Socialist Workers Party TH£ holds 35th convention in Chicago Pages 10-11

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 54/NO. 24 JUNE 22, 1990 $1.25 Massive welcome set to greet Mandela's N. America tour BY RONI McCANN In his speeches to working people and Mandela will also visit Boston June 23; Stadiums, coliseums, and concert shells meetings with government officials around Wlshington, D.C, June 24-26; Atlanta June are reserved around the country; a ticker-tape the world, Mandela has continued to call for 27; Miami and Detroit June 28; Los Angeles parade, freedom march, and airport wel­ maintenance of economic sanctions against June 29; and Oakland, California, June 30. comes are planned; a tour of an auto plant in the Pretoria regime. Detroit and addresses to trade union conven­ Mter addressing rallies in Toronto and Another victory against apartheid tions are set-all for the 12-day tour to the Montreal June 18 and 19, Mandela's eight­ While Mandela was in Paris June 7 another United States, to begin June 20, of Mrican city U.S. tour will begin with an official victory was scored in the fight to abolish National Congress leader Nelson Mandela. apartheid. The ·South African government Hundreds of thousands of people across the Speech by Nelson Mandela, announced that the national state of emer­ country will be turning out to welcome him. gency law would be lifted the next day in Mandela's visit to the United States is part pages 8 and 9. three offour South African provinces: Trans­ of a 13-nation world tour, with the first stop vaal, Cape Province, and Orange Free State. in North America slated for Ottawa, Canada, welcoming ceremony at John F. Kennedy Excluded was the province of Natal where June 16. Mandela is criss-crossing the globe International Airport in New York when his thousands of people have died in fighting on the wave of recent victories won by the plane arrives June 20. A highlight of the between Inkatha, headed by apartheid col­ masses of South Africans fighting to over­ three-day stop in the city will be a rally June laborator Gatsha Buthelezi and backed by throw apartheid. 21 at Yankee Stadium. Continued on Page 2 Challenge ofJuly 9 trial outlined at Chicago rally to support Mark Curtis

BY PETER THIERJUNG the main speaker at the event. Also on the gress Department of International Affairs; CHICAGO- Some 900 unionists, polit­ speakers platform were Christiane Malet of Maria Hamberg, a member of the Swedish ical activists, supporters of the Mark Curtis the International Solidarity Committee of the Food Workers Union in Stockholm; Ruth Defense Committee, and friends and relatives Quebec National Teachers Federation in Haswell, a member of the General Municipal of Curtis rallied their forces here at the Bis­ Canada; Paul Chalmers, an education and and Boilermakers Union in Sheffield, En­ marck Hotel on June 9 in preparation for the training officer of the Industrial Union of gland; Derek Jeffers, the coordinator of Paris next stage in the fight to defend the impris­ Workers from Auckland, New Zealand; Rev. Supporters of Mark Curtis and member of Militant/Margrethe Siem oned unionist and political activist. Helen Sinclair of the Prisoners Support the Metal Union Federation of France, African National Congress leader Nelson Curtis is currently serving a 25-year sen­ Group of Operation PUSH in Chicago; Terry and Dick Reilly, member of the national ex­ Mandela at Johannesburg concert in tence for a 1988 trumped-up rape and bur­ Marryshow, central leader of the Maurice ecutive committee of the Palestine Solidarity March. June 16-30 tour of Canada, glary conviction. Police and prosecutors Bishop Patriotic Movement of Grenada; Committee. James Warren - a leader of United States will draw hundreds of framed Curtis following his participation Yusuf Saloojee, of the African National Con- Continued on Page 4 thousands of people. in defense efforts for 17 coworkers who had been arrested by U.S. immigration agents at the Swift packinghouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Greyhound bosses file for bankruptcy Curtis now faces a July 9 jury trial in a lawsuit brought by Keith and Denise Morris, BY SELVA NEBBIA 95 days after 9,000 drivers, mechanics, clean­ and to defend their jobs and their union. the parents of the woman he was accused of On June 4 Greyhound Lines, Inc. filed for ers, and clerks struck Greyhound. Greyhound's demands on union members assaulting. The suit aims to get the court to bankruptcy. This move by the owners of the Currey claims that violence during the include no wage increases and giving the order Curtis to pay massive fmancial dam­ only coast-to-coast bus company in the strike is to blame for the bus line's financial company unrestricted rights to subcontract ages for a crime he did not commit, Kate United States freezes payments on its debts troubles. "I've made money and lost money bus routes, eliminate seniority, and under­ Kaku told the Chicago rally. of $540 million. as an entrepreneur and I accept the vagaries mine the grievance procedure. Kaku, who is a leader of the Mark Curtis The bankruptcy was filed by Fred Currey, of the marketplace," the Greyhound chair­ As the strike has gained more support from Defense Committee and is Curtis' wife, was the company's chairman and chief executive, man said after filing for bankruptcy, "But unionists and others throughout the country, violence, intimidation, and criminal activities the company violence has increased. Strikers are not vagaries of the marketplace. That's on the picket lines in some cities have been extortion." · struck and injured by buses driven by poorly Special Offer The violence-baiting, as well as company trained scabs. One bus driver, Bob Water­ attacks against the strike, have been used by house, was killed while picketing in Redding, A new publication from Pathfinder in time for Greyhound management as an excuse for California. African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela's stalling the negotiations with· the Amalga­ Despite claims of financial health in the North America tour! Nelson Mandela Speeches mated Transit Union and to discredit the early weeks of the strike, Greyhound lost 1990: 'Intensify the Strugg1e to Abolish Apart­ strikers. $55.8 million in the first quarter of this year heid.' Mter six years without a raise, ATU mem­ after earning $730,000 in 1989 on revenues This 74-page pamphlet features seven of bers struck the bus company for higher wages Continued on Page 6 Mandela's speeches delivered since his release from prison in February 1990, including his address in Luanda, Angola, and at Wembley Stadium in Lon­ don. The pamphlet also includes Mandela's July Antigovernment rebels are 1989 letter from prison to P.W Botha and the Free­ dom Charter. The new pamphlet, together with New Interna­ poised near Liberia capital tional No.5, which features articles on the struggle in southern Africa, and an introductory subscription BY RONI McCANN deserted, joining throngs of Liberians head­ ------.. to the Militant, which In the West African country of Liberia ing for neighboring Sierra Leone. Four U.S. Send the special offer today ••• carries on-the-scene re­ antigovernment forces fighting to oust the warships and 2,000 marines were stationed ports from South Africa military dictatorship of Samuel Doe have off the coast as U.S. citizens were evacuated o 12 weeks of the Militant and Nelson Mandcla and news about other Speeches 1990 for $1 0 - steadily grown and advanced from the eastern June 10. battles by wor1

Continued from front page gain prices after World War I to ensure sup­ the only one in sub-Saharan Africa that al­ . After the attack, which took place in accused of embezzlement by Doe. plies of rubber. Liberia's main currency is the lows Washington such rights. Nimba County bordering the Ivory Coast, Liberia, about the size of Tennessee and U.S. dollar. In 1985 Doe was declared the winner of Doe's troops launched · a counterattack, with a current population of 2.5 million, was The U.S. government's domination of rigged elections supervised by Washington. killing civilians they claimed were sympa­ set up in 1822 by freed U.S. slaves with the Liberia deepened during the decade Doe was Shortly after, the tyrannical president crushed thetic to the rebel forces. Some 200,000 aid of U.S. President James Monroe and the in power. Doe's government received $500 a coup attempt led by Thomas Quiwonkpa, people in rural areas were forced to flee American Colonization Society. This group million from Washington in the first five who was subsequently executed. Following as the fighting erupted into a civil war. The advocated emancipation for those slaves who years alone, more money per capita than to the coup effort killings and torture carried out antigovernment forces attracted hundreds agreed to return to Africa. Liberia became an any other African country. by Doe's forces against other indigenous of Gios and Manos, swelling to a total of independent republic 25 years later. Washington also has CIA installations in peoples increased. Some 2,000 Gios and 4,000 soldiers today. English-speaking descendants of U.S. the country that make up part of its spy Manos were killed. A 1986 report by the New Taylor, who is of partial Americo-Liberian Blacks, known as Americo-Liberians, operation in the region and that also reach York-based Lawyers Committee for Human descent, said he does not plan to change the evolved into the privileged ruling class. The Latin America and parts of Europe. The U.S. Rights said witnesses had described "blood­ form of government in Liberia but will ''take indigenous peoples of Liberia, disenfran­ Omega marine transmitter in Liberia is one curdling brutality." over the reins and clear up the government chised by the settlers, constitute 99 percent of the five most important U.S. naval trans­ One of Quiwonkpa's brothers and several and country." Taylor said the National Patri­ of the population and are descendants of mission bases in the world. And the U.S. relatives were among the 150 insurgents led otic Front plans on holding elections after some 20 ethnic groups. Every president of government has landing and refueling rights by Taylor who launched an attack on a gov­ Doe is overthrown and wants to create a Liberia was Americo-Liberian until 1980 in Liberia for military aircraft and ships on ernment outpost last December, beginning nonaligned Liberia, with continuing U.S. when Doe, a descendant of the Krahn people, 24-hour notice. The Liberian government is the fight to topple the Doe regime. government aid. toppled William Tolbert's regime. Constitution suspended Since then Liberia has been under the Help sell 'Militant' during Mandela tour military rule of Doe, who suspended the constitution after taking power. He promoted paign. Just call or head down to the nearest descendants of the Krahn people, who con­ BY RONI McCANN including with economic sanctions. Pathfmder bookstore, listed on page 12, stitute about 4 percent of the population, to On June 16 African National Congress The Militant urges its readers to join a 15-day effort to increase the readership of the where sales will be organized. high positions in his government apparatus, leader Nelson Mandela will arrive in Ottawa, deepening divisions among the indigenous Canada, and begin an 11-city tour through paper by introducing it to as many of the Mandela will spend his fJrSt three days in population. Widespread killings and abuses North America. From the moment he lands hundreds of thousands of anti-apartheid North America in Canada where he will take have been carried out by the Liberian gov­ and for the next 15 days Mandela will be fighters, young people, and workers as pos­ part in a freedom ride in Ottawa; address a ernment that are especially aimed at the Gio speaking at rallies, press conferences, honor­ sible who tum out to greet Mandela. June 18 rally at Nathan Phillips Square (City and Mano peoples. Antigovernment forces ary events, and welcoming ceremonies. Militant supporters will also be urging Hall) in Toronto; and speak at the Champ de pave accysed the Doe regime of corruption, Millions of working people across Canada participants to buy a copy of the magazine Mars on June 19 in Montreal. Militant sup­ economic mismanagement, and human rights and the United States, in person or from New International issue No.5 that features porters in these cities have placed orders for "The Coming Revolution in South Africa" violations. televised broadcasts, will hear the South Af­ 1,000 papers and 650 copies of the new by Jack Barnes. And they will be selling The natural resources of Liberia, including rican freedom fighter explain the world sig­ pamphlet to sell at these events. thousands of copies of a new Pathfinder rubber, timber, diamonds, and iron ore, have nificance of the struggle to abolish apartheid; Mandela arrives in New York June 20 and pamphlet Nelson Mandela Speeches 1990: been long exploited by U.S. capitalists. The the fight for a nonracial, democratic South Militant supporters in the city, joined by "Intensify the Struggle to Abolish Apartheid." Firestone rubber plantation there is the largest Africa, and the importance of keeping up the others coming in from the surrounding area, The Militant is an indispensable tool that in the world. Firestone acquired land at bar- political pressure on the apartheid regime, are planning to participate in every event provides broad social, political, and world during the three-day stop. They have ordered analysis and news needed for working-class 5,000 Militants and 2,500 copies of the new fighters to be effective - whether in the Mandela pamphlet. Mandela to get big welcome struggle against apartheid or Eastern Airlines. An open house at the Pathfmder bookstore The paper is increasingly attractive to work­ in Manhattan is slated for June 20 following Continued from front page decree, he said, "was a victory for all the ers and youth -many of whom will be on Mandela's lunchtime ticker-tape parade to South African police, and the people of Natal, people of South Africa, Black and white." He hand to hear what Mandela has to say. Eastern City Hall. When Mandela goes to Boston and many of whom are members of the United added that retaining the emergency rule in and Greyhound strikers, coal miners, farmers Washington, D.C., Militant supporters in the Democratic Front, an anti-apartheid organi­ Natal would not stop the violence there. and farm workers, high school and college New York-New Jersey area plan to travel zation. At the time of the announcement A long-time leader of the ANC, ·Mandela students are drawn to Mandela because he is there too and help distribute the paper and South African President F.W. de Klerk said was released from prison in February after a fighter - like themselves. And they need sell pamphlets. he had budgeted $380 million to raise a force spending more than 27 years behind bars. He the Militant, a paper they can depend on to of 10,000 more police for use in Natal and was given a life sentence after being arrested report the truth about the worldwide class Classes on South Africa elsewhere. · in 1962 and convicted in 1964, along with battles taking place. During Mandela's tour, chapters of the other ANC leaders, on charges of sabotage. Those who read Spanish and French can Young Socialist Alliance will be signing up The state of emergency rule, which gave On June 10 the Atlanta Journal and Con­ sign up for the monthly Perspectiva Mundial youth for classes on the coming revolution the apartheid government broad powers to stitution published a report linking the CIA and quarterly Lutte ouvriere, both of which in South Africa. YSA members and support­ restrict political activity, was imposed in to Mandela's arrest. In the report a retired feature speeches by Mandela in their current ers plan to hand out thousands of leaflets in 1986 and has been the target of massive CIA officer quoted another agent as saying issues. cities across the country for the classes. protest demonstrations by unionists and other in 1962, "We have turned Mandela over to Militant supporters will be promoting a During Mandela's visit, supporters of the opponents of apartheid, especially over the the South African Security branch. We gave special offer: an introductory subscription to six-story Pathfinder Mural will be stepping last year. Lifting the state of emergency has them every detail, what he would be wearing, the paper and the hot-off-the-press pamphlet up efforts to sell posters .featuring the been one of the African National Congress' the time of day, just where he would be." Nelson Mandela Speeches 1990 for $10. Mandela portrait painted on the New York long-standing demands. Mandela, dressed as a chauffeur, left Durban Those who take advantage of this offer will mural by South African artist Dumile Feni. "This is what we have fought for since the where he had met secretly with other ANC also be able to pick up a copy of New Inter­ A new postcard with the same design will be emergency was declared," said Mandela leaders. He ran into a roadblock and was national No.5 for just another $5. ready June 21 and will add to the fund-raising upon hearing the announcement. Lifting the immediately arrested. Every reader is urged to join in the cam- efforts for the mural. The Militant Get the truth • • • get the Closing news date: June 13, 1990 Editor: DOUG JENNESS Circulation Director: RONI McCANN Nicaragua Bureau Director: CINDY JAQUITH Business Manager: nM 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, Selva Nebbia, Judy Stranahan, struggles of working people worldwide Peter Thierjung. Published weekly except the last two weeks of December by Speeches by Nelson Mandela • reports on the Eastern the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 West St., New York, and Greyhound strikes • coverage of the international N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Office, (212) 243-6392; defense of Mark Curtis • coal miners' resistance Fax 727-0150; Telex, 497-4278; Business Office, (212) 929- 3486. Nicaragua Bureau, Apartado 2222, Managua. Tele­ SUBSCRIPTION RUNNING OUT? phone 24845. Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes RENEW TODAY of address should be addressed to The Militant Business Office, 410 West St., New York, N.Y.10014. Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y., and at addi­ 12 ISSUES FOR $12 tional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Militant, 410 West St., New York, ~.Y. 10014. Sub­ scriptions: U.S., Latin America: for one-year subscription r~------,0 $7 for introductory 12 weeks 0 $37 for a year send $37, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. By first­ Name ______~------class (airmail), send $70. Canada: send Canadian $50 for one-year subscription to Societe d'Editions AGPP, C.P. 340, Address ------'--­ succ. R, Montreal, Quebec H2S 3M2. Britain, Ireland, Af­ City------rica: £28 for one year by check or international money order State Zip _____ made out to Militant Distribution, 47 The Cut, London, SEl 8U.., England. Continental Europe: £35 for one year by Phone ------check or international money order made out to Militant Dis­ Union/School/Organization ______tribution at above address. Australia, Asia, Pacirac: send Send to the Militant. 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Australian $60 to Pathfmder Press, P.O. Box 259, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia. L------~ Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent the Militant's views. These are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant June 22, 1990 Sentiment for Quebec ·sovereignty fuels Canada constitutional crisis BY JOHN STEELE foundland premiers broke down in tears, sociation (CEQ) also carne out against the MONTREAL - Despite an agreement Quebec's Premier Robert Bourassa threat­ June 9 agreement. over proposed amendments to the 1982 con­ ened to walk out, and Alberta Premier Donald Jacques Parizeau the leader of the bour­ stitution reached between Prime Minister Getty, a former professional football player, geois-nationalist Parti Quebecois, which sup­ Brian Mulroney and the 10 provincial pre­ physically blocked the Manitoba and New­ ports Quebec sovereignty and formed the miers late in the evening June 9, the political foundland premiers from leaving the confer­ Quebec government from 1976 to 1984, ac­ crisis facing Canada's rulers continues. The ence. On June 12 Manitoba Premier Gary cused Bourassa of "selling out" Quebec. Pa­ . crisis has been generated by rising support for Filrnon charged that his phone calls to Man­ rizeau charged that the June 9 agreement Quebec's sovereignty among Canada's 5 mil­ itoba opposition leaders had been bugged by would open the door to further attacks by the lion oppressed French-speaking Quebecois. the prime minister's office. Supreme Court against Law 101. Canada's total population is 26.5 million. The June 9 agreement now hangs by a The key difference among the capitalist thread- On June 10 Newfoundland Premier Right to self-determination politicians centers on a vague clause in what Oyde Wells, who is part of the chauvinist Steelworker Michel Dugre, the Commu­ has become known as the Meech Lake accord anti-Quebecois opposition to the "distinct nist League candidate for mayor of Montreal, that characterizes Quebec as a "distinct soci­ society" clause, bitterly denounced the condemned the June 9 agreement as another ety." The Meech Lake accord was drawn up strong-arm tactics and stated he had not en- attack on the right of Quebecois to self-de­ by Mulroney and the 10 provincial premiers termination. in 1987 as a way to get the Quebec govern­ "Every worker should feel outraged by the ment to sign the 1982 constitution, which it Quebec labor, farmer, and effort of the federal and provincial govern­ has refused to endorse. ments to pressure the Quebecois to endorse The Quebec Liberal government, headed nationalist organizations the 1982 constitution," said Dugre. ''That by Premier Robert Bourassa, supports the say Meech Lake accord constitution and its so-called Charter of Meech Lake accord and the "distinct society" Rights and Freedoms was a fake and a fraud. clause. This position is opposed by Quebec's doesn't recognize It was opposed not only by the Quebecois main trade union federations, fanners' asso­ but by Native people and women. Nowhere ciations, and nationalist organizations. Quebec national identity. in that constitution will you fmd the basic "We have been against it since the begin­ union rights of workers codified. ning," stated a resolution adopted by the dorsed the accord. Wells has now placed the ''The divisions among the politicians in recent convention of the 244,000-member June 9 agreement before the Newfoundland Ottawa over the Meech Lake accord are Canada's Prime Minister Brian Mul­ Confederation of National Trade Unions House of Assembly, .which will vote on it secondary to the fact that the capitalist poli­ roney presided over a meeting of 10 pro­ (CSN), "because in our opinion it does not before the June 23 deadline. ticians are 100-percent united behind the vincial premiers in hopes of saving a recognize our national identity nor our right In Manitoba, where the Conservative, Lib­ 1982 constitution that maintains Canada as a constitutional agreement The so-called to self«termination." eral, and New Democratic Party leaders sup­ prison house of nationalities and promotes Meech Lake accord expires June 23 if it Fear Q( a resurgence of the Quebec move­ port the June 9 agreement, Native leaders divisions among working people. is not approved. ment against national oppression and grow­ have vowed to kill Meech Lake because it "However, as they attack the rights of ing support by a majority of Quebecois for does not recognize the rights of Native peo­ Quebecois, Native people, women, and all government to do more to ensure that French independence turned the latest constitutional ple. Manitoba's only Native representative in working people as part of their drive to make talks in Ottawa into a pressure cooker. becomes the language of work in Quebec. the legislature has refused to give the unan­ us pay for the crisis of their system, working "June 24 is Quebec's national holiday," Gives 'too much' to Quebec imous consent required to place the Meech people are fmding it more and more neces­ said I)ugre. "Hundreds of thousands of Que­ Lake accord before the legislature for a vote. sary to unite to defeat their divide-and-rule becois will be in the streets to celebrate their Under the terms of the accord signed three tactics," Dugre continued. years ago, Meech Lake will die if not ap­ struggle and to demand that their rights be 'Reasonable limits' "For example, last week's Ontario conven­ proved by all the provincial governments by respected. My union federation, the Quebec The June 9 agreement leaves the Meech tion of the Canadian Union of Public Em­ June 23. Going into the talks, the premiers Federation of Labour (FfQ), will be mobi- ployees took a position in defense of the of Manitoba, New Brunswick, and New­ Lake accord intact but includes an appended lizing itS members. · linguistic rights of French-speaking people foundland, along with a·significant minority legal opinion stating that the 1982 constitu­ "June 24 is an opportunity for the labor outside of Quebec. The majority of delegates of the capitalist class, were opposed to Meech tion and its Charter of Rights and Freedoms movement across the country to take further declared their opposition to chauvinist orga­ Lake on the grounds that it gives "too much" take precedence over the "distinct society" steps towards unity. The labor movement nizations like the Alliance for the Preserva­ to Quebec. What started out as a supper clause in the Meech Lake accord. The legal needs to adopt a clear stand against the anti­ tion of English in Canada that have been discussion in Ottawa June 3 turned into a text repeats the ftrst clause in the charter, Quebecois forces that oppose the Meech which says that the rights outlined in it ..:.... campaigning for English-only laws in cities week -long marathon of contentious and tense Lake accord for allegedly giving the Quebe­ across Canada. · meetings behind closed doors. and in this case the "distinct society" clause cois too much, and in support of the right of The Toronto Globe and Mail reported that - are "subject only to such reasonable limits "At a recent bargaining policy conference Quebecois to self-determination - up to and during the week the Manitoba and New- prescribed by law as can be demonstrably of the Canadian Auto Workers, the delegates including independence-which the June 9 justified in a free and democratic society." defended Law 101 and called on the Quebec agreement flagrantly violates." On Oct. 16, 1970, Quebecois found out what "reasonable limits" the ruling class is Suit filed against U.S. prepared to enforce in order to crush the government's ban on Quebecois nationalist movement when they Brooklyn garment workers still woke up to martial law and the Canadian importing Cuban art army patrolling the streets of Montreal and fighting 4 months into strike other Quebec cities. NEW YORK -The National Emergency Other provisions of the June 9 agreement Civil Liberties Committee has filed a suit in call for further discussions on constitutional federal court here against the U.S. Treasury amendments dealing with a "Canada clause" Department for not allowing original Cuban and "minority" language rights, moves to­ worlcs of art to enter the United States. ward an elected senate (presently Canada has "The Treasury Department says that orig­ an appointed upper house of Parliament), and inal art cannot come from Cuba to the United a vague promise of future constitutional dis­ States," said Edith Tiger, executive director cussions dealing with Native and women's of the NECLC, in a telephone interview. "But rights, which were not included in the 1982 under the First Amendment it is the American constitution or Meech Lake accord. people's right to see and learn and exchange ideas. We charge the Bush administration Undermine Quebecois rights with violating the free trade in ideas." The "legal opinion" defending the 1982 In 1988 Congress passed the Free Trade constitution and the references to a "Canada in Ideas Act exempting "informational ma­ clause" and "minority" language rights are terials" from the 1962 embargo on Cuban all code words for further attempts to under­ goods entering the United States. Under this mine the rights of Quebecois. They can be amendment, books, posters, photographs, used to strengthen the federal government's videos, and films from Cuba can now come anti-Quebecois policy of a "bilingual Can­ into the country. In 1989 the Treasury ada," which is used as a cover for crippling Department's Office of Foreign Assets Con­ the Quebec government's efforts to promote trol took the position, however, that the the use of the French language in Quebec. amendment did not apply to paintings, draw- - ings, and sculpture. Overthepastfew years the federal Supreme "It's a crazy situation," Tiger pointed out, Court of Canada used the 1982 constitution "you can bring in lithographs and even sell to strike down whole sections of Quebec's them, but you can't bring in the original art." Law 101 in order to defend the rights of the The NECLC suit, filed June 5 in the Southern supposedly oppressed English-speaking mi­ District for New York, challenges the Trea­ nority in Quebec. Adopted by the Quebec sury Department ban "on behalf of very government in 1977, Law 101 is affmnative prominent people," Tiger explained. Among action legislation that aims to overcome dis­ them are artists, gallery owners, and art col­ crimination against those who speak French. On May 31 at noon, more than 300 unionists and Haitian activists gathered lectors. Tens of thousands of Quebecois have taken outside Domsey Trading Corp. in Brooklyn, New York, for a rally to support a Sotheby's and Christie's, the art auction to the streets in defense of this law. four-month-old strike for union recognition. The strikers, who face an intense houses, will be filing briefs in support of the In Quebec reaction to the June 9 deal was attack by the bosses, belong to the International Ladies' Garment \\brkers' NECLC suit The Treasury Department will swift and mostly negative. Union. Trade union officials spoke at rally, including Jay Mazur, president of the have 60 days to respond. '"The process toward [Quebec's) sover­ ILGWU Congressman Major Owens and rank-and-file leaders of the Domsey, Michael Krinsky from the legal firm of eignty is irreversible," CSN Vice-president Eastern, and Greyhound strikes addressed the crowd. Also heard were activists Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky, and Monique Simard said. "Signing Meech in from the Haitian community who organized the April 20 New York demonstra­ Lieberman is the NECLC's lawyer in the these circumstances will not change that." tion of tens of thousands protesting racism against Haitians. case. The 160,000-member Quebec Teachers' As-

J~ne.. 22,1990. The Militant 3 Rally draws 900 Curtis supporters; challenge of July 9 trial outlined

Continued from front page In Sweden Kaku visited a refugee center Kaku said. During her trip to Australia last politically with the Workers League coun­ Curtis' party, the Socialist Workers Party - where workers identified with Curtis' fight. year, the Socialist Labour League, which tercampaign. It is consistent with the outfit's chaired the event During a visit through a meat-packing plant supports the Workers League, picketed and methods of using the courts to carry out Kaku opened her talk by reviewing the in Stockholm, workers urged her and Curtis harassed trade unionists for a week in an disruption campaigns against workers' orga­ accomplishments of the defense campaign to keep fighting. "You must not allow them attempt to prevent them from supporting nizations." since the beginning of this year. to push you back," they told her. Curtis' fight. "We are going to fight like hell on this suit, A group of Curtis' supporters headed by Kaku went to , Norway, to visit the Following her tour of Britain, the Interna­ but we need your help," Kaku told the rally. Kaku traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, in , a cultural center run by young tional Communist Party, also linked to the "I want to ask you to step up your activities, February to bring the framed unionist's fight people. More than 80 youth attended a meet­ Workers League, "systematically visited go back to your cities and organize more for justice before the United Nations Human ing for her there. Afterward she met with Paul each and every mine pit, every union branch, public events, go to trade unions, go to Rights Commission, Kaku said. The delega­ Chauffey, the youngest member of the Nor­ every NUM official," Kaku said. They dis­ churches, go to democratic rights organiza­ tion included supporters from Canada, Brit­ wegian parliament, who vowed to win more tributed free of charge The Mark Curtis Hoax, tions, and get their support," she said. "We ain, France, and Sweden. Eddie Carthan, a support for Curtis. a 250-page book printed by the Workers need tens of thousands of dollars to be able well-known Black rights fighter and frame­ L' Humanite, the newspaper of the Com­ League that promotes the cop and prosecu­ to defend ourselves and to continue the work up victim from Mississippi, participated in munist Party of France, interviewed Kaku in tion frame-up of Curtis. we have been doing." the delegation. Paris. There she also met with representatives "Even in countries where there is no Work­ In a collection at the rally following Kaku 's Kaku listed the achievements of the dele­ of the country's largest trade union federa­ ers League outfit, the countercampaign has talk more than $26,000 was contributed or gation in Geneva. A UN human rights officer tion, the General Workers Confederation appeared," Kaku said. This was true in Ice­ pledged toward the defense effort. was assigned to follow Curtis' case. His (CG'D. A three-city tour was organized by land. ''The day after I got off the plane, a very frame-up was introduced during a formal the Revolutionary Communist Youth of large article, 'Support for a rapist?,' appeared Message from Curtis session of the commission's hearings. And France. in the People's Alliance newspaper." The ar­ A tape-recorded message fiu.m Curtis was discussions with international human rights Kaku then visited the cities of Ottawa, ticle, which peddled the Workers League's played at the rally. He descri~ his recent groups, including Amnesty International, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver in Can­ pro-cop line, outraged many people, including transfer from the state prison in Anamosa, were held to win support. The defense com­ ada. There she attended several national members of Amnesty International, she said. Iowa, to Fort Madison. He said he was be­ mittee was able to raise $20,000 on short union conventions, including that of the Ca­ The countercampaign's inability to derail ginning to have political discussions with the notice to finance the delegation's trip and nadian Labour Congress and the Quebec­ the Curtis defense effort was shown by "the inmates at the new prison•. activities. based Confederation of National Trade success of my tour and the fact that over 8,000 "Already I have become known as a po­ In January Kaku conducted a speaking tour Unions (CSN). democratically minded people and organiza­ litical activist and fighter against a frame-up," tions have endorsed this campaign," Kaku through the southern United States. She vis­ Countercampaign against Curtis Curtis said. Some inmates in Fort Madison ited Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisi­ said. had heard about his fight before he was ana, Tennessee, and South Carolina, meeting As support for his fight has increased ''The opponents of Mark's defense are not moved there and several now support his civil rights activists, frame-up victims, farm­ worldwide, a U.S. group promoting the cop doing so great in winning public opinion. defense effort. and prosecution frame-up of' Curtis has That's why they are dragging us into court. ers, students, and supporters of democratic The aim of the July 9 trial is to "keep stepped up its efforts to disrupt the defense Because they are stronger there," Kaku said rights. Highlights of her tour were speaking bearing down on me," Curtis said. ''They campaign, Kaku said. "This countercam­ about the July 9 trial. ''They want to make at and winning the support of the Mississippi want to make sure that I don't do any of the paign has been spearheaded by a group called Mark pay for many years to come," she said. Conference of Black Mayors and leading off kind of things I have been doing with my life the Workers League. This group repeats the "They are using the courts to try to break a Martin Luther King Day march in Eutaw, for the last 10 years. They want to threaten police line that Mark Curtis attacked a young Mark and me, to inflict a crushing economic Alabama, she said. you not to do them either. Their aim is to Black woman and that Mark's defense cam­ burden on us." Kaku also reviewed her recently completed break me, demoralize me, to make sure that paign is against a Black family. This is not "Mark and I were both packinghouse three-month tour of Britain, Denmark, Ice­ I never defend another fellow worker, espe­ true," she said. workers. We're a working-class family," land, Sweden, Norway, France, and Canada. cially not an immigrant worker." But, Curtis "Our campaign is directed at the cops," Kaku said She worked as a meat-packer in During the tour thousands ofpeople heard her said, "my Spanish is getting better than ever." Kaku explained. "It was the cops that framed Perry, Iowa, for more than two years until the speak, dozens of press interviews were held, He urged his supporters to step up defense activities. Solidarity messages were sent to the rally by the CGT in France; Johnnie Imani Harris, a victim of a racist frame-up incarcerated in Springville, Alabama; Bobby Singleton, a youth activist in Alabama; Hollis Watkins, a longtime civil rights activist from Mississippi; and Eddie Carthan, the first Black mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, and a frame-up victim. Carmen Mullins, president of the United Mine Workers of America Student Auxiliary in Dickenson County, Virginia; Jackie Counts, recording secretary of the UMWA women's auxiliary in Castlewood, VIrginia; Hylan Smith and Johnnie Shears, members of UMWA Local 2368 in Brookwood, Ala­ bama; and James Gibbs, member ofUMWA District 28 in Vrrginia also sent messages. Rafi.q Khan, a former political prisoner from Pakistan; Benjamin and Gloria Hoover, cop frame-up victims from St. Louis, Mis­ Militant/Arthur Hughes souri; Annika Ahnberg, a member of Speakers at the Rally for Justice for Mark Curtis in Chicago included (from left to right) Rev. Helen Sinclair, Prisoners Support Sweden's parliament; Cuban artist Aldo Group of Operation PUSH in Chicago; Ruth Haswell, member General Municipal and Boilermakers Union, Sheffield England· Soler; the Finnish Food Workers' Union in Yusuf Saloojee, African National Congress International Affairs Department, Lusaka, Zambia; James Wlrren, Socialbt \\Orke~ Helsinki, Fmland; the Chicago chapter of the Party; and Kate Kaku, Mark Curtis Defense Cominittee. Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador; and the Communist Workers and hundreds of new endorsers of the Mark Mark. It was the cops who beat him. It was company laid her and 600 coworkers off in Party of Finland sent greetings. Curtis Defense Committee signed up. the cops who called him a 'Mexican~lover, a move to get the union out of the plant. Messages of support came from Joe just like you love those coloreds.' It was the Starting at $6.00 an hour, "it took me two Krmpotich, chairman of the grievance com­ British miners among best supporters cops who lied in court and it was their testi­ years to make it up to $9.50. I made $9.50 mittee of United Steelworkers of America Coal miners of the National Union of mony that convicted Mark." an hour for two weeks until they laid me off," Local 1720; Rev. Roosevelt McGee, execu­ Mineworkers were among Curtis' "best and ''The countercampaign says that support­ she said. Curtis worked at the Swift meat­ tive director of the Chicago chapter of the firmest" supporters in Britain, Kaku reported. ers of Mark are being duped," Kaku said. packing company in Des Moines prior to his Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Durham miners hosted a special fund-raising ''The only duping that's going on is on their ar~¥St. and John Zippert, publisher of the Greene social for her. In South Wales, NUM mem­ side, not ours. We tell the truth. Mark is a "We have no money," Kaku said. A judg­ County Democrat in Eutaw, Alabama. bers invited her to their gala festival. The worker who is fighting to unify the working ment against Curtis in court could lead to his Ginny Krone, for the Chicago Campaign Lord Mayor of Sheffield and the general class and was framed on rape and burglary wages being garnisheed after he is freed from to Shut Down the INS Detention Centers; secretary of the National Council on Civil charges by the cops because of this." prison. "We'll be forced to keep paying and Dave Nell, a Machinists union member on Liberties met with her. By learning the facts of the frame-up keep paying forever." strike against Eastern Airlines; U.S. Con­ In Denmark, Kaku spoke in 17 cities in against Curtis and his unfair trial, thousands gressman Gus Savage (D-lli.); Frank Rosen, two-and·a-half weeks. Trade unionists, espe­ of people around the world have been con­ So-called justice system president of District Councilll of the United cially dockworkers and meat-packers, vinced to support his fight for justice, Kaku Kaku compared Curtis' frame-up and the Electrical Workers; and Carroll Nearmyer, warmly welcomed her and extended support said. "If I wasn't convinced of the facts in July 9 trial with the victimization other fight­ vice-president of the American Agriculture and fmancial contributions to Curtis' fight. this case, I couldn't go to the world and ask ers face when caught up in the so-called Movement in Iowa sent ·greetings. Some $5,000 was raised during the trip there. for support and solidarity like I have in the justice system. "When· a farmer from Kansas Robert Verdier, League for the Rights of The Amnesty International national board last year and a half." faced a judge during his fight to save his farm, Man, France; Committee for the Defense of in Iceland invited Kaku to present Curtis' the judge told him, 'When you come into the Liberties and the Rights of Man in France case. She also spoke at a European confer­ An antilabor outfit courts against the banks, you are wrong.' And and the World; Ron Todd, general secretary ence of the International Christian Youth Ex­ The Workers League poses as socialist and in Mark's case and millions like his, when of the Transport and General Workers Union change held in Reykjavik where she met prolabor organization, Kaku said, but the you come into the courts against the cops, in Britain; Peter Heathfield, secretary of the members of SOS Racism, an antiracist and group has increasingly exposed itself as an 'You're wrong,"' she said. NUM; and Johnnie Jackson, from the Inter­ pro-immigrant rights group. Iceland's na­ outfit that aims to disrupt the labor movement. "The aim of the criminal justice system is national Ladies' Garment Workers' Union tional union for unskilled workers endorsed The countercampaign conducted by the to break you, to wear you down, to grind and the Coalition of Labor Union Women in the defense effort while she was there. Workers League exists in other countries, you," Kaku said. "The Morris suit squares Chicago, also sent messages.

4 The Militant June 22, 1990 Curtis tells of prison transfer, new conditions 'We don't have to give a reason,' official says

BY MARK CURTIS "security reasons." "This is not a step forward The entire Iowa State FORT MADISON, Iowa- I was trans­ or backward," he said. "It is a step sideways, Prison complex includes ferred from the Iowa Men's Refonnatory in a lateral move." the penitentiary of 550 in­ Anamosa to the John Bennett Correctional The closest he came to giving me a reason mates, the John Bennett Center here in the southeast comer of the state was when he said, "We know you haven't Correctional Facility, and on May 16. This was completely WleXpected. been happy here for a while." I answered that two minimum security I found out about the move on May 15 I hadn't requested such a move or ever com­ "farms" of a few hundred after I was called out of my morning Spanish plained about not being "happy." Of course, men. class and told to report to "R & D" - Re­ no one is happy to stay in prison, .and we all There are 125 men here, ceiving and Discharge. The officer there told ask to be released when we see the parole housed in two donns. Each me to get packed because I was being trans­ board. What the counselor meant was that he dorm has four rows of ferred to John Bennett. He gave me a few and others were not happy with my political beds, some bunked. Be­ minutes to pack my things and bring them to activities in the prison. sides a bed, the only other The successful fight for our right to receive furniture we each have is Spanish-language literature in the prison and a small cabinet with draw­ the continuing fight to correspond in lan­ ers. The institution pro­ BEHIND guages other than English made the adminis­ vides a footlocker kept tration unhappy. So did the articles I wrote for under the bed. PRISON the Militant about Native American inmates It's fairly quiet in the taking on the warden for the right to practice dorms, in spite of the their religion and carry out cultural activities. crowed conditions, and ev­ WALLS I participated in and wrote about the success eryone must use earphones of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Organization with the radio and TV sets. him. He went through every photo, piece of -an inmates' group -in making books by I was surprised to find that clothing, and book I had. He wasn't pleased Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, and others we have cable TV here. about the quantity of letters sent by support­ available to all the men at the prison. There is no commissary to ers, but he dido 't try to prevent me from My supporters outside the prison backed buy necessities, put we can taking them along. me in these political activities and, whenever order every two weeks When my friends saw me moving they I was victimized by my jailers, they mounted from a list of items. assumed I was fmally going back to Level V. effective in_temational protests. One big plus here is I had been on levels ill and IV for several On one occasion I was disciplined on a being able to use the tele­ months. They were as surprised as I had been false charge of "gambling" and stripped of phone. We're allowed to when I told them I would be transferred out my elected position as secretary of the MLK make collect calls during Mark Curtis at state prison in Anamosa, Iowa. the next day. Jr. Organization. I lost my telephone privi­ the day and in the early I tried to fmd the reasons for the transfer, leges and some visiting privileges. Still, I evening, but my counselor wasn't available. By chance don't regret any of the things I did at An­ There are three counts each day, when a tenance crew. We sweep, mop, and do any­ I saw Warden Thalacker in the cellhouse and amosa, only that I didn't do more of them. buzzer sounds, and all must stand by their thing the supervisors need done. I will be asked him. He said transfers are made for Going through these experiences brought beds to be counted. eligible for a job change after 30 days. I work reasons of discipline, treatment, or because me closer to many other inmates at Anamosa. Out in the yard a roofed shed holds weight­ every day for several hours in the afternoon. "it's the right thing to do." In my case, he I have a lot of respect for the men there who lifting equipment. There is also a combina­ The day after I arrived a young inmate said, "it's the right thing to do." When I asked refuse to be broken by the pressure of prison tion basketball and tennis court and a horse­ introduced himself to me as someone who if this was his decision, he said he takes part and the "criminal justice system." It was very shoe pit. A unique sport call "Hooverball" is had been following my case in the newspa­ in every decision involving the transfer of an hard to say good-bye. We exchanged ad­ played in a sandlot volleyball pit. Opposing pers. His father is a union official in Des inmate. dresses and phone numbers. Several guys four-man teams play by heaving a nine­ Moines, Iowa. They have discussed my de­ Finally I did see my counselor that after­ assured me that they would follow my case pound medicine ball back and fourth over a fense campaign and support me. noon. "Sometimes we just transfer inmates," and other political developments through the volleyball net. Your team scores when some­ I am sure I will be meeting more men like he said. "We don't have to give any reason." Militant and Perspectiva Mundial. A few one on the other team drops the ball while him who want to discuss politics, read the This was the same answer he gave when I even said they would be writing articles for trying to catch it. The ball is heavy, and it Militant and Pathfinder books, and become asked whose idea it was to transfer me, how the Militant. For my part, I prorniS<;rl to often knocks down even the biggest guys part of the fight to make a better society for long it had been in the works, and why it continue my political activities. I am sure I when they catch it. working people. hadn't been discussed with me beforehand. will be meeting people of the same caliber The visiting policy here is also better. We I cannot control where I am sent while in He refused to let me call my lawyer for here in my new location. are allowed more visitors than at Anamosa prison,just as workers cannot control whether and can have 12 visits each month. A small Trip to Fort Madison they have a job from one day to the next. But front yard with picnic tables is used for visits I can and will continue to be the same political Argentine journalist We left the next morning at 8:00a.m. Four in nice weather. activist, union man, and revolutionary social­ prisoners and two guards made the trip. The I started work in the kitchen on the main- ist I was when I entered prison. gets phone interview other three inmates were headed for Fort Madison's maximum security penitentiary. with Mark Curtis Before we left we were strip-searched and Mter a couple of catls to Iowa prison given white coveralls. Our wrists were cuffed Nicaraguan unionists sign to back officials at Fort Madison on June 11 request­ and locked to chains going around our waists. ing an interview with Mark Curtis, Argentine By twos, our ankles were chained together. international Curtis defense effort journalist Luis Bilbao received a collect call My "partner" was someone I knew from from Curtis the following day. It was a short MLK Jr. Organization activities. The other BY LARRY SEIGLE Also attending were activists from El Sal­ two, who were previously accused of spitting interview. Prisoners are only permitted 10 MANAGUA, Nicaragua- Thirty-five vador, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Co­ on guards, were forced to wear dust masks minutes for phone calls. people, the majority of them trade union lombia, France, West Germany, and the over their faces. Only their eyes could be "I was impressed by his strength," Bilbao activists, added their names as endorsers of United States. seen. All three of them were being transferred remarked. "He is very conscious of the reason the Mark Curtis Defense Committee at a Many of those present had learned of the for "disciplinary" reasons and had spent that he is in prison, for defending Latin Amer­ recent reception here. The affair was held to international campaign in defense of framed­ many weeks in lockup. ican workers. He is very confident in the express appreciation for the ongoing work of up union activist Mark Curtis from articles With a three-legged shuffle we all hobbled future of his cause." the Nicaragua ·Bureau of the Militant and in Perspectiva Mundial. Others heard about through the front doors of Anamosa and into Curtis' message to Latin American work­ Perspectiva Mundial. the case for the first time at the reception. a van. It was the first time I had been outside ers: "We share a common fight, be it for my Most of the 125 participants in the festivi­ An appeal for support to the Curtis defense release or your struggle against the Third the walls in a year an~ a half. We arrived in Fort Madison after a two­ ties were members of unions affiliated to the committee was presented by Vidal Cruz, the World debt. Through solidarity we can strike Sandinista Workers Federation (CST). political secretary of the Sandinista Front at at a common enemy." and-a-half-hour drive. We first went to the penitentiary to drop off the other three men. Among the labor officials present were Lucio the IMEP fabricating plant. Cruz, who is a Bilbao writes for a newspaper called Sur production worker in the factory and a long­ The John Bennett Correctional Center, Jimenez, the CST president, and several other (South) published in Buenos Aires. The daily members of the federation's executive board. time reader of Perspectiva Mundial, was part has a circulation of nearly 40,000 throughout named after a previous warden, sits next to the Iowa State Penitentiary, about 20 feet Also attending were Rafael Caceres, president of a delegation of half a dozen IMEPworkers Argentina and is also distributed in Uruguay of the Miners Federation of Nicaragua, which at the event. and Paraguay. He is a foreign correspondent from the east wall. The penitentiary was built organizes gold miners; Jose Angel BennUdez, Cruz summarized the stakes in the Curtis for several other Latin American and Euro­ 150 years ago and is the oldest prison west of the Mississippi. who heads the public employees' union that fight and urged everyone present to sign cards pean newspapers, as well. led a militant strike here in May; and Mario John Bennett is a medium security facility, endorsing the defense committee. ''This com­ Bilbao was in the United States to cover Malespin, leader of the postal and telephone and instead of a wall, two chain-link and pafiero has been in solidarity with our revo­ the Bush-Gorbachev summit in early June. workers' union, which also participated in the barbed-wire fences surround the grounds. lution," he said. "Now he needs our solidarity, As someone who has been active in defense strike. our moral support, and we must give it to him. of human and workers' rights, and Latin From one comer of the prison, you can get Union activists were on hand from the American sovereignty, he is very interested a glimpse of the Mississippi River. One L­ "We, the workers of Nicaragua, as part of Rotter shoe factory, La Tofia brewery, Poly­ in Curtis' situation and in getting facts out shap_ed building includes donns, the kitchen, the international working class, have to sup­ .mer plastics plant, ENAYES and El Triunfo about the case throughout Latin America. dining hall, a recreation hall with a TV and port workers in the United States, who are pool table, and staff offices. Two smaller garment shops, and the IMEP steel fabricat­ also victims of the Yankee government in buildings house a library, upholstery shop, ing plant, among others. their own country," the union leader added. print shop, and a school where high school Guests came as well from the National Those who endorsed the defense commit­ How to write Mark Curtis classes are held. There is one guard tower out Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG), tee at the reception included Rafael Caceres, {/:JJ Address letters to Mark Curtis front, and the penitentiary towers look out including Benigna Mendiola, a leader of the together with several other members of the #805338, Box 316 JBC Dorm, Fort Mad­ over the yard in back. organization and a Sandinista National Lib­ miners 'union; Hazel Law, afonnerSandinista ison, lovva 52627. Sender's full name There is a higher percentage of Blacks here eration Front (FSLN) deputy in the National Front deputy in the National Assembly who and address must be in upper left of than at Anamosa, and the average age seems Assembly. There was participation from the is now with the Center for Costefio Unity; envelope. Sign name in full at end of to be higher. I have met the one Mexican FSLN, and from the Center for Costefio Mauricio Salguera, union president at La Toiia letter. Greeting cards and photos less prisoner here. Quite a few ofthe inmates have Unity, an organization supporting the strug­ brewery; Ram6n Meneses, commentator on than 81;2 x 11 inches are permitted. been "inside the walls" at the penitentiary. gle of the indigenous peoples and Blacks La Primerisima radio station; and Manuel Being sent here was a step forward for them. living 01,1 Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast. Gutierrez of the CST executive board. t June 22,1990 The Militant 5 Strikers picket Shugrue at travel agents' meeting Some 8,500 International Asso­ sign of a striking Machinist outside was denied the right to attend the • ing, donate money to these strikers ciation of Machinists (lAM) mem­ Atlanta's Hyatt Regency Hotel. He public meeting. They cheered him In St. Louis a barbecue was held and get out on the picket lines. bers struck Eastern Airlines was among a group of lAM mpm­ as he was batHed away in the patrol at United Auto Workers (UAW) They're fighting for us all." March 4, 1989, in an effort to bers and former Eastern pilots who car. Local 325 's union hall on June 3 to Several other unionists also block the company's drive to were picketing during an Eastern benefit the Eastern strikers and strik­ spoke, including from the Amalga­ break the union and impose mas­ Airline's luncheon for travel agents • ing Greyhound bus drivers. Among mated Transit Workers union on sive concessions on workers. and employees on. June 6. Eastern On June 2 unionists in Boston the 200 people attending the event strike at Greyhound, St. Louis Cen­ As ofthe Milikmt's closing news trustee Martin Shugrue was the fea- held a strike T-shirt day on the picket were union members from the lAM, tral Labor Council of the AFL-CIO, line at Logan International Aitport. UAW, United Steelworkers of Am­ and the USWA. Eastern strikers were joined by erica (USWA), International Ladies' SUPPORT members of the International Union Garment Workers' Union, Oil, • of Electronic Workers, Amalga­ Chemical and Atomic Workers On July 1 a solidarity walk­ mated Clothing andTextile Workers union, and others. through will be held at the Pitts­ EASTERN Union, and the International Broth­ The barbecue was preceded by a erhood of Electrical Workers union burgh International Airport from rally on May 24 of 700 people at the 1:00 p.m. to 3:00p.m.. A flier issued from the Boston area. Wearing their lAM District 9 in support of the STRIKERS! hall by lAM Lodge 1044 says, ''The T-shirts with the Eastern strike sym­ strikers at Eastern, Greyhound, and airline workers have held out for 15 bol, the unionists walked through several local companies in the St. date, V\ednesday, June 13, the tured speaker at it. months in order to win decent jobs the airport terminal and maintained Louis area. strike was in its 467th day. One striker commented, "The with dignity. Now is the time to keep their preSence inside for more than Bob Taylor, general chairman of The Eastern workers' fight face has changed, only the tactics the pressure on to get all the union two hours. lAM District 100, speaking on be­ has won broad support from remain the same," which is a refer­ workers back to work with a con­ The next day, Eastern strikers and half of Eastern strikers, explained, working people in the United ence to Shugrue's refusal to negoti­ tract. This is a fight for the entire supporters participated in the Dor­ "Lorenzo is gone because of labor States, Puerto Rico and the Car­ ate with the lAM. Another striker labor movement - a chance to chester Day Parade in Boston. The solidarity. Now we have Marty ibbean, Canada, Bermuda, Swe­ said that he had expected better of make a stand and win a victory event is an annual tradition, and this Shugrue. He'll be gone too if he den, New Zealand, France, and Shugrue. "I never thought I'd be out against union-busting." For more in­ year's theme was "organized labor." doesn't settle the strike fairly." elsewhere in the world. Readers here 14 months," he explained, "but formation contact the lAM at (412) A van from lAM Local 1726 was AI Libbra of the Illinois Farm - especially Eastern strikers if I have to, I'll be out this time next 262-3211. entered in the parade, painted with -are encouraged to send news year." Alliance urged workers and farmers of strike solidarity activities to the words "Machinists union" and to support each other's fights. "We Striking JAM member Maggie Pucci this column. One pilot was arrested by Atlanta "On strike against Eastern and Con­ have the same enemies. We do the from Boston, Dennis Gallie and Jim police for refusing to leave the travel tinental airlines." A contingent of work, the rich sit back and collect Rogers from St. Louis, and Liz Ziers agents' meeting. Several partici­ strikers and other lAM members the cream, and we get the skim. We from Atlanta contributed to this col­ "Y-not a fair contract," read the pants expressed anger that the pilot marched in front of the van. make it, they take it. If you're work- umn. New York union rally protests award to Lorenzo

BY JUDY STRANAHAN Lorenzo was given the "extinguished alum­ Lorenzo and pledged to continue solidarity York Central Labor Council of the AFL-CIO NEW YORK- On June 12 Frank nus award"- a styrofoam plane made to with the Eastern strike. also spoke. Lorenzo, fonner head of Eastern Airlines, look like an Eastern airliner. When "Lorenzo" Other speakers included Mike Alvino, An announcement from the platform about received a distinguished alumnus award pre­ took his award in hand, it fell apart. president of the Newspaper and Mail Deliv­ Nelson Mandela's speaking engagements in sented by the John Jay Associates, an alumni International Ladies' Garment Workers' erers Union; John Kennedy, president of the New York was greeted with cheers. group from Columbia University. The cere­ Union members who are on strike against the New York Stereotypers; and Cleveland Rob­ mony was held at the New York Public Li­ Domsey Trading Co. in Brooklyn, also made inson, secretary-treasurer of District 65, Participants were also encouraged to at­ brary here. an "awards" presentation to their bosses­ UAW, who spoke on behalf of the Nelson tend an expanded picket line at La Guardia But outside the library, dozens of unions Arthur, Cliff, and Peter Salm -a placard Mandela New York Anti-Apartheid Welcom­ Airport on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. to support protested and handed out their own "awards." with a big "zero" painted on it. ing Committee. A representative of the New the Eastern strikers. More than 300 Eastern, Greyhound, and Domsey Trading made $13 million last Domsey strikers and other trade unionists year in sales of used clothing at their Brook­ rallied. lyn outlet and through exports to Third World Lorenzo had been scheduled to receive the countries. The 300 workers, who sort the Greyhound files bankruptcy award in March 1989, but Columbia Univer­ clothing and pack it in cargo containers, make sity canceled it due to protests from local area $3.75 an hour with no overtime pay or ben­ Continued from front page on June 19 to highlight the strike and to unions and students and unions at Columbia. efits. of $1 billion. That was its frrst yearly profit launch a nationwide boycott of the bus com­ Eastern strikers from Kennedy and La At Domsey the bosses refuse to learn since 1985. pany. The rally will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Guardia airports in New York City were on workers' names, instead calling them by In May the National Labor Relations the Greyhound terminal. Jesse Jackson is hand, and groups of strikers came from Buf­ number. That's why the Domsey strikers Board ruled against Greyhound for unfair scheduled to speak. falo, New York; Newark, New Jersey; and thought it fitting that their bosses receive their labor practices. This could make the bus Philadelphia. A contingent of 40 garment own number- zero. company liable for $13 million in back pay workers on strike against Domsey Trading Jean Bonnet, a strike leader from Domsey for every month the strike continues. Oregon paper mill turned out, as did a contingent of members also spoke from the platform. In an interview Before the bankruptcy filing, the company of the Amalgamated Transit Union on strike later, Bonnet explained, "The rally will help workers end strike, missed more than $20 million in scheduled against Greyhound. the strike. If more people knew and under­ debt payments while at the same time spend­ An impressive array of representatives stood why we are on strike, then they would beat back concessions ing $70 million for private security firms, from various unions and organizations spoke support us." BY BRIAN WILLIAMS training 3,400 scab drivers, and other moves from atop a rented flatbed truck. Charles Another feature of the rally was a series TOLEDO, Ore. -After 11 weeks on the to break the union and keep the buses rolling Bryan, president of International Association of speakers from among unions and students during the strike. picket line, 400 striking pulp and paper work­ of Machinists (lAM) District 100, spoke and at Columbia. Maida Rosenstein, representing ers ended their strike here against Georgia­ To counter the impact of the strike and to explained, "Until we have labor peace there United Auto Workers (UAW) District 65 at Pacific Corp. The May 7 vote to end the strike convince potential riders the strike is over, will not be a safe airline. There will not be a · the university, read several letters from came one day after the company decided to for example, Greyhound recently launched healthy airline." alumni opposing the decision to give Lorenzo put the Toledo mill and 19 others up for sale. an $11 million advertising campaign target­ Eastern strikers held hand-made signs that the award. She also reported that a petition The contract calls for a 5 percent wage ing the Black community. read, "No contract! No peace!" Other signs signed by students and workers on the cam­ increase over the length of the agreement. It called on Eastern trustee Martin Shugrue to pus had been presented to the university In response to this campaign a number of lasts 18 months or one year past the sale of negotiate with the lAM to settle the strike. administration. Marion Porro, president of Black figures in New York signed a statement the mill, whichever comes frrst. The Machinists decided to present their New York Public Library union Local1930 calling on riders to "please use other bus lines Bryce Jackson, president of the Associa­ own "award" to Lorenzo. A striker posing as also condemned the decision to award or alternate means of transportation if your tion of Western Pulp and Paper Workers plans call for travel over the summer." The (AWPPW) Local 13, termed the settlement statement pointed out, "Greyhound workers "a victory" for the union. "This was a battle are among the most poorly paid union work­ won, not a war," commented Jackson. The ers in the country and most of them come company dropped all of the takeback de­ from the African-American and Latino com­ mands of their original proposal. munities." "We're not on strike anymore but we're According to a report in the June 9 Am­ still pretty solid, pretty strong. We're not sterdam News, the statement was signed by letting the momentum stop. We're training Congressman Major Owens; actor Ossie for the next go-around," the union president Davis; Rev. Herbert Daughtry; Rev. Calvin said in a telephone interview. Butts; Assemblyman Roger Green; Stanley The company was demanding 19 take­ Hill, executive director of American Federa­ aways from the paper mill workers, including tion State, County and Municipal Employees elimination of time-and-a-half pay for Sun­ District Council 37; Cleveland Robinson, day work, doubling of health insurance pre­ secretary-treasurer of District 65, United miums, forcing retirees to pay for their own Auto Workers; Jim Bell, 'president of the medical plan, reduction in holidays, limiting Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; and pay for workers who retrain, and forcing James Butler, president of AFSCME Local workers to do jobs out of their classifications. 420. Workers at the mill have had no wage On June 12 some 60 Greyhound strikers increase since 1986.. In 1984 they lost their joined a New York action organized by East­ 100 percent health and welfare coverage em Airlines strikers to protest an award cer­ when the company forced them to begin emony for Frank Lorenzo, the head of paying deductibles. Eastern's parent company, Texas Air Corp. The AWPPW broke away from the United At the action, Harold Mendlowitz, presi­ Paperworkers International Union in 1965. It dent ofATU Local1202, invited those present organizes 16,000 workers in four states - Cont~ent of 40 Domsey strfk.ers joined rally and g~Jve out 'award' to their bosses. to participate in a march in Washington, D.C., California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

6 The·Militant June 22, 1990. Fidel Castro recalls his meeting with Malcolm X in Harlem in 1960 Cuban President Fidel Castro with Malcolm X (right).

The following message was presented in the time was nationally the most well-known They had set the date, day and month. There had more time to speak with him, because person by Cuban President Fidel Castro on leader of the Nation of Islam and minister of were people in Miami already packing their those days in New York were rough. It was May 24 to the participants in the symposium its Harlem temple, Castro met with other bags to come over here. Their clothes will be madness. There were quite a number of peo­ "Malcolm X Speaks in the '90s," held in Black rights leaders, including Robert Wil­ eaten by moths! ple who had already left for the United States, Havana. liams, a militant figure in the fight against But of course, this country will resist. We a large number of Cubans who were against Castro's message refers to a meeting he segregation in North Carolina. are waging three great battles: the political the revolution, and there were others who had had with Malcolm X at the Hotel Theresa in The Cuban delegation included Juan Al­ battle, where we maintain the unity of the resided there for a long time who were in Harlem in New York City. The meeting oc­ meida, who was then chief of staff of the people, the support of our people, the deter­ favor. And then there were many people from curred in September 1960 when Castro was Cuban army. mination of our people; the economic battle, the United States giving us "thumbs down" in New York to address the United Nations The text was provided by the Cuban mis­ which is even more difficult here than else­ in the streets. But when we arrived in Harlem General Assembly. The Cuban delegation to sion to the United Nations. where given the conditions we face; and the it was the complete opposite. the meeting was subjected to severe restric­ battle for defense. Almeida was with us; we were a little tions by the State Department (for example, * * * We have to work in these three direc­ younger then. In fact, we didn't know much it was confmed to the island of Manhattan) We have always been in solidarity with the tions. But we are not doing this for our­ about politics. But we had a rebel spirit, a and to an intense slander campaign in the struggle of Black people, of minorities, and selves. We are doing it for all the just spirit of struggle. We were convinced of our press. of the poor in the United States. We have causes of this world, at a time of skepti­ cause. Of course, we did not have the expe­ One of the results of these attacks was always been in solidarity with them, and they cism. Optimism and the hope of the peo­ rience that we inevitably have accumulated that the Cubans were evicted from the have been in solidarity with us. ples will again be born, because the over many years. But we are still here, and Shelbourne Hotel where they were staying. We must fight to defeat the campaigns, negative forces will not prevail. we intend to continue being the cause of Castro publicly suggested that the delega­ the schemes, and the lies, all that is aimed We want the people of the United States, headaches. tion might set up up tents in Central Park. at separating us. I think that in these times - Black people, Latinos, Asians, and all the Then the offer came from Harlem that the we need that friendship more than ever, nationalities within the United States, every­ 'Up to the last minute' delegation would be welcome to- stay at and we need your solidarity more than one with a spirit of justice - to understand Yesterday one of our comrades, [Cuban the Hotel Theresa. While the Cubans were ever. And we fully appreciate it, because this. Vice-president] Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, at the Harlem hotel large crowds - up to we understand that one has to be very We are very grateful that you have partie- · turned 77 years old. We did not say anything 10,000- gathered each night to rally and courageous to organize a rally supporting ipated in this meeting in Cuba, in this seminar to him - he was sitting here-and he cer­ express their solidarity. Cuba in the United States. in remembrance of Malcolm X. Now, more tainly thought nobody remembered his birth­ As soon as it was announced that the The value of the action cannot be measured than ever, we have to remember Malcolm X, day. By 11 :OOp.m. -the meeting had started Cubans were going to stay in Harlem, they by the number of people participating, but by Che [Guevara], and all the heroes of the at 3:00 and lasted and lasted, with only one immediately received offers from hotels the fact that they participate, by the coura­ struggle and the cause of the peoples. That 20-minute recess- he was probably think­ throughout Manhattan, including ones that geousness it took to do so in moments when is why the importance and significance you ing: How cruel these people are, see how they had previously turned the delegation down. seems to be collapsing. give to this anniversary has gladdened me so celebrate my birthday. That lasted until the The plush Commodore Hotel offered free And it is really collapsing in many coun­ much. end, when we said, ''Today is Carlos Rafael's lodgings. tries where there never was true socialism. birthday." Then everybody sang "Happy But the Cubans declined these invitations One of the premises of true socialism is that At the Hotel TJteresa Birthday" in Spanish, there were snacks, and and stayed in Harlem and the attacks became it arise from the people themselves. It cannot I always recall my meeting with Malcolm we even had some drinks -which is unusual even more intense. In the opening of his be given to you or built for you; it has to X at the Hotel Theresa, because he was the in this place - and in the end there was even September 26 speech to the United Nations, spring from the struggle of the people itself, one who supported us and made it possible a cake, everything. Castro, referring to this racist and anti-Cuba as has been the case of socialism in Cuba. for us to stay there. We faced two alternatives. I am telling you all this, because at the end, barrage, said, "Already in Harlem, since no­ In spite of all those disasters, we feel more One was the United Nations gardens - when he was leaving, he embraced me -he body could stop us from living there, the committed than ever to socialism and to the when I mentioned this to the secretary-gen­ was very moved, he was sentimental yester­ campaigns of slander and defamation began. revolution, to defending it and to proving that eral [Dag Hammarskjold], he was horrified day, every time someone greeted him he The news was bruited about that the Cuban it is a thousand times superior to any other at the thought of a delegation in tents there. almost cried, or cried-but what I want to delegation had found itself a home in a social system. I think this is in the interest of But when we received Malcolm X's offer­ point out is that I told him, "Carlos, we have brothel. For some, a humble hotel in Harlem, all the peoples. he had spoken with one of our compaiieros to be here, at our posts, struggling up to the a hotel inhabited by the Negroes of the United If reactionary ideas prevail, if they gain - I said, ''That is the place, the Hotel The­ last day, the last hour, the last minute ...." States, may obviously be a brothel. supremacy in the world, that supremacy will resa." And there we went. So I have a personal And then I thought: What am I saying? I "But besides this," the Cuban leader con­ be directed against all the Third World coun­ recollection very much linked to him. added, "Yes, up to the last hour, the last tinued, "they have heaped slander on the tries. Those reactionary forces will direct Years have passed and I regret not having minute of our enemies." Cuban delegation without even respecting their supremacy against the people of the the female members of our delegation who United States itself. This is a fact, because work with our delegation or are part of our those who attack us are also the enemies of delegation. Were we of the caliber of men all just causes everywhere in the world, in­ that we are described as, then imperialism cluding in the United States. Havana meeting discusses would not have lost hope, as it has lost hope Cuba has an important role to play, a very long ago, of buying us or seducing us in some big responsibility, because there were people the legacy of Malcolm X way." who thought that the revolution here would In addition to meeting Malcolm X, who at collapse just like socialism fell over there. BY SELVA NEBBIA pants looked at him from an internationalist The legacy of Malcolm X was recently aspect as well." celebrated in Havana, Cuba, at a symposium Malcolm X was assassinated 25 years ago called "Malcolm X Speaks in the '90s." in New York. The gathering, hosted by Casa de las During the symposium, members of the Americas and the Center for the Studies of U.S. delegation met with Cubans who had the Americas, took place May 19-24. participated in internationalist missions in Cuban President Fidel Castro hosted a Africa. "Our delegation visited the Isle of reception for the participants, where he made Youth and the camp where Salvadoran com­ a brief presentation. batants are being housed and rehabilitated," Among the participants was a delegation Mealy said. of25 Blacks from the United States, explained Several African diplomats assigned to the journalist Rosemari Mealy, who attended the various embassies in Cpba participated as gathering. Among them was K warne Toure, observers in the seminar. leaderoftheAllAfricanPeople'sRevolution­ Many of those in the U.S. delegation ary Party who was formerly known as Stokely signed a "Declaration of the African-Ameri­ Carmichael; James Turner of the Malcolm X can Delegation to the Malcolm X Speaks in Commemoration Committee; Odette the 90s." Taverna, Executive Committee of the Na­ The declaration calls on "all African peo­ tional Rainbow Coalition; and Elombe Brath, ples and progressive forces to join in building Patrice Lumumba Coalition. an active mass campaign of information and Mealy pointed out that a paper was pre­ direct action protests to mobilize the Ameri­ sented on Malcolm X's transition from a can people around the important and urgent leader of the Nation of Islam to revolutionary issue of keeping U.S. Hands Off Cuba." nationalist. "Malcolm X as an international­ The declaration also calls for 'the building Juan Almeida (left) and Antonio Nunez, director of the National Institute of Agrarian ist, Malcolm and the issue of women, and of the International Conference on Malcolm Reform, part of the Cuban delegation that visited New York with Fidel Castro in 1960, how the left viewed Malcolm," were other X: Radical Tradition and Legacy of Struggle, in a Harlem restaurant. subjects, she said, and "the Cuban partici- to be held November 1-4 in New York City.

June 2-Z, 1990 The MUitaDt 7 'We must end old social order ai in new one based on justice and Speech by Nelson Mandela before South African b1

The foUowing address was given by Nel­ We hope that the fact that we are meeting Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice: the victims of the abuse of power. The inclu­ son Mandela, African National Congress here signifies that there js a common accep­ "Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew sion of all the people of South Africa withll. deputy president, to a conference held in tance among us that we necessarily must hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affec­ a genuinely democratic system will therefore Johannesburg of the Consultative Busi­ cooperate to ensure that the people do indeed tions, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt remove this particular cause of our discon­ ness Movement, a group o( South African enjoy a decent standard ofliving in conditions with the same weapons, subject to the same tent. businessmen. Entitled by the CBM as ''Op­ of freedom. diseases, healed by the same means, warmed tions for Building an Economic Future," and cooled by the same winter and summer, 87 percent of land white-owned the meeting was attended by 300 corporate The haves and have-nots as a Christian is? But then what about economic power? executives. The text, delivered by Mandela To establish a system of cooperation re­ "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you This, obviously, is one of the thorniest issues May 23, was made available-by the ANC quires that we should at least share some tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, that must be addressed. It is said that less thru. Observer Mission to the United Nations. common objectives. But it also means that do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall 10 corporate conglomerates control almost Subheadings are by the Militant. we have to overcome the mutual mistrust we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, 90 percent of the shares listed-on the Johan- that, to some degree, undoubtedly exists be­ we will resemble you in that. ... The villainy Mr. Chainnan, ladies and gentlemen: tween us. We do not have to elaborate the you teach me, I will execute; and it shall go FU'St of all, we would like to thank the reasons for that mistrust. As South Africans hard, but I will better the instruction." Consultative Business Movement most sin­ we all know what they are. We know that Questions such as these, whether about cerely for taking the initiative to convene they emanate from the fact that on one side black sheep or the universal nature of human what is for us a truly historic conference. The of the street are the haves, and on the other, pain and suffering, can only be posed by mere fact that it is taking place sends an the have-nots; on one side, the whites, and people who are discriminated against, in a ,, ______on the other, the blacks. society that condemns them to persistent de­ The interaction that is taking place among privation of the material artifacts and the On one side of the street us today- and hopefully, in other encoun­ dignity that are due to them as human beings. ters in the future - should help in the process We pose them for the same reasons. are the haves -on the of identifying the common objectives which The bitterness of a Shylock, who threatens should become part of a national consensus to execute and even better the villainy which other, the have-nots; that will help to bridge the enormous gulfs his persecutors have taught him by their on one side, the whites - that separate the different communities in this example, is a feeling that comes naturally to country. As we discuss, we hope that some those who are hurt by systematic and sys­ and on the other, of the mistrust will fall away. But of course temic abuse. It should come as no surprise the blacks ••. it will be in the process of the honest imple­ that it lurks in the breasts of many whom this ______mentation of what would have been agreed, society has considered and treated as dispos­ ,, that this mistrust would finally disappear. able ciphers. important signal about the need for all South You will, I am certain, remember the nur- The issue we are addressing is the one of Africans to get together to determine the sery rhyme: power and the uses and abuses of power. destiny of our common fatherland. Baa, baa, black sheep, Those among us who are white come from Fully conscious of the fact that all of you have you any wool? that section of our population that has power, are very busy people, we would also like to Yes sir, yes sir, and in a sense, total power ov~r tile_lives of extend our appreciation to all of you that you three bags full. the black people. Nothing within the sphere abandoned some of your programs so that One for the master, of human endeavor is excepted-be it po­ you could attend the conference. one for the dame, litical, economic, military, educational, or Recently I had occasion to read an adver­ one for the little boy any other. Indeed, this even extends to the Militant/Greg McCartan tisement inserted in the British press by the who lives down the lane. right to decide who shall live and who shall Nelson Mandela Anglo American Corp. It begins by quoting Could it be that when the children com­ die. various clauses of the Freedom Charter which posed this simple verse, they understood that These may sound like harsh words, but the nesburg stock exchange. Ifsomebody did any have to do with job creation and the provision it was only the figurative black sheep that reality that is unseen inside the boardrooms, arithmetical calculation, he or she would of food, housing, and education. It then poses would- because it was itself excluded - by those who exercise power, across the probably find that the total number of people the very important and correct question: "If have a sufficient sense of justice and com­ length and breadth of this country, is harsher who sit on the boards of these companies as the South African economy doesn't deliver, passion to remember the little boy down the still. The anger in the heart of Shylock is directors is far less than 1,000. These will how can any politician hope to?" lane! Was it because they had seen in practice abroad in our society. This is a fact to which almost exclusively be white males. we should be very sensitive, without any 1bat, in a sense, encapsulates the signifi­ that the white sheep apportioned only a tenth If you add to this the fact that 87 perce,-• attempt at self-deception. cance of this conference. Both of us -you of its wool, or none at all, to the little boy of the land is, by law, white owned and is in down the lane? representing the business world and we a United, democratic, nonracial fact owned -by a minority even among the political movement- must deliver. The crit­ whites, then the iniquity of the system we One of the fundamental issues that the ical questions are whether we can in fact act Question Shylock posed have all inherited becomes even more plain. together and whether it is possible for either Many a time the martingales and deprived process of transformation must address is the question of the structure of power. Within the If we are genuinely interested in ending one of us to deliver if we cannot or will not people whom we represent have posed the the old social order and bringing in a new cooperate. same bitter question that Shylock posed in political sphere, what has to be done seems clear enough. I think we would all agree that· one, characterized by the notions of justice we must have a united, democratic, and non­ and equity, it is quite obvious that the ecC'­ racial South Africa. The specific manner in nomic power relations represented by the which this would be expressed in a constitu­ reality of the excessive concentration of tion is something that will have to be nego­ power in a few white hands have to change. tiated, preferably within an elected constitu­ We make this demand not as a result of ent assembly. any imperative that might be said to derive I think we would also all agree that every ,, ______adult citizen should have the right to vote and to be elected into an organ of government. We are dealing with South There should be an entrenched and justiciable Africa, which has its own bill of rights, which should guarantee the fundamental human rights of all citizens. imperatives, one of which People should be free to form or to belong to parties of their choice. There should be is to end white domination regular elections so that the people decide who should be in the driving seat. Power and deracialize economic should devolve to lower organs of govern­ power ... ment so as to ensure the broadest participation ______,, of the people in the democratic process. I would like to believe that on these and from ideological convictions. We make it other political matters we are in agreement. because we cannot see how it would be Such an outcome is important both in itself possible to pull our country out of the en­ and in order to create a situation of peace and demic crisis, in part caused and exemplified stability. We should all accept fully that the by white control of economic power, while economy cannot deliver unless the political at the same time we perpetuate this power objectives we have outlined are realized. structure. All this, of course, addresses the issue of the structure of political power. We are saying Deracializing economic power it must change radically. The cause of our It might be said that international experi­ Gold miners in a mine near Johannesburg. Under a new government, the ANC leader said, - discontent is, in part, our exclusion from the ence shows that it is wisest not to tamper with ''questions of a living wage, job security, and industrial restructuring must be dealt with in exercise of political power and our conse­ this power structure. The argument is made a bargaining process" with the trade unions. quent condemnation to a situation of being that the sanctity of private property and the

8 The Militant June 22, 1990 id bring equity' stnessmen• jn~;entive and dynamism that derive from pllvate ownership, should convince all of us to accept, if not welcome, this economic power structure as a fact of life. What we would like to say is that, while we look at economic models and study the experiences of other countries, we should not forget that we are dealing with South Africa, with its own history, its own reality, and its t- n'D imperatives. One of these imperatives is to end white domination in all its forms, to deracialize the exercise of economic power. If we are agreed about this objective as it affects the economy, then, I trust, we can begin a serious discussion about how it Farm workers in the Transvaal. "Eighty-seven percent of the land is, by law, white owned," Mandela told the businessmen. "The iniquity should be achieved. It would seem to me of the system we have all inherited is plain." • ~ssary that this discussion, vigorous thollgh it has to be, should not be conducted in a manner which makes healthy debate It seems to us eminently wrong for the gov­ spond to the justified popular concern about technicians, artisans, and other skilled per­ impossible. We would therefore have to avoid ernment to engage in this important restruc­ the grossly unequal distribution of economic sons. This would of course make a decisive throwing epithets at one another, questioning turing exercise precisely at the moment when power. contribution to the critical issue of the level one another's capacity to think, or challeng­ the whole country and the world expect that There should be no debate among us about of productivity in the economy as a whole. i.Rg one another's good faith. fundamental political change is in the offing. the centrality of the issue of ensuring a rapidly It would also place the issue of the relative Today I am not going to present any argu­ It would seem only reasonable that so growing economy. To ensure a .rising stan­ and absolute increase of income accruing to : ~t about nationalization. I would however important a question as the disposal of public dard of living, the gross domestic product the black section of our population within the like to share a secret with you. 1lte view that property should be held over until a truly must grow at rates that are higher than the context of expanding national wealth, in the only words in the economic vocabulary representative government is in place. Addi- rate of growth of the population. Various whose expansion they would have played an that the ANC knows are nationalization and ,, ______figures have been thrown around about the important part. redistribution is mistaken. Titere are many possible and desirable rates of growth. This i~s we shall have to consider as we discuss Before anything else is conference will obviously not have the pos­ Social welfare the question of the democratization and sibility to look at these figures and to study 1lte penultimate issue we wish to raise is demcialization of economic power. done, the racist and their macroeconomic implications. the matter of public spending. Titere can be One of these is whether we should not no doubt that the public ftnances will come araw on such lessons as we might learn from discriminatory land acts Three points under enormous pressure for increased the antitrust laws of the United States or the have to be repealed .•. But of course the issues, about which I am spending in education. housing, health, un­ worlc of_ ~e ~onop,o~~~ .<;o~ssion in sure we are agreed, of the need to generate employment benefits, pensions, and so on. It Great Bntam to address Die tssue of how to ------~~--~'' significant domestic savings, to attract sub­ should be commonly agreed among us that ensure that there is no unhealthy over­ tionally and inevitably, the process of stantial foreign investment, and to keep the the democratic state must indeed have a re­ concentration of economic power. The appli­ privatization cannot but reinforce the eco­ rate of inflation reasonably low, are central sponsibility to provide this material cushion, cation of those lessons would of course have nomic power relations which we assert have to the discussion of the question of economic at least to protect the most disadvantaged. to lake into account the economic realities of to be changed. growth. Perhaps there are only three or four Certainly the present-day apartheid ab­ L...r,own country, which might dictate various points we should raise at this stage. surdity must be addressed whereby public optimal sizes for different firms. Question of land One of these is that we are concerned at per capita social spending on the whites is at The factors that would have to be consid­ As we have said, the land question must persistent reports that some of our own do­ least six times higher than on Africans. How­ ered would include the necessity to achieve also be addressed within the context of the mestic companies have been and are involved ever complicated the economics of bridging economies of scale, the capacity to generate restru~turing of the old economic power re­ in a process of exporting capital from this this gap and instituting a rational system of the necessary critical mass of investable lations. Recent state actions to sell state land country. We cannot sit here, verbally wel­ social welfare which actually increases social funds, the strength to compete successfully and to evict people from white farms are come the prospect of democratic transforma­ welfare, something will have to be done in on the international market, the ability to entirely unhelpful to these purposes. Before tion, talk of the need to rapidly develop the this area as a matter of urgency. Indeed we l- -lticipate in serious research and develop­ anything else is done, the racist and discrim­ economy, and at the same time reduce the could say that even now, as we enter a period ment, and so on. inatory land acts have to be repealed. Fur­ means that would make such development of transition, it might be necessary to estab­ Another issue we might have to consider thermore, serious discussions and planning actually possible. lish mechanisms by which those who have is tbe advisability or otherwise of the place­ must take place involving the rural people The second point is that it is important that been excluded from power play a role in ment on the boards of privately owned com­ and their representatives, the democratic gov­ we should stop propagating the gloomy pic­ determining the disbursement of public panies of directors appointed by the govern­ ernment, those who own land, and the coun­ ture of a South Africa ~t. as it is said, will funds. ment, to see whether it is possible to balance try as a whole so that we can all address the inevitably sink into the·economic crisis that 1lte concerns that have been raised with the pursuit of private gain with the need to related issues of making land available to the afflicts many African countries. regard to the capacity of the tax to carry 1 JlllOte the common good. land-hungry masses, while ensuring the nec­ The third is that it seems obvious that the a vastly increased state budget are of course essary increases in the production of food and democratic parliament together with the pub­ important and legitimate. But in a situation Role of trade unions agricultural raw rnaterials.- lic at large should elaborate a macroeconomic of rapid economic growth such as we have I would also like to stress that we do not We still believe that there must be further indicative national plan to provide a frame­ spoken of, it would be necessary to review want to have everything done by the new discussion of the issue of nationalization of worlc within which to determine the direc­ ,, ______government. A healthy relationship between assets that might at the moment be privately tions ofgrowth policy. We are saying, in other e~loyers and trade unions is crucial to the owned. The ANC has no blueprint that de­ words, that the process of growth cannot be In the interests of all country's future. We agree with the view that crees that these or other assets will be nation­ left to develop spontaneously, because it [ ")gfeSSiVe labor legislation, allowing strong alized, or that such nationalization would take would ineluctably result in the structural dis­ our people, the apartheid unions to carry out centralized bargaining, this or the other form. tortions and imbalances which have to be system must go now or the will help to solve many important issues. The But we do say that this option should also corrected. questions of a living wage, job security, and be part of the ongoing debate, subject to In this connection, we should all accept economy will be further industrial restructuring must be dealt with in critical analysis as any other and viewed in the reality that growth by itself will not ensure the bargaining process. the context of the realities of South African equity. A situation could develop in which, ______destroyed ••• society. It should not be ruled out of the court in terms of levels of income, we continue to ,, Yet another question we might consider is whether there are no areas in which it would of discussion simply because of previous bad have a persistent gap between the haves and t-nefit society at large if the state established experience or because of a theological com­ the have-nots, despite any increases that may the system of taxation. 1lte aim would be to public corporations or strengthened existing mitment to the principle of private property. take place in the standard of living of the reduce the burden of direct and indirect tax­ ones. One of these areas might be housing, We are very conscious of the critical im­ latter. ation on sections of the community ·least where it seems clear that there is an urgent portance of such matters as the confidence in I am therefore raising the question that the capable of looking after themselves and to need for vigorous state intervention rapidly the future of both the national and the inter­ matter of the redistribution of wealth in con­ shift more of the load onto the corporate to expand the country's stock of habitable national business communities and investors. ditions of a growing economy, is one that sector, without of course producing a situa­ accommodation. Another area is suggested We accept that both these sectors are very must be faced squarely and addressed ftrmly. tion of diminishing returns. by the need for state encouragement of small important to the process of the further devel­ I am sure it is common cause among us that and medium business as well as the cooper­ opment of our economy. the very fact of an expanding market, result­ Savings will come with apartheid's end ~>~ '

June 22, 1990 The Militant 9 Socialist Workers hold convention Delegates discuss labor struggles, crisis of Stalinism, building party.

BY GREG McCARTAN mittee of the Movimiento de los de Abajo have changed the world, he said. by Washington _through Moscow to get the CHICAGO - The worldwide signifi­ (lzquierda Unida) in Argentina; John Studer, In the United States a more than 10-year workers." This proved unsuccessful, and now cance of the unfolding sttuggles of working executive secretary of the Matk Curtis De­ offensive by the employers, aimed at break­ the imperialists must directly confront the people in the United States, the momentous fense Committee; and defense committee ing the resistance by working people to workers and farmers across Eastern Europe. events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet leader Kate Kaku were also introduced. Cur­ union-busting and takeback demands, has Moreover, with the steps towards mone­ Union, and building parties of communist tis, a packinghouse wotker and SWPmember failed to drive the labor movement from the tary and political union between West Ger­ wotkers were the central themes of the 35th is serving a 25-year jail sentence in an Iowa center stage of politics. "For revolutionists in many and East Germany, "No longer can Convention of the Socialist Workers Party. prison on frame-up charges. this country who are determined to change anyone pretend that Germany, and the rela­ Held here June 7-10, some 800 partici­ Members of the Young Socialist Alliance, the world, who are determined to build a truly tion between the workers and those who want . pants were welcomed to the opening session union activists, students, and wotkers on socialist movement, a truly communist party, to exploit them, is under anyone's control, ofthe convention by SWPleaderandMilitant strike, were among the convention partici­ this is the most important fact," he said. anyone's domination," he said. Less and less staff writer Selva Nebbia. pants. Oasses on a range of topics were held. ''The point men in the assault on labor," can the nuclear arsenal of the rulers in Wash­ ''This is tlte party that helped to organize These included on the current situation in Barnes continued, tried to show the rest of ington be traded for political influence, con­ artists and friends from around the world to South Africa, the political legacies of Emesto the employers "that with a little effort, guts, cessions, and domination. put Fidel Castro, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm Che Guevara and Malcolm X, the Communist and determination, the United States can be­ X. Karl Marx, Che Guevara. and other rev­ Manifesto, Cuban revolution, developments come union free." Struggle against apartheid olutionary fighters on the huge six-story Path­ in the sttuggle in Argentina and the Southern The victory that brings down apartheid in finder Mural in the heart of New York City," Cone, and on the political situation today in Eastern strike South Africa will politically revive the work­ Nebbia said. Nicaragua. This included employers such as Frank ing-class movements in the imperialist coun­ "We are fighters who, together with thou­ Convention participants also attended an, Lorenzo, who led the assault on the union at tries, Barnes said. sands of others, are getting ready to give international Mark Curtis defense rally Eastern Airlines. Members of the Interna­ "Real politics is not the politics of thou­ Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the hosted by Chicago supporters of the defense tional Association of Machinists have main­ sands, or even millions. It is the politics of African National Congress, the biggest pos­ effort. (See article on front page.) tained a solid strike against Eastern since tens of millions of people - the politics of sible welcome to the United States. March 4, 1989. ''This 'vanguard' layer of the actions of people who over time begin "Also among us are Eastern strikers, who Discussion of convention resolution employers has made a grave misjudgment," making history. Every single thing that Nelson have been walking the picket line for the past The 63 convention delegates, elected by Barnes said. Mandela has done since he has walked out of 462 days in what has been the longest and local branches of the party, discussed three "No one would have thought 462 days ago that prison gate has reached to real politics, most important labor battle in four decades reports on a World Political Resolution, pre­ that the Eastern strike would be continuing; has reached to the millions, has reached to the in the United States," she said. pared by the party's National Committee. that the core of strikers would have surpassed countryside, has reached for the moral high Participants in the convention came from Discussions on the resolution had been held difficulty after difficulty; that more and more ground of politics. On top of everything else 19 countries. The majority are industrial in branches prior to the convention. their goal has become not so much what they that is happening in the world, it is this that is wotkers - some are food workers in Swe­ Fraternal delegates from Australia, Britain, would win but what they would not let hap­ the greatest omen for the future." Canada, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and pen; that they would affect workers through­ den, auto workers from Canada, engineering Crisis of Stalinism wotkers from Britain, garment wotkers from Sweden also participated in the discussion. out the entire world; and that they would have the United States, or meat-packers from New The delegates voted to continue discussion a deep effect on fighting workers in industry In a report entitled "U.S. Imperialism Has Zealand on the resolution following the convention after industry in this country." Suffered a Historic Defeat in Eastern Europe and to hold a second session of the convention In the strike by 9,000 members of the and the Soviet Union," SWP leader James International guests in August. That session will also discuss sep­ Amalgamated Transit Union against the Harris said "the blows sttuck by masses of Nebbia also introduced several special arate reports on Nicaragua and South Africa. Greyhound bus company, Greyhound Chair­ wotking people in those countries against the guests. Representing the African National Jack Barnes, national secretary ofthe SWP, man Fred Currey "made the same misjudg­ Stalinist rulers are gains in the interest of Congress was Yusuf Saloojee, head of the presented the opening report. "The last year ment," and has declared bankruptcy like wotkers and farmers everywhere." North American and Caribbean Desk of the and a half have seen titanic events in the Lorenzo did. "It never occurred to the em­ The economic foundations and social con­ Department of International Affairs of the world," he said. "The year 1989 and the ployers that while the workers haven't won, quests of these workers' states have proven ANC in Lusaka, Zambia. Terry Marryshow, beginning of 1990 will surely go down as they can lose too," Barnes noted. stronger than decades of misrule by the coun­ leader of the Maurice Bishop Patriotic Move­ one of the famous and notable years of the The defeat of Lorenzo when he was re­ terrevolutionary Stalinist bureaucracies. The ment from Grenada was also present. Both 20th century. moved from Eastern's management, and re­ upsurge across Eastern Europe and the Soviet gave greetings to the meeting. Greetings were ''The tearing apart of the bureaucratic re­ placed by the bankruptcy judge with Martin Union have further weakened their rule, and received from the Central Committee of the gimes in Eastern Europe; the beginning of. Shugrue, "increased the political character of exposed the obstacle they present to the ad­ Wotkers Party of Korea, the governing party the disintegration of the Stalinist iceberg m the Eastern strike." In his position, Shugrue vance of working people. is a political representative of the employers in the Democratic People's Republic of the Soviet Union; the progress in Cuba to­ "The path is now more open," Harris said, Korea. The convention delegates also sent a ward reconquering the revolution for the as a whole. "He has to accomplish for the "for working people in these countries to message of solidarity to the Workers Party. working people, for Marxism, and for social­ section ofcapital that Eastern Airlines repre­ conquer more political space; to sttuggle to Marcelo Zugadi from the Executive Com- ism; the momentous events in South Africa," sents what Frank Lorenzo was smashed try­ defend their rights, class interests, and past ing to achieve," Barnes said. economic and social conquests; and to link Everything the employers, the owners, and up their sttuggles with those of workers and the rulers as a whole are aiming to accomplish farmers around the world." revolves around permanently replacing strik­ While the big-business media and govern­ ing wotkers. "It is this framework for all these ment officials in imperialist countries an­ What to read on the strikes that makes them the center of all the nounce themselves the victors over sttuggles of the labor movement. The wotk­ "communism," they actually "can do less to ers are fighting for the most minimal thing affect events in the workers' states and else­ - the right to bargain, sign a contract, go where than they have ever been able to." Socialist Workers Party back to work, and the right to strike. That's Imperialism depended on the privileged what makes them so important," he said. caste in these countries, Harris said. The This issue of the Militant reports on the discussion and decisions of The coal bosses have also failed to "bring bureaucracy, numbering in the millions, is "a a recent convention of the Socialist Workers Party. To learn more· the miners under this same banner," which is transmission belt for bourgeois ideas, atti­ about the-party's views, get these books and pamphlets: why the miners' resistance plays such an tudes, values, and ways of work." important role in the class sttuggle. This parasitic layer has "tied the hands of The failure of the employers to break the the wotking class, stolen from it, lied to it, The Changing Revolutionary An Action resistance by the labor movement "raises depoliticized it, dissipated its energies, and Face Perspective & Program to completely new questions about the ability sealed it off from its allies around the world," of U.S. Politics Leninist Colifront the of Washington .to go to war and brutalize he said. Moreover, "they have done it in the people and about the explosive character of name of communism. Building a Party of Continuity Coming Socialist Workers in the U.S. Economic struggles against oppression, racism, exploi­ "Above all, the workers are an obstacle to tation, and degradation of any and all kinds. the restoration of capitalism, and they cannot 1985 resolution, Crisis It raises the self-confidence and belief of be gotten around," Harris said. The events of Reports and available in New Cancel the Third World resolutions of the International No.4. debt! those who are fighting so hard in other coun­ the past few months "show that there will be SWP from the late $6 Shorten the workweek! tries that new forces can be drawn into the no peaceful evolution to, or growing over into 1970s. Edited by Eriforce affirmative fight," Barnes said. capitalism, in the wotkers' states," he said. Jack Barnes action! The world today is marked by "the slow Wotking people there "have a different 346 pp. $14.95 -!1 English or Spanish :i2 in French but real decline of the last empire that will ·consciousness than most workers under cap­ ever grace the face of the earth, the empire italism because of the economic and social of the United States. The imperialists are conquest of the workers' state. They fmd it incapable of stabilizing the world," he said. hard to accept some things that we take for The Coming Organizational The Structure & granted as norms of capitalism." Revolution Character of orvanizational Washington lost Cold War This includes not accepting unemploy­ in South Africa the Socialist Prznciples of The U.S. government has lost the Cold ment and the devastation caused by swings By Jack Barnes Workers Party the Party War, Barnes said, because it is "no longer in the capitalist business cycle. They do not capable of avoiding a direct conflict with · want to give up a social wage - low-cost Available in New 24 pp. $5.00 By Fa"ell Dobbs hundreds of millions from Eastern Europe health care, free tuition, low rents, subsidized International No.5. and throughout Asia. They hoped that con­ food - as part of their wages, and they be­ $5 37 pp. $5.00 fronting the workers in the workers' states, lieve that "peace, not war, is a prerequisite in the countries that called themselves social­ for social progress." ist, could be done through the Stalinist bu­ As sttuggles unfold to defend these gains, reaucracy - through a combination of "workers in these countries will find that threats and summitry, threats and negotia­ more than their trade union consciousness tions - to avoid the question that these and organization is needed to insure any Available from Pathfinder bookstores listed on page 12. Or by mail from workers will have to be defeated to reimpose lasting and stable defense of their gains and Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Please include $1 for each capitalism. That hope is over," he said, "and to regenerate the workers' state. They will book for postage and handling. over for all time." find that a communist movement and a Marx­ The Cold War, he said, "was not a war by ist vanguard is needed," Harris said. Washington against Moscow: it was the war "Fundamental to the fight for socialism is

10 Th~ ~ilitant June 22, 1990 Socialist \\brkers Party leader James Harris reporting to convention session. Some 800 participated from 16 countries. the fight for national self-determination," the United States," Waters said. and the book and pamphlet titles of the communists of the world," Waters said. Harris continued. ''This is bound up with the Waters reviewed the party's growing col­ publishing house were the centerpiece of the The Socialist Workers Party is the oldest fight to liberate the rural toilers and assure laboration with the Communist Leagues in booths at the convention. The Militant, the communist party in the world, with a 60 year them the right to work the land." seven countries - building support for the Spanish-language Perspectiva Mundial, and unbroken history. And its communist conti­ Socialism, he said, "cannot be built on the Eastern strike, the deepening work of estab­ the French language Lutte ouvriere were also nuity goes back to Marx and Frederick Engels, backs of captive and oppressed nations. The lishing a fraction of socialist coal miners in featured. The African National Congress, the "through V.I. Lenin and the Bolsheviks and Stalinist regimes have reestablished the different countries, reaching out to the strug­ Young Socialist Alliance, and Eastern strikers the victory of the October 1917 revolution in prison house of nations, and in so doing they gles of working farmers, and winning broad also displayed and sold literature, T-shirts, Russia, which changed the course of history have made the breakup of the Soviet Union support for the Mark Curtis defense cam­ and buttons. and the course of our century," she said. inevitable," as oppressed nations rise up and paign. Convention participants snapped up 550 The SWP's political continuity "goes demand self-determination. "The only way copies of Pathfinder's latest release, Trade through the Communist International in the forward to uniting the working class interna­ International collaboration Unions in the Epoch of Imperialist Decay, early years; it goes through the Bolshevik­ tionally," he said, "is to champion the right "It is along these lines and through these by Karl Marx and Leon Trotsky. Leninists of the 1920s who were the first to self-determination." - kinds of efforts that the international com­ Waters stressed that the accomplishments communists to oppose 'perestroika' and 'new The growing crisis of these regimes "is a munist movement is being built," Waters of the Militant and Pathfmder are a result of thinking,' the communists that worked to­ positive development that opens the door for said. the international efforts at promotion, distri­ gether through the lean and hard years of the the real coiltinuity of communism to make Recent successes in the international cir­ bution, organizing reporting teams, and sell­ 1930s, the '40s, and the '50s to assure com­ itself heard," Harris stressed. "It gives the culation of the Militant and the distribution ing. For example, Pathfmder sales in Canada munist continuity; and it goes through the opportunity for those reaching out to revolu­ of books and pamphlets by Pathfmder Press have grown six-fold in two years. victory of the Cuban revolution," she said. tion and communism to actually reach it, "confirm everything we have been discussing The recent speaking tours in Canada and Like the Russian revolution, the Cuban instead of being blocked" by Stalinism. at the convention. In the final· week of the the United States by Cuban economist Carlos revolution changed the world. The most im­ last circulation campaign we sold almost Tablada are another example of the kind of portant result of the Cuban revolution was Building communist parties today 1,200 subscriptions to the Militant." international collaboration that is central to the "renewal of communist leadership on an The progress made, and challenges ahead, building communist parties today. international scale," Waters said. Waters pointed to the increase in the per­ in building the Socialist Workers Party was Tablada is the author of Che Guevara: Today this factor "has a historical weight centage of subscribers to the Militant who the central theme of the report to the conven~ Economics and Politics in the Transition to on a world scale. It is even more important are unionists, going from 18 to 24 percent tion by Mary-Alice Waters, editor of New Socialism published by Pathfmder. He spoke today than at anytime since the beginning of during the recent circulation campaign. The International. Building the SWP cannot be on 26 college campuses in six weeks across the Cuban revolution. These are the stakes jump, Waters said, reflects "who we are sell­ separated from actively collaborating with the United States, reaching thousands of involved in the rectification process and the ing to and who is responding, because they other communist organizations around the young people. In addition, he addressed course the leadership of the Cuban Commu­ need the paper, just like we need the paper." world, she said. unionists and citywide meetings. nist Party has charted internationally." Waters, a longtime leader of the SWP, said In addition to the Militant, Pathfmder sales "We approach solidarity with Cuba," Wa­ the party had "conquered the tum to indus­ have also risen. Some 13,000 copies of The Response from youth ters said, "not just from the point of view that try." In 1978 the party decided to get the big Struggle Is My Life by Nelson Mandela, plus His campus meetings, ranging from 30 to Cuba needs it, but from the standpoint of majority of its membership into the industrial 500 copies of Habla Nelson Mandela, have 150 youths who "came to hear about Che building and rebuilding the world communist unions and to make the axis of its political been sold since the beginning of the year. Guevara, communism, and the Cuban revo­ movement. We approach the Cuban revolu­ work the industrial working class. Fifteen hundred copies of New International lution," show the opportunities for attracting tion from its place in the world and the role Since then the party has gone through the No. 5, that contains a feature article by Jack youth on the college campuses to commu­ of its communist leadership." experiences of the recession in 1981-82 and Barnes on the character and world signifi­ nism, Waters said. "The party needs to orga­ "For the Socialist Workers Party," Waters the rout of the unions that followed; re­ cance of the revolution in South Africa have nize to get on campuses to speak, to set up said, "being part of an international commu­ sponded to the upsurge in the meat-packing been sold. classes, to go out and work to recruit young nist movement is a question of the political industry; built and strengthened branches in These efforts have been bolstered by steps people to the YSA." life and death of a communist party." coal mining regions; organized active sup­ taken by local Pathfinder bookstores to in­ Through conquering the tum to industry Strengthening international collaboration porters of the party and helped to build the crease their sales, and sales of books to work­ and working along this common axis with will "take us into the world together with Young Socialist Alliance; and met the chal­ ers on the job, Waters said. other communist organizations, the SWP has other communists. Through titanic battles lenge posed by the arrest and frame-up of "Since the beginning of 1990 we've sold become "not part of an ambiguous and class­ that are coming in the 1990s, we are confident Mark Curtis. This has included taking on the more than 21,000 copies of Malcolm X: The less 'left,' but a fraction of our class, of that this course will be deepened by the disruption effort of Curtis' defense by the Last Speeches, as well as tens of thousands revolutionary fighters on a world scale, of Socialist Workers Party," she concluded. international antilabor outfit known as the of copies of other Malcolm titles," Waters Workers League. reported. Total unit sales of Pathfinder have Conquering the tum to industry "took increased by one-third over the first part of something else in addition to that: the expe­ 1989. rience of the last two years with the Eastern strike, the Pittston strike, the labor battles of 'Militant' paper of workers worldwide 1989 and 1990 and the proof that we were ''This is what we are about," Waters ex­ ready for them," Waters said. plained, "getting this kind of literature in the "We have made the working class our hands of fighting people around the world. political milieu," she said, "organized and We have to recognize the Militant is no longer unorganized, employed and unemployed, our newspaper," and Pathfinder is "no longer urban and rural, native born and immigrant. our publishing house." The Militant "is the Sales of our press and books, and our cam­ paper of thousands around the world. This is paigns and participation in the broader strug­ more true today, because of the growing layer gles of working people are from within the of workers around the world who rely on it working class." to tell the truth and to orient them to what is Through these experiences "we have going on in the world. It has become the paper learned above all that our 10 industrial union of a world movement of parties in at least fractions are not our fractions." Party mem­ eight countries," she said. bers in the unions are part of a broader Pathfinder's books and pamphlets are vanguard of fighters in the working class "weapons for the front -line fighters the world today, she said. over to advance the struggle for national These accomplishments must be seen from liberation and socialism, and to advance the within the perspective of building and re­ building of a communist movement interna­ building a world communist. movement. tionally," she said. "Our starting point has never been politics in A large display on the Pathfinder Mural Convention participants bought Pathfinder books and pamphlets.

J.une 22; 1990 The' Militant 11 CALENDAR CANADA ARIZONA p.m. 140 S 40th Donation requested. Sponsor: rights activists. Sat., June 23, 7:30 p.m. 9 E Meech Lake: Phoenix Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (402) 553-0245. Chelten Ave. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Forum. Tel: (215) 848-5044. The Stakes for Environmental Destruction in Arizona. What Revolutionary Cuba Today. Speaker: Jon Hill­ are the issues, how can the process be reversed? NEW JERSEY son, Militant reporter who covered May Day Working People Speakers: activists from Arizonans for a Better Newark events in Havana. Sat., June 30, 7:30 p.m. 9 E Environment, Twenty-first Century Foods, Cuba Mobilizes to Defend Its Revolution. Chelten Ave. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant in Quebec's Fight Earth First!, Socialist Workers Party. Transla­ Speakers: Jon Hillson, Militant correspondent at Forum. Tel: (215) 848-5044. tion to Spanish. Sat., June 23, 7 p.m. 1809 W May Day events in Cuba; Ernie Mailhot, mem­ for National Rights Indian School Rd. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Mili­ ber of international unionists' delegation to May tant Labor Forum. Tel: (602) 279-5850. Day events, staff coordinator International As­ TEXAS sociation of Machinists Local 1018 on strike Houston Joe Young CALIFORNIA against Eastern. Translation to Spanish and Response to the South African Escalation. Communist League candidate in French. Sat., June 16, 7:30p.m. 141 Halsey St., Video showing of Part m of Cuban documen­ Ontario elections, member Int'l Los Angeles 2nd floor. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant tary on the defeat of the apartheid army at battle Protecting the Environment: A Marxist Association of Machinists Local Labor Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mundial. Tel: of Cuito Cuanavale, Angola. Sat, June 23, 7:30 2323, Air Canada. View. Speaker: Doug Jenness, editor of the Mil­ (201) 643-3341. p.m. 4806 Almeda. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Mil­ itant. Translation to Spanish. Fri., June 22, 7:30 itant Labor Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mundial. p.m. 2546 W Pico Blvd. Donation: $3. Sponsor: For more information call (7 13) 522-8054. Michel Dugre Militant Labor Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mund­ NEW YORK Communist League candidate for ial. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Brooklyn • mayor of Montreal, steelworker. San Francisco Tbe Coming Revolution in South Africa: "In­ Protecthig the Environment: A Marxist tensify the Struggle." Speakers to be an­ Toronto nounced. Sat., June 23, 7:30p.m. 464 Bergen. BRITAIN View. Speaker: Doug Jenness, editor of the Mil­ Cardiff Mon., June 25,7 p.m. 410 Adelaide itant. Sun., June 24, 4:30 p.m. 3284 23rd St. (at Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (718) 398-6983: The Road to Union Power: Celebrate Publi­ St. W, Suite 400. Donation: $3. Mission). Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor cation of Tnule Unions in the Epoch ofImpe­ Sponsor: M ilitant Labor Forum. Tel: Forum. Tel: (415) 282-6255. Manhattan rialism. Speakers: Keith Hughes, convenor, (416) 861-1399. 37th Annual Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Amalgamated Engineers Union, on strike at Commemoration. Demonstrate in front of fed­ GEORGIA .Reynolds; Clive Turnbull, Pathfinder Book­ Montreal eral courthouse, Foley Sq. Mon., June 18, noon centre. Sat., June 23, 7:30p.m. 9 Moira Terrace, Sat, June 30, 7 :30p.m. 6566, boul. Atlanta to 2 p.m. Program Tue., June 19, 7:30 p.m. Adamsdown. Donation: £1. Sponsor: New In­ Saint-Laurent. Donation: $3. Report from South Africa. Presentation and Speakers: Ossie Davis, actor; others. New York ternational Forums. Tel: 0222-484677. slideshow by Margrethe Siem, Militant photog­ University Law School, 40 Washington Sq. S. Sponsor: Forum Lotte Ouvriere. Tel: rapher and correspondent who recently reported Sponsor: National Committee to Reopen the Ro­ London (514) 273-2503. on the upheaval in South Africa. Sat., June 23. senberg Case. Tel: (212) 228-4500. The Struggle for a Palestinian Homeland. Dinner, 6 p.m.; forum, 7:30 p.m. 132 Cone St. Eyewitness report by Monica Brady, National NW, 2nd floor. Donations: dinner $2.50, forum Union of Teachers. Fri., June 22, 7:30 p.m. 47 South Africa Belongs to All Who Live In It. $2.50.-Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum:. Tel: NORTH CAROLINA The Cut, SE 1. Donation: £1. Sponsor: New Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Freedom (404) 577-4065. Greensboro International Forums. Tel: 71-928-7947. Charter. Speaker: representative of Communist Defend Mark Curtis, Framed-Up Unionistand Political Vetting and Victimization at Work. League. Wed., June 27, 7:30 p.m. Unit 4, 60 ILLINOIS Political Activist. Speakers to be announced. Speaker: Joyce Fairchild. Fri., June 29, 7:30 Shudehill. Donation: £1. Sponsor: New Interna­ Sat., June 30, 7 p.m. 2219 E Market. Donation: p.m. 47 The Cut, SE 1. Donation: £1. Sponsor: tional Forums. Tel: 061-839 1766. Chicago $2. Sponsor: Friends of the Mark Curtis Defense New International Forums. Tel: 71 -928-7947. Inside Cuba Today: Deepening the Struggle Committee. Tel: (919) 272-5996. Sheffield for Socialism. Speaker: Estelle DeBates, mem­ Manchester Working-Class Struggle and the Fight ber National Committee Socialist Workers Malcolm X: The Relevance of His Ideas for Against Apartheid. Speaker: representative of Party. Sat., June 23, 7 p.m. 545 W Roosevelt Rd. PENNSYLVANIA the 1990s. Video and discussion. Wed., June 20, Congress of South African Trade Unions. Fri., Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Donation: £1. June 22, 7:30 p.m. 2A Waverley House, 10 Tel: (312) 829-6815 or 829-7018. Racist Attacks from Temple to Bensonhurst: Sponsor: New International Forums. Tel: 061- Joiner St. Donation: £1. Sponsor: New Interna­ What Strategy to Fight Back? A panel of civil 839 1766. tional Forums. Tel: 0742-729469. MARYLAND Baltimore Report Back from 1990 Venceremos Brigade Mandela speech to S. African businesstnen to Cuba. Speakers: Nancy Brown, Socialist Workers Party, Eastern striker and member Inter­ nationalAssociationofMachinistsatWashington · Continued from Page 9 Africa, that it must extend aid to us, that it process. I hope that you are able to abandon National Airport; Dick Ochs, coordinator Balti­ defense establishment, a process which must should agree on a Marshall aid plan, we must old ideas and think about the future in new more Emergency Response Network. Sat., June also lead to the conversion ofmilitary produc­ be able to report to the nations that white terms. Once such ideas are born, we know 16. Dinner, 6 p.m.; forum, 7:30 p.m. 2913 tion facilities to civilian needs. minority domination is no more. that you will have the courage to act on them. Greenrnount Ave. Donations: dinner $3, forum We would also be of the view that we We must also report that all the people of In this manner, we could begin to shape our $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Tel: (301) should build a state system which does not South Africa are working at the building of a economic and political destiny in the interest 235-0013. seek to administer the lives of people as national consensus which will ensure that of justice, peace, and progress. We trust that though they were wards of the state. The never again will our country be tom apart by you will consider this carefully and reflect on MINNESOTA situation should therefore be fought against the criminal divisions which the apartheid the question, What are you prepared to do for St. Paul in which there would be a bloated and unpro­ system imposed on all our people. your country? rather than what your country Film: The Global Assembly Une. Sat., June 23, ductive civil service. In the direct interest of the lives of all our can do for you. 7:30p.m. 508 N Snelling Ave. Donation: $2. The democratic project in which we are all people, this system must go now. None of us We thank you for your attention. We hope Sponsor: Militant Forum. Tel: (612) 644-6325. interested cannot succeed unless the econ­ canaffordadelay, which will leadto the further that what we have said might assist in the omy can deliver. The reality is that the econ­ destruction of the economy and the heighten­ process of building a national consensus of MISSOURI omy is in a terrible crisis. Unemployment is ing of social tensiens and conflict. We believe the direction we have to choose in order to St. Louis increasing. Black employment is the same you have as much an obligation as we have end the agony of apartheid and racism, of Rally to Support Justice for Mark Curtis. now as it was 10 years ago. The rate of to bend every effort to ensure a democratic poverty and deprivation, of internal conflict Speakers: Alfredo Alvarez, president, Iowa invesbnent in fixed capital is decreasing. In­ political system is instituted without delay. and international isolation. Hispanic Advocacy Network, former chairper­ flation is high. There is no prospect of getting The effort to build the new means that we The people who are dying in Natal, the son Des Moines Human Rights Commission; others. Sun., June 24, 4 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran out of the morass while the apartheid system abandon the old. The National Party, re­ injured ofWelkom, the people who are being Church, 3540 Marcus. Donation: $3. Sponsor: of white minority rule remains in place. sponding to the failure of its grand design, is evicted from the fanns in the western Trans­ Supporters of the Mark Curtis Defense Commit­ The international community would like to taking the first steps in the process of aban­ vaal, the millions of the unemployed in the tee. Tel: (314) 773-4709. come back as an interested participant in the doning apartheid ideology. This change in our towns, cities, and the countryside, demand a creation of a society which can serve as an overall reality has made it possible for us all solution. All of us present here have an obli­ NEBRASKA example in terms of the solution of the race to move towards a just political settlement. gation to use the levers of power and influ­ Omaha question and the institution of a healthy sys­ We need the same transformation in the · ence we hold in our hands to ensure that the Nelson Mandela: Free at Last. Video and dis­ tem of race relations. For us to be able to economic sphere. You, as businessmen and new day dawns now. cussion. Translation to Spanish. Sat., June 16, 7 persuade the world that it must invest in South women, have the obligation to engage in this Thank you. -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPERl LOOK US UP

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Tel: (08) 31 69 33. 12 The Militant June ll, 1990 -THE GREAT SOCIETY------Racist pig of the year -At a 5,000 people."- Joseph Lazarsky, ronment control official pointed to Silver-lining dep't- With the No lack of chutzpah - Increas­ recent inquiry into the killing of an ex-CIA official in Indonesia, on the the horrifying conditions in a opening of the hurricane season, ingly, major capitalist countries are Aborigine youth by Australian cops, disclosure that the agency supplied squatters' colony. "These areas are Puerto Ricans still trying to rebuild exploiting the economic need of a police inspector explained why the Indonesian army with the names ideal breeding grounds for dis­ from last year's Hurricane Hugo South Pacific islands to make them they sometimes grab Aborigines by of alleged Communist Party mem­ eases," he warned. "And there is a fmd the cost of concrete building dumping grounds for toxic waste. bers, most of whom were slaugh­ constant threat of cross-contamina­ blocks has jumped as much as 41 Recently, the Pentagon tried to bum tered in the 1965 right-wing tion. Many of these people are em­ percent. Meanwhile the San Juan off nerve gas in the Marshall Islands. bloodbath that took the lives of ployed and there is a very real municipal assembly demanded the The islands include the Bikini atoll possibility of passing these diseases 250,000 Indonesians. suspension of five top officials for that had to be evacuated for 30 years on to their employers." their alleged role in the ripoff of after U.S. nuke tests there. Never lost a night's sleep -"I Harry $300,000 in city hurricane cleanup probably have a lot of blood on my Check the fine print -Assert­ funds. Another free-enterprise bonus Ring hands, but that's not all bad. There's ing that they're safe for folks to a time when you have to strike hard move back into, the government is - According to the New Zealand at a decisive moment."- Robert Law 'n order, Israeli style- A Herald, the government of one is­ the hair. "Aborigines," he said, offering discount-priced homes at Martens, the U.S. official in Indo­ teacher from Deir al-Assad, a town land atoll was told that if it accepted "when stirred up and obviously the Love Canal toxic dump site. The nesia who compiled the Communist inside Israel's pre-1967 borders, looking for a fight, get greasy and homes will emphasize a new name, Northern Hemisphere municipal Party death list. slippery." Black Creek Village. Asked if Love was sentenced to four months in jail garbage, it would increase the height Canal will be mentioned. an official and a $500 fme for teaching his of the atoll, overcoming the problem Makes ya proud -"The army Apartheid, a caring system - said, "I think so. I'm sure we'll put pupils how .to draw the Palestinian of a sea level rise induced by global had a shooting list of about 4,000 or In Sandton, South Africa, an envi- · it in someplace." flag. warming. Why revolutionists must work in the trade unions

The following are excerpts from an ar­ contend for its cooperation. created by fascism. In other words, the trade unions in the ticle by Leon Trotsky, ''Trade Unions in In the eyes of the bureaucracy of the trade All the less so can we renounce internal present epoch cannot simply be the organs the epoch of imperialist decay," taken from union movement, the chief task lies in "free­ systematic woiK in trade unions of a totali­ of democracy as they were in the epoch of the new Pathfinder book with the same ing" the state from the embrace of capitalism, tarian and semitotalitarian type merely be­ free capitalism and they cannot any longer title. Trotsky was a central leader of the in weakening its dependence on trusts, in cause they depend directly or indirectly on remain politically neutral, that is, limit them­ October 1917 revolution in Russia. pulling it over to their side. This position is the woiKers' state or because the bureaucracy selves to serving the daily needs of the woiK­ This unfinished article was found in in complete harmony with the social position deprives the revolutionists of the possibility ing class. Trotsky's desk after his assassination in of the labor aristocracy and the labor bureau­ of working freely within these trade unions. They cannot any longer be anarchistic, that August 1940 by an agent of Joseph Stalin. cracy, who fight for a crumb in the share of It is necessary to conduct a struggle under is, ignore the decisive influence of the state The articl~ first appeared in the magazine superprofits of imperialist capitalism. all those concrete conditions that have been on the life of people and classes. They can Fourth lnterludional, February 1941. The labor bureaucrats do their level best created by the preceding developments, in­ no longer be reformist, because the objective There is one common feature in the devel­ in words and deeds to demonstrate to the cluding by the mistakes of the worldng class conditions leave no room for any serious and opment, or more correctly the degeneration, "democratic" state how reliable and indis­ and the crimes of its leaders. In the fascist lasting reforms. and semifascist countries it is impossible to of modem trade union organizations through­ pensable they are in peacetime and especially Eitherthetradeunionsofourtimewillserve out the world: it is their drawing close to and in time of war. By transforming the trade carry on revolutionary woiK that is not un­ derground, illegal, conspiratorial. Within the as secondary instruments of imperialist capi­ growing together with the state power. This unions into organs of the state, fascism in­ to subordinate and discipline the woiKers totalitarian and semitotalitarian unions it is ti.l process is equally characteristic of the neu­ vents nothing new; it merely draws to their and to obstruct the revolution or, on the con­ tral, the Social Democratic, the Communist, ultimate conclusion the tendencies inherent impossible or well-nigh impossible to carry on any except conspiratorial woiK. trary, the unions will become tools of the and "anarchist" trade unions. This fact alone in imperialism. revolutionary movement of the proletariat. shows that the tendency toward "growing It is necessary to adapt ourselves to the * * * concrete conditions existing in the trade From the foregoing it seems, at first sight, * * * unions of every given country in order to From what has been said, it follows quite easy to draw the conclusion that the trade mobilize the masses, not only against the clearly that in spite of the progressive degen­ unions cease to be trade unions in the impe­ NEW FROM bourgeoisie, but also against the totalitarian eration of trade 1,1nions and their growing rialist epoch. They leave alinost no room at regime within the trade unions themselves together with the imperialist state, the woiK all for woiKers' democracy, which, in the PATHFINDER and against the leaders enforcing this regime. within the trade unions not only does not lose good old days when free trade ruled on the The primary slogan for this struggle is: any of its importance but remains as before economic arena, constituted the content of together" is intrinsic not in this or that doc­ complete and unconditional independence of and becomes in a certain sense even more the inner life of labor organizations. In the trine as such but derives from social condi­ the trade unions in relation to the capitalist important woiK than ever for every revolu­ absence of woiKers' democracy there cannot tions common for all unions. state. This means a struggle to tum the trade tionary party. Monopoly capitalism does not rest on com­ be any free struggle for influence over the unions into the organs of the broad exploited The matter at issue is essentially the strug­ petition and free private initiative but on cen­ trade union membership. And because of this, masses and not the organs of a labor aristoc­ gle for influence over the woiKing class. tralized command. The capitalist cliques at the chief arena of woiK for revolutionists racy. Every organization, every party, every fac­ the head of mighty trusts, syndicates, banking within the trade unions disappears. tion that permits itself an ultimatistic position consortiums, and so on, view economic life Such a position, however, would be false * * * The second slogan is: trade union democ­ in relation to trade unions, that is, in essence from the very same heights as does state to the core. We cannot select the arena and the racy. This second slogan flows directly from turns its back upon the woiKing class merely power; and they require at every step the conditions for our activity to suit our own likes the first and presupposes for its realization because of displeasure with its organization, collaboration of the latter. and dislikes. It is infinitely more difficult to the complete freedom of the trade unions every such organization is destined to perish. In their tum the trade unions in the most fight in a totalitarian or a semitotalitarian state from the imperialist or colonial state. And it must be said that it deserves to perish. important branches of industry fmd them­ for influence over the wooong masses than in selves deprived of the possibility of profiting a democracy. The very same thing likewise from the competition among the different applies to trade unions, whose fate reflects the enterprises. They have to confront a central­ change in the destiny of capitalist states. -10AND25 YEARSAGO-­ ized capitalist adversary, intimately bound up We cannot renounce the struggle for influ­ with state power. Hence flows the need of ence over woiKers in Germany merely be­ TH£ MILITANT the trade unions - insofar as they remain on cause the totalitarian regime makes such A80CIMJSTJre:WWI:BG..YPlallt£D IN 1HE.hi£I§&WCIICH1 PEQU: THE reformist positions, that is, on positions of work extremely difficult there. We cannot, in adapting themselves to private property - to precisely the same way, renounce the struggle June 20, 1980 MILITANT adapt themselves to the capitalist state and to within the compulsory labor organizations Published in the Interests of the Working People They have been coming by the hundreds June 21, 1965 p,,,. '"' every week, penniless refugees seeking asy­ NEW FROM PATHFINDER lum in the United States. They leave their Naked acts of aggression come so thick native land secretly, often by night, lest they and fast under the Johnson doctrine that it is Special prepublication o"er TRADE llNIONs be found out by the political police. not easy to keep up with events. IN THE EPOCH OF They set sail in flimsy craft on an 800-mile Take the dirty war in Vietnam, for exam­ journey in shaiK-infested Caribbean waters. ple. REGULAR IMPERIALIST DECAY Fifty people may crowd together in a boat Shifting from the "adviser" guise to a BY LEON TROTSKY built for 15. The journey, usually by sailbOat, masquerade of "defensive" action, they are PRICE takestwotothreeweeks.Manydonotsurvive. committing U.S. troops to unrestricted land $13.95 At journey's end they find no welcoming combat against the revolutionary forces. committees, no job offers, no public services Since Johnson's "unconditional negotia­ at their disposal. The president doesn't sug­ tions" speech, U.S. forces in South Vietnam gest an airlift. have more than doubled. The full-scale land "Either the trade unions wiD serve as They are ignored by everyone, it seems, war now developing Korea-style will cause secondary instruments of imperialist capital except the Immigration and Naturalization a leap in U.S. casualties. to subordinate and discipline the workers or Service. Rather than overlooking the irregu­ All this is carried out primarily through

they wUI become tools ofthe revolutionary '•' .uor TRADE UNIONS THEIR larity of their arrival, the INS hastens to executive decree, using the crooked argu­ movement of the proletariat." PAST. PRESENT, AND FUTURE deport them. ment that Johnson is merely exercising his -Leon 'l'rotM, ,, KAI~L MARX Who are they? They are Haitians. "constitutional authority" as the com­ There are 25,000-30,000 Haitians in mander-in-chief of the armed forces. In this collection, two outstanding leaders of the revolutionary South Aorida who have come to the United In reality, Johnson is usurping the war workers' movement discuss the tasks of trade unions under States seeking asylum. An even larger Hai­ powers reserved to Congress by the U.S. capitalism and their relationship to workers' fight for economic tian community exists in Brooklyn. The Hai­ Constitution, and he is abetted in his be­ tians have been arriving steadily since 1972, trayal of the peoples' trust by the capitalist justice and political power. The articles by Trotsky were written with a large influx in recent months, as the politicians on Capitol Hill. Congress al­ during the capitalist crises and the deep-going workers' Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti has stepped up lows him to take the country into war radicalizations of the early 1920s and the 1930s. its repression. whenever, however, and wherever he Available from Pathfinder bookstores listed on page 12, or by mall from Pathfinder, President Carter had the authority to grant pleases. The American people are thus left 410WestSt.. New York. N.Y. 10014. Postage and handling: $1.00per book. the Haitians asylum as a group. But he re­ with no representation in government on fused to do so. so vital a matter.

June 22, 1990 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------.Origins of U.S. aggression Justice for Yusuf Hawkins! in Korea BY DOUG JENNESS In most cases the cops or vigilantes that carry out such The June 11 sentencing of two white youths from the June 25 will mark the 40th anniversary of the opening Bensonhurst section of New York to big prison tenns for crimes go scot-free. Many aren't arrested at all; and if they of the Korean War. are, they aren't charged. Many charged aren't tried; many their role in the killing of Black teenager Yusuf Hawkins is This chapter of history is not well-known by most people welcomed by all opponents of racist violence. tried aren't convicted; and many culprits of racist violence in the United States, especially compared to the much Joseph Fama and Keith Mondello, both 19 years old, who are convicted merely get a slap on the wrist. greater awareness that exists about the Vietnam War even were convicted by separate juries in May for the August So the prison tenns handed out to Fama and Mondello among younger generations. Historians, in fact, reveal this 1989 killing of Hawkins, 16. Fama, found guilty of second­ in the Bensonhurst killing of Hawkins can serve as a by the titles selected for books about the war - for example, degree murder, was sentenced to the maximum prison tenn deterrent to all those who think they have the right to harass, The Hidden History of the Korean _War and Korea: The of 32 years and eight months to life. In a gross miscarriage beat, and kill people whose skin is Black. Unknown War. of justice, Mondello, the ringleader of the lynch mob that The mass protests that took place after Hawkins was One common misconception is that Washington's mili­ chased and beat Hawkins, was acquitted of murder charges. murdered and the actions outside the courthouse during the tary involvement in Korea began in June 1950 in response On four lesser charges, however, he was given the maximum trial reflect the widespread disgust and outrage by working to "communist aggression" from North Korean military sentence of five years and four months to 16 years. people to racist violence. Moreover, it helped prevent the Hawkins and three friends were attacked by the racist big-business press from burying the case. The protests also gang of 30 to 40 youths after going into the white enclave . show the potential that exists today to mobilize broad layers LEARNING ABOUT of Bensonhurst to look at a used car advertised for sale in of workers, youth, and other opponents of racism to demand the newspaper. Anned with baseball bats, the mob sur­ the offenders be punished. rounded Hawkins and his friends and four shots were fired, SOCIALISM Protests like these are needed now as the remaining six two killing Hawkins. white youths from Bensonhurst face trials in the next several The August murder was met with widespread outrage, forces. U.S. troops, however, first entered Korea in 1945. weeks. Working people who are members of trade unions and thousands of people, mostly young Blacks, poured into And understanding the political and social struggles in that the streets of Brooklyn protesting the lynching and demand­ should rally to bring the weight of their union to bear in country for the following five yearS is key to learning what ing justice for Hawkins. During the trials of Fama and demanding justice for Hawkins. the Korean War was about. Mondello, hundreds of supporters of Hawkins gathered and And others - workers, fanners, youth, antiracists - Korea increasingly came under Japanese domination at rallied outside the courthouse calling for guilty verdicts. should win support for the fight against racism and help the beginning of this century and was fonnally annexed to "It is a small joy for myself, but it is a great victory mobilize others in organizations they belong to in their Japan in 1910. It remained a colony until the end of the for Black people all over the city," said Moses Stewart, neighborlloods, churches, schools, and workplaces. second world imperialist war when Japanese military forces father of Hawkins, outside the courtroom after Fama and Public protests that draw in the broadest layers ofworking surrendered. During the years of Japanese colonial rule a Mondello were given maximum tenns. Indeed, the sen­ people -Black, white, Asian, and Latino-to demand the significant independence movement emerged. On March 1, tencing is a blow sbilck against those who commit acts Bensonhurst youths be found guilty for their role in the 1919, ratlies throughout the country drew 2 million partic­ of racist brutality, which victimize Blacks, Latinos, As­ murder of Hawkins are needed to halt these crimes and ipants. This was followed by many other mass protests, as ians, and other oppressed nationalities. advance the fight against racism today. well as the organization of an armed guerrilla struggle based in the Korean-Chinese border region. The announcement of Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, 1945, sparked a massive social upheaval throughout Korea. "People's committees," which united forces that had been active in the anticolonial fight, emerged all across the country and begari to assume control in many places. They Bigotry at the border were set up at province, city, county, and village levels. A . wave of union organizing swept through factories and An international spotlight has been put on U.S. immigra­ Just over a year ago a man from the Netherlands, who had workplaces, and organizations of peasants, youth, and tion and border restrictions. AIDS and was on his way to the Lesbian and Gay Health women mushroomed. The Sixth International Conference on AIDS opens in Conference in San Francisco, was detained by the INS and On Sept. 6, 1945, the Korean People's Republic was San Francisco on June 20, but more than 85 groups - locked up in a Minnesota state prison. He was only released established in Seoul with close links to the people's com­ including the International Red Cross, International Planned after international condemnation hit the INS brutality. mittees and other mass organizations. It called for an inde­ Parenthood, the government of Switzerland, the French Under pressure the Bush administration recently created pendent Korea; radical land refonn; nationalization of Ministry of Health, the state government of Hawaii, and 10-day visas for those with AIDS to enter the country for mines, factories, and railways; suffrage for men and women Gay Men's Health Crisis of New York-plan to boycott the June 20 conference. But the move was rejected as 18 or over; an eight-hour work day and other prolabor the event. insufficient by scientists from 50 countries and public health measures; freedom of speech, assembly, and religion; and These organizations are protesting U.S.laws that restrict officials across the United States. compulsory elementary education. citizens from other countries who are infected with the AIDS The U.S. government's stubborn refusal to implement an But the ruling circles in the United States had other plans virus from entering the country. They, along with activists effective national health policy to combat the continued for Korea. Washington said it would take Japan's surrender fighting for measures to deal with AIDS, have pointed out spread of AIDS has once again been exposed. Instead of in Korea south of the 38th parallel; Joseph Stalin in Moscow that no sound public health reason exists for the policy, and leading a government mobilization to fight AIDS and pro­ agreed to accept Japan's surrender in the north. Soviet troops its results wrongly stigmatize people infected with the AIDS vide adequate care for the victims of the disease, Washington moved into the Korean peninsula from the north on August virus. U.S. laws also bar immigrants who test positive for responds with police-state measures that weaken everyone's 9, six days before the Japanese surrender. Tiley occupied the AIDS virus from becoming U.S. citizens. democratic rights and tum immigrants and gays into scape­ the northern part of the country to the 38th parallel. On June 3, the New York Times revealed that the Immi­ goats. 1bese moves serve to embolden reactionaries, en­ U.S. military forces arrived in Seoul on Sept. 8, 1945, gration and Naturalization Service plans to bar gays and courage bigotry, and are aimed at reinforcing divisions two days after the Korean People's Republic had been lesbians from entering the United States for the AIDS among working people. fonned. U.S. officials immediately rejected permitting the conference under a neanderthal and undemocratic law still The border restrictions against people with AIDS and new republic to develop into a sovereign, independent on the books that labels them "sexual deviants." gays should be abolished. government and over the next year waged a campaign to smash the workers' and peasants' organizations. They set up a puppet regime, using a big hunk of the Japanese colonial apparatus, including Korean officers who had served in the Japanese military. The government established in the south by the U.S. occupation forces was based on maintaining the domination Defend First Amendment rights of landlords in the countryside and capitalist ownership of industry. A major rebellion against the "Made in America" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment Sheriff Nick Navarro referred the matter to William Kelly, regime occurred in the fall of 1946. It included strikes of of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or a fonner agent of the FBI who specialized in crinles involv­ thousands of railway workers and miners and widespread abridging the freedom ofspeech , or ofthe press; or the right ing alleged obscenity while working under FBI Director J. peasant protests. of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Edgar Hoover. Kelly now works for the county as a part-time The revolt was defeated by troops and right-wing thugs Government for a redress of grievances. - First Amend­ consultant· on obscenity. organized by the government. Subsequently, however, a ment to the U.S. Constitution. To make the attack more palatable, those behind this guerrilla movement developed. Suppression of labor strikes, campaign have tenned the material pornographic and a call peasant resistance, and guerrilla battles in the south between One of lO amendments known as the Bill of Rights, the to the "sexual brutalization of women." But working people 1945 and the outbreak of the Korean War claimed I 00,000 Ftrst Amendment is under attack by reactionary forces. They in Florida know that Governor Martinez, who strongly lives. are attempting to get the courts and government agencies opposes abortion rights, is no friend of women. And sup­ In the north, the Soviet forces recognized the people's to restrict artists' right. to freedom of expression, and the porters of women's rights have grown weary of groups committees, which soon became the foundation of a new rights of everyone to see and hear what they want to without calling themselves "prolife" or "profamily." No fonner or government. By the end of 1946landlord domination had government intervention. current FBI agent has any business deciding what one should been broken and land redistributed to tenant farmers and On June 10 two members of the 2 Live Crew rap band or should not be able to hear or see. other toilers in the countryside who needed land. The mines were arrested in Miami after they sang a song at a concert Working people have no stake in supporting efforts that and other industrial enterprises were nationalized. from their "As Nasty as lbey WannaBe" album. The record would restrict our First Amendment rights whether under One element that played a significant role in shaping the had been classified as obscene by a federal judge in Florida. the guise of protecting women against abuse or the "illegal political outlook of Koreans in the north was the Chinese Police also arrested a record store owner in Fort Lauderdale, use of a minor in nudity oriented material" as was done in civil war raging across their border. Tens of thousands of Florida, who refused to stop selling the album. the recen.t attempt to ban the showing of the works of Koreans fought on the side of the revolutionary forces The campaign against the musical group was initiated by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in Cincinnati. Nor against the imperialist-backed tyranny of Chiang Kai-shek, a "profamily" group called Focus on the Family. Mter should they be restricted on the pretext of combating "to­ which was overturned in October 1949. reading a transcript of the rap album, Paul .Hetrick, the talitarianism" as two daily newspapers have argued in The division between the northern and southern parts of organization's vice-president, noted "87 descriptions of oral attacking the Pathfinder Mural in New York. 1be six-story Korea became increasingly institutionalized as two govern­ sex, 116 mentions of male and female genitalia and other mural depicts the portraits of revolutionary leaders from ments based on conflicting property relations emerged. lyrical passages referring to male ejaculation." This around the world. In late 1948 Soviet troops withdrew from Korea and in prompted him, said Hetrick in an interview with the New The attacks are aimed at all working people, students, and June 1949 most U.S. troops pulled out. A substantial U.S. York Times, to pass the transcript on to Florida Gov. Robert fighters for social progress. If the opponents of democratic military advisory group remained, however, to supervise Martinez and to every sheriff in the state. Martinez tenned rights can get away with restricting the rights of those who Korea's armed forces. the lyrics obscene. · they think are in a weaker position to defend themselves, it This was the setting for the beginning of the Korean War, After receiving the transcript, Broward County (Florida) will make it easier to curtail the rights of all working people. which will be taken up next week. 14 The Militant June 22, 1990 Why AMFA gets a hearing at Northwest hangar

BY ELLEN BERMAN mechanics who supported AMFA were cozying up to the not by the lAM, but by AMFA. Under the information A1LANTA- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Asso­ cleaners to get them to sign cards. One day a group of about the meeting, it said in large letters, "We believe an ciation (AMFA) has stepped up its raiding operation against cleaners overheard the AMFA mechanics in the break room informed member is a strong union member." The point the Machinists union at Northwest Airlines maintenance laughing about how they were going to get rid of the cleaners was that the lAM was not informing their own membership hangar here. Leaflets attacking the International Association after they won the election. One cleaner let the mechanics about the strike meeting. of Machinists are posted up all over the hangar. Workers know they had been overheard, and from then on, the AMFA The lAM local at Northwest has regularly given money are being encouraged by AMFA supporters to sign autho­ supporters stayed clear of the cleaners. to support the Eastern strikers. But many workers agree rization cards to get a union representation election called, Another cleaner said that he had been approached by an that more than fmancial support is needed. Some thought with the aim of voting out the lAM among mechanics and AMFA mechanic when he worked in another city. When the lAM was helping the strike when a campaign was cleaners. Some 1,300 lAM members work at the mainte­ the AMFA organizer found out this worker was a cleaner, organized in the hangar to isolate and harass several former nance hangar. he snatched the card back. AMFA doesn't organize cleaners, Eastern mechanics who had scabbed on the strike and were AMFA is a company-minded outfit that seeks to split the worker was told. now working at Northwest. But a bigger contribution could aircraft mechanics off from the lAM to form their own craft However, AMFA has been able to tap into some of the have been made by organizing a contingent to beef up the union. Their main pitch is that because mechanics are more serious frustrations of lAM members in the hangar. There strikers' picket lines and helping reach out to other unions skilled than ramp workers or cleaners, they could strike a is support for AMFA not only among some mechanics, but to do the same. better deal for themselves with the employers if they were among some of the cleaners as well. AMFA's elitist appeal plays right into the company's One source of anger among workers, both Black and hands by increasing divisions and tensions among workers. white, is a provision in the last lAM contract with But not all of the support AMFA gets coq1es from agreement Northwest called "company select." This allows the with its craft outlook. Some comes from workers angry UNION TALK company to bypass seniority in upgrading for all jobs with the lAM officialdom's lack of a perspective for fight­ and to select workers through an interview process ing to break down barriers that exist and forge unity in the in their own association. They're trying to build a instead. What this has produced is a system of favoritism work force. Many say the union operates more like a "craftsmen's union," AMFA regional director Vic in which a worker with less than a year's seniority can business than a union, that it doesn't offer enough infor­ Remeneski told the Atlanta Constitution recently, "When get an upgrade for which a worker with 25 years of mation about the Eastern strike and other challenges facing you've got a product that is needed, you don't have to be seniority is denied. At the Atlanta hangar, some Black the labor movement today, and that it doesn't do anything militant." workers with many years of seniority have been consis­ to combat racism on the job. AMFA recently won a union representation election tently denied upgrades and are dissatisfied with the Workers are looking for answers and with no other among the 86 mechanics at the Trump Shuttle - the only lAM's lack of response to the company's racist prac­ alternatives being offered, many respond to AMFA by place it currently is authorized to represent a group of tices. saying, "It can't be any worse." workers. Another reason AMFA gets a hearing among some This means there's a big job ahead in convincing lAM Although AMFA is only interested in mechanics, the cleaners is that AMFA supporters say they would press for members that the way forward is through fighting to National Mediation Board has ruled - in the case of North­ engine cleaning jobs to be upgraded, which would mean strengthen our union, not in splitting it up or going with a west - that both cleaners and mechanics must be included higher pay than cleaners now receive. tiny, fake craft outfit. At the same time, there's a need to in the union representation vote. In February 1989 the board Although AMFA does not support the Machinists' strike tell the truth about AMFA, answer their arguments, and - dismissed a bid by AMFA to decertify the lAM at North­ at Eastern, and some AMFA supporters have refused to most of all - work together to build solidarity with the west because of insufficient authorization cards. Now donate money to the strike during collections taken on the Eastern strike and other union battles that are taking place AMFA supporters are again trying to get el)ough cards hangar floor because it involved the lAM, there are some - something AMFA has not the slightest interest in. signed to get an election called- and that's as far as their AMFA mechanics who try to capitalize on the support that interest in cleaners goes. exists for the strike by wearing "Stop Lorenzo" buttons. Ellen Bernum is a member ofJAM Local2665. She works One cleaner-at the Northwest hangar here tells a story Several months ago, a leaflet announcing an lAM meet­ as an aircraft cleaner at Northwest Airlines maintenance about how during the last AMFA drive for signatures some ing with the Eastern strikers was posted in the hangar - hangar in Atlanta. -LETTERS- Drawbacks of capitalism Farm WorkersofWashington State, sent greetings. After nearly a year's worth of The new bookstore is already giddy reporting about the demise of meeting with success- $600 in socialism in Eastern Europe, the sales in the first two weeks. U.S. media is becoming a bit more John Rubinstein reflective. Seattle, Washington Militant readers will be amused ... ~NP ASONJ~ lb.. , to note that the New York Times ll-lE ~ [X)WN h" recently wrote: "While Eastern Eu­ RJBLIG RBA110f-.Y.; .•. Health behind bars ropeans may have hated Commu­ I am presently incarcerated, living nism ... many are only beginning inasituationthatposesacleardanger to recognize the drawbacks ofcap­ to my physical health because of italism -longer and harder work­ illegal practices by prison authori­ days, layoffs, and social divisions ties. between the rich and poor." Due to the large influx ofprisoners What next- a serialization of over the last few years, there is a Marx's Value, Price and Profit? serious overcrowding problem. Two Albert Fried-Cassorla prisoners are crowded into cells de­ Melrose Park, Pennsylvania signed to house only one -tight little cells that now hold a huge, bulky double bunk, leaving almost no room Refreshing for the two prisoners to move about I signed up for your introductory once locked up for the night. special two months ago and have There are men suffering from enjoyed the paper immensely. It is AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, her­ so refreshing to receive a paper that pes, and a number of other highly tells the truth. And even better to contagious diseases. All of these have it packaged in a non-frothing, men are housed indiscriminately non-hysterical point of view. with other prisoners, putting the I do plan to continue to subscribe. and other NOW leaders pledge a Greece is the only European Com­ health of all prisoners at risk. Re­ But I am a student, so it is difficult gon, and Vancouver, British Colum­ campaign to keep Oregon pro­ munity member that had not recog­ cently a prisoner contracted hepati­ to say where I will be living in 12 bia, participated in the May 12 choice. nized Israel arid that countries in tis; it was discovered he had been weeks. I will pick up the Militant event, which focused on defense of An initial victory in this cam­ Eastern Europe are taking similar forced to share a cell with a man again as soon as I am settled. the Cuban revolution. Elizabeth paign was won when voters in Jo­ steps. Greece is seeking long-term who the hospital staff knew to be L.K. Stone, editor of the Pathfmder book sephine County defeated a loans from the European Commu­ Women and the Cuban Revolution, infected with the disease. Goleta, California reactionary initiative that would nity and the International Monetary spoke on the advances being made It is the contention of a great have required parental consent for Fund. by the Cuban people through the number of the prisoners at U.S. Pen­ Abortion rights minors to receive information on The former ruling party of Greece rectification process. itentiary Leavenworth that the ad­ Lovejoy Surgicenter in Portland contraception, abortion, or sexually - PASOK - said the move will Joseph Antionne-Zimbabwe, a ministration policy is a form of was the target of a recent arson transmitted diseases. -damage the country's economic ties member of the Venceremos Bri­ genocide. There is certainly a tacit attack. The outpatient clinic is one Carol Sholin with the Arab world and "weaken gade, gave an account of the recent agreement among the hospital staff, of the leading providers of abortion Portland, Oregon arguments around the national ques­ May Day celebration in Havana, the correctional officers, and the ad­ in Oregon. It has been the scene of tion in Cyprus, where the Turkish noting that representatives of the ministrative authorities at this insti­ frequent anti-abortion pickets, as Greece recognizes Israel occupation government has not South West Africa People's Or­ tution to keep the situation quiet. well as a violent blockade by "Op­ A recent article in the Militant been recognized by any govern­ ganisation gave Pathfinder books as We think the above information eration Rescue" last February. reported on the massacre of Pales­ ment." gifts to members of the group he may be of interest to the readers of Fortunately, a neighborhood res­ tinians near Tel Aviv on May 20. On The head PLO representative in was traveling with. your not-so-easily-intimidated ident was able to extinguish the fire. May 21 Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Athens said his organization will try Fred Dube, a member of the Afri­ newspaper. He provided police with a sketch of the recently elected Greek prime to deepen its ties with the Greek can National Congress and a profes­ A prisoner the arsonist, but no arrests have been minister, announced his govern­ government to show "who wants soratEvergreenCollegeinOlympia, Leavenworth, Kansas made to date. The clinic was darn­ ment's de jure recognition of the peace and who is a terrorist." Washington, paid tribute to Path­ aged but did remain open and all state of Israel. Natasha Terlexis finder for distributing the ideas of scheduled patients were seen. However, this doesn't mean rec­ Jersey City, New Jersey working-class and revolutionary The letters column is an open The Saturday after the arson, 400 ognition of Israeli occupation of the leaders throughout the world, and to forum for all viewpoints on sub­ opponents of legal abortion attended West Bank and Gaza, he said. Seattle bookstore the efforts of the recent Militant re­ jects of general interest to our a Mother's Day demonstration, a Mitsotakis also said the Palestine I recently attended a celebration porting team to southern Africa. readers. Please keep your letters crowd far smaller than the 2,000 Liberation Organization mission in of the opening of the new Seattle Eastern striker Skip Kerekes and brief. Where necessary they will prochoice activists who turned out Athens would be upgraded to an Pathfinder Bookstore. Some 75 Greyhound striker Bob Tuttle ad­ be abridged. Please indicate if you to hear Molly Yard, president of the embassy. labor and political activists, includ­ dressed the meeting. Tomas Vi­ prefer that your initials be used National Organization for Women, The prime minister noted that ing a number from Portland, Ore- llanueva, president of the United rather than your full name.

June 22, 1990 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Socialists campaign for program to unite working people in action 'Need to fight to change the world,' says Iowa candidate

this crisis of the capitalist system." Commercial Workers Union and has been for women's and Black rights. She has trav­ The current crisis of the savings and loan active in solidarity with the Eastern Airlines eled to Cuba to learn about the advances banking system, the 1987 crash of the stock and Greyhound strikes. working people there are making as they fight market, and the deteriorating conditions fac­ Bailey joined the socialist movement in for socialism. She will be campaigning to ing millions worldWide are evidence of the 1971 as a result of her activity in opposition defend those gains against the threats by the social catastrophe that looms for working to the Vietnam War and in support of the fight U.S. government people, Bailey explained. "Working people are not the only ones who suffer under capitalism," Bailey said. "But we are the ones capable of canying out a . Missouri auto worker demands united, successful fight to change the world." The centerpiece of her campaign, Bailey explained, will be the Action Program to shorter workweek, no pay cut Confront the Coming Economic Crisis - a program that aims to unify and strength­ BY ANDREA GONZALEZ en the working class and its allies around ST. LOUIS -Joseph Allor, the Socialist three central demands. The SWP program Workers Party' candidate for Congress in calls for a shorter workweek with no cut Missouri's third district, kicked off his cam­ in pay to create jobs, the defense of affir­ paign May 31 at a news conference in front mative action, and cancellation of the of Chrysler Plant No. 1. This auto factory is Third World debt. slated to close November 9 and has become Bailey is running against Republican in­ a symbol here of the growing economic crisis cumbent Terry Branstad and Democratic facing working people. Party candidate Donald Avenson. · A meeting to launch the campaign re­ Allor, 43, is an assembly line worker at ceived a message from Mark Curtis, a union­ Chrysler Plant No. 2 and a member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 110. He has ist and political activist now serving 25 years Nan Bailey, Socialist ~rkers candidate in an Iowa prison on frame-up charges of worked for Chrysler for 23 years and expe­ for Iowa governor, is a meat-packer and rape and burglary. Curtis pledged his enthu­ rienced firsthand the effects of the conces­ fighter for Black and women's rights. siastic support for Bailey's campaign and sions. forced on auto workers beginning in 1979. pledged to build support for the campaign in BY ALISON CONROY prison. At the news conference, Allor explained DES MOINES, Iowa - Nan Bailey, A number of activists have already vol­ the SWP program for jobs, calling for a Socialist Workers Party candidate for gov­ unteered to help the SWP petition for ballot shorter workweek with no cut in pay. While ernor of Iowa, launched h~r campaign here status. Under Iowa law, 1,000 signatures Chrysler plans to lay off nearly 4,000 workers on June 2. must be filed by August 17. The socialist at Plant No. 1, many auto workers are forced "Iowa is right in the middle of a world­ campaign will reach out to packinghouse to work overtime. Allor, for example, has wide economic crisis," Bailey explained. workers, women's rights fighters, anti­ been working 54 hours a week for six years. "Farmers are being driven off their land apartheid activists, and farm workers for The auto workers' union is on record sup­ and the bosses are trying to bust our support in this effort. porting such a proposal, the socialist ex­ unions. Environmental disasters, racist at­ Bailey works at the Swift/Monfort beef Millitaitt/).' vo1nne Hayes plained. But this must be a fight for the whole tacks, police brutality and frame-ups, more slaughterhouse in Des Moines, the plant Joseph Allor, socialist candidate for Con­ working class, demanding that the govern­ prisons, and attacks on abortion rights and where Curtis worked before he was framed gress in Missouri's third district, opposes ment take action to reduce the workweek and affirmative action are all consequences of up. She is a member of the United Food and bosses' anti-imports campaigns. provide jobs not just for those laid off at Chrysler and other auto plants but for the hundreds of thousands of other unemployed workers. ·Meat-packers' strike ends; blow to workers Following the news conference, campaign supporters participated in a rally to support BY OMARI MUSA the central issue was the pension plan. UFCW plant, chanting, ''Tum the buses around." striking workers at Eastern Airlines and AND TAMAR ROSENFELD members are enrolled in. a · union pension · Participants came from the International As­ Greyhound, as well as workers on strike at a SAN LORENZO, Calif. - On June 1 fund. No matter which shop they work in, sociation of Machinists, United Farm Work­ dozen different local companies. striking meat-packers at Gallo Salame they continue to accumulate benefits based ers, International Longshoremen's and On June 1 Allor dropped by a rally in front learned that their walkout had been ended. on the number of years they have worked in Warehousemen's union, and hospital, gov­ of the UAW Local 136 hall, the headquarters Their union president announced he had sent the industry. Gallo wanted out of the indus­ ernment, and electrical workers' unions. They of the union at Chrysler Plant No. 1. The rally a mailgram to the company accepting the try-wide plan. succeeded in keeping the plant closed for the featured Allor's Democratic Party opponent, most recent offer. Picketing was to cease at day. Congressman Richard Gephardt. Preparing for a strike 2:00 p.m. the same day. The strikers took their fight to the picket A statement from the socialist candidate On The workers, members of United Food April 8 Local 120 members voted to lines at Eastern and to union meetings in the explained the demand for a shorter workweek and Commercial Workers Local 120, ex­ reject the company's "final" offer and to Bay Area. Support for the strike continued to and called for a massive program of public pressed shock at the decision, which many strike if no agreement was reached in the next build. works to create jobs at union scale. The of them learned about when they arrived week. On April 16 Gallo advertised that it Walkout called otT anti-imports campaign by Gephardt and other for picket duty and found the signs had would accept applications for "permanent capitalist politicians, which they claim is been removed. replacement workers." It was in this context that workers learned aimed at protecting jobs, is a dead end for The 200 meat-packers had been on strike Three days later, at 10:45 a.m., union of­ of the decision to call off the strike. Local working people, Allor said. "It divides us since April 19. A week later they were joined ficials spread through the plant, announcing 120 President Tim Hamann told a union from our natural allies in the fight against the by 80 members of UFCW Local 203 at the the local was on strike. In waves, department meeting that he had taken the action based bosses- other· working people around the company's plant across the bay in San Fran­ by department, machines were shut off. on knowledge that the company was filing a world." cisco. Both plants - and a third in Modesto, Every worker walked off the line and petition to decertify the union. He said he While distributing the statement, Allor and California, which is unorganized - are punched out. The plant was shut down. acted unilaterally, without consulting either his supporters were asked by a Local 136 owned by the Sara Lee Corp. Noting that they had walked out the day the members or the executive board. Since 1982 the contracts 'at the two union after Eastern Airlines chief Frank Lorenzo officer to leave the rally. After a short discus­ Few of the 100 members at the meeting sion, the socialist candidate agreed. plants have gotten worse, but the workers did was ousted by the bankruptcy court, "Ernie" agreed with the decision. "We went out to­ not wage a fight. A two-tier setup was im­ with a slash through it became one of the first gether, we should return together" was a The next day, however, the St. Louis Post­ posed, no wage increases were granted, and . symbols of the strike. Ernie Gabiati is presi­ common sentiment. Hamann had explained Dispatch reported that Allor had rurt up to workers lost their guarantee of a 40-hour dent of Gallo Salame. the terms for returning to work included the stage during Gephardt's talk., demanding workweek. On Apri126 picket lines went up at the San retention of the scabs and recalling the strik­ to debate him. The newspaper ran a photo of The company tried to play workers in each Francisco plant and were honored by the ers by seniority as needed. The union-oper­ a man shaking his finger at the congressman, plant off against each other. When the con­ majority of Local 203 members. While the ated pension was a lso replaced by a identifying him as Allor. tract came up at the San Francisco plant, sympathy strikers could not walk the picket company-administered investment plan with The Socialist Workers campaign contacted production was shifted here to San Lorenzo. lines, they joined in helping organize a food reduced company contributions. the Post-Dispatch, which printed a retraction. But when the San Lorenzo contract expired · bank and other activities. None of the strikers from Local120 have Gephardt's challenger was Nicholas Clem­ in October 1989, production was shifted back The company began busing scabs into both yet been recalled. ent, also running for the congressional seat. to San Francisco. The workers at the plant plants. The striking locals reached out for He belongs to Missouri Democrats for Na­ stayed on the job without a contract. support. On May 24 nearly 200 unionists Omari Musa and Tamar Rosenfeld are both tional Recovery, a group that supports right­ As the months dragged on, it became clear swelled the picket lines at the San Lorenzo members of UFCW Local 120. winger Lyndon LaRouche.

16 The Militant June 22, 1990