biggest and worst paying in egy. When the owner refused to negotiate, by cows, or cows trample each other. Work­ are as criminal acts. the strike began. ers told how they were not allowed to take the state," said Pablo. With over 4,000 cows, "• We demand new laws requiring strin­ lunch and break periods. the dairy farm is the fourth largest in the This is the first time the four-year-old gent training, maintenance and operating United States. UFWWS has been able to prepare a strike in The farm's owner, Bob Dolsen, has hired procedures, honest recordkeeping, and state­ "He hasn't given a raise in 10 years," said this way. The more than 20 other strikes the a crew of antiunion security guards, digging of-the-art engineering design and process Javier, a young worker. "In fact, he's cut UFWWS has helped lead all began sponta­ ditches along the roadside to impede picket­ controls. wages." Cuco, who has worked there for 12 neously, when groups of workers, fed up with ing, and telling the strikers they are frred. "• We demand that business be required years, explained that until 1985 workers intolerable conditions, walked off the job. Other big-business farmers have driven by to insure workers the loss of all wages arising started at $49 a day and earned $54 a day In addition to demanding union recogni­ to harass the strikers, some throwing frre­ from the destruction or condemnation of a after three months. Today, workers start at tion, the strikers are protesting other attacks works. facility. the minimum wage. After two weeks they by the employer. "He crucified us when he So far, Dolsen has had little success in "• Finally, we demand that contract get $44 a day; $49 a day after one year; and took away our ability to change shifts," said recruiting scabs. Most ot those he recruited workers be subjected to the same standards $54 a day after three years. Javier. The strikers worked eight hours a day, have been turned away by the union's picket as regular employees ... including training, Several workers explained that they are six days a week, on all three shifts. Previously line. Some explained that they had not been safety, experience requirements, health mon­ not just fighting for a raise, but "so everyone they could trade shifts if they wanted a day told a strike was on; others told pickets how itoring, and recordkeeping." is paid equally." off. Dolsen was offering them $64 a day. To enforce these demands will take a The strike began on July 6. More than two The company installed video cameras to Messages of solidarity and other support struggle by union members along with con­ months earlier, the workers began to organize spy on the workers. "If they saw two workers can be sent to: UFWWS, P.O. Box 899, tract workers, environmental activists, and themselves and went to the United Farm talking, they'd tell us to 'move it,' like we Granger, Wash. 98932; telephone: (509) 854- members of the communities that surround Workers of Washington State (UFWWS) for were prisoners," said Carlos. Several workers 2161. oil and chemical plants.

20 The Militant July 27, 1990