Americas
Convicted Ponzi schemer Madoff accuses US government of stonewalling on bank prosecutions
By Andre Damon, 30 March 2013
Bernard Madoff, who admitted in 2009 to running a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, has charged that the government-appointed trustee for his firm’s investors is ignoring evidence of major banks’ complicity in his activities.
Detroit’s emergency manager keeps mayor, city council on payroll
By Bryan Dyne and Shannon Jones, 30 March 2013
Kevyn Orr’s first act as Detroit’s emergency financial manager was to restore the wages of the mayor and the city council.
Quebec’s Option Nationale: An aspiring party of big business
By Richard Dufour, 30 March 2013
At its first full convention, Option Nationale—a party courted by the ostensibly leftwing Québec Solidaire— paraded its support for capitalism and indifference to poverty.
Illinois House approves pension cuts
By Alexander Fangmann, 30 March 2013
The Illinois House of Representatives has approved a bill all but eliminating cost-of-living increases and raising the retirement age for state workers.
New Jersey governor announces state takeover of Camden schools
By Elliott Vernon, 30 March 2013
Camden, among the poorest cities in the US, became the fourth city in New Jersey to see its public schools fall under state control.
The trade unions and Michigan’s “right to work” law
By Joseph Kishore, 28 March 2013
The actions taken by the trade unions in response to the passage of Michigan’s reactionary “right to work” law expose the anti-working class character of these organizations.
Plans to vastly expand drones in US
By Fred Mazelis, 28 March 2013
After a decade of the use of drones as part of its “war on terror” abroad, the US government is preparing the American people for the routine use of drones inside the US.
Tensions high at Chrysler Warren Stamping in wake of victimization
By Shannon Jones, 28 March 2013
Skilled trades worker Alex Wassell was fired for opposing the Alternative Work Schedule, recently implemented at the plant.
Workers Struggles, the Americas
26 March 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
On eve of emergency manager take-over
Unions move to ram through concessions against Detroit workers
By Jerry White and Bryan Dyne, 21 March 2013
The sweeping concessions demanded from teachers and the city’s municipal employees give a picture of the draconian measures planned for the entire working class.
US Senate budget bill makes sequester cuts permanent
By Andre Damon, 21 March 2013
The US Senate passed a “continuing resolution” bill to fund the US government through September, while paving the way for the implementation of furloughs for about 1 million federal government employees.
D.C. Fire Department investigation highlights underfunding
By Adam Sagitov and Nick Barrickman, 21 March 2013
An audit by the emergency worker’s union exposed yet another attempt by the city government to undercut safety funding.
Los Angeles election results in May runoff between pro-business candidates
By Dan Conway and Thomas Gaist, 21 March 2013
Regardless of which candidate wins the May election, they will play an instrumental role in crafting the next austerity budget, as they have been in implementing brutal cost-cutting measures in the past.
US funding bill to make sequester cuts permanent
Hundreds of thousands face unpaid furloughs
By Andre Damon, 19 March 2013
As the US government prepares to furlough hundreds of thousands of federal employees, Congress is moving to make $1.2 trillion in spending cuts implemented under the sequester process permanent.
The managed bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler: A model for the assault on Detroit
By Jerry White, 19 March 2013
Detroit’s new Emergency Financial Manager is considering a “managed bankruptcy” to slash jobs, wages and pensions.
Plans for military surveillance of Americans’ financial records
By Ed Hightower, 19 March 2013
The Treasury’s proposal represents yet another front in the escalating attack on democratic rights, especially the rights to privacy and freedom of association.
Head of Canada’s NDP auditions before US elite
By Graham Beverley, 19 March 2013
Official Opposition leader Thomas Mulcair made a trip to Washington and New York last week to assure US business and political leaders that an NDP government would be a dependable ally of American imperialism.
Fifth West Virginia miner killed in as many weeks
By Naomi Spencer, 19 March 2013
The latest fatality comes in the wake of a statewide “safety standdown” called by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the eruption of a fire in another mine.
School bus drivers face legacy of toxic pollution
By Dan Brennan, 19 March 2013
As school bus companies in New York seek to cut costs by eliminating health benefits, workers are exposed to high levels of diesel pollution linked to asthma, cancer and premature death.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
19 March 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
US budget debate targets Social Security and Medicare
By Andre Damon, 14 March 2013
While the media is once again seeking to create the appearance of deep and fundamental conflicts—with endless talk of congressional “gridlock” and the “partisan divide”—there has never been greater bipartisan agreement on basic policy.
US officials announce formation of offensive cyber war units
By Alex Lantier, 14 March 2013
US intelligence officials announced Tuesday that Washington is setting up military units to write destructive computer code to attack other countries.
Parents, teachers and students oppose New York City school closings
By Steve Light, Alan Whyte and and A. Woodson, 14 March 2013
More New York City school closings and co-locations were approved by the Bloomberg-controlled Panel on Educational Policy, in defiance of the views of the majority of parents and teachers.
Nationalism or socialism in Latin America
A reply to a supporter of Chavez
By Bill Van Auken, 14 March 2013
The kind of “alternative” that is envisioned here is one that is imposed from above, not arising from the politically independent movement of the working class itself, striving to establish its own organs of power.
Too big to jail
By Joseph Kishore, 12 March 2013
At a Senate Judiciary Committee last week, US Attorney General Eric Holder declared that major financial institutions engaged in criminal activity are too big to prosecute.
Former Detroit mayor convicted of racketeering and extortion
By Jerry White, 12 March 2013
After a five-month trial a jury on Monday found Detroit’s former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, guilty of 22 corruption charges.
Building, food service workers strike University of Illinois
By Marcus Day, 12 March 2013
Building and food service workers at University of Illinois voted down a proposed contract over the weekend and walked off the job Monday morning.
Maryland moves to repeal state death penalty
By Trent Novak, 12 March 2013
Last Wednesday, the Maryland State Senate voted in favor of repealing the state death penalty.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 March 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Obama administration claims right to assassinate citizens within the US
By Joseph Kishore, 7 March 2013
The administration claims the power to order extrajudicial assassination of citizens within the US under undefined “extraordinary circumstances.”
Operation Condor trial begins in Argentina
By Bill Van Auken, 7 March 2013
The trial is the first to deal with the coordinated state terror campaign launched by Latin America’s US-backed dictatorships.
New York City homeless population reaches Great Depression levels
By Fred Mazelis, 7 March 2013
The Coalition for the Homeless reports an average nightly total of more than 50,000 in New York’s shelters, a record “since modern homelessness emerged three decades ago.”
Oscar-nominated Palestinian filmmaker detained at Los Angeles airport
By Kevin Martinez, 7 March 2013
Emad Burnat, co-director of 5 Broken Cameras, was detained and threatened with deportation by US immigration officials on arrival in Los Angeles before last week’s Oscar ceremony.
California governor prepares implementation of Obama health care bill
By Thomas Gaist, 7 March 2013
Deceptive claims of expanded coverage for poor and working class families are an attempt to cover over the real impact of the ACA.
Teachers, school staff strike in Cleveland suburb
By Phyllis Scherrer, 7 March 2013
The Strongsville, Ohio school board is seeking the elimination of seniority protections and changes to pension and health care plans.
Sequester cuts boost corporate assault on American workers
By Kate Randall, 5 March 2013
The media presentation of the sequester as a symptom of “gridlock” and bitter policy differences between the Democrats and Republicans is a cynical fraud.
Brutal budget cutting, privatization planned for Detroit
By Lawrence Porter, 5 March 2013
Michigan governor Rick Snyder’s declaration of a “financial emergency” in Detroit is paving the way for the gutting of city services and a fire sale of public assets.
Homeless crisis grows in San Diego
By Jake Dean and Justin Jones, 5 March 2013
San Diego ranks third in the nation after New York and Los Angeles in the size of its homeless population.
Las Vegas taxi drivers continue strike
By Therese Leclerc, 5 March 2013
The strike is the industry’s first in nearly two decades in Las Vegas.
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
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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
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
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
29 January 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 January 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 January 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 December 2012
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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.
Follow the WSWS