United States
Los Angeles teachers have the right to know the details of the negotiations
By Evan Blake, 22 January 2019
For five straight days, the UTLA has kept striking teachers in the dark as they conduct closed-door negotiations with the school district and the city’s Democratic mayor.
Tempe, Arizona police officer fatally shoots fleeing 14-year-old boy in the back
By Kevin Martinez, 22 January 2019
The police claim that the youth made a move toward the officer after he stole an airsoft gun from a neighbor’s truck is at odds with the bodycam footage and the testimony of the truck’s owner.
“If giving water to someone dying of thirst is illegal, what humanity is left in the law of this country?”
Four “No More Deaths” volunteers convicted for providing humanitarian aid to migrants crossing US border
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 22 January 2019
A Federal Judge in Arizona has rendered a guilty verdict against four volunteers from “No More Deaths” for the crime of leaving water and food in the Arizona desert to help migrants.
New York City mayor de Blasio tries to burnish his “progressive” credentials
By Fred Mazelis, 22 January 2019
A series of pronouncements only highlight de Blasio’s bankrupt record and his role as the servant of the financial elite.
US drug company payments to doctors linked to opioid overdose deaths
By Brian Dixon, 22 January 2019
A study published last week in JAMA Network Open found that counties where doctors received payments from drug companies later experienced higher rates of overdose deaths from opioids.
Who is Democratic Senator Kamala Harris?
By David Brown, 22 January 2019
The senator from California carries a legacy as a right-wing prosecutor into her presidential campaign.
Support for LA teachers’ strike
Students and the fight to defend public education
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US), 22 January 2019
Students have a critical role to play as they join their teachers in a fight against the entire capitalist system and political establishment that drives the assault on public education.
22 January 2019
Democrats reject Trump proposal to fund border wall and end US government shutdown
By Niles Niemuth, 21 January 2019
There are growing signs of financial distress among the 500,000 federal employees forced to work without pay and the 300,000 that have been furloughed for an entire month.
Los Angeles teachers angered over secret talks between union, school district and mayor
By Dan Conway and Jerry White, 21 January 2019
As the strike by 33,000 Los Angeles teachers enters its second week, suspicions are growing that the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) is preparing to agree to a rotten compromise.
Chicago police officer sentenced to less than seven years for murder of Laquan McDonald; three officers acquitted in cover-up
By Michael Walters, 21 January 2019
Jason Van Dyke was convicted in October 2018 of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, one for every bullet he unloaded into McDonald’s body.
“We’re the ones doing the work, moving the packages and moving the world”
Rockford, Illinois UPS workers outraged by sellout Teamsters contract
By George Marlowe, 21 January 2019
UPS workers in the economically depressed midwestern city of Rockford, Illinois, have spoken out against the UPS-Teamsters contract.
Head Start, school lunches and social programs targeted for elimination
The Congressional Budget Office points US spending priorities towards “great power” conflicts: Part Two
By Guillaume Garnier and Nancy Hanover, 21 January 2019
A recent CBO report insists that the vast majority of discretionary appropriations be allocated to the US military machine and its ever-expanding wars, while outlining “options” for eviscerating social services and public education.
Seven-month National Grid lockout ends with USW-backed concessions
By John Marion, 21 January 2019
Few details of the six-year deal between National Grid gas company and the United Steelworkers union have been released publicly, but wage increases are less than the rate of inflation and benefits for new hires will be cut.
Trump, announcing new missile defense program, ramps up nuclear arms race
By Andre Damon, 19 January 2019
Trump’s latest boondoggle for the military and defense contractors is part of the largest and most sustained military buildup since the Cold War.
“There’s only so much workers can take and now we’re rising up”
Mass demonstration as Los Angeles strike reaches fifth day
By our reporters, 19 January 2019
As anger among teachers builds to fight against the Democratic Party-led campaign to privatize public education, the United Teachers of Los Angeles is working with the school officials to carve up the district.
Oakland teachers hold second wildcat “sickout,” call for statewide strike with Los Angeles teachers
By Jonathan Burleigh, 19 January 2019
In defiance of the official, interminable, negotiations process, Oakland teachers have begun to organize themselves independently in preparation for a broader struggle in defense of public education.
Wright State University faculty in Dayton, Ohio to strike Tuesday
By Alexander Fangmann, 19 January 2019
Faculty at Wright State University are scheduled to begin striking on Tuesday against the imposition of an austerity contract featuring a pay freeze, furloughs, healthcare cuts and increases in workload.
US shutdown pits unpaid workers vs. political establishment and unions
By Daniel de Vries, 19 January 2019
There are growing fears in the ruling class that the prolonged shutdown could trigger strike action
Auto jobs massacre widens
Tesla, Nissan announce mass layoffs, Fiat Chrysler jobs threatened
By Marcus Day, 19 January 2019
The auto giants are seeking to terrorize an increasingly insurgent workforce into submission, as the companies confront slumping sales, a looming economic crisis and significant financial pressures.
“Amazon is really cold-hearted to its workers”
Injured Amazon worker forced to work to avoid being fired
By Nick Barrickman, 19 January 2019
A mother of two employed at an Amazon facility in east Baltimore contacted the International Amazon Workers Voice to relay her experiences with the web technology giant after being injured on the job.
“Made in China 2025” at centre of US-China economic war
By Gabriel Black, 19 January 2019
The US regards the “Made in China 2025” initiative as a major threat to its own global economic and strategic domination.
“Those workers are setting an example, they are starting a movement”
Canadian and US autoworkers voice support for striking maquiladora workers in Mexico
By Shannon Jones, 18 January 2019
The striking workers in Mexico include many employed by US and global auto parts suppliers who rely on their labor to fuel their massive profits.
Los Angeles teachers battle privatization as union vies to be partner in LAUSD restructuring
By Jerry White, 18 January 2019
The five-day strike by Los Angeles teachers has thrust educators into a direct conflict with the Democratic Party, which has used the city and the state as a test case for school privatization.
US-born anchor for Iranian TV jailed without charges
By Bill Van Auken, 18 January 2019
The police state style abduction and imprisonment of Marzieh Hashemi is part of Washington’s wider preparations for war against Iran.
Growing signs of worker resistance to US government shutdown
By Philip Guelpa, 18 January 2019
A TSA representative reported Wednesday that increasing numbers are explicitly stating that their refusal to come into work is due to financial hardship.
Native American organizations denounce government shutdown as an abrogation of treaties
By Shelley Connor, 18 January 2019
Now in its fourth week, the partial government shutdown has had wide-ranging and devastating effects upon Native Americans.
The Congressional Budget Office points US spending priorities towards “great power” conflict: Part One
By Nancy Hanover, 18 January 2019
The latest CBO report emphasizes the need to fund ever-expanding wars while outlining various “options” for eviscerating social services and public education.
The US political crisis reaches fever pitch
By Patrick Martin, 18 January 2019
Both feuding factions of the US ruling elite are right-wing, anti-democratic and militaristic.
Mexican strikers show working class answer to capitalist reaction at US-Mexico border
By Eric London, 17 January 2019
At the US-Mexico border, the two chief social classes under capitalism—the capitalist class and the working class—are demonstrating the two alternatives for the future of mankind.
“All teachers have to get together from all the states”
Los Angeles teachers discuss need to expand strike as UTLA resumes talks to end walkout
By our reporters, 17 January 2019
On the picket lines and at rallies teachers spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about a strategy to fight the assault on public education.
House Speaker Pelosi asks Trump to postpone State of the Union address
By Niles Niemuth, 17 January 2019
A letter to the White House cited the lack of funding for the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security due to the partial government shutdown, now in its fourth week.
US federal judge upholds compulsory unpaid labor during government shutdown
By Daniel de Vries, 17 January 2019
The court denied immediate relief for government workers forced to work during the shutdown.
Pentagon extends troop deployment at Mexican border until September
By Matthew Taylor, 17 January 2019
The Trump administration is increasing its repressive measures against immigrants, including doubling the capacity of an immigrant detention center for youth in Homestead, Florida.
Ironworker killed at Amazon construction site in California
By Tom Carter, 17 January 2019
Brien Daunt, 45, was killed Saturday at the construction site of a new Amazon fulfillment center near Bakersfield, California.
A fighting strategy for California teachers
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 17 January 2019
After the initial exhilaration of the first few days of the strike, teachers in Los Angeles are now discussing and debating the way forward in this historic battle to defend public education.
Widespread student support for beleaguered professor Peter Boghossian
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality at Portland State University, 17 January 2019
Despite threats of dismissal by Portland State University, Grievance Studies “hoaxer” Peter Boghossian is respected by students for his principled stand against postmodernist philosophy.
As support grows to extend Los Angeles teacher strike, unions colluding with Democrats to end walkout
By Jerry White, 16 January 2019
With Oakland teachers planning sickouts to join the fight, the United Teachers Los Angeles is working behind the scenes with the Democratic mayor and governor to prepare a sellout of the strike.
Los Angeles teachers speak out on political issues in strike
By our reporters, 16 January 2019
“They keep saying, ‘There’s no money, there’s no money.’ That’s a lie.”
Oakland, California teachers plan a one-day walkout Friday
By Jonathan Burleigh, 16 January 2019
Teachers in Oakland, facing the same crisis as those striking in Los Angeles, have called a second wildcat “sickout” to oppose the attacks on public education.
Amid stalled US-North Korean talks, second Trump-Kim summit mooted
By Peter Symonds, 16 January 2019
The unstated aim of Trump’s diplomacy has been to “flip” North Korea—that is, to induce Pyongyang through threats and bribes to reorient away from Beijing and towards Washington.
070 US government workers
16 January 2019
075 PSU students defend Boghossian
16 January 2019
PG&E’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing: Corporate executives again to get away with murder
By Jessica Goldstein, 16 January 2019
The company faces widespread litigation, including government investigation into the deadly Californian wildfires over the past two years, lawsuits from victims and over $30 billion in potential liabilities.
Grenfell Tower: Class action lawsuit in US against flammable cladding manufacturer
By Paul Bond, 16 January 2019
The suit claims Arconic “knowingly or recklessly supplied its highly flammable Reynobond polyethylene (PE) cladding panels for use in high-rise buildings.”
50,000 march on first day of Los Angeles teachers strike
By Jerry White, 15 January 2019
The first strike by LA teachers in three decades is shaping up to be a direct conflict with the Democratic Party, which is backing the campaign to privatize public education.
This walkout should be nationwide
Los Angeles teachers, students and parents speak out on first day of strike
By our reporters, 15 January 2019
Teachers and their supporters denounced the bipartisan attack on public education and supported the call by the WSWS Teacher Newsletter to expand the strike throughout California and the US.
025 Oakland rally interviews
15 January 2019
Denver, Colorado teachers move closer to strike action
By J. Cooper, 15 January 2019
If negotiations fail between the Denver Public Schools board and the union by January 18, a strike vote will be taken the next day.
US shutdown: Sickouts by screeners throw airports into crisis
By Rebecca Campbell, 15 January 2019
The sickouts are one reflection of growing anger and determination to take action against uncompensated, compulsory labor for 420,000 workers and the lockout of another 380,000.
The American media revives the methods of McCarthyism
By Patrick Martin, 15 January 2019
The campaign sparked by reports over the weekend by the New York Times and Washington Post harks back to the anti-communist witch-hunt of the 1950s.
Los Angeles teachers strike in second largest school district in US
By David Brown, 14 January 2019
Teachers across California and the nation looking for a way to defend public education are confronting the efforts of the unions to isolate them.
The FBI’s police state operation against Trump
By Patrick Martin, 14 January 2019
A New York Times report aimed at reviving the anti-Russia campaign against Trump exposes a conspiracy by the political police of the FBI to negate the results of the 2016 election.
Sickouts spread, impact widens as US shutdown enters fourth week
By Rebecca Campbell, 14 January 2019
The longest government shutdown in US history continues to impact on the economy as federal workers and government contractors try to cope with missed paychecks.
Hypocritical outrage from media, politicians after latest racist outburst by Iowa Congressman Steve King
By Trévon Austin, 14 January 2019
The intimate ties between the Republican Party and far-right, segregationist forces have been systematically covered up by the media and the Democrats as well as the Republicans.
New York City public housing residents in the South Bronx without heat for a decade
By Katy Kinner, 14 January 2019
During the winter months, New York City’s social misery is on full display as public housing residents live without reliable heat or hot water.
Macy’s marks worst day ever on Wall Street, will shut eight stores in 2019
By Jessica Goldstein, 14 January 2019
Against the backdrop of Sears’ threatened liquidation, Macy’s and other department retailers suffered severe stock drops and announced plans for more store closures.
Amid threat of national emergency declaration
US government workers call in sick, demand strike action against lockout and payless paydays
By Barry Grey, 12 January 2019
The growing opposition of federal workers comes together with the preparations of Los Angeles teachers to strike, the mounting opposition of auto workers to plant closures, and a rising wave of class struggle internationally.
For a united struggle to defend public education in California and beyond!
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 12 January 2019
As teachers in Los Angeles prepare to strike, they confront the fact that the unions are working to undermine and isolate their struggle against privatization and other attacks on public education.
Pompeo in Cairo: The ugly face of US imperialism
By Bill Van Auken, 12 January 2019
Reflecting US imperialism’s priorities in the region, Pompeo mentioned Iran 25 times in his speech, compared to a mere dozen references to “terrorism.”
No layoffs! No concessions!
Autoworkers call for demonstration February 9 to fight GM plant closings
By Jerry White, 12 January 2019
The Steering Committee of the Coalition of Rank-and-File Committees, which was established last month, is calling on workers and young people to march on February 9 at the headquarters of GM in downtown Detroit.
US astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson targeted by #MeToo campaign
By David Walsh, 12 January 2019
Nothing that has come to light so far demonstrates that Tyson is guilty of wrongdoing. On the contrary, the published material suggests he is the victim of a virulent strain of political hysteria.
Trump at the Rubicon
By Patrick Martin and Andre Damon, 11 January 2019
A presidential declaration of a “national emergency” to override congressional opposition would mean a permanent and irreversible break with constitutional government in the United States.
“We are being treated like pawns”
As payless payday looms, federal unions stage protests in US cities
By our reporter, 11 January 2019
With hundreds of thousands of federal workers facing destitution due to the budget impasse, unions staged protests aimed at dissipating anger over the impact of the government shutdown.
Widespread support for Los Angeles teacher strike as unions seek to block statewide struggle
By our reporters, 11 January 2019
Students, parents and workers expressed their support for Los Angeles teachers who are determined to walk out for improved wages and to oppose the drive to dismantle public education.
Corporate media smears WikiLeaks and Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 January 2019
A host of articles attacking Julian Assange this week are representative of what the world-renowned investigative journalist John Pilger aptly described as “Vichy journalism.”
Amazon hires public relations firm to counter popular hostility to headquarters project in New York City
By Clare Hurley, 11 January 2019
Amazon’s desperate public relations campaign represents an inverse reflection of mounting opposition to the conglomerate’s practices.
“The Teamsters won’t fight for us. It’s not a good contract”
Chicago UPS workers speak out against sellout contract
By George Marlowe and Jessica Goldstein, 11 January 2019
UPS workers in the Chicago area spoke out against the local contract, which mirrors the contract proposal rejected by tens of thousands of UPS workers nationwide.
Landlords reap profits from dilapidated US military housing tainted with lead, mold, brown tapwater
By Zaida Green, 11 January 2019
Property developers are left free to pocket federal housing stipends under fifty-year leases whilst hazardous homes cripple soldiers’ children and send entire families to the hospital.
Actors and stage managers strike against developmental work with Broadway League
By Katy Kinner, 11 January 2019
The National Council of the Actors’ Equity union announced a strike on Monday, calling for a new contract.
Trump’s “national emergency” threat and the danger of presidential dictatorship
By Patrick Martin, 10 January 2019
Congressional Democrats and the corporate media are deliberately downplaying the danger to democratic rights and constitutional norms embodied in Trump’s threats.
Los Angeles teachers angered as union delays strike again
By Jerry White, 10 January 2019
Just days after abandoning teachers’ most critical demands regarding opposition to school privatization, the United Teachers Los Angeles has postponed the strike by 33,000 educators
“All the teachers across the nation should come out”
California, Michigan educators call for joint action with LA teachers
By our reporters, 10 January 2019
The WSWS Teacher Newsletter spoke to teachers eager to join with LA teachers and expand the fight to defend public education nationally and internationally.
“They don’t treat us like we’re human beings”
Faurecia auto parts workers in Saline, Michigan speak on conditions
By our reporters, 10 January 2019
The brutal conditions inside the plants are reinforced by the United Auto Workers union.
No deal reached in US-China trade talks
By Peter Symonds, 10 January 2019
The negotiations consisted of US officials insisting that Beijing meet a long list of demands, but offering nothing in return other than not proceeding with higher tariffs.
Portland State University threatens to fire Peter Boghossian for authoring “Grievance Studies” hoax
By Eric London, 10 January 2019
Boghossian has faced threats and intimidation after Portland State found he violated ethical obligations in the October 2018 study exposing the bankruptcy of postmodernism and identity politics.
Los Angeles teachers prepare to strike
By Jerry White, 9 January 2019
Teachers in the nation’s second-largest school district are engaged in a critical battle to defend the right to public education.
As US shutdown heads toward its fourth week
Trump delivers fascistic White House rant to demand border wall
By Barry Grey, 9 January 2019
The government shutdown marks a significant step in the direction of authoritarian rule, directed squarely against the working class.
Sears liquidation temporarily averted, thousands more jobs to be slashed
By Jessica Goldstein, 9 January 2019
Sears Holding Corp. has put liquidation on hold as hedge fund manager and asset stripper Eddie Lampert, its primary shareholder, revised a bid to purchase the company’s assets.
Los Angeles and the billionaires’ plan to destroy public education
By Alan Gilman, 9 January 2019
Los Angeles teachers are in the front line of the battle against Wall Street interests seeking to privatize education.
Actor Kevin Spacey arraigned on indecent assault charge in Massachusetts
By David Walsh, 9 January 2019
Spacey’s brief courtroom appearance on Monday, during which he hardly spoke, was the occasion for another media frenzy.
US Navy SEAL accused of war crimes, murder, pleads not guilty
By Jacob Crosse, 9 January 2019
Navy prosecutors allege Edward Gallagher stabbed and killed a 15-year-old boy being treated for injuries sustained during the “Mosul Massacre.”
Guatemalan establishment indifferent to deaths of US incarcerated migrant children
By Andrea Lobo, 9 January 2019
The reaction in ruling circles not only reflects their disdain for the country’s impoverished masses, but also their efforts to demonstrate loyal submission to the Trump administration.
Trump escalates confrontation over federal shutdown
By Patrick Martin, 8 January 2019
The White House has requested time for a nationally televised speech Tuesday night in which Trump will appeal to fear and bigotry against immigrants and refugees.
On eve of strike, union drops LA teachers’ demands against school privatization
By Jerry White, 8 January 2019
The United Teachers Los Angeles has signaled that it is preparing to betray this critical battle over the privatization of public education.
8 January 2019
8 January 2019
“Almost everyone I know is working two jobs to make ends meet”
Los Angeles teachers prepare for strike
By Jerry White and Kim Saito, 7 January 2019
More than 33,000 teachers in the nation’s second largest school district are set to strike Thursday in a battle that pits educators against the Democratic Party establishment.
Austin Beutner—Wall Street’s Superintendent of Education in Los Angeles
By Alan Gilman, 7 January 2019
Beutner is renowned as a financier who has had a lucrative career extracting huge profits by privatizing public assets and slashing the wages and benefits of workers.
US shutdown could leave millions without food stamps
By Kate Randall, 7 January 2019
More than 19 million households face the cutoff of SNAP benefits—partially in February and completely in March—if the government shutdown drags on.
Longest-serving Chicago alderman charged with attempted extortion
By Kristina Betinis, 7 January 2019
Ed Burke, who has spent more than 50 years in Chicago Democratic Party politics, faces federal corruption charges.
For fifth year in a row, US police kill more than one thousand
By George Gallanis, 7 January 2019
The relentless wave of killings is an indictment of identity politics and the pseudo-left groups who promote racialist politics as an antidote to police violence.
As government shutdown enters third week
Trump threatens to declare national emergency to build border wall
By Niles Niemuth, 5 January 2019
Legal options are reportedly being seriously considered within the Trump administration for circumventing Congress, including redirecting funds already appropriated to the Department of Defense.
NBC journalist resigns, blasting media as “defender of Washington and the system”
By Bill Van Auken, 5 January 2019
William Arkin, a veteran reporter and security consultant for NBC, delivered a scathing critique of the corporate media as stenographer and apologist for the military-intelligence apparatus.
UAW lawsuit against GM pits temporary part-time workers against laid-off Lordstown workers over jobs
By Shannon Jones, 5 January 2019
In an effort to divert anger over its refusal to fight impending GM plant closures, the UAW has filed a lawsuit to force the dismissal of hundreds of temporary part-time workers in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Report: 452 child workers died in the US from 2003 to 2016
By Jessica Goldstein, 5 January 2019
The number of children working and killed at work in the US reveals the stark reality that in one of the most advanced capitalist economies in the world, child labor is not eradicated.
Mumia Abu-Jamal wins right to reargue appeal of his 1982 conviction
By Fred Mazelis, 5 January 2019
The internationally known prisoner has steadfastly maintained his innocence of the murder of a Philadelphia police officer.
The New York Times’ #MeToo smear against Bernie Sanders
By Barry Grey, 5 January 2019
The Times wants the next Democratic campaign, like the last, to be dominated by the politics of gender, race and sex—not class.
US House Democrats reaffirm right-wing program of austerity, bipartisanship
By Niles Niemuth, 4 January 2019
Nancy Pelosi’s re-election as Speaker was welcomed by President Donald Trump, who expressed his hope that they would work together on infrastructure and “so much more.”
Democrat Elizabeth Warren enters US presidential race
By Patrick Martin, 4 January 2019
The Massachusetts senator, a former longtime Republican, is seeking to capture the “left” lane in the nomination contest with populist demagogy directed against big business.
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