Americas
Gas explosion kills Michigan man
By James Brewer, 5 March 2013
As a utility company maintenance crew worked on a “civic improvement project,” an apparent gas leak caused an explosion that was felt for miles.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
5 March 2013
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Illinois public employees’ union agrees to concessions contract
By Alexander Fangmann, 5 March 2013
AFSCME has agreed to a pay freeze in the first year of the contract.
US Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit challenging secret wiretaps
By John Burton, 28 February 2013
In dismissing the suit, the Supreme Court majority adopted the positions urged by Obama administration lawyers in their briefs and at oral argument last October.
Fed chairman reassures markets on dollar-printing “quantitative easing” program
By Barry Grey, 28 February 2013
The real beneficiaries of the policy Bernanke reaffirmed was reflected in the surge of share values on global stock markets.
Quebec: PQ imposes annual hikes in university tuition fees
By Keith Jones, 28 February 2013
Using a phony “national” Education Summit as a backdrop, Quebec’s Parti Québecois government announced Tuesday that henceforth university tuition fees will rise annually by at least 3 percent.
Four perish in Maryland house fire
By Adam Sagitov, 28 February 2013
A house fire claimed the lives of three children and one adult Thursday in a Washington, DC suburb.
New York City homelessness continues to set new records
By Fred Mazelis, 26 February 2013
Mayor Michael Bloomberg dismissed complaints that the city had turned away homeless families from municipal shelters.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
26 February 2013
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Obama calls for more spending cuts to prevent “sequestration”
By Andre Damon, 21 February 2013
US President Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to implement billions in spending cuts to head off the so-called “sequestration” scheduled to take effect at the end of the month.
Another West Virginia coal miner killed
By Naomi Spencer, 21 February 2013
A second miner has been killed in the same mine where a fatal accident occurred just two weeks ago.
Draconian White House immigration reform leaked to press
By Kate Randall, 19 February 2013
Undocumented immigrants would have to wait an estimated eight years for the chance to receive a “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” visa.
Deteriorating conditions in Illinois prisons lead to hunger strike
By Marcus Day, 19 February 2013
In response to overcrowding and deteriorating prison conditions, inmates at Pontiac Correctional Center have launched a hunger strike.
SEIU union leader convicted on federal charges
By Allison Smith and Marc Wells, 19 February 2013
A federal court convicted the former president of an SEIU affiliate on 14 criminal counts, including embezzlement of thousands of dollars of union funds.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
19 February 2013
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Two more US coal miners killed
By Clement Daly, 19 February 2013
Two more US coal miners were killed last week, bringing the nation’s coal mining fatalities to five this year.
600 children living in Washington, DC homeless shelter
By Naomi Spencer, 14 February 2013
A single homeless shelter in the nation’s capital is crowded with nearly 1,000 residents.
California governor’s budget foreshadows new assaults on health care
By Thomas Gaist, 14 February 2013
Governor Brown’s agenda includes a restructuring of health care programs to shave hundreds of millions of dollars from the budget.
After the bids: New York School bus strike at the crossroads
By Bill Van Auken, 14 February 2013
The New York City school bus strike has reached a critical turning point following the Department of Education’s opening of bids Tuesday for 1,100 school bus routes.
“I see this as an attack on public education.”
New York City workers and students express support for school bus strikers
By Bryan Dyne, 14 February 2013
The strike by 9,000 school bus workers has generated popular support among workers and youth in New York City.
Socialism and the defense of public education in Chicago
By the Socialist Equality Party, 14 February 2013
The SEP calls for the independent mobilization of the entire working class to oppose all school closings.
On eve of State of the Union speech
Obama pushes austerity in the guise of defending the “middle class”
By Patrick Martin, 12 February 2013
Obama is calling for further deficit-reduction measures, including cuts in core social programs.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 February 2013
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US Postal Service announces plan to end Saturday mail delivery
By James Brewer, 7 February 2013
The postmaster general announced a $2 billion cost-cutting measure that would end Saturday mail service by August.
Firms make billions as middlemen in government cover-up of Wall Street crimes
By Andre Damon, 7 February 2013
US financial regulators increasingly rely on “independent investigators” who, in the guise of helping regulators find wrongdoing, help financial firms cover up their fraudulent activities.
Bloomberg presses attack on striking New York City school bus drivers
By Jerry White, 7 February 2013
The strike by nearly 9,000 New York City school bus workers entered its fourth week today with the Bloomberg administration preparing to accept bids from private school bus contractors without long-standing job and wage protections.
Democrats join bid to strangle New York City bus drivers strike
By Bill Van Auken, 7 February 2013
Pretending to support both striking bus workers and parents, New York City’s Democratic politicians have joined the union in calling for a “cooling-off period” and negotiations on cost-cutting givebacks.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
5 February 2013
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
29 January 2013
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 January 2013
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400,000 still homeless three years after Haitian earthquake
By John Marion, 15 January 2013
Three years after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, hundreds of thousands of people continue to suffer from its effects.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
8 January 2013
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 January 2013
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Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 December 2012
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School shooting in Connecticut leaves 27 dead, including 20 children
By Kate Randall, 15 December 2012
The massacre is the worst in the US since the 2007 rampage at Virginia Tech University, which left 33 dead. Less than five months ago a shooting rampage at a theater in Aurora, Colorado resulted in 12 deaths and 58 people wounded.
Rice abandons bid for secretary of state nomination
By Bill Van Auken, 15 December 2012
Dropping the bid to name Susan Rice as secretary of state reflects the administration’s desire to avoid both a protracted debate on Benghazi and a partisan fight with the Republicans.
US military trial to censor testimony on CIA torture
By Naomi Spencer, 15 December 2012
While evidence obtained through torture may be introduced into the courtroom, no evidence of the torture itself is to be permitted.
Detroit area auto workers speak on passage of Michigan right-to-work law
By a WSWS reporting team, 15 December 2012
Reporting teams interviewed workers at two auto plants on the significance of the reactionary legislation passing in Michigan.
Syria in the crosshairs
By Joseph Kishore, 15 December 2012
The US and its imperialist allies are building up to a direct intervention in Syria, with the deployment of Patriot missile batteries in Turkey and the official recognition of the opposition.
Obama, CEOs join forces in budget-cutting campaign
By Patrick Martin, 14 December 2012
Obama and a large group of top corporate executives are supporting a combination of minor tax increases on the wealthy and enormous spending cuts in social programs like Medicare and Social Security.
US Federal Reserve expands “quantitative easing”
By Andre Damon, 14 December 2012
The Federal Reserve announced a significant expansion of its bond-buying program and low-interest-rate policy, in a move to prop up the assets of the super-rich.
Uninsured in Detroit speak on health care crisis
“It is like they are trying to find a way to kill us off”
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 December 2012
A WSWS reporting team recently spoke to medically uninsured Detroit residents participating in a free health screening.
Washington, DC charter school wins Race to the Top grant
By Nick Barrickman, 14 December 2012
The US Department of Education announced that the Knowledge Is Power Program has been declared the winner of a grant from the Obama administration.
Above the law
By Barry Grey, 14 December 2012
The financial robber barons of today are a law unto themselves.
Michigan’s right-to-work law
By Jerry White, 13 December 2012
The inability of the United Auto Workers and other unions to mount any serious opposition to the anti-worker legislation demonstrates the bankruptcy of these organizations.
Sweetheart settlement for HSBC bank on drug money laundering charges
By Barry Grey, 13 December 2012
The financial mafia that bestrides the American economy and controls the political system is, in practice, above the law.
Oregon students face massive debt
By Lauren Hughes, 13 December 2012
Oregon, student, student debt, Stafford loan
Massachusetts governor outlines new round of budget cuts
By John Marion, 13 December 2012
The Democratic governor of Massachusetts, a close friend of the president’s, is calling for major cuts in social programs to close a state budget gap.
Illinois grad assistants union pushes through concessions contract
By Marcus Day, 13 December 2012
The new contract is part of an overall attack on public education throughout the state of Illinois and across the country.
Michigan enacts right-to-work law
By Andre Damon and Jerry White, 12 December 2012
The inability of the UAW and other unions to mount any serious opposition to the anti-worker law reflects the political bankruptcy of these organizations and the erosion of support among workers for them.
Michigan protesters denounce right-to-work law
By a WSWS reporting team, 12 December 2012
Several thousand workers marched on the state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan Tuesday to protest the right-to-work law signed by Republican Governor Rick Snyder.
Hearing on Bradley Manning’s pre-trial confinement concludes
By Naomi Spencer, 12 December 2012
Manning was arrested May 26, 2010, accused of the largest leak of classified military and government documents in history while working as an intelligence analyst in Iraq.
Stockton, California: Bankruptcy judge poised to rule against workers
By Kevin Kearney, 12 December 2012
Bond insurers have filed a petition to force the city of Stockton to abrogate its pension obligations before filing for bankruptcy.
Conviction of Quebec student strike leader sets stage for broader attack on students’ rights
By Keith Jones, 12 December 2012
Workers and all those concerned with the defence of democratic rights should condemn the contempt-of-court conviction of Quebec student leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
Washington discovers terrorists in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 12 December 2012
In branding one of the principal anti-Assad militias as a terrorist organization, Washington is exposing the character of the US-backed war in Syria.
Doha climate summit concludes without agreement on emission reductions
By Patrick O’Connor, 11 December 2012
The failure of the conference was anticipated by everyone involved and met with widespread indifference on the part of the international media.
UAW provides Obama a platform for his austerity assault on workers
By Jerry White, 11 December 2012
President Obama gave a speech at a suburban Detroit auto factory Monday afternoon, enlisting the support of the United Auto Workers union for his attack on basic social programs.
The extortionate operations of NML Capital
By Ernst Wolff, 11 December 2012
A New York court ordered Argentina to settle debts totalling $1.33 billion with hedge fund NML Capital by December 15.
Obama inauguration to allow unlimited corporate donations
By Andre Damon, 11 December 2012
In a reversal of its 2009 policy, the Obama administration announced Friday that it will put no limits on corporate donations to finance its second inauguration.
Patriot Coal to end mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia
By Clement Daly, 11 December 2012
Patriot Coal has announced it will phase out its mountaintop removal coal mining operations as part of a $440 million settlement with environmental groups.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
11 December 2012
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
The “fiscal cliff” and the dismantling of Medicare
By Kate Randall, 10 December 2012
The introduction of means testing signifies the transformation of Medicare from a universal health care program into a poverty program, the first step in its being starved of funds and ultimately dismantled.
New York City police arrest artist who created drone satires
By Sandy English, 10 December 2012
Last week, The New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested Essam Attia, an artist who had designed and surreptitiously placed satirical posters dealing with the NYPD’s potential use of pilotless drone aircraft.
Peabody closes Illinois mine after miner’s death, laying off 400
By Clement Daly, 10 December 2012
St. Louis-based Peabody Energy has announced it will permanently close its Willow Lake Mine in southern Illinois, laying off 400 miners after a miner was crushed to death last month.
For an independent political struggle by the working class
No to Michigan’s ‘right-to-work’ legislation
By Socialist Equality Party, 10 December 2012
The Michigan right-to-work bill is a fundamental attack on the right of the working class to resist attacks on jobs, wages and living conditions
Mounting evidence of US plans for military intervention against Syria
By Chris Marsden, 8 December 2012
Unsubstantiated claims that Syria intends to use chemical weapons are as transparent a pretext for military aggression as the lies a decade ago about Iraqi “weapons of mass destruction.”
Tepid US jobs report points to ongoing slump
By Andre Damon, 8 December 2012
The US unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, down from 7.9 percent in October, but only because 350,000 people left the labor force.
Cleveland, Ohio police killing sparks outrage
By David Brown, 8 December 2012
A public forum in Cleveland Thursday night exploded in anger over the police killing of two people last week.
Washington DC parents and teachers express outrage over schools plan
By Ed Hightower and Nick Barrickman, 8 December 2012
At a public meeting held by school authorities, parents and teachers spoke out against the consolidation of the district and the shutting down of 20 schools.
Letters on the British royal pregnancy
8 December 2012
Letters in response to the December 7 perspective, “The American establishment and the British royal pregnancy.”
US tightens military noose around Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 7 December 2012
Amid an escalating drumbeat about a supposed threat that Syria is preparing to use chemical weapons, Washington has deployed a naval armada off the country’s coast.
Michigan woman killed in blaze near closed fire station
By David Brown and Andre Damon, 7 December 2012
A 73-year old Alabama woman visiting relatives in Taylor, Michigan burned to death in a mobile home Thursday morning in a fire rescuers believe could have been ignited by a space heater.
Michigan legislators pass right-to-work bill as police attack protesters
By Shannon Jones, 7 December 2012
The WSWS and SEP condemn the police attack on workers protesting Michigan’s right-to-work legislation.
Behind the growth of D.C. charter schools
By Trent Novak and Nick Barrickman, 7 December 2012
An examination of the personnel behind the charterization of the Washington, D.C. school system reveals private profit as the motive.
The American establishment and the British royal pregnancy
By David Walsh, 7 December 2012
The announcement that Kate Middleton, wife of Britain’s Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge, is expecting a baby has produced unseemly squeals of delight from the American media and establishment generally.
Locked out American Crystal Sugar workers reject contract again
By Michael Stapleton, 7 December 2012
Sixteen months into a lockout, workers at American Crystal Sugar Company rejected the company’s contract demands for the fourth time.
Citigroup to cut 11,000 jobs
By James Brewer, 6 December 2012
Citigroup’s announcement of global layoffs, the first step in the restructuring plan of its new CEO, was met with enthusiasm by investors.
Who are Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles?
By Andre Damon, 6 December 2012
The co-chairs of Obama administration’s deficit reduction committee are millionaires committed to make the working class pay for the crisis of the capitalist system.
ISO leader endorses Chicago school closings
By Alexander Fangmann, 6 December 2012
Anyone who may still harbor illusions that the International Socialist Organization has anything to do with socialism should take a look at the video of ISO leader Jesse Sharkey’s appearance on Chicago Tonight.
Large turnout at meeting on attacks on public schools in Michigan
By Walter Gilberti, 6 December 2012
A meeting on state legislation aimed at further expanding charter and online education schemes drew a large crowd in Rochester, Michigan Monday.
Congressman Jack Brooks, Rex ’84 and the Iran-Contra affair
By Patrick Martin, 6 December 2012
Former congressman Jack Brooks, a liberal Democrat who represented an east Texas district for 42 years, died Tuesday at the age of 89.
ILWU ends Los Angeles port strike
By our reporter, 6 December 2012
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union on Tuesday ended the eight-day strike by clerical workers, which had shut down the major US ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
Public tussle over US deficit plans masks bipartisan agenda
By Barry Grey, 5 December 2012
The profound and reactionary implications of the changes being negotiated are concealed behind a stage-managed show of partisan warfare.
Hurricane Sandy compounds crisis facing public schools in New York City
By Steve Light, 5 December 2012
When New York City schools re-opened for their 1.1 million students and 100,000 staff a week after Hurricane Sandy hit, 57 of 1,700 school buildings in New York City remained closed due to damage and 29 due to lack of electricity.
Notes on the social crisis in America
By Naomi Spencer, 5 December 2012
Jobless parents jailed for manner of transporting their children, Michigan mother harassed for deceased son’s student loans, more homeless risk hypothermia, study released on homeless students and an Ohio state road falls into sinkhole.
Obama administration to allow further US media consolidation
By David Maynard, 5 December 2012
The Obama administration is quietly planning to pass changes proposed under Bush and permit even greater media consolidation.
Washington floats chemical weapons charge as pretext for Syria buildup
By Bill Van Auken, 4 December 2012
The Obama administration and the media have cited unspecified “intelligence” about chemical weapons to issue new threats against Syria.
The historical significance of the gathering world slump
By Nick Beams, 4 December 2012
The OECD has warned that a major economic contraction cannot be ruled out.
More data pointing to slowdown in US economy
By Barry Grey, 4 December 2012
A fall in US manufacturing coincides with slumping consumer spending.
New study details growth of income inequality across US
By Clement Daly, 4 December 2012
Income gaps between the richest and poorest US households have widened significantly since the late 1970s and continue to grow at a dizzying pace.
NHL union lays the basis for massive concessions for hockey players
By Alexander Fangmann, 4 December 2012
The hockey players’ union has agreed in principle to massive reductions in salary and changes in contract structure, with negotiations continuing over their implementation.
Los Angeles area port workers’ strike continues
By Thomas Gaist, 4 December 2012
The 800 clerical workers on strike have shut down 10 of 14 terminals of the country’s most heavily trafficked port complex. Several thousand dockworkers in Los Angeles and Long Beach have refused to cross picket lines.
University of Illinois graduate assistants:
Reject the sellout contract! Fight to defend the right to higher education and decent living standards!
By Socialist Equality Party, 4 December 2012
The SEP calls on graduate assistants to reject the concessions agreement the Graduate Employees Organization has reached with the University of Illinois administration.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
4 December 2012
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
In “fiscal cliff” talks, Democrats offer cuts now, cuts later
By Patrick Martin, 3 December 2012
Leading Democrats have agreed to discuss cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, the biggest federal social programs, as part of ongoing budget talks with congressional Republicans.
The death of Adnan Farhan Abdul Latif
By Tom Carter, 3 December 2012
The failure of the US legal system to enforce the most basic rights of Latif, who died in September at the Guantanamo prison camp, underscores the collapse of democratic legal institutions and the expanding machinery of a police state.
Doha conference highlights national divisions over climate change
By Bryan Dyne, 3 December 2012
The Doha 2012 climate conference, which began November 26 and will run through December 7, has been characterized by national divisions and no serious proposals to address climate change.
Thousands protest as new Mexican president takes office
By Rafael Azul, 3 December 2012
Across Mexico, workers and youth greeted the transfer of power to President Enrique Peña Nieto of the PRI with protests.
US birth rate falls to lowest since 1920
By Kate Randall, 3 December 2012
Among wide layers of the US population, increasing numbers are putting off parenthood due to poverty, job loss and other economic stresses.
The “rule of law” and state killings
By Bill Van Auken and David North, 3 December 2012
The leading newspaper of American liberalism proposes to sanction a criminal policy of state assassinations by establishing a set of administrative procedures.
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