AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE Capitalist rulers’ for-profit health system is disaster for workers — PAGE 7 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 84/no. 50 December 21, 2020 NY Remington Organize to fight for India farmers: workers march jobs, wages and health! ‘End the gov’t for severance attack on our pay, new jobs livelihoods!’ By Ved Dookhun by Roy Landersen ILION, N.Y. — Some 30 people A monthslong rebellion by Indian participated in an informational farmers, which has drawn solidarity ac- picket here Dec. 5 to show support tions from the Indian diaspora around for United Mine Workers Local 717 the world, continues to intensify, shak- members demanding Remington Out- ing the government of Prime Minister door Co. honor their union contract. Narendra Modi. Hundreds of thousands Remington bosses filed for bankrupt- of family farmers converged on the cap- cy in July, terminated 585 workers in ital, New Delhi, at the end of November, October, and cut off their health care demanding repeal of new agriculture and access to other benefits. They also laws that threaten their livelihoods. refused to give severance and accrued Many more joined a nationwide strike vacation pay. Local 717 has held ral- Dec. 8, blocking highways, rail lines and lies twice a week here since the lay- food markets for Delhi and Mumbai, offs, and plans to continue. home to more than 50 million people. The company has run the plant Modi says the new measures are to since 1828. In bankruptcy it sold off Militant/Ved Dookhun “modernize” Indian agriculture by giv- its brands of shotguns, rifles and am- Remington arms workers march Dec. 5 in Ilion, New York, to demand severance pay, vacation ing farmers greater market “flexibility,” pay, after bosses declared bankruptcy. Albany nurses fighting for contract joined in solidarity. munition to seven different buyers. but millions of toilers on the land know It sold the plant to Roundhill Group, Demand jobs, gov’t-funded New gov’t lockdowns make they will be the ones to lose out. whose boss says he wants to refit it The laws are a product of growing to build guns sometime in the future. lifelong health care for all workers’ jobs crisis worse pressure from the country’s billionaire The union says it wants jobs and a From farmers in India to workers By Brian Williams ruling families to extract greater profits union contract when the plant re- fighting Remington bosses in Ilion, While the government claims un- from the massive agricultural workforce opens. There are few other industrial New York, working people are find- employment is going down, tens of by ending decades-old state subsidies. employers in Ilion, a village of 8,000. millions of working people have been Imperialist governments, including the “We will not back down,” Jac- out of work for many months and U.S., Australia, Canada and Japan, all quie Sweeney, recording secretary Editorial thousands more job cuts have been rival agricultural exporters, have at- of UMW Local 717, said as she wel- announced. And bosses are demand- tacked India’s price support programs. comed people to the march. ing ways to stand up to the deter- ing bigger wage and benefit cuts and “Our already meager profits are in She announced that members of mined moves by the bosses to use imposing unsafe conditions for those danger if the government lets big busi- the New York State United Teachers government-imposed lockdowns to who remain in a job. nesses control prices,” Kishan Kushwa- Continued on page 9 Continued on page 9 Nothing is more important than for ha, one protesting farmer from Haryana workers to be on the job so we can state, told CBS News. unite to stand up to boss attacks on After the laws passed in September, Socialist Workers Party brings Continued on page 6 Continued on page 2 action program to working people Shift in Middle East can lead to BY Janice Lynn and Sam manuel CARROLLTON, Ga. new opening for working people —“I’m 100% for that,” by terry evans tic missiles, which it used in destruc- Dylan Tapia told Rach- The most significant developments tive strikes against Saudi Arabia’s oil ele Fruit, the Socialist in the Middle East in years are the fields and has shared with its allies. Workers Party candidate agreements reached by the rulers The Iranian rulers fear any exten- for U.S. Senate, when in Israel, the United Arab Emirates sion of opposition among working she said working people and Bahrain for mutual recognition, Continued on page 9 need to break from the facilitated by the administration Democrats and Republi- of President Donald Trump. These cans and build their own Sunni Arab rulers, and others in the party, a labor party. Fruit region, are also increasing military Inside was campaigning at the and economic connections with the Cuba exposes ‘San Isidro’ smear, Walmart parking lot here Israeli government. defends record on art, culture 4 Dec. 5, ahead of the up- This developing shift is grounded coming Jan. 5 special in efforts to build a common front Alabama Amazon warehouse election. against the capitalist rulers in Iran. workers fight for union 4 Fruit’s campaign is They have entrenched their armed part of the SWP’s ongo- forces and allied militias in Iraq, Thai protests continue fight ing effort to bring the Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, as wars for political rights 7 Militant and the party’s Militant/Janice Lynn and civil strife shake the region, and fighting action program Walmart worker Kywaun Lewis talks with Rachele Fruit, continue to threaten the existence of SWP candidate for US Senate, in Carrollton, Georgia, Dec. 5. –On the picket line, p. 5– to workers and farmers Israel. New York nurses strike for across the country. nology company. Since the Trump administration safety, patient care, better wages “I’ve been talking to people where Fruit showed Tapia Tribunes of the pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal I work about the need for a union, People and the Trade Unions, which with Tehran, the regime there has re- Airport workers challenge boss but many are afraid,” said Tapia, who includes articles by revolutionary sumed amassing enriched uranium demands for 25% wage cut works for a medical information tech- Continued on page 3 and developed high-precision ballis- India farmers: ‘End attacks!’ Continued from front page Little Punjab — British Sikhs chanted, protests began uniting farmer organiza- “Long live unity between farmers and tions and agricultural laborers’ unions. laborers” and “Save farmers.” The bills would end not only minimum Hundreds have also taken to the price supports for working farmers but streets in major cities across the U.S., also prohibitions on hoarding, cheap Canada and Australia, protesting New government loans and subsidy pay- Delhi’s attack on the farmers. ments when crops are destroyed by natural disasters. Farmers and workers solidarity The laws would remove government- Over half of India’s 480-million regulated prices for crops such as rice, strong workforce of farmers and farm wheat and beans. Big corporate buyers laborers toil on 146 million farms passed could drive down prices of farm pro- down through generations. Half the to- duce. Meanwhile, costs of farm inputs tal population of 1.35 billion depends on like machinery, seed and fertilizer con- agriculture for a living. tinue to rise, crushing family farmers. India’s capitalist economy, partly due Despite police use of water cannons to drastic pandemic shutdowns, is in the and barriers, some 300,000 farmers worst recession since independence in Indian Express/Harmeet Sodhi; inset, Militant/Katy LeRougetel Protesting farmers in India occupy rail bridge Nov. 27, part of “March on Delhi” against laws from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh 1947. But agricultural production grew ending government price supports. Inset, part of solidarity demonstration in Montreal Dec. 6. and other states set up camps for miles by 3.4% in the past six months. along five main roads to the capital, Tens of millions of workers, from both The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordi- for farmers. But they wouldn’t give up. blocking traffic. Stocked with months of the private and public sector unions, nation Committee, a united front of over They want to scrap all the laws, drawn food, fuel and other supplies, the make- held a general strike Nov. 26 against 250 farmers’ organizations, announced up without consulting them. shift camps have a festive atmosphere. the Modi government’s new anti-union their support for the strikers. “Future generations will remember Small farmers from Punjab, many of laws, which give bosses greater room to Under the pressure of the protests, the us for the revolution we are leading,” whom are Sikh, have led the way. Pun- fire workers. The strike also extended government offered Dec. 5 to amend the Binod Kumar, a protesting farmer from jab is called the nation’s “breadbasket.” support to the farmers’ march on Delhi. law and keep the price support scheme Uttar Pradesh, told the media. Mass protests and strikes spread to the southern states of Kerala and Karnataka as well as the northeast state of Assam and sugar farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Farmworkers in Peru defeat gov’t anti-labor law Family farmers, some 86% of the to- by seth galinsky blocks kept hundreds of trucks from with all workers given permanent jobs. tal in India, till plots of five acres or less. Thousands of farmworkers fighting making it to Lima, the capital. “What exists is a whole bunch of con- Many are being crushed by a mounting for higher wages and better working “Getting rid of this discriminatory tracts where a worker is hired for three debt burden. In 2019 some 10,000 In- conditions ended a six-day strike and law is a big victory,” Nelson Huamán or four months. There’s no stability,” dian farmers committed suicide. blockade of highways across Peru Roncal told the Militant by phone. Hua- Huamán said. “But here in this valley “No farmers, no food!” is a slogan of Dec. 4, after the Peruvian Congress mán, secretary for the defense of labor there is work all year round. There’s no the solidarity protests, largely by Indian revoked the anti-labor “Agrarian Pro- of the national Fentagro farmworkers reason not to hire workers permanent- immigrant workers, around the world. motion Law.” This was a key demand union, works in the citrus orchards and ly.” Nearly nine out of 10 workers are The largest in London drew thousands of the workers. is a leader of the union at the Camposol hired as temps, according to the gov- Dec. 6, reflecting the large Indian di- The strike, which began in the south- fruit and vegetable company in Chao, in ernment’s own figures, and get paid less aspora in the U.K., the former colonial ern part of the country, rapidly spread the northern department of La Libertad. than permanent workers. power in the subcontinent. At an Oct. 4 to the north, paralyzing production of The agrarian law was passed in 2000 “There should be no differences demonstration of some 4,000 people in grapes, tangerines, blueberries, avoca- to benefit big agro-exporting landlords. among workers,” Huamán said. “We Southall, London — an area known as dos and asparagus. Farmworkers’ road- Last year in December the Peruvian have to be united.” In the southern prov- government extended it until 2031. Un- ince of Ica, the big agro-export compa- der this law farm bosses can keep work- nies made $6.6 billion in 2018, a 12% ers as temporary employees indefinitely. increase, a union statement said, while This helps them avoid overtime pay re- farmworkers were earning $11 a day. quirements, and lets them pay less than “The supervisors, the experts and the the official minimum wage by counting owners can’t keep treating us however annual bonuses as part of hourly pay. they want,” the union said. ‘Militant’ tells truth about conflict in Ethiopia “We don’t get the benefits we should,” Jorge Muñoz, a 19-year-old farm- Huamán said. “Sometimes we have worker at Camposol, was killed when Behind the monthlong to work from 3 in the morning to 7 at cops shot at protesters. “We want jus- war in Ethiopia between the night, but don’t get overtime.” The union tice,” Flor Jiménez, his mother, told federal government and the is demanding that wages be doubled to a the press, “so that this doesn’t happen Tigray People’s Liberation minimum of 2,000 sols a month ($555), to anyone else.” Front was a conflict over control of the riches of the Latin America, Caribbean: For one year send rapidly expanding economy. The Militant $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. Vol. 84/No. 50 Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For Washington, Beijing and one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to Closing news date: December 9, 2020 other capitalist powers have Militant/Mike Shur above address. Map shows strategic position of Ethiopia Editor: John Studer Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 stakes in the outcome. in Horn of Africa near Middle East. to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- Managing Editor: Terry Evans treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. Editorial volunteers: Róger Calero, Seth Ga- United Kingdom: Send £30 for one year linsky, Emma Johnson, Martín Koppel, Roy by check or international money order SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Landersen, Jacob Perasso, Brian Williams. made out to CL London, 5 Norman Road (first floor), Seven Sisters, London, N15 Published weekly except for one week in 4ND, England. January. 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2 The Militant December 21, 2020 SWP gets action program out Continued from front page were on furlough. It’s the bosses’ gov- leaders Karl Marx, V.I. Lenin, Leon ernment not ours, I told him. The SWP’s Trotsky, Farrell Dobbs and SWP Na- action program says we need to fight for tional Secretary Jack Barnes. “A tri- workers control of all aspects of produc- bune of the people,” the back cover tion, including all aspects of safety. says, “uses every manifestation of Perry’s mother had worked in a nurs- capitalist oppression to explain why ing home and he had followed the just- it’s workers and our allies who can ended strike by workers in 11 homes and will — in the course of struggles in the Chicago area. “They might have by the unions and beyond — lay the gotten a dollar raise,” Perry said, “but foundations for a world based not on they haven’t really won because the violence and competition, but on soli- company will be back for more.” darity among working people world- They increased their unity and self- wide.” Tapia got the book and sub- confidence by standing up and fight- scribed to the Militant. ing, we told him. All gains workers “A campaign outside of the Demo- make through our struggles are tem- crats and Republicans would be nice for porary as long as the exploiting class a change,” Kywaun Lewis, 21, told Fruit holds power. But through our strug- just after finishing his job giving out gles, we explained, we open the road samples at the Walmart. His work hours to building a movement that can lead Militant/George Chalmers had been drastically cut. “With my un- millions to replace the dictatorship of “Everything in this country is about money,” said apprentice electrician Joshua Liska as he got employment benefits I bought this car so capital we live under with a govern- Militant subscription from Alyson Kennedy in Ennis, Texas, Dec. 2. “We have to change things.” I could take a second job making deliv- ment of workers and farmers. Perry Her son lost his job earlier this year. my wife got laid off from a small store eries for DoorDash,” he said. subscribed to the Militant. “I get very angry about what is hap- with the first lockdown,” he said. “The key question today is the fight pening to us in this country,” Honza “The bosses pay those of us still for jobs,” Fruit said. “We need to fight Working people need said. “We need a march on Washington working less wages,” I said, “they for a shorter workweek to spread around our own party to say we want our money.” cut hours and force us to work in un- the available work, with no cut in pay.” By Alyson Kennedy “And we need to be at work to fight to- safe conditions.” “They try to get us to think we can’t ENNIS, Texas — “The problems we gether to defend the interests of working “Everything is this country is about do anything to change our conditions,” face are caused by the capitalist system people,” I told her. “We need to demand money,” Liska said. “We have to Fruit said. “But as workers go through that puts profits first,” Socialist Workers that the government provide immediate change things.” struggles, we will gain the confidence Party member George Chalmers told relief for workers without a job for as “Working people need our own that we can unite to win.” former Walmart worker Kay Honza, long as they need it. The only thing that party, a labor party based on fight- Lewis subscribed to the Militant when we came to her doorstep in this will change our conditions is when we ing unions, that is not about getting and purchased Malcolm X, Black small town south of Dallas Dec. 2. fight for our interests.” Honza got a copy votes, but organizing working people Liberation, and the Road to Workers “I agree,” Honza said. “We are foot- of the Militant and said she would get a to fight,” Chalmers said. Liska sub- Power by Barnes. ing the bill so that the rich can stuff subscription the next time we visit. scribed to the Militant and purchased their faces. I get only $562 in Social Joshua Liska, a 22-year-old appren- the book Red Zone: Cuba and the Bat- Pandemic used as pretext to Security after working all my life.” tice electrician, is still working, “but tle Against Ebola in West Africa. go after working people By Naomi Craine MAYWOOD, Ill. — “These com- panies use the pandemic as an excuse” Socialist Workers Party action program to go after workers’ rights and condi- The Socialist Workers Party control of production out of the hands CUBA’S REVOLUTION — AN EXAMPLE. tions, truck driver Shishonie Perry told presents a fighting working- of the bosses. Employers care about The Cuban Revolution in 1959 showed Socialist Workers Party member Leroy class program. we need to orga- profits, not the dangerous conditions it is possible for workers and farmers Watson and this worker-correspondent nize to fight growing employer we’re forced to work under. This is the to transform themselves in struggle, when we knocked on his door in this attacks on our jobs, wages and only road to take control of and enforce to take political power and uproot Chicago suburb Dec. 6. Perry owns his working conditions. Build solidar- safety and health on the job. Demand capitalist exploitation. End the US rig and works for a company that deliv- ity with workers’ struggles to organize the bosses open their books for inspec- rulers’ economic war against Cuba; ers containers for a major grocery chain. and defend themselves. On this course, tion by workers and consumers. Work- US out of Guantánamo. In June the company tried to cut the we can build and use union power on ers control of production is a school for FIGHT POLICE BRUTALITY! Demand pay rates for both independent truck- our own behalf, and for all those suf- learning to run the economy ourselves, that cops who kill and brutalize people ers and those it hires directly. fering blows by the bosses and their in the interests of all producers, a crucial be prosecuted. Fight racist discrimi- At the beginning of one shift, he government. One union for all drivers step alongside building a labor party to said, 45 truckers, both independent and — taxi, Uber, Lyft and other app-based fight to take political power. nation and the entire capitalist injus- company-hired drivers, told bosses they and car service drivers! tice system, with its frame-ups, “plea FARMERS — WORKERS’ ALLIES ON were quitting immediately over the pay bargains,” onerous bail and “three MILLIONS NEED JOBS TODAY! Our THE LAND. Fight for immediate gov- cut. With hundreds of thousands of dol- strike” prison sentences, all of which unions need to fight for a federal gov- ernment relief to fully cover farmers’ lars in goods waiting to be delivered, disproportionately hit workers who ernment-financed public works program production costs, including living ex- the bosses backed down and left the are Black. For the right to vote for ex- to put millions to work at union-scale penses for themselves and their fami- old rates alone. It’s out of struggles like prisoners and all workers behind bars. wages building hospitals, schools, hous- lies. No more foreclosures! National- these that the union movement will be ing, mass transportation and much more ize the land, guaranteeing its use by HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. Fight for uni- rebuilt and extended, we told him. that workers need. Fight for a sliding those who live on and till it, not “repo” versal, government-guaranteed cra- The federal government has raised scale of hours and wages to stop layoffs seizures by absentee bankers, land- dle-to-grave health care, and retire- the cap on how many hours truckers and the effects of runaway prices. Cut owners, or capitalist farmers. ment income for all. can drive, Perry reported. “Some peo- the workweek with no cut in pay! For WOMEN’S RIGHT TO ABORTION. De- ple said they’d work the extra hours. cost-of-living clauses in every contract AMNESTY FOR ALL UNDOCUMENTED fend women’s right to unrestricted ac- But it took a fight to get that limit. It’s that raise pay and retirement benefits to IMMIGRANTS in the US, a life-and- cess to family planning services, includ- not safe to drive even longer.” offset every rise in prices! death question for the unions to unite It’s similar on the railroads, where Demand immediate national gov- workers and cut across divisions the ing the right to safe, secure abortions. the government gave the bosses waiv- ernment unemployment benefits at bosses use to drive down wages. For ac- DEFEND POLITICAL RIGHTS. Defend ers on key safety regulations because union scale for all those thrown out of cess to driver’s licenses for all. the right to vote, to free speech and of alleged “manpower shortages,” while work as long as they need it. OPPOSE WASHINGTON’S WARS. US assembly and to bear arms, under at- thousands of workers, including myself, WORKERS NEED THEIR OWN PARTY, hands off Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. tack from Democrats and Republicans A LABOR PARTY. For our unions to lead US troops out of Afghanistan, Korea, alike. Defend freedom of worship. a class break from the parties of the the Middle East. End US colonial rule Stop FBI and other government spy- bosses, the Democrats and Republicans. in Puerto Rico. ing, harassment and disruption. No A labor party can organize workers in FOR RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL AND OF to reactionary “cancel culture” and efforts to shut up people by public our millions to fight in our own interest A CONTIGUOUS PALESTINIAN STATE. lynching through social media. and in the interests of all those exploited The leaders of Arab states, of Israel and and oppressed by capital. It can chart a Palestinian leaders need to meet and DEFEND RIGHTS OF PRISONERS. End course to take political power out of the recognize both the state of Israel and solitary confinement. End suppression hands of the capitalist rulers and estab- an independent Palestinian state. For of the Militant, books and other news- lish a workers and farmers government. the right of Jews to return to Israel as papers by prison authorities. Abolish WORKERS CONTROL OF PRODUC- a refuge in the face of capitalist crisis, the death penalty, an anti-working-class TION. Workers need to fight to wrest Jew-hatred and murderous violence. weapon in the hands of the rulers.

The Militant December 21, 2020 3 Cuba exposes ‘San Isidro’ smear, defends record on art and culture by róger calero space for creators to work in total free- U.S. government officials and the big- dom,” Prieto said, and Cuba’s cultural business media are once again resorting institutions, while having made some to timeworn slanders that the Cuban mistakes, “are open to frank discussion government is a “dictatorship” follow- with artists and writers.” ing Cuban authorities stopping a Nov. As part of their decadeslong economic 26 protest action in Havana by oppo- and political efforts to destroy the revo- nents of the Cuban Revolution who call lution in Cuba — under both Democrat- themselves “independent artists.” ic and Republican administrations — The fact is the Cuban Revolution has the U.S. capitalist rulers have promoted a proud 60-year record fostering devel- and provided funds for individuals and opment of book publishing, film, music, groups that carry out anti-government and artistic creation, expanding access activity under the banner of defending to culture and education among millions artistic and intellectual freedom. In Cuban 1961 literacy campaign 250,000 mostly young people taught workers and peas- of people in city and countryside. Cuban television has shown docu- ants to read and write, including in the remotest regions. “Although the aggressiveness of the U.S. began very early ­— through pressure and threats, attacks, bombings, financing Cuban authorities had evicted from mentary footage of participants in the armed gangs, and a fierce media campaign­ — the revolutionary government did not neglect their headquarters and briefly detained protest being contacted by opponents of to advance Cuban culture,” Abel Prieto, former Minister of Culture, wrote in Granma Dec. 4. a group of 14 members of the so-called the Cuban Revolution in the U.S., incit- San Isidro Movement, an anti-govern- ing them to carry out acts of vandalism. of young Cuban artists, held a follow-up expression. Enforcement of the law has ment group. They had been on a hun- It played videos of U.S. officials meeting meeting Dec. 5 with dozens of artists been postponed to allow further discus- ger strike against the detention of Denis with members of the San Isidro group. and writers, including participants in the sion and changes to address these con- Solís, one of its members, who presents On Nov. 28 Cuba’s foreign min- Nov. 27 demonstration. cerns, and has not been implemented. himself as a rap artist. He was found istry called in U.S. Chargé d’Affairs But in response to further provocative “The revolution created a massive and guilty by a Cuban court of contempt Timothy Zuñiga-Brown, to protest actions by the San Isidro group, the Cu- eager public for arts and letters,” Prieto of authority for insulting and threaten- Washington’s “grave interference in ban ministry announced the day before wrote. “It also gave space to the most ing bodily harm to a police officer in Cuba’s internal affairs.” In reply, Zu- that it would not meet with individuals genuine and historically discriminated the line of duty and sentenced to eight ñiga-Brown said he would continue his who have had direct contact and receive against expressions of popular traditions months in prison. contacts with opponents of the Cuban financial support from the U.S. govern- and to the most audacious efforts in var- On Nov. 27, some 200 artists, writers government and revolution. ment, or with media outlets that receive ious artistic genres.” and students gathered outside the Min- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Jake funds from U.S. government agencies. While some artists and performers istry of Culture in Havana to voice con- Sullivan, President-elect Joe Biden’s Seeking to promote opposition to the have genuine concerns about how best cerns over the eviction, and to discuss pick for National Security Adviser; and Cuban Revolution, San Isidro group to develop art in Cuba, and are engaged freedom of expression. Vice Minister of other Democratic and Republican politi- leaders have focused on Decree-Law in discussion and debate as part of Culture Fernando Rojas and representa- cians have joined to use this provocation 349, which would require a government- strengthening the gains of the revolu- tives of cultural and artist organizations to slander the Cuban Revolution. issued license for the sale of artwork and tion, groups like San Isidro seek to use met for four hours with 30 of the dem- Dozens of opponents of the Cuban performances by self-employed artists these grievances to aid U.S. imperialism onstrators, including from the San Isidro Revolution held a rally in Miami Nov. and musicians. The law also bars art or to undermine the revolution. group, and agreed to more discussions. 28 to support the San Isidro provoca- music with pornographic, racist, “sexist, “It’s necessary to clearly separate Most of the participants were “influ- tion. Small actions were also held that vulgar and obscene” content, as well as the comic-strip actions of the marginal enced by the atmosphere created on so- day in New York and five days later in “using patriotic symbols in a way that is elements of San Isidro from what actu- cial networks. Few knew what actually Washington, D.C. Alex Otaola, a self- contrary to law.” ally happened at the Ministry of Cul- happened at San Isidro or who was in- described YouTube “influencer” and Cuba’s Council of State adopted the ture,” said Prieto, referring to the Nov. volved,” wrote Abel Prieto in the Cuban main organizer of the action in Miami, legislation as part of efforts to regulate 27 action. “Among the latter, there daily Granma Dec. 4. Prieto is director calls on the U.S. government to fur- the private art market in Cuba, which were valuable young people who must of Casa de las Américas, a renowned ther tighten economic sanctions against has grown over the past two decades. be listened to.” Cuban cultural institution and publisher. Cuba and for “free enterprise” there. Decree 349 generated widespread de- “Any artistic creator who approaches He had earlier served as president of the bate among Cuban artists, both for and Cuban institutions with legitimate ob- Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba Dialogue within the revolution against. Its critics, including supporters jectives will find representatives willing (UNEAC), and was minister of culture Representatives of the Cuban Minis- of the revolution, expressed concern that to listen and provide support,” he said. for many years. “I think they honestly try of Culture, leaders of UNEAC, and it would be applied too administratively “With fakes and frauds there is no pos- wanted to have a dialogue.” the Saíz Brothers Association, a group and could lead to censorship over artistic sible dialogue.” ‘An operation against the revolution’ “A minority participated with full awareness in an operation against the Alabama Amazon warehouse workers fight for union revolution,” Prieto said. “Their only BY SUSAN LAMONT Alabama. Despite the contraction of the position,” Ray said. Too many write-ups interest in ‘dialogue’ was to turn it into BESSEMER, Ala. — “The manag- steel and mining industries in recent de- and you’re fired. news, into a show, and score it as a vic- ers talk to you like you’re a child,” Ray, cades, many new Amazon workers have Workers notified the National La- tory. Some needed to justify the money a 31-year-old Amazon worker, told us family who are union members and vet- bor Relations Board Nov. 20 that they they are paid.” when we met going door to door here erans of important labor and civil rights want to hold a union election. The “The cultural policy of the revolution Dec. 5. A former Walmart worker, he struggles that have taken place here. company immediately tried to get has opened a wide and unprejudiced started working at the new Amazon ful- The pace of work is extremely fast the hearing pushed back. The NLRB fillment center when it opened in March. in the warehouse, Ray and his friend ruled Dec. 2 that the determination About two months ago a drive to win Jerry, who was visiting, said, and the hearing will be Dec. 18. Union leaf- union recognition began, and since then turnover of workers is high. “You have lets explain workers should be pre- militant hundreds of workers have signed autho- a maximum of nine seconds to handle pared for the company to step up their rization cards for the Retail, Wholesale, an item and get it into the ‘pod.’ They anti-union campaign. labor and Department Store Union. “I signed want you to do it in five seconds and Union supporters have a website at a card,” Ray said. they track everything. But if you have a www.BAmazonUnion.org where infor- forums Ray, and other Amazon workers we larger item, like a TV, you can’t handle mation on the drive is posted and where Georgia met, asked that we not use their last it in nine seconds.” workers can sign union cards. Union names for fear of retaliation by the boss- “We’re working 12-hour shifts now staffers distribute the cards 24/7 at every Atlanta Defend the Victory of a Small Ohio es. Some 1,500 full-time and part-time and get only two 30-minute breaks,” entrance to Amazon’s parking lot. Bakery Against the Wealth, Power workers are employed at the massive fa- said Jerry, who used to work at the Dol- When this worker-correspondent and Class Privilege of Oberlin College. cility, not including the many managers lar General distribution center here. knocked on his apartment door, Frank Speaker: Janice Lynn, Socialist Workers Party. Fri., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. Donation: and other company personnel. “If you want to smoke or eat outside, it Jones, who retired from Steelworkers- $5. 777 Cleveland Ave. SW, Suite 103. Tel.: The opening of the Amazon ware- takes practically your whole break just organized U.S. Pipe in Bessemer four (678) 528-7828. house, which pays $15 an hour for many to get out and back. And overtime isn’t years ago, invited me in to talk about positions, was big news in the area and voluntary.” Jerry decided to subscribe what’s happening at Amazon. His son, Texas the union-organizing drive is widely to the Militant to learn more about who recently got out of the military, Dallas known. Bessemer and nearby Birming- other workers’ struggles in the U.S. and works there. “They do need a union in End U.S. Economic War Against Cuba. Speaker: George Chalmers, Socialist ham have long been a center for union- around the world. there,” Jones said. Workers Party. Sat., Dec. 19, 7 p.m. organized steel production, pipe mills, Both said workers get written up for Donation: $5. 1005 W. Jefferson Blvd., foundries and other basic industry, and little things all the time. “If you get writ- John Benson and Markie Wilson con- Suite 207. Tel: (469) 513-1051. are close to the coal mining areas of ten up, you get bumped back to a lower tributed to this article.

4 The Militant December 21, 2020 on the picket line New York nurses strike for 1,161 to 582 to be represented by the safety, patient care, better wages New York State Nurses Association. ALBANY, N.Y. — Hundreds of They are fighting for a contract that nurses organized by the New York guarantees a reduction in the nurse-to- State Nurses Association struck Al- patient ratio, adequate on-the-job train- bany Medical Center here Dec. 1. ing, lower medical insurance premi- Many picketed the entire day, dressed ums, and higher wages. in red and carrying signs reading, The nurses are also demanding a se- “On strike for safety” and “Fair con- ries of measures to increase safety for tract for patients and nurses.” Hos- both nurses and patients. These include pital bosses, who had hired replace- providing N95 masks for all points of ment workers, prevented nurses from patient contact, no rationing or reusing returning to work for three days after of PPE, for separate units with a higher the 24-hour strike. standard of safety for COVID patients, “This strike is about respect and safer ventilation systems, and a full 14- safety and it’s about time that AMC day sick time for nurses infected with stop treating us like thugs and COVID-19 with no pressure to return to thieves,” Lenore Granich, a striking work early. nurse who is a member of the union So far Albany Med bosses have re- fused to make any concessions. Instead, negotiating committee, told a midday Militant/Ved Dookhun solidarity rally. they retaliated by trying unsuccessfully Members of New York State Nurses Association picket Albany Medical Center during Dec. Also speaking were local elected of- to decertify the union and are victim- 1 strike demanding more staff to ensure safety and for the health of patients, higher pay. ficials and representatives of the Ameri- izing nurses leading the union’s efforts. Chicago and the region. an hour in hazard pay. The strikers also can Postal Workers Union; Local 81359 “When the company writes up one “The main issue is the short staffing. won an additional five paid sick days for of the International Union of Electrical of the nurse leaders, we gather in front We also need a pay raise,” Donna Hund- COVID-related illness. Workers-Communications Workers of of the office at the time of the disciplin- “I was happy everyone came together America, which represents Momen- ary meeting to defend that nurse,” said ley, a striker at the Momence Meadows and did it together,” Diamond Wright, tive workers; Albany County Central nurse Mike Fitzsimmons, a member of Nursing Center, an hour south of here, who works at the South Point Nursing Labor Council; Laborers Local 190; the negotiating committee. told Militant correspondents on the Center here, said in a phone interview New York State Professional Fire Fight- The union last week filed an unfair picket line Nov. 28. “We come to work Dec. 6. “Unfortunately, I just get the $1, ers Association; International Brother- labor practice charge against the hospi- every day and risk our health.” Strikers and I’ve been there seven years. And hood of Electrical Workers; and Albany tal, claiming managers illegally tried to demanded additional protective gear I’m not too happy with the $500 bonus. Teachers Association. coerce nurses to quit the union. and hazard pay. Like nursing homes “I talked with a supervisor about go- Many workers from throughout the When hospital bosses hired 700 re- across the country, most of Infinity’s fa- ing back to work and I can feel there’s region joined the picket line, including placement nurses to fill staffing short- cilities have had COVID-19 outbreaks. tension,” she said. “I think they’ll be five rail conductors from two locals ages during the strike, “they demanded “We have been getting a lot of sup- stricter. It looks like we’ll be continuing organized by SMART-TD, electri- N95 masks,” Granich said. “When port from other workers in the area,” this fight.” cians from the International Brother- management stated that they didn’t Hundley said. — Naomi Craine hood of Electrical Workers, and several need them, they refused to work until According to a summary issued by the union, the contract includes new pay Walmart workers. they were provided the masks. Airport workers challenge boss “AMC puts safety and patients’ lives “The replacement workers went on scales that start at a minimum of $15.50 demands for 25% wage cut strike,” she said. an hour for certified nursing assistants in jeopardy,” Jennifer Bejo, an inten- LONDON — Engineers, firefight- — Jacob Perasso at all of the homes. The minimum rates sive care unit nurse, told the rally. ers and security workers employed by “We are fighting for a contract for all for other job classifications vary, to as Chicago nursing home workers little as $11.10 an hour in some nursing Heathrow Airport Ltd and members of nurses, whether in the union or not. We the Unite union took part in a 24-hour win pay raise after 12-day strike homes outside the city. All strikers will need to be heard and we will do this walkout at Heathrow Airport Dec. 1 to get a raise of $1 an hour, or to the new again if we have to.” CHICAGO — After nearly two protest wage cuts and threatened job scale, whichever is greater. “I have been up for 24 hours,” said weeks on strike, 700 members of cuts by the bosses. Some 4,000 workers There is also a ratification bonus of Olive Ayaho, a clinical support nurse Service Employees International have already been forced to sign new $500 for full-time and $200 for part- who picketed after having worked Union Healthcare Illinois ratified contracts that include pay cuts of up to time workers, and an additional 60 night shift. “But it’s important to be a contract with Infinity Healthcare 25%. The alternative — lose your job. part of history. We are in the streets Management that includes an imme- cents an hour in raises over the 2 1/2 This follows the loss of thousands of fighting for all nurses.” diate raise of at least $1 an hour. The year contract. jobs at British Airways and wage reduc- The over 2,000 nurses at the hospi- strike involved certified nursing as- Those working in areas where resi- tions for those left there. tal voted in September to authorize a sistants, housekeepers, kitchen work- dents have, or are suspected of having, “The airport is using the pandemic as strike, more than two years after voting ers and others at 11 nursing homes in COVID-19 will receive an extra $2.50 cover to force through plans they’ve had for a long time to cut pay. In negotia- tions the union offered temporary pay 25, 50, and 75 years ago cuts, but that wasn’t enough. They want to be a low-wage employer,” Unite re- gional officer Russ Ball told Militant worker-correspondents. Following an 84% vote in favor of December 25, 1995 December 25, 1970 December 22, 1945 industrial action, workers set up pick- PARIS — Sixteen days into the na- NEW YORK, Dec. 12 — Six hun- General Motors has been howling “il- et lines to resist the bosses’ demands. tional rail strike nothing is moving. dred women braved freezing rain today legal” at the CIO auto workers’ picket Further stoppages are planned for Hundreds of thousands of phone and to march for an end to all restrictions on lines. It began to call in the “law.” Gen- Dec. 14 and 17-18. power workers, subway and bus work- abortion. On the eve of the march, it was eral Motors is paving the way for strike- At the same time, some 850 British ers, municipal workers, teachers, hos- expanded to include a defense of femi- breaking through injunctions. Sheriffs Airways cargo workers are balloting for pital and other government workers, as nist Kate Millett. and federal marshals will be waving strike action against boss demands for well as students, have joined rail work- The Dec. 14 issue of Time singled court orders before every picket line. 20% to 25% wage cuts and outsourcing ers in a nationwide social protest move- out Millett, author of Sexual Politics, It’s been tried in at least two impor- their work to a subcontractor. ment against government plans to dras- for attack. Millett has recently ac- tant auto strikes before. Toledo and Flint. The North Yorkshire police told tically reduce social security benefits. knowledged that she is bisexual. “This The first, the birthplace of the fighting strikers at the Optare bus factory in “The strike was prompted by two disclosure,” Time concludes, “is bound traditions of the UAW-CIO in the To- Sherburn Nov. 5 to desist from picket- things,” said Jean-Paul Danard, an engi- to discredit her as a spokeswoman for ledo Auto-Lite Strike of 1934. The sec- ing because of the new government neer at the Montparnasse station. “The her cause, cast further doubts on her ond, the center of the “sit-down” strike coronavirus lockdown regulations. The plan to cut social security payments and theories, and reinforce the views of of 1937 that first humbled the General Unite union filed for urgent judicial re- raise the minimum retirement age from those who routinely dismiss all libera- Motors empire. In each struggle, the view and won Nov. 13. The government 50 to 55, and the plan to privatize the tionists as lesbians.” strike boiled down to one question: How was forced to issue guidance to all po- railroads with the possible layoff of as The march established the Women’s would the strikers meet the challenge of lice forces saying that workers can un- many as 30,000 workers.” Strike Coalition, a united front of close injunctions issued through the collusion dertake socially distanced picketing, as “What we are fighting for is a differ- to 100 organizations, as a group that is of big money and compliant judges? In it is covered by the right to go to work ent kind of society,” Dominique Larchet prepared to respond to every form of both cases, the answer was: “We will during the lockdown. said. “A job is not a privilege, a wage is oppression women face, be it from Time defy them!” And by successful defiance, — Pamela Holmes and not a privilege.” magazine or the city government. the workers won. Andrés Mendoza The Militant December 21, 2020 5 Lockdowns make crisis worse Capitalist rulers’ health ‘care’ Thai protests continue fight for political rights Continued from front page coal companies own mines in Illinois, wages and working conditions and Indiana, Montana and Wyoming. system is disaster for workers build and strengthen unions to coun- Bosses at meatpacking giants JBS, ter their assaults. Tyson Foods, Cargill and Smithfield by janet post deciding who will get treatment and The economic, social and health cri- Foods adopted measures they claim Little better prepared for the surge who will be left to die. In North Dakota sis working people face is rooted in a will prevent a repeat of the coronavi- in coronavirus infections than in the the authorities’ “plan” involves no resus- worldwide long-term decline of capi- rus deaths at their plants earlier this spring, the capitalist rulers organize citation for patients in cardiac arrest in talist production and trade driven by year. Workers were crammed into con- their health care industry on the basis hospitals or by paramedics in the field. If the profit crisis of the bosses, inter- fined spaces to maximize line speeds of what’s profitable, what best puts them overrun, the Florida Hospital Associa- twined with the coronavirus pandemic. and company profits. Their new steps in a position to compete with their ri- tion has a scoreboard for deciding which A new spate of lockdowns is being include sending some workers home, vals, as opposed to how to provide ac- patients to admit. It includes checking imposed by state governors whose instructing those still on the job to tual health. Current rising fatalities are the conditions of their organs, whether only answer to the rising number sit farther apart in canteens, but not a product of the normal operation of the they have dementia, or other conditions. of overloaded hospitals is to inflict spreading out work stations. That for-profit health industry. If “scores” are still tied, the patient’s age greater hardship on working people would entail building bigger facilities Some 1.5 million people have died is a “tiebreaker” for determining who and threaten more job losses. Some 27 or slowing down line speed, something from the coronavirus worldwide and gets turned away. million people in Southern California bosses consider intolerable. 281,199 in the U.S. as of Dec. 6. “I can’t deal with those patients that Pax Global Media/ Hortense des Dorides are affected by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s More than 1 million new state and Over decades thousands of hospitals need me when they come in with acute Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun latest stay-at-home order, which in- federal unemployment claims were Hundreds of airline and airport workers joined to protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and medical clinics have been closed. heart failure,” Dr. Shane Wilson of the Ontario, Oct. 20, calling on Canadian government to restart airline industry, ensure safety. Seven young leaders of protests in Thailand were charged Nov. 30 with cludes forcing thousands of workers filed for the week ending Nov. 28. Not Prescribed medicines, marketed as Scotland County Hospital in Missouri insulting the king which, if they are found guilty, could mean up to 15 years in to forego going to work. since the pandemic began has this having a disproportionate impact on plains that workers and farmers are commodities instead of being used as told ABC-News Dec. 3. “We don’t have prison. Tens of thousands of mostly student-led protesters have been demand- Like lockdowns enforced earlier this weekly figure been any lower. African American workers, 11.2% of the only productive classes and puts life-saving tools, are sold at prohibi- the staff for it.” ing political rights, the resignation of the prime minister and, more recently, year, these steps will have a devastat- While the official unemployment whom were unemployed in Novem- forward an action program to organize tively high prices. Tens of thousands of Meanwhile, capitalist politicians constitutional restrictions on the power of the monarchy. Above, Dec. 2 pro- ing impact on small businesses. rate was 6.7% for November, 20.1 mil- ber. Nearly one in six Blacks had jobs against government and boss attacks. young people willing to train as doctors and the media broadcast endless ex- test in Bangkok. But workers are finding ways to lion people were receiving some form in the public sector in 2019, includ- Today, we need to fight to get work- and nurses are turned away from uni- amples blaming working people for “This won’t stop our movement,” political science student Parit Chiwarak stand up to the bosses’ attacks. Nurses of jobless benefits as of midmonth. ing jobs in public transit, sanitation, ers back to work and not leave this vi- versities. The disastrous conditions in the spread of the virus — from going told reporters in Bangkok. “On the contrary, it will make more people join us.” have organized strike actions in New And this doesn’t include millions of schools and in government offices. tal question in the hands of the bosses nursing homes that resulted in 40% of to see family to not wearing masks Parit and the other leaders were questioned and charged at the police station, Rochelle and Albany, New York, along immigrant workers without papers and Since February, jobs of almost 1.4 and their government. Workers and all deaths from the virus in the U.S. have or not being six feet apart, taking the but not arrested — a rarity for accusations about challenging the monarchy. with 700 nursing home workers in Illi- part-time workers who aren’t eligible. million state and government workers our unions should fight for a govern- changed little in eight months. heat off the government and hospital The protest wave broke out in February after a court dissolved the Future nois. They’re demanding more staff for At the same time, those unemployed have been eliminated. ment-financed public works program A record 101,000 seriously ill COVID and health insurance bosses. Forward Party, an opposition party headed by a billionaire auto parts magnate. safety, more pay and to put the health long-term continues to rise. Thirty- Brandon Summers, 33, a Black resi- to put workers back to work at union- patients are in hospitals. In New York They make no pretense of following The new party came in third with 17% of the vote in last year’s election to the of patients and workers first. seven percent have been out of work dent of Nevada who is a teacher and scale wages building and expanding City retired nurses are being offered as these guidelines themselves. California National Assembly on a platform of fighting corruption and abusive govern- ment policies. Laid-off workers at the Remington for at least six months or more, accord- musician, lost both jobs in March. schools, hospitals, day care centers and much as $100 an hour to return to work. Gov. Gavin Newsom told working peo- The protests tapered off after the government imposed pandemic-justified firearms plant in Ilion, New York, have ing to government figures. Millions “When one month turned into six the infrastructure. Even though there are more medically ple to stop using restaurants and then lockdowns, but regained momentum in June, becoming more openly critical have already exhausted all jobless pay. months of no income, no employ- When bosses threaten more layoffs, tested ways to treat and ameliorate CO- been rallying at the plant demanding went out to eat at the upscale French of the monarchy. King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s ostentatious displays of wealth VID-19 after almost a year of the pan- severance pay after bosses filed for The number of workers with jobs ment,” he told the Financial Times, “I we should demand: cut the workweek Laundry eatery in Napa. — spending most of his time in Germany with his harem, making use of his demic, the Centers for Disease Control bankruptcy, slashing 585 jobs. in November is 9.8 million less than was reaching out for help and saying, without any reduction in our weekly In a frenzy of competition, pharma- estimated $40 billion fortune in the midst of the deepening crisis facing work- At Southwest Airlines, pilots, flight in February. Government statisticians ‘I need food … I can’t pay my rent.’” take-home pay. For 30 hours work at and Prevention and all hospitals tell peo- ceutical companies are scrambling to ing people and youth in Thailand — have helped fuel the protests. attendants, machinists and ramp work- consider many of these workers to have Right now bosses are doing little 40 hours pay! ple who are getting sick to go home, see beat each other in winning approval Worried that the military could crack down — it has carried out a doz- ers are refusing to accept bosses’ de- “dropped out” of the workforce. The to expand hiring. When they do and And we need our own party, a labor what happens and only come in if they for their vaccine. Many of them were en coups since 1932, the latest in 2014 — protesters held “coup preven- mands to “trade” a 10% wage cut in labor-force participation rate, which unemployment does drop, workers party based on fighting unions that can no longer breathe properly. advanced billions of dollars by govern- tion” rallies Nov. 27. “exchange” for the promise of no measures those employed and actively will gain more confidence, increasing can chart a course to take political As hospitals and intensive care units ments to cushion any financial losses. While cops attacked some protests with water cannons and tear gas, the layoffs next year. The company an- seeking work, was 61.7% in October, possibilities for renewed and more power out of the hands of the capital- get close to full capacity in several Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZen- government has proceeded cautiously, worried it could provoke even more nounced Dec. 3 it is sending furlough near its lowest level since the 1970s. widespread labor battles. ist rulers and establish a workers and states, bosses are readying “crisis-care eca-University of Oxford and others powerful actions by workers and peasants. warnings to 6,828 of these workers, Some 7 million adults, most of them The Socialist Workers Party ex- farmers government. standards,” another term for triage — will reap billions in profits. CVS and — Seth Galinsky and threatening another 402 mechan- women, said they weren’t working be- Walgreens pharmacies are guaranteed ics and other workers with layoffs in cause they were stuck home caring for big profits after they were chosen by the January. Since March, airline compa- children as a result of school closures. government to administer shots. itary doesn’t skip a beat in defending lives and slowing down the spread of the nies have eliminated 82,000 jobs. COVID-19 poses deadly crisis for workers behind bars While the giant pharmaceuticals the interests of U.S. imperialism. The virus. Last month, when the Italian gov- In early December the White Stal- Impact of job cuts on Black workers by brian williams and Florida with 189, the COVID Prison all of whom tested positive, stopped eat- claim the vaccines are public domain expected first shipment of 3.2 million ernment asked the Cuban government lion Energy LLC and Lighthouse Re- Job cuts by state and local govern- As the coronavirus pandemic contin- Project reports. ing in a protest to gain greater access and government controlled, AstraZen- doses will fall far short of inoculating to send more medical volunteers, as was sources Inc. filed for bankruptcy, elim- ments in schools, transit systems, and ues to sweep its way through the U.S., More inmates have been infected to showers, fresh air, electrical power, eca doses are already headed to private 21 million medical workers. done in the spring, Havana responded inating over 330 miners’ jobs. These libraries, and of office workers, are those facing some of the worst condi- by the coronavirus than these figures medical care and an end to doubling up market as soon as March in India. Those rapidly sending a further 60 health care tions are working people behind bars. indicate, as at least a million prison- men deemed asymptomatic in a single with cash can buy life-saving medicine Example of Cuban Revolution workers. Cuba’s medical volunteers are Inmates have been infected at a rate that ers have never been tested. In Florida, small cell. More than 2,200 prisoners — and those without will go without. Health care is addressed very dif- willing to go wherever they are needed, Books workers regardless of the politics of the govern- need today… …ABOUT BUILDING THE ONLY KIND is more than four times higher than that for example, there are 176,000 people 75% of those incarcerated there — were If Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are ferently in Cuba, where working OF PARTY WORTHY OF THE NAME of the general population and death rates behind bars, but only 84,500 of them infected and 28 died. approved by the U.S. Food and Drug people made a popular revolution ment of their destination. “REVOLUTIONARY” are over twice as high, especially among have been tested. Of these over 20% At the Adroscoggin County jail in Administration for emergency use, in 1959, establishing a workers and Despite rising shortages and other those who are older. tested positive. Auburn, Maine, 28 prisoners went on inoculations could begin within 24 farmers government. hardships confronting the people of The Turn to Industry: They rebuilt health care after thou- Cuba as a result of Washington’s de- Forging a Proletarian Party Prisoners have been crammed In New York state, Release Aging a two-day hunger strike in mid-Octo- hours. But estimates of vaccine deliv- sands of doctors whose main motiva- cadeslong economic war, the country’s by Jack Barnes $8 with a subscription into overcrowded facilities, many of People in Prison — a group that advo- ber seeking greater safety precautions ery under the government’s Operation which are old and poorly ventilated. cates the rights of elderly inmates — around COVID-19. Warp Speed were downsized after tion was lining their own pockets fled own COVID-19 vaccines will be dis- Tribunes of the People Prisons and jails across the country has been organizing regular protests Despite promises by prison officials problems with the pipeline of raw ma- to the U.S. They organized the train- tributed to the entire population through and the Trade Unions are notorious for inadequate health seeking clemency for these prisoners. that steps will be taken to improve medi- terials and vaccine impurities. ing of large numbers of medical work- the same mobilizations that have been by Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Dobbs, and Barnes care. Guards and other prison person- Since 2016, over 6,400 people in New cal care and safety conditions, large out- The Associated Press reported that ers who operated out of facilities lo- the foundation of health care throughout $7 with a subscription nel who came down with the disease York prisons have submitted clem- breaks of the disease continue to occur, the Russian government began inocula- cated in working-class neighborhoods the revolution since 1959. Malcolm X, Black Liberation, facilitated its spread. ency applications, with thousands un- even where officials imposed oppressive tions on teachers and doctors Dec. 5 af- where they lived. The treatment they and the Road to Workers Power With plans now being put in place for answered for years, RAPP says. And lockdowns. At the State Correctional ter the Sputnik V vaccine was “tested in provide is not a commodity to be sold by Jack Barnes $10 with a subscription a COVID-19 vaccination, the Centers New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo — Institution in Laurel Highlands, Penn- only a few dozen people.” at a profit but a right available to all For further reading… SPECIAL OFFER for Disease Control and Prevention ad- who puts himself forward as a pro- sylvania, 444 prisoners — more than The government of the U.K. began who need it, free of charge. visory committee has prioritized prison gressive — has granted just three for half its population — tested positive last its immunization program Dec. 8, but Since the beginning of the COV- $25 guards for the first phase of immuniza- those convicted of violent behavior, month. Eight inmates have died from has only ordered enough of the vac- ID-19 pandemic medical students and FOR ALL THREE BOOKS With a Militant tions, but not prisoners. and only 21 other clemencies. the disease there since mid-November. cine for 20 million people so far, in a other volunteers have mobilized to visit subscription There are 2.3 million people in pris- “The New York Department of Some prisoners in Laurel Highlands country of 68 million. every resident on the island to check if ons, jails and other detention centers, Corrections medical standard is inad- “had not left their cell blocks, breathed In the U.S., state governments will they have symptoms, and if so ensure The Jewish Question such as immigrant and juvenile facilities equate,” Jose Hamza Saldaña, director fresh air, attended religious services, or decide the “order” of vaccinations, with they rapidly get treatment. As of Dec. PLUS A Marxist Interpretation by Abram Leon — more per capita than any other na- of RAPP, who had been incarcerated visited a library in 250 days,” the Phila- guidelines from the CDC, which has yet 7 the government says only 136 people $12 with a subscription tion. This includes nearly half a million in New York for 38 years, told the Mili- delphia Inquirer reported. to make recommendations. Its direc- in a country of 11.3 million have died 20% people who have not been convicted of a tant Dec. 5. “From the beginning au- Even before coronavirus, health off Red Zone: Cuba and the Battle tor, Robert Redfield, urged the CDC from contracting the virus, one of the All OTHER Against Ebola in West Africa crime but are awaiting trial. thorities have not taken any measures care for working people incarcerated to “prioritize the elderly,” who are lowest rates in the world. Pathfinder by Enrique Ubieta As of Dec. 3, 1,555 prisoners have except to suspend all visitation. Condi- in city and county jails were abysmal. most vulnerable. But other officials Since the opening of the revolution, books $12 with a subscription: died from COVID-19. Of inmates test- tions have not changed much.” From 2008 to 2019, according to a Re- disagree, arguing that “essential work- the island’s medical workers have vol- $10 Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? ed nationwide, over 17% were infected In response to a rapidly spreading out- uters study, 4,998 people in U.S. jails ers” should get the first shots. For the unteered around the world to bring care Class, Privilege, and Learning under Capitalism with the disease. The two states with break of COVID-19 at the San Quentin died who hadn’t gone to trial, much government, the highest priority is the to others who need it. Today they are by Jack Barnes $5 with a subscription the highest deaths were Texas with 218 prison in California, about 20 inmates, less been convicted. Defense Department to ensure the mil- working in some 40 countries, saving pathfinderpress.com See distributors page 8 or visit pathfindeRpress.com

6 The Militant December 21, 2020 The Militant December 21, 2020 7 ‘Decisive battles for future of humanity will be fought in the US’ The Struggle for Socialism in the than the older European as an unorganized, atom- “American Century”: Writings and capitalist powers. The blind ized mass imbued with il- Speeches, 1945-47 by James P. Can- alley in which world capi- lusions concerning “rugged non is one of Pathfinder’s Books of the talism has arrived, and the individualism,” “private Month for December. In the face of U.S. with it, excludes a new initiative,” “free enterprise,” the U.S. rulers’ swaggering claim to organic era of capitalist sta- “the American Way,” etc., global domination following their vic- bilization. The dominant etc. Less than 10 percent of tory in the second imperialist world world position of American the class as a whole was or- war, Cannon, then national secretary imperialism now accen- ganized on the trade union of the Socialist Workers Party, lays tuates and aggravates the field (fewer than 3 million out the prospects for working-class death agony of capitalism out of 33 million in 1929). revolutionary struggle with total as a whole. Moreover, this thin layer confidence in its victory. The excerpt American imperialism embraced primarily the is from the SWP’s 1946 basic pro- emerged victorious from highly skilled and privi- grammatic document, “Theses on the the Second World War, not leged workers, organized American Revolution.” Copyright © merely over its German and in antiquated craft unions. 1977 by Pathfinder Press. Reprinted Japanese rivals, but also The main and most decisive by permission. over its “democratic” allies, section of the workers knew especially Great Britain. unionism only as “com- Today Wall Street unques- pany unionism,” remaining Books of tionably is the dominant without the benefit, the ex- world imperialist center. perience, and even the un- Precisely because it has is- derstanding of the most el- the month sued from the war vastly ementary form of workers’ strengthened in relation to organization — the trade by James P. Cannon all its capitalist rivals, U.S. union. They were regarded The United States, the most powerful imperialism seems indomi- Teamsters leader explains terms of victory in Minneapolis truck drivers and treated as mere raw ma- capitalist country in history, is a com- table. So overpowering in strike May 1934, which helped spur building of CIO industrial union move- terial for capitalist exploita- ment. Cannon said this showed historic potential of working class in U.S. ponent part of the world capitalist sys- all fields — diplomatic, mil- tion, without rights or pro- tem and is subject to the same general itary, commercial, financial, and indus- will not be finally decided until it is tection or any security of employment. laws. It suffers from the same incurable trial — is Wall Street’s preponderance decided in the U.S. Another retarda- As a consequence, the 1929 crisis diseases and is destined to share the that consolidation of its world hegemo- tion of the proletarian revolution in one found the working class helpless and same fate. The overwhelming prepon- ny seems to be within easy reach. Wall country or another, or even one conti- impotent. For three years the masses derance of American imperialism does Street hopes to inaugurate the so-called nent or another, will not save Ameri- remained stunned and disoriented not exempt it from the decay of world American Century. can imperialism from its proletarian by the disaster. Their resistance was capitalism, but on the contrary acts to In reality, the American ruling nemesis at home. The decisive battles extremely limited and sporadic. But involve it ever more deeply, inextrica- class faces more insurmountable ob- for the communist future of mankind their anger and resentment accumu- bly, and hopelessly. U.S. capitalism can stacles in “organizing the world” than will be fought in the U.S. … lated. The next five years (1933-37), no more escape from the revolutionary confronted the German bourgeoisie Much has been said about the “back- coincident with a partial revival of consequences of world capitalist decay in its repeated and abortive attempts wardness” of the American working industry, witnessed a series of gigan- to attain a much more modest goal, class as a justification for a pessimistic tic clashes, street fights, and sit-down namely: “organizing Europe.” outlook, the postponement of the social- strikes — an embryonic civil war — Books The meteoric rise of U.S. imperial- ist revolution to a remote future, and the end result of which was a leap, Decemberof the Month ism to world supremacy comes too late. withdrawal from the struggle. This is a a giant leap, for millions of workers Moreover, American imperialism rests very superficial view of the American from nonexistence as an organized PATHFINDER increasingly on the foundations of world workers and their prospects. force to trade union consciousness 30% economy, in sharp contrast to the situ- It is true that this class, in many re- and organization. Once fairly started, READERS CLUB discount SPECIALS ation prevailing before the First World spects the most advanced and progres- the movement for unionism snow- War, when it rested primarily on the in- sive in the world, has not yet taken the balled, embracing today almost 15 The Struggle for Socialism in ternal market — the source of its previ- road of independent political action on million in all the basic industries. the “American Century” ous successes and equilibrium. But the a mass scale. But this weakness can In one leap — in a brief decade — Writings and Speeches, 1945-47 world foundation is today shot through be swiftly overcome. Under the com- the American workers attained trade by James P. Cannon Out of World War II, leader of Social- with insoluble contradictions; it suffers pulsion of objective necessity not only union consciousness on a higher plane ist Workers Party answers U.S. rulers’ from chronic dislocations and is mined backward peoples but backward classes and with mightier organizations than in illusions of global domination as with revolutionary powder kegs. … in advanced countries find themselves any other advanced country. … Under labor upsurge is followed by bosses’ The economic prerequisites for the driven to clear great distances in single the impact of great events and press- offensive and witch hunt. socialist revolution are fully matured in leaps. As a matter of fact, the Ameri- ing necessities the American workers $25. Special price: $17.50 the U.S. The political premises are like- can working class has already made will advance beyond the limits of trade W.E.B. Du Bois Speaks, wise far more advanced than might ap- one such leap which has advanced it far unionism and acquire political class 1920-1963 pear on the surface. … ahead of its old positions. consciousness and organization in a by W.E.B. Du Bois, Philip S. Foner. The issue of socialism or capitalism The workers entered the 1929 crisis similar sweeping movement. $20. Special price: $14 Nicaragua: The Sandinista People’s Revolution if you like this paper, look us up by Daniel Ortega, Tomás Borge $25. Special price: $17.50 Where to find distributors of the NEBRASKA: Lincoln: P.O. Box 6811. AUSTRALIA Militant, New International, and a full Zip: 68506. Tel: (402) 217-4906. Email: Sydney: Suite 103, 124-128 Beamish Fidel Castro: Nothing Can display of Pathfinder books. [email protected] St. Campsie. Postal Address: P.O. 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Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 8 The Militant December 21, 2020 Demand jobs, gov’t-funded cradle-to-grave health care for all Continued from front page The propertied ruling families don’t wait in line labor to guarantee care and preventative medicine slash jobs and push more of the crisis of their capi- for treatment, and don’t care if we live or die, as long to everyone on the island. Medical workers there talist system on our backs. We need to be on the job as they can put enough of us to work to guarantee a start with saving lives, not deciding whose “co- to join with our fellow workers to fight back. As the profit. Capitalist politicians can’t and won’t solve this morbidities” put them at the bottom of some triage deadly coronavirus continues to spread, it’s clearer problem. It falls to the working class. list. This is not the product of organizing a better than ever that working people cannot depend on the Like education and retirement, health care is a so- health care system, but a conquest of Cuba’s social- bosses and their government to provide health care. cial question that must be fought for by the working ist revolution. class and our unions. We need to organize to fight Workers and farmers rose up and threw off the boot for universal government-guaranteed cradle-to-grave of U.S. imperialism and replaced the dictatorship of Editorial health care, not woefully inadequate employer-based the Cuban capitalist class with their own government, insurance plans tied to the bosses’ profits, or any other which led the toilers to take control of the land, facto- Our labor produces more than enough wealth to insurance schemes. ries and banks into their own hands. provide treatment for anyone affected with coro- Giant pharmaceutical companies should be na- Through revolutionary struggle they deepened navirus — or any other health issue — as well as tionalized and run under workers control to ensure working-class solidarity, transforming themselves the speedy mass production and distribution of a production of a safe, effective vaccine in sufficient in the process. As disciplined, courageous and in- vaccine. But under capitalism, health care is a com- quantity to provide protection to all, here and world- ternational combatants they proudly put their revo- modity for profit for the owners of the hospitals, wide. Only the working class is capable of making lution at the service of toiling humanity. And pro- nursing homes, insurance, pharmaceutical and re- decisions based on the needs of all humanity. vide a powerful example to working people in the lated health-industry outfits. Working people in Cuba do use the fruits of their U.S. and worldwide.

Shift in Middle East can lead to new opening for working people Continued from front page Jerusalem — conquered and occupied by the Israeli calling for the destruction of Israel. On Nov. 29 Rep. people at home to the deadly costs of Tehran’s mili- government during the 1967 war.” Rashida Tlaib — a member of Democratic Social- tary moves abroad. Facing worsening living and This statement retains full force today. “It is along ists of America along with fellow Rep. Alexandria working conditions and the mounting toll of the this road that working people of all national back- Ocasio-Cortez — posted, “From the river to the sea, rulers’ wars, hundreds of thousands joined protests grounds, religious beliefs and political allegiances in Palestine will be free,” a slogan used by Palestinian over the last few years that were put down with Israel and Palestine can use and defend their space misleaders who advocate the destruction of the Jewish brutal repression. to speak, organize and begin redressing the blood- state. Under pressure, Tlaib later deleted the posting. Following the Israeli government’s establishment drenched legacy of imperialist domination and cap- “In the United States and other imperialist coun- of diplomatic relations with the rulers in the UAE and italist exploitation,” it says. The statement in full is tries, organizations of middle class radicals claim- Bahrain this fall, Tel Aviv struck a deal with the gov- available on the Militant website. ing to be communist or socialist,” Barnes said in ernment of Sudan Oct. 23 to take steps in the same di- the 2017 SWP statement, “explicitly disavow any rection. The first known visit by an Israeli top official What comes next? course to advance class solidarity among Palestin- to Saudi Arabia took place Nov. 22, when Prime Min- President-elect Joe Biden says he wants to overturn ian, Jewish and other working people, often rais- ister Benjamin Netanyahu met Saudi Crown Prince Trump’s decisions to pull the U.S. out of the Iran ing the reactionary cry, ‘From the river to the sea, Mohammed bin Salman. nuclear deal and to opt back in, as long as the Ira- Palestine will be free!’ This course to drive Jews Talks are underway to end the three-year embar- nian rulers agree to return to full compliance with out of the region disqualifies such groups from any go imposed on Qatar by the rulers of Saudi Arabia, its restrictions. The rulers in Tehran say this may be moral or political legitimacy to speak as what Bol- Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE, who say the govern- possible, if the U.S. ends all its sanctions. shevik leader V.I. Lenin more than a century ago ment there was too close to Tehran. Washington sees Writing in the Nov. 29 New York Times, liberal called ‘tribune[s] of the people.’” the rift in relations between the Saudi and Qatari gov- columnist Thomas Friedman warned Biden not to “We are for whatever renews our class solidarity ernments as a barrier to isolating Tehran. relinquish “the leverage of extreme economic sanc- and self-confidence, advancing us along a revolu- These steps register the exhaustion of the decades- tions on Iran” imposed by the Trump administra- tionary course toward a united struggle for workers long efforts by Arab rulers to treat Israel as a pariah tion, unless Washington can force Tehran to halt power,” Barnes said. government. Even though the governments of Jordan its export of precision-guided missiles. These sanc- and Egypt signed peace treaties with the Israeli rulers tions have disastrous consequences for the working in recent years, other Arab governments and leaders people of Iran. For recognition of the Palestinian National Authority sought to rally Friedman — who, like almost all pundits for the of a Palestinian support from within the United Nations and the Eu- Times, has spewed venom against the Trump admin- ropean Union for a continuing policy of no peace, no istration for the last four years — also had to acknowl- state and negotiations and no recognition of Israel. edge that his administration’s role in the agreements of Israel The recent shifts deliver shattering blows to the ef- between Israel and a growing number of Arab states forts of Palestinian misleaders — both the PLO and deserves Biden’s support. It was “Trump’s most sig- Socialist Workers Party statement Hamas — who have used these international ties to nificant foreign policy achievement,” Friedman said. Download ready-to-print flyer at www.themilitant.com justify military provocations against Israel that have Within Biden’s Democratic Party there are forces led to punishing retaliation from Israeli forces, a con- tinual cycle of bloodshed and devastation. Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Remington workers march for severance, jobs a prominent member of the ruling Saudi monar- Continued from front page Teamsters, Carpenters, Building Trades, Plumbers chy, criticized Palestinian spokespeople for refus- union were holding a solidarity picket at the same and the Laborers. UMW national President Cecil Rob- ing to see the pacts between Israel, the UAE and time in New Hartford. The UMW has encouraged erts addressed the rally. “If you are prepared to fight, Bahrain as openings to pursue establishing a Pal- unions to organize informational pickets through- the UMW will be beside you,” he said. estinian homeland. out the area. Sweeney also welcomed a delegation “We are getting a lot of support. They may seem Addressing Palestinian officials for the first time of five Albany Medical Center nurses who came in like small things to some, but they’re big to us. I’ve Dec. 4, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz urged solidarity after organizing their own strike earlier been involved in the union for five years, but this is the them to resume talks with the Israeli government, in the week. most union I’ve ever felt,” Sweeney told the Militant. promising aid and investments. Lenore Granich, a leader of the nurses fight at Alba- “So many people in the community are behind us.” ny Med and a member of the New York State Nurses ‘For recognition of Palestine and Israel’ Association, described how they went on strike for Solidarity picket lines These developments have the potential to open the more staff, safety and higher pay. Teachers in Rome, New York, organized their own door to transforming class relations in the region in “We are here to give you support and to let you informational picket Dec. 5 to let people know about the interests of the toiling masses. know that we stand with you shoulder to shoulder,” the Remington workers’ fight, Sweeney said, and that A December 2017 statement by Socialist Workers she said. “It might seem like it’s David vs. Goliath, but protest gave the unionists the idea of calling on other Party National Secretary Jack Barnes points to “the in unity there is strength.” workers to organize informational actions about the political necessity for the Israeli and Arab govern- “Remington has got to do right by you,” Granich Remington fight in their own areas. ments and leaderships of Palestinian organizations to said. “What we want is our jobs back and what we are begin immediate talks to recognize both Israel and an Five Remington workers had joined in a press con- owed,” Sweeney said. “And we don’t want this to hap- independent Palestinian state. ference and rally called by Albany Med nurses a week pen to anyone else.” “Negotiations to reach such an agreement must rec- earlier. “We know what the fight is like. Little by little Solidarity is important in this struggle. The Central ognize the right of Jews everywhere to take refuge in they are waking a sleeping giant. We support your New York Labor Council organized with Gerelick Israel in face of the global rise of Jew-hatred and anti- right to a contract,” Sweeney told the nurses when she Farms to donate 300 gallons of milk. Semitic violence, as well as the unconditional right of spoke at their rally. Join in building solidarity. Organize your union to the dispossessed Palestinian people to a contiguous, At an earlier rally Nov. 10, Remington workers in hold informational activity. Send checks and donations sovereign homeland on territory — including East Ilion were supported by local unions, including the to UMW Local 717, 49 1st Street, Ilion, NY 13357.

The Militant December 21, 2020 9